NSG 533 Advanced Pharmacology Exam 1 |
Questions and Correct Answers plus Rationale
(Already Graded A+) | New Update 2026-2027 |
Wilkes University
Question 1
List the novel risk factors for CAD.
A. Markers of inflammation, ischemia, and thrombosis (elevated high sensitivity C-
reactive protein, troponin, fibrinogen)
B. Adipokines (leptin, adiponectin)
C. CKD, air pollution and ionizing radiation, medications (NSAIDs)
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Novel risk factors for CAD include: 1) markers of inflammation,
ischemia, and thrombosis (elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein, troponin,
fibrinogen); 2) adipokines (leptin, adiponectin); 3) CKD; 4) air pollution and
ionizing radiation; 5) medications (NSAIDs); 6) coronary artery calcification and
carotid wall thickness; 7) microbiome; 8) small dense LDL particles and
lipoprotein(a); and 9) hyperhomocysteinemia.
Question 2
List nonmodifiable risk factors for CAD.
A. Advanced age, male gender or woman after menopause, and family history
(genetics, shared environmental exposure)
B. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking
C. Diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity and sedentary lifestyle
D. An atherogenic diet
,Correct Answer: A. Advanced age, male gender or woman after menopause,
and family history (genetics, shared environmental exposure)
Rationale: Nonmodifiable risk factors for CAD include: advanced age, male
gender or woman after menopause, and family history (genetics, shared
environmental exposure). These factors cannot be changed by lifestyle
modifications or medical interventions.
Question 3
List modifiable risk factors for CAD.
A. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes and insulin resistance,
obesity and sedentary lifestyle, and an atherogenic diet
B. Advanced age, male gender
C. Family history
D. Menopause status
Correct Answer: A. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes and
insulin resistance, obesity and sedentary lifestyle, and an atherogenic diet
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors for CAD include: dyslipidemia, hypertension,
cigarette smoking, diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity and sedentary lifestyle,
and an atherogenic diet. These factors can be modified through lifestyle changes,
medications, and other interventions.
Question 4
How does dyslipidemia contribute to CAD?
A. High levels of LDL in the bloodstream leads to LDL oxidation, migration into the
vessel wall, and phagocytosis by macrophages, all key steps in the pathogenesis of
atherosclerosis
B. It causes direct damage to the endothelium
C. It increases platelet aggregation
D. It causes vasospasm
,Correct Answer: A. High levels of LDL in the bloodstream leads to LDL oxidation,
migration into the vessel wall, and phagocytosis by macrophages, all key steps in
the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
Rationale: High levels of LDL in the bloodstream leads to LDL oxidation, migration
into the vessel wall, and phagocytosis by macrophages, all key steps in the
pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This is the primary mechanism by which
dyslipidemia contributes to CAD.
Question 5
Atherosclerosis is best described as:
A. A chronic inflammatory condition that results in damage to the arteries
B. An acute condition that results in vasospasm
C. A condition limited to the coronary arteries
D. A condition caused only by elevated cholesterol
Correct Answer: A. A chronic inflammatory condition that results in damage to
the arteries
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that results in
damage to the arteries. Thickening and hardening of the vessels are caused by the
accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages (foam cells) within the arterial walls,
leading to the formation of a plaque.
Question 6
What is the optimal lipid panel results?
A. Total cholesterol (< 200), LDL (< 100), triglycerides (< 150)
B. Total cholesterol (< 150), LDL (< 70), triglycerides (< 100)
C. Total cholesterol (< 250), LDL (< 130), triglycerides (< 200)
D. Total cholesterol (< 300), LDL (< 160), triglycerides (< 250)
Correct Answer: A. Total cholesterol (< 200), LDL (< 100), triglycerides (< 150)
, Rationale: Optimal lipid panel results are: Total cholesterol (< 200 mg/dL), LDL (<
100 mg/dL), and triglycerides (< 150 mg/dL). These values are associated with
lower cardiovascular risk.
Question 7
What is the response-to-injury hypothesis in the development of atherosclerotic
lesions?
A. The earliest event in atherogenesis is injury to the endothelium, which could be
triggered by hypertension, circulation of ROS (smoking, pollutants), dyslipidemia,
and elevated A1C
B. The earliest event is LDL accumulation in the vessel wall
C. The earliest event is macrophage infiltration
D. The earliest event is smooth muscle cell proliferation
Correct Answer: A. The earliest event in atherogenesis is injury to the
endothelium, which could be triggered by hypertension, circulation of ROS
(smoking, pollutants), dyslipidemia, and elevated A1C
Rationale: The earliest event in atherogenesis is injury to the endothelium, which
could be triggered by hypertension, circulation of ROS (smoking, pollutants),
dyslipidemia, and elevated A1C. This endothelial injury initiates the inflammatory
response that leads to atherosclerosis.
Question 8
When foam cells accumulate in a significant amount within the arterial wall,
they form ______. What is then released?
A. a lesion called a fatty streak; inflammatory cytokines, damaging enzymes, and
growth factors
B. a fibrous plaque; inflammatory cytokines
C. a complicated plaque; growth factors only
D. a stable plaque; enzymes only
Questions and Correct Answers plus Rationale
(Already Graded A+) | New Update 2026-2027 |
Wilkes University
Question 1
List the novel risk factors for CAD.
A. Markers of inflammation, ischemia, and thrombosis (elevated high sensitivity C-
reactive protein, troponin, fibrinogen)
B. Adipokines (leptin, adiponectin)
C. CKD, air pollution and ionizing radiation, medications (NSAIDs)
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Novel risk factors for CAD include: 1) markers of inflammation,
ischemia, and thrombosis (elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein, troponin,
fibrinogen); 2) adipokines (leptin, adiponectin); 3) CKD; 4) air pollution and
ionizing radiation; 5) medications (NSAIDs); 6) coronary artery calcification and
carotid wall thickness; 7) microbiome; 8) small dense LDL particles and
lipoprotein(a); and 9) hyperhomocysteinemia.
Question 2
List nonmodifiable risk factors for CAD.
A. Advanced age, male gender or woman after menopause, and family history
(genetics, shared environmental exposure)
B. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking
C. Diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity and sedentary lifestyle
D. An atherogenic diet
,Correct Answer: A. Advanced age, male gender or woman after menopause,
and family history (genetics, shared environmental exposure)
Rationale: Nonmodifiable risk factors for CAD include: advanced age, male
gender or woman after menopause, and family history (genetics, shared
environmental exposure). These factors cannot be changed by lifestyle
modifications or medical interventions.
Question 3
List modifiable risk factors for CAD.
A. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes and insulin resistance,
obesity and sedentary lifestyle, and an atherogenic diet
B. Advanced age, male gender
C. Family history
D. Menopause status
Correct Answer: A. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes and
insulin resistance, obesity and sedentary lifestyle, and an atherogenic diet
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors for CAD include: dyslipidemia, hypertension,
cigarette smoking, diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity and sedentary lifestyle,
and an atherogenic diet. These factors can be modified through lifestyle changes,
medications, and other interventions.
Question 4
How does dyslipidemia contribute to CAD?
A. High levels of LDL in the bloodstream leads to LDL oxidation, migration into the
vessel wall, and phagocytosis by macrophages, all key steps in the pathogenesis of
atherosclerosis
B. It causes direct damage to the endothelium
C. It increases platelet aggregation
D. It causes vasospasm
,Correct Answer: A. High levels of LDL in the bloodstream leads to LDL oxidation,
migration into the vessel wall, and phagocytosis by macrophages, all key steps in
the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
Rationale: High levels of LDL in the bloodstream leads to LDL oxidation, migration
into the vessel wall, and phagocytosis by macrophages, all key steps in the
pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This is the primary mechanism by which
dyslipidemia contributes to CAD.
Question 5
Atherosclerosis is best described as:
A. A chronic inflammatory condition that results in damage to the arteries
B. An acute condition that results in vasospasm
C. A condition limited to the coronary arteries
D. A condition caused only by elevated cholesterol
Correct Answer: A. A chronic inflammatory condition that results in damage to
the arteries
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that results in
damage to the arteries. Thickening and hardening of the vessels are caused by the
accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages (foam cells) within the arterial walls,
leading to the formation of a plaque.
Question 6
What is the optimal lipid panel results?
A. Total cholesterol (< 200), LDL (< 100), triglycerides (< 150)
B. Total cholesterol (< 150), LDL (< 70), triglycerides (< 100)
C. Total cholesterol (< 250), LDL (< 130), triglycerides (< 200)
D. Total cholesterol (< 300), LDL (< 160), triglycerides (< 250)
Correct Answer: A. Total cholesterol (< 200), LDL (< 100), triglycerides (< 150)
, Rationale: Optimal lipid panel results are: Total cholesterol (< 200 mg/dL), LDL (<
100 mg/dL), and triglycerides (< 150 mg/dL). These values are associated with
lower cardiovascular risk.
Question 7
What is the response-to-injury hypothesis in the development of atherosclerotic
lesions?
A. The earliest event in atherogenesis is injury to the endothelium, which could be
triggered by hypertension, circulation of ROS (smoking, pollutants), dyslipidemia,
and elevated A1C
B. The earliest event is LDL accumulation in the vessel wall
C. The earliest event is macrophage infiltration
D. The earliest event is smooth muscle cell proliferation
Correct Answer: A. The earliest event in atherogenesis is injury to the
endothelium, which could be triggered by hypertension, circulation of ROS
(smoking, pollutants), dyslipidemia, and elevated A1C
Rationale: The earliest event in atherogenesis is injury to the endothelium, which
could be triggered by hypertension, circulation of ROS (smoking, pollutants),
dyslipidemia, and elevated A1C. This endothelial injury initiates the inflammatory
response that leads to atherosclerosis.
Question 8
When foam cells accumulate in a significant amount within the arterial wall,
they form ______. What is then released?
A. a lesion called a fatty streak; inflammatory cytokines, damaging enzymes, and
growth factors
B. a fibrous plaque; inflammatory cytokines
C. a complicated plaque; growth factors only
D. a stable plaque; enzymes only
