NSG 3113 Pathophysiology for Nurses Exam 2 |
South College Nashville 2026/2027 | Questions &
Verified Answers | Latest Update | Graded A+
Question 1
A burn area in which the epidermis and part of the dermis is destroyed is classified
as:
A. Superficial partial-thickness
B. Deep partial-thickness
C. First-degree
D. Full-thickness
Correct Answer: B. Deep partial-thickness
Rationale: A deep partial-thickness burn involves destruction of the epidermis and part
of the dermis, characterized by redness, edema, blistering, and extreme pain due to
exposed nerve endings .
Question 2
A typical source of infection in burn areas is:
A. Microbes surviving in the hair follicles in the burn area
B. Opportunistic virus in the digestive tract
C. Circulating blood bringing microbes to the burn wound
D. The skin grafts themselves
Correct Answer: A. Microbes surviving in the hair follicles in the burn area
Rationale: Hair follicles and sweat glands that survive in the burn area can serve as
reservoirs for bacteria, leading to infection .
Question 3
,A large burn area predisposes to decreased blood pressure because:
A. Vasoconstriction occurs in the burn area
B. Fluid and protein shift out of the blood into the tissues
C. The heart is damaged by toxic materials from the burn
D. Bleeding occurs under the burn surface
Correct Answer: B. Fluid and protein shift out of the blood into the tissues
Rationale: Burns cause increased capillary permeability, leading to massive fluid and
protein shift from the intravascular space into the interstitial tissues, resulting in
hypovolemia .
Question 4
Hypermetabolism is common with major burns because of: (Select All That Apply)
A. Recurrent stress response
B. Demand for tissue repair
C. Blood loss
D. Increased heat loss from the burn wound
E. Inability to consume oral nutrition
Correct Answer: A, B, D. Recurrent stress response, Demand for tissue repair, Increased
heat loss from the burn wound
Rationale: Major burns cause hypermetabolism due to the recurrent stress response,
high demand for tissue repair, and increased heat loss from the damaged skin .
Question 5
A woman has burns on the anterior surfaces of her right arm, chest, and anterior
surface of her right leg. The percentage of body surface area burned is
approximately:
A. 13.5%
B. 18%
,C. 31.5%
D. 22.5%
Correct Answer: D. 22.5%
Rationale: Using the Rule of Nines: Right arm anterior = 4.5%, Chest anterior = 9%,
Right leg anterior = 9%. Total = 22.5% .
Question 6
The characteristic appearance of a full-thickness burn is:
A. Red with some swelling
B. Heavy bleeding
C. Painful with multiple blisters
D. Dry, firm, charred, or hard white surface
Correct Answer: D. Dry, firm, charred, or hard white surface
Rationale: Full-thickness burns involve the epidermis, entire dermis, and sometimes
subcutaneous tissue. The skin appears white, brown, black, or charred and is painless
because nerve endings are destroyed .
Question 7
Which of the following skin disorders is an autoimmune disease where skin cells
grow in 3-4 days instead of 28 days, appearing as red patches with silvery-white
scales?
A. Eczema
B. Psoriasis
C. Vitiligo
D. Tinea corporis
Correct Answer: B. Psoriasis
Rationale: Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by rapid turnover of
skin cells (3-4 days vs. 28 days), leading to red patches with silvery-white scales .
, Question 8
The ABCDE rule for assessing skin lesions includes all EXCEPT:
A. Asymmetry
B. Border
C. Color
D. Appearance
Correct Answer: D. Appearance
Rationale: The ABCDE rule includes: Asymmetry, Border (irregular), Color (varied),
Diameter (>6mm), and Evolving (changing). "Appearance" is not part of this mnemonic .
Question 9
If a patient presents with a mole that has uneven borders and multiple colors,
what should be the next step in their evaluation for melanoma?
A. Perform a biopsy immediately
B. Ignore the mole as it is likely benign
C. Advise the patient to monitor the mole for changes
D. Refer the patient for a dermatological evaluation
Correct Answer: D. Refer the patient for a dermatological evaluation
Rationale: Uneven borders and multiple colors are warning signs of melanoma.
Immediate dermatological evaluation is indicated .
Question 10
Describe the significance of the 'evolving' characteristic in identifying melanoma.
A. The 'evolving' characteristic refers to the mole being symmetrical
B. The 'evolving' characteristic indicates that the mole is changing in color, shape, or
size, which is a warning sign of melanoma
South College Nashville 2026/2027 | Questions &
Verified Answers | Latest Update | Graded A+
Question 1
A burn area in which the epidermis and part of the dermis is destroyed is classified
as:
A. Superficial partial-thickness
B. Deep partial-thickness
C. First-degree
D. Full-thickness
Correct Answer: B. Deep partial-thickness
Rationale: A deep partial-thickness burn involves destruction of the epidermis and part
of the dermis, characterized by redness, edema, blistering, and extreme pain due to
exposed nerve endings .
Question 2
A typical source of infection in burn areas is:
A. Microbes surviving in the hair follicles in the burn area
B. Opportunistic virus in the digestive tract
C. Circulating blood bringing microbes to the burn wound
D. The skin grafts themselves
Correct Answer: A. Microbes surviving in the hair follicles in the burn area
Rationale: Hair follicles and sweat glands that survive in the burn area can serve as
reservoirs for bacteria, leading to infection .
Question 3
,A large burn area predisposes to decreased blood pressure because:
A. Vasoconstriction occurs in the burn area
B. Fluid and protein shift out of the blood into the tissues
C. The heart is damaged by toxic materials from the burn
D. Bleeding occurs under the burn surface
Correct Answer: B. Fluid and protein shift out of the blood into the tissues
Rationale: Burns cause increased capillary permeability, leading to massive fluid and
protein shift from the intravascular space into the interstitial tissues, resulting in
hypovolemia .
Question 4
Hypermetabolism is common with major burns because of: (Select All That Apply)
A. Recurrent stress response
B. Demand for tissue repair
C. Blood loss
D. Increased heat loss from the burn wound
E. Inability to consume oral nutrition
Correct Answer: A, B, D. Recurrent stress response, Demand for tissue repair, Increased
heat loss from the burn wound
Rationale: Major burns cause hypermetabolism due to the recurrent stress response,
high demand for tissue repair, and increased heat loss from the damaged skin .
Question 5
A woman has burns on the anterior surfaces of her right arm, chest, and anterior
surface of her right leg. The percentage of body surface area burned is
approximately:
A. 13.5%
B. 18%
,C. 31.5%
D. 22.5%
Correct Answer: D. 22.5%
Rationale: Using the Rule of Nines: Right arm anterior = 4.5%, Chest anterior = 9%,
Right leg anterior = 9%. Total = 22.5% .
Question 6
The characteristic appearance of a full-thickness burn is:
A. Red with some swelling
B. Heavy bleeding
C. Painful with multiple blisters
D. Dry, firm, charred, or hard white surface
Correct Answer: D. Dry, firm, charred, or hard white surface
Rationale: Full-thickness burns involve the epidermis, entire dermis, and sometimes
subcutaneous tissue. The skin appears white, brown, black, or charred and is painless
because nerve endings are destroyed .
Question 7
Which of the following skin disorders is an autoimmune disease where skin cells
grow in 3-4 days instead of 28 days, appearing as red patches with silvery-white
scales?
A. Eczema
B. Psoriasis
C. Vitiligo
D. Tinea corporis
Correct Answer: B. Psoriasis
Rationale: Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by rapid turnover of
skin cells (3-4 days vs. 28 days), leading to red patches with silvery-white scales .
, Question 8
The ABCDE rule for assessing skin lesions includes all EXCEPT:
A. Asymmetry
B. Border
C. Color
D. Appearance
Correct Answer: D. Appearance
Rationale: The ABCDE rule includes: Asymmetry, Border (irregular), Color (varied),
Diameter (>6mm), and Evolving (changing). "Appearance" is not part of this mnemonic .
Question 9
If a patient presents with a mole that has uneven borders and multiple colors,
what should be the next step in their evaluation for melanoma?
A. Perform a biopsy immediately
B. Ignore the mole as it is likely benign
C. Advise the patient to monitor the mole for changes
D. Refer the patient for a dermatological evaluation
Correct Answer: D. Refer the patient for a dermatological evaluation
Rationale: Uneven borders and multiple colors are warning signs of melanoma.
Immediate dermatological evaluation is indicated .
Question 10
Describe the significance of the 'evolving' characteristic in identifying melanoma.
A. The 'evolving' characteristic refers to the mole being symmetrical
B. The 'evolving' characteristic indicates that the mole is changing in color, shape, or
size, which is a warning sign of melanoma
