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NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam 3 –
Rasmussen University QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS JUST RELEASED
NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam 3 – Rasmussen University
10 Most Tested Exam Coverage Areas
1. Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance – ICF vs ECF electrolytes, osmosis, pH/PaCO₂/HCO₃⁻
norms, acid-base disorders
2. Stress Response & General Adaptation Syndrome – Alarm/Resistance/Exhaustion stages,
catecholamines, cortisol
3. Inflammation & Immunity – Cardinal signs, histamine, anaphylaxis, autoimmune disease,
passive vs active immunity
4. Endocrine Disorders – SIADH, hyper/hypothyroidism, Cushing's, diabetes mellitus (Type 1 vs
Type 2)
5. Neurological Disorders – Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, MS, increased ICP, meningitis/encephalitis
6. Renal & Urinary Disorders – AKI/CKD, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, dialysis, oliguria
7. Musculoskeletal Disorders – Osteoporosis, gout, scoliosis/kyphosis/lordosis, compartment
syndrome
8. Cancer Pathophysiology – TNM staging, benign vs malignant, metastasis, carcinogenesis
9. Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Disorders – Appendicitis, peptic ulcer (H. pylori), cirrhosis,
esophageal varices
10. Skin Disorders – Burns (1st/2nd/3rd degree), atopic dermatitis, pediculosis, skin cancer
prevention
Question 1: The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment while constantly adjusting to
changes in external conditions is best defined by which of the following terms?
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Pathogenesis
D) Anabolism
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Answer: B) Homeostasis
Rationale: Homeostasis is the self-regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability while
adjusting to changing external conditions. This is a foundational concept in pathophysiology that is
frequently tested on the NUR 2063 exam .
Question 2: Which of the following electrolytes is found in the highest concentration inside the cell
within the intracellular fluid compartment of the body?
A) Sodium
B) Chloride
C) Potassium
D) Bicarbonate
Answer: C) Potassium
Rationale: The intracellular fluid (ICF) contains high concentrations of potassium (K⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺),
and phosphate (PO₄³⁻). The extracellular fluid (ECF) contains high sodium and chloride. This is a
commonly tested distinction on Exam 3 .
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Question 3: Which of the following electrolytes are found in higher concentration OUTSIDE the cell
within the extracellular fluid compartment?
A) Potassium and magnesium
B) Sodium and chloride
C) Phosphate and magnesium
D) Potassium and phosphate
Answer: B) Sodium and chloride
Rationale: The extracellular fluid (ECF) contains high concentrations of sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻).
This is the opposite of the intracellular compartment, which is high in potassium and phosphate.
Understanding this distinction is essential for fluid and electrolyte balance questions .
Question 4: What is the normal pH range of human blood that must be maintained for proper
physiological functioning?
A) 7.00 to 7.25
B) 7.35 to 7.45
C) 7.45 to 7.55
D) 7.55 to 7.65
Answer: B) 7.35 to 7.45
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Rationale: The normal blood pH range is 7.35 to 7.45. Values below 7.35 indicate acidosis, while values
above 7.45 indicate alkalosis. This is a core acid-base balance concept frequently tested on the exam .
Question 5: The normal range for the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood is which of the
following values?
A) 80 to 100 mmHg
B) 35 to 45 mmHg
C) 22 to 26 mEq/L
D) 135 to 145 mEq/L
Answer: B) 35 to 45 mmHg
Rationale: Normal PaCO₂ range is 35 to 45 mmHg. This represents the respiratory component of acid-
base balance. When PaCO₂ exceeds 45 mmHg, it indicates respiratory acidosis from hypoventilation .
Question 6: What is the normal range for serum bicarbonate which represents the metabolic
component of acid-base balance?
A) 35 to 45 mmHg
B) 80 to 100 mmHg
NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam 3 –
Rasmussen University QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS JUST RELEASED
NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam 3 – Rasmussen University
10 Most Tested Exam Coverage Areas
1. Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance – ICF vs ECF electrolytes, osmosis, pH/PaCO₂/HCO₃⁻
norms, acid-base disorders
2. Stress Response & General Adaptation Syndrome – Alarm/Resistance/Exhaustion stages,
catecholamines, cortisol
3. Inflammation & Immunity – Cardinal signs, histamine, anaphylaxis, autoimmune disease,
passive vs active immunity
4. Endocrine Disorders – SIADH, hyper/hypothyroidism, Cushing's, diabetes mellitus (Type 1 vs
Type 2)
5. Neurological Disorders – Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, MS, increased ICP, meningitis/encephalitis
6. Renal & Urinary Disorders – AKI/CKD, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, dialysis, oliguria
7. Musculoskeletal Disorders – Osteoporosis, gout, scoliosis/kyphosis/lordosis, compartment
syndrome
8. Cancer Pathophysiology – TNM staging, benign vs malignant, metastasis, carcinogenesis
9. Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Disorders – Appendicitis, peptic ulcer (H. pylori), cirrhosis,
esophageal varices
10. Skin Disorders – Burns (1st/2nd/3rd degree), atopic dermatitis, pediculosis, skin cancer
prevention
Question 1: The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment while constantly adjusting to
changes in external conditions is best defined by which of the following terms?
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Pathogenesis
D) Anabolism
, Page 2 of 153
Answer: B) Homeostasis
Rationale: Homeostasis is the self-regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability while
adjusting to changing external conditions. This is a foundational concept in pathophysiology that is
frequently tested on the NUR 2063 exam .
Question 2: Which of the following electrolytes is found in the highest concentration inside the cell
within the intracellular fluid compartment of the body?
A) Sodium
B) Chloride
C) Potassium
D) Bicarbonate
Answer: C) Potassium
Rationale: The intracellular fluid (ICF) contains high concentrations of potassium (K⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺),
and phosphate (PO₄³⁻). The extracellular fluid (ECF) contains high sodium and chloride. This is a
commonly tested distinction on Exam 3 .
, Page 3 of 153
Question 3: Which of the following electrolytes are found in higher concentration OUTSIDE the cell
within the extracellular fluid compartment?
A) Potassium and magnesium
B) Sodium and chloride
C) Phosphate and magnesium
D) Potassium and phosphate
Answer: B) Sodium and chloride
Rationale: The extracellular fluid (ECF) contains high concentrations of sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻).
This is the opposite of the intracellular compartment, which is high in potassium and phosphate.
Understanding this distinction is essential for fluid and electrolyte balance questions .
Question 4: What is the normal pH range of human blood that must be maintained for proper
physiological functioning?
A) 7.00 to 7.25
B) 7.35 to 7.45
C) 7.45 to 7.55
D) 7.55 to 7.65
Answer: B) 7.35 to 7.45
, Page 4 of 153
Rationale: The normal blood pH range is 7.35 to 7.45. Values below 7.35 indicate acidosis, while values
above 7.45 indicate alkalosis. This is a core acid-base balance concept frequently tested on the exam .
Question 5: The normal range for the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood is which of the
following values?
A) 80 to 100 mmHg
B) 35 to 45 mmHg
C) 22 to 26 mEq/L
D) 135 to 145 mEq/L
Answer: B) 35 to 45 mmHg
Rationale: Normal PaCO₂ range is 35 to 45 mmHg. This represents the respiratory component of acid-
base balance. When PaCO₂ exceeds 45 mmHg, it indicates respiratory acidosis from hypoventilation .
Question 6: What is the normal range for serum bicarbonate which represents the metabolic
component of acid-base balance?
A) 35 to 45 mmHg
B) 80 to 100 mmHg
