BIO 322 Final Exam V2 | BIO 322 Applied
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (BIO322 Final Exam) | Grand
Canyon University
1. Which of the following are considered true cellular adaptations to environmental stress?
(Select all that apply)
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
E. Dysplasia
F. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Cellular adaptation refers to changes made by a cell in response to adverse or
changing environmental conditions to maintain homeostasis. Atrophy, hypertrophy,
hyperplasia, and metaplasia are the four primary types of adaptive responses recognized in
pathophysiology. Dysplasia is considered an abnormal, deranged growth pattern and is
often a precursor to cancer rather than a true adaptation, while neoplasia represents
uncontrolled malignant growth.
,2. A patient presents with severe dehydration. Which physiological mechanism is primarily
responsible for triggering the release of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)?
A. Decrease in serum sodium levels
B. Increase in blood pressure
C. Increase in plasma osmolarity
D. Decrease in blood glucose
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is synthesized in the hypothalamus and stored in
the posterior pituitary gland. It is primarily released in response to an increase in plasma
osmolarity or a decrease in circulating blood volume. Once released, ADH acts on the distal
tubules and collecting ducts of the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, thereby
concentrating the urine and diluting the plasma.
3. Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause metabolic alkalosis?
A. Excessive diarrhea
B. Prolonged vomiting
C. Diabetic ketoacidosis
D. Renal failure
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is an excess of bicarbonate or a loss of
metabolic acids. Prolonged vomiting leads to the loss of hydrochloric acid from the
stomach, which shifts the body’s pH toward an alkaline state. In contrast, diarrhea usually
causes metabolic acidosis due to the loss of bicarbonate-rich intestinal fluids.
4. A 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension is diagnosed with left-sided heart failure.
Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to find? (Select all that apply)
A. Dyspnea on exertion
B. Peripheral edema
C. Orthopnea
D. Crackles in the lungs
E. Jugular venous distention
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to pulmonary congestion. Manifestations include dyspnea, orthopnea, and the
presence of crackles (rales) upon auscultation of the lungs. Peripheral edema and jugular
venous distention are more characteristic of right-sided heart failure, where blood backs
up into the systemic venous system.
5. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Overproduction of glucagon by alpha cells
, C. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
D. Excessive glucose intake and obesity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency. This
occurs because of the T-cell mediated autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing
beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells for
energy, leading to hyperglycemia and the breakdown of fats and proteins.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the development of a ‘U-
wave’ on an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia, or low serum potassium levels, significantly affects the electrical
activity of the heart. One of the classic ECG changes seen in hypokalemia is the presence of
a prominent U-wave following the T-wave. Other changes can include ST-segment
depression and flattened T-waves, which reflect delayed repolarization of the ventricles.
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (BIO322 Final Exam) | Grand
Canyon University
1. Which of the following are considered true cellular adaptations to environmental stress?
(Select all that apply)
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
E. Dysplasia
F. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Cellular adaptation refers to changes made by a cell in response to adverse or
changing environmental conditions to maintain homeostasis. Atrophy, hypertrophy,
hyperplasia, and metaplasia are the four primary types of adaptive responses recognized in
pathophysiology. Dysplasia is considered an abnormal, deranged growth pattern and is
often a precursor to cancer rather than a true adaptation, while neoplasia represents
uncontrolled malignant growth.
,2. A patient presents with severe dehydration. Which physiological mechanism is primarily
responsible for triggering the release of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)?
A. Decrease in serum sodium levels
B. Increase in blood pressure
C. Increase in plasma osmolarity
D. Decrease in blood glucose
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is synthesized in the hypothalamus and stored in
the posterior pituitary gland. It is primarily released in response to an increase in plasma
osmolarity or a decrease in circulating blood volume. Once released, ADH acts on the distal
tubules and collecting ducts of the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, thereby
concentrating the urine and diluting the plasma.
3. Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause metabolic alkalosis?
A. Excessive diarrhea
B. Prolonged vomiting
C. Diabetic ketoacidosis
D. Renal failure
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is an excess of bicarbonate or a loss of
metabolic acids. Prolonged vomiting leads to the loss of hydrochloric acid from the
stomach, which shifts the body’s pH toward an alkaline state. In contrast, diarrhea usually
causes metabolic acidosis due to the loss of bicarbonate-rich intestinal fluids.
4. A 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension is diagnosed with left-sided heart failure.
Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to find? (Select all that apply)
A. Dyspnea on exertion
B. Peripheral edema
C. Orthopnea
D. Crackles in the lungs
E. Jugular venous distention
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to pulmonary congestion. Manifestations include dyspnea, orthopnea, and the
presence of crackles (rales) upon auscultation of the lungs. Peripheral edema and jugular
venous distention are more characteristic of right-sided heart failure, where blood backs
up into the systemic venous system.
5. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Overproduction of glucagon by alpha cells
, C. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
D. Excessive glucose intake and obesity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency. This
occurs because of the T-cell mediated autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing
beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells for
energy, leading to hyperglycemia and the breakdown of fats and proteins.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the development of a ‘U-
wave’ on an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia, or low serum potassium levels, significantly affects the electrical
activity of the heart. One of the classic ECG changes seen in hypokalemia is the presence of
a prominent U-wave following the T-wave. Other changes can include ST-segment
depression and flattened T-waves, which reflect delayed repolarization of the ventricles.
