N212 Pathophysiology Test 3 Comprehensive Study
Guide Questions and Answers | 2026 Updated | 100%
Correct - Eastwick College.
1. A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy.
This is primarily due to:
• A) Increased heart rate
• B) Increased systemic vascular resistance
• C) Decreased cardiac output
• D) Increased venous return
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertension causes chronic increased systemic vascular resistance
(SVR). The heart must pump against higher pressure, leading to left ventricular
hypertrophy and eventually heart failure .
2. Which medication class inhibits angiotensin II production and can cause a dry
cough as a side effect?
• A) Beta-blockers
• B) Calcium channel blockers
• C) ACE inhibitors
• D) ARBs
Answer: C
Rationale: ACE inhibitors (-pril drugs like lisinopril, enalapril) block conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II. The dry cough is a classic side effect due to
increased bradykinin. They should be held in pregnancy .
3. The FIRST priority in managing a patient with a suspected stroke is:
, • A) Administer tPA
• B) CT scan before anticoagulants
• C) Maintain blood pressure
• D) NPO until swallow study
Answer: B
Rationale: A CT scan must be performed BEFORE administering anticoagulants to
distinguish between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. This is critical for patient
safety .
4. An ischemic stroke should be treated with tPA within what timeframe?
• A) 1-2 hours
• B) 3-4.5 hours
• C) 6-8 hours
• D) 12 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) must be administered within 3-4.5
hours of symptom onset for ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke requires blood
pressure control and no tPA .
5. Virchow's triad consists of which three components?
• A) Hypertension, tachycardia, bradypnea
• B) Endothelial injury, stasis, hypercoagulability
• C) Fever, tachycardia, leukocytosis
• D) Hypoxia, acidosis, hypercapnia
Answer: B
,Rationale: Virchow's triad describes the three factors predisposing to thrombosis:
endothelial injury, blood stasis, and hypercoagulability .
6. A patient with left-sided heart failure develops pulmonary edema. The
underlying mechanism is:
• A) Decreased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
• B) Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
• C) Decreased pulmonary vascular permeability
• D) Increased plasma oncotic pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, increasing pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure and forcing fluid
into the alveoli (pulmonary edema) .
7. Edema occurs when there is an imbalance in Starling forces. Which would
MOST likely cause pitting edema?
• A) Increased plasma oncotic pressure
• B) Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
• C) Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
• D) Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased plasma oncotic pressure (due to low albumin, e.g., liver
disease or nephrotic syndrome) reduces the pull of fluid back into capillaries,
causing edema .
ENDOCRINE DISORDERS
, 8. A patient with Type 1 diabetes is experiencing polyuria, polydipsia, and
polyphagia. What is the underlying cause?
• A) Insulin resistance
• B) Absolute insulin deficiency
• C) Placental hormone production
• D) Beta-cell destruction
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder causing destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency .
9. Which laboratory finding is consistent with Addison's disease?
• A) Hypernatremia and hyperglycemia
• B) Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
• C) Hyperkalemia and hypotension
• D) Hypokalemia and hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency) causes decreased aldosterone
and cortisol, leading to hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypotension, and
hypoglycemia .
10. A patient with Cushing's syndrome would most likely present with:
• A) Moon face, buffalo hump, hyperglycemia, hypertension
• B) Hypoglycemia, weight loss, hyperpigmentation
• C) Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypotension
• D) Moon face, buffalo hump, hypoglycemia, hypotension
Guide Questions and Answers | 2026 Updated | 100%
Correct - Eastwick College.
1. A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy.
This is primarily due to:
• A) Increased heart rate
• B) Increased systemic vascular resistance
• C) Decreased cardiac output
• D) Increased venous return
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertension causes chronic increased systemic vascular resistance
(SVR). The heart must pump against higher pressure, leading to left ventricular
hypertrophy and eventually heart failure .
2. Which medication class inhibits angiotensin II production and can cause a dry
cough as a side effect?
• A) Beta-blockers
• B) Calcium channel blockers
• C) ACE inhibitors
• D) ARBs
Answer: C
Rationale: ACE inhibitors (-pril drugs like lisinopril, enalapril) block conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II. The dry cough is a classic side effect due to
increased bradykinin. They should be held in pregnancy .
3. The FIRST priority in managing a patient with a suspected stroke is:
, • A) Administer tPA
• B) CT scan before anticoagulants
• C) Maintain blood pressure
• D) NPO until swallow study
Answer: B
Rationale: A CT scan must be performed BEFORE administering anticoagulants to
distinguish between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. This is critical for patient
safety .
4. An ischemic stroke should be treated with tPA within what timeframe?
• A) 1-2 hours
• B) 3-4.5 hours
• C) 6-8 hours
• D) 12 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) must be administered within 3-4.5
hours of symptom onset for ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke requires blood
pressure control and no tPA .
5. Virchow's triad consists of which three components?
• A) Hypertension, tachycardia, bradypnea
• B) Endothelial injury, stasis, hypercoagulability
• C) Fever, tachycardia, leukocytosis
• D) Hypoxia, acidosis, hypercapnia
Answer: B
,Rationale: Virchow's triad describes the three factors predisposing to thrombosis:
endothelial injury, blood stasis, and hypercoagulability .
6. A patient with left-sided heart failure develops pulmonary edema. The
underlying mechanism is:
• A) Decreased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
• B) Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
• C) Decreased pulmonary vascular permeability
• D) Increased plasma oncotic pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, increasing pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure and forcing fluid
into the alveoli (pulmonary edema) .
7. Edema occurs when there is an imbalance in Starling forces. Which would
MOST likely cause pitting edema?
• A) Increased plasma oncotic pressure
• B) Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
• C) Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
• D) Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased plasma oncotic pressure (due to low albumin, e.g., liver
disease or nephrotic syndrome) reduces the pull of fluid back into capillaries,
causing edema .
ENDOCRINE DISORDERS
, 8. A patient with Type 1 diabetes is experiencing polyuria, polydipsia, and
polyphagia. What is the underlying cause?
• A) Insulin resistance
• B) Absolute insulin deficiency
• C) Placental hormone production
• D) Beta-cell destruction
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder causing destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency .
9. Which laboratory finding is consistent with Addison's disease?
• A) Hypernatremia and hyperglycemia
• B) Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
• C) Hyperkalemia and hypotension
• D) Hypokalemia and hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency) causes decreased aldosterone
and cortisol, leading to hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypotension, and
hypoglycemia .
10. A patient with Cushing's syndrome would most likely present with:
• A) Moon face, buffalo hump, hyperglycemia, hypertension
• B) Hypoglycemia, weight loss, hyperpigmentation
• C) Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypotension
• D) Moon face, buffalo hump, hypoglycemia, hypotension
