NR507 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary mechanism by which the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
(RAAS) increases blood pressure?
A. By inhibiting the release of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary
B. By increasing the glomerular filtration rate and decreasing peripheral resistance
C. By promoting sodium and water retention and causing systemic vasoconstriction
D. By stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to decrease heart rate
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor, and aldosterone
promotes sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys, both of which increase blood
volume and pressure.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of prerenal acute kidney injury?
A. Reduced glomerular filtration rate due to decreased renal perfusion
B. Increased urinary sodium concentration (>40 mEq/L)
C. Presence of tubular epithelial cell casts in the urine
,D. Obstruction of the urinary tract by prostatic hypertrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that impair blood flow to the
kidney, such as hypovolemia or hypotension, leading to decreased GFR.
3. In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the primary pathophysiological defect?
A. Absolute deficiency of insulin due to autoimmune destruction of beta cells
B. Increased sensitivity of peripheral tissues to circulating insulin
C. Insulin resistance coupled with progressive insulin secretory dysfunction
D. Excessive production of glucagon-like peptide-1 by the intestines
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type 2 DM involves the body’s inability to use insulin effectively
(resistance) and the eventual failure of beta cells to produce enough insulin.
4. Which physiological change occurs in the lungs of a patient with chronic emphysema?
A. Hypersecretion of mucus and chronic productive cough
B. Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of gas exchange surface area
C. Reversible bronchospasm in response to environmental allergens
D. Increased elastic recoil and decreased total lung capacity
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Emphysema is characterized by the permanent enlargement of
gas-exchange airways and destruction of alveolar walls, leading to air trapping.
5. The accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles is the hallmark of
which disease?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Parkinson’s Disease
C. Multiple Sclerosis
D. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Alzheimer’s involves extracellular beta-amyloid plaques and
intracellular tau protein tangles that disrupt neuronal communication.
6. Which clinical sign is indicative of left-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema and orthopnea
B. Jugular venous distention and peripheral edema
C. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly
D. Ascites and weight gain due to fluid retention
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because
the left ventricle cannot pump blood effectively into the systemic circulation.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary mechanism by which the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
(RAAS) increases blood pressure?
A. By inhibiting the release of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary
B. By increasing the glomerular filtration rate and decreasing peripheral resistance
C. By promoting sodium and water retention and causing systemic vasoconstriction
D. By stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to decrease heart rate
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor, and aldosterone
promotes sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys, both of which increase blood
volume and pressure.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of prerenal acute kidney injury?
A. Reduced glomerular filtration rate due to decreased renal perfusion
B. Increased urinary sodium concentration (>40 mEq/L)
C. Presence of tubular epithelial cell casts in the urine
,D. Obstruction of the urinary tract by prostatic hypertrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that impair blood flow to the
kidney, such as hypovolemia or hypotension, leading to decreased GFR.
3. In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the primary pathophysiological defect?
A. Absolute deficiency of insulin due to autoimmune destruction of beta cells
B. Increased sensitivity of peripheral tissues to circulating insulin
C. Insulin resistance coupled with progressive insulin secretory dysfunction
D. Excessive production of glucagon-like peptide-1 by the intestines
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type 2 DM involves the body’s inability to use insulin effectively
(resistance) and the eventual failure of beta cells to produce enough insulin.
4. Which physiological change occurs in the lungs of a patient with chronic emphysema?
A. Hypersecretion of mucus and chronic productive cough
B. Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of gas exchange surface area
C. Reversible bronchospasm in response to environmental allergens
D. Increased elastic recoil and decreased total lung capacity
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Emphysema is characterized by the permanent enlargement of
gas-exchange airways and destruction of alveolar walls, leading to air trapping.
5. The accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles is the hallmark of
which disease?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Parkinson’s Disease
C. Multiple Sclerosis
D. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Alzheimer’s involves extracellular beta-amyloid plaques and
intracellular tau protein tangles that disrupt neuronal communication.
6. Which clinical sign is indicative of left-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema and orthopnea
B. Jugular venous distention and peripheral edema
C. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly
D. Ascites and weight gain due to fluid retention
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because
the left ventricle cannot pump blood effectively into the systemic circulation.
