NURS 5315 Exam 3 Comprehensive Practice Test Bank – a
Review of 550+ Questions and Correct Answers on
Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, and Neuro/ NURS 5315
Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 3 Prep (2026-2027)
Which pathologic process best describes multiple sclerosis?
A) Autoimmune destruction of the CNS myelin sheath
B) Neurofibrillary tangles in the CNS
C) Impaired acetylcholine transmission
D) Viral-triggered inflammation and swelling of the CNS
-ANSWER- A) Autoimmune destruction of the CNS myelin sheath
What are the pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease?
A) Autoimmune destruction of the CNS myelin sheath
B) Neurofibrillary tangles in the CNS
C) Impaired acetylcholine transmission
D) Inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous
system
-ANSWER- B) Neurofibrillary tangles in the CNS
What are the pathological characteristics of myasthenia gravis?
A) Autoimmune destruction of the CNS myelin sheath
B) Neurofibrillary tangles in the CNS
C) Impaired acetylcholine transmission
D) Inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous
system
-ANSWER- C) Impaired acetylcholine transmission
Which condition may cause meningeal irritation?
A) Subarachnoid hemorrhage
B) Multiple sclerosis
C) Alzheimer's disease
D) Myasthenia gravis
-ANSWER- A) Subarachnoid hemorrhage
1
,A 5-month-old infant has an open anterior fontanel. Which action should the NP
take next?
A) Refer to a neurosurgeon immediately
B) Order a head CT
C) The anterior fontanel does not close until age 18 months; this is a normal
finding and does not require any intervention
D) Order an ultrasound of the head
-ANSWER- C) The anterior fontanel does not close until age 18 months; this is a
normal finding and does not require any intervention
A 25-year-old patient presents with a rapidly progressive paralysis after recovering
from an acute influenza infection. Which pathological process best explains the
paralysis?
A) An inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous
system
B) An inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the central nervous
system
C) Autoantibodies bind to the postsynaptic membrane and block the transmission
of acetylcholine
D) Viral-triggered inflammation and swelling of the central nervous system
-ANSWER- A) An inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the
peripheral nervous system
Neurogenic shock is related to a systemic vasodilation which results from:
A) An allergen exposure
B) An imbalance between parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous stimulation
C) Impaired contractility
D) Volume depletion
-ANSWER- B) An imbalance between parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous
stimulation
Anaphylactic shock is:
A) A systemic vasodilation and inflammatory response secondary to an allergen
B) Persistent hypotension resulting from impaired contractility
C) Systemic vasodilation resulting from parasympathetic nervous stimulation
D) Volume depletion from diarrhea
-ANSWER- A) A systemic vasodilation and inflammatory response secondary to
an allergen
2
,A 60-year-old male with a history of smoking has a barrel chest and a productive
cough with copious sputum production. His O2 sat is 88%. Which pathological
process best describes this patient's condition?
A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous secreting
glands
C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
D) Granuloma formation in the lung
-ANSWER- B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous
secreting glands
What is the pathologic description of emphysema?
A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous secreting
glands
C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
D) Granuloma formation in the lung apex
-ANSWER- A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
What is the pathologic description of pneumonia?
A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous secreting
glands
C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
D) Granuloma formation in the lung apex
-ANSWER- C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
What is the pathologic description of tuberculosis?
A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous secreting
glands
C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
D) Granuloma formation in the left lung apex
-ANSWER- D) Granuloma formation in the left lung apex
A 57-year-old female presents to the ED for a complaint of cough and dyspnea.
She reports feeling feverish, having a non-productive cough, and progressive
shortness of breath. Medical history is negative. On exam she has a temperature of
100.3°F, a blood pressure of 105/70 mmHg, a heart rate of 106, and a respiratory
3
, rate of 32 per minute. The O2 sat is 92% on room air. The chest is dull to
percussion on the left lower base with decreased air exchange audible in the same
area. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Pneumonia
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Pleural effusion
D) Atelectasis
-ANSWER- C) Pleural effusion
A 70-year-old male patient is admitted with profuse diarrhea for three days. He has
a history of systolic heart failure and an ejection fraction of 45%. He is weak and
his vitals are 98.0°F, pulse 120, respirations 18, and blood pressure 75/60 mmHg.
Which lab result is consistent with the clinical scenario?
A) Elevated lactate
B) Elevated BNP
C) Normal lactate
D) Elevated hemoglobin
-ANSWER- A) Elevated lactate
Which patient is at risk for a pulmonary embolus?
A) A female patient with a factor V Leiden mutation because it causes a
hypercoagulable state
B) A patient with a history of asthma
C) A patient with a history of COPD
D) A patient with a history of hypertension
-ANSWER- A) A female patient with a factor V Leiden mutation because it causes
a hypercoagulable state
An acute right ventricular failure may be caused by which pulmonary condition?
A) A pulmonary embolus that significantly occludes pulmonary blood flow from
the right ventricle
B) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
C) Pneumonia
D) Pleural effusion
-ANSWER- A) A pulmonary embolus that significantly occludes pulmonary blood
flow from the right ventricle
A 3-year-old girl presents to your office with fever, hoarseness, and a "seal bark-
like" cough. Her mother reports she has had a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore
4
Review of 550+ Questions and Correct Answers on
Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, and Neuro/ NURS 5315
Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 3 Prep (2026-2027)
Which pathologic process best describes multiple sclerosis?
A) Autoimmune destruction of the CNS myelin sheath
B) Neurofibrillary tangles in the CNS
C) Impaired acetylcholine transmission
D) Viral-triggered inflammation and swelling of the CNS
-ANSWER- A) Autoimmune destruction of the CNS myelin sheath
What are the pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease?
A) Autoimmune destruction of the CNS myelin sheath
B) Neurofibrillary tangles in the CNS
C) Impaired acetylcholine transmission
D) Inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous
system
-ANSWER- B) Neurofibrillary tangles in the CNS
What are the pathological characteristics of myasthenia gravis?
A) Autoimmune destruction of the CNS myelin sheath
B) Neurofibrillary tangles in the CNS
C) Impaired acetylcholine transmission
D) Inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous
system
-ANSWER- C) Impaired acetylcholine transmission
Which condition may cause meningeal irritation?
A) Subarachnoid hemorrhage
B) Multiple sclerosis
C) Alzheimer's disease
D) Myasthenia gravis
-ANSWER- A) Subarachnoid hemorrhage
1
,A 5-month-old infant has an open anterior fontanel. Which action should the NP
take next?
A) Refer to a neurosurgeon immediately
B) Order a head CT
C) The anterior fontanel does not close until age 18 months; this is a normal
finding and does not require any intervention
D) Order an ultrasound of the head
-ANSWER- C) The anterior fontanel does not close until age 18 months; this is a
normal finding and does not require any intervention
A 25-year-old patient presents with a rapidly progressive paralysis after recovering
from an acute influenza infection. Which pathological process best explains the
paralysis?
A) An inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous
system
B) An inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the central nervous
system
C) Autoantibodies bind to the postsynaptic membrane and block the transmission
of acetylcholine
D) Viral-triggered inflammation and swelling of the central nervous system
-ANSWER- A) An inflammatory mediated loss of the myelin sheath in the
peripheral nervous system
Neurogenic shock is related to a systemic vasodilation which results from:
A) An allergen exposure
B) An imbalance between parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous stimulation
C) Impaired contractility
D) Volume depletion
-ANSWER- B) An imbalance between parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous
stimulation
Anaphylactic shock is:
A) A systemic vasodilation and inflammatory response secondary to an allergen
B) Persistent hypotension resulting from impaired contractility
C) Systemic vasodilation resulting from parasympathetic nervous stimulation
D) Volume depletion from diarrhea
-ANSWER- A) A systemic vasodilation and inflammatory response secondary to
an allergen
2
,A 60-year-old male with a history of smoking has a barrel chest and a productive
cough with copious sputum production. His O2 sat is 88%. Which pathological
process best describes this patient's condition?
A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous secreting
glands
C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
D) Granuloma formation in the lung
-ANSWER- B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous
secreting glands
What is the pathologic description of emphysema?
A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous secreting
glands
C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
D) Granuloma formation in the lung apex
-ANSWER- A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
What is the pathologic description of pneumonia?
A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous secreting
glands
C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
D) Granuloma formation in the lung apex
-ANSWER- C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
What is the pathologic description of tuberculosis?
A) Dilation of air spaces with destruction of the alveolar sacs
B) Bronchial irritation/inflammation causes hyperplasia of the mucous secreting
glands
C) Diffuse leakage of exudate into the alveolar sacs
D) Granuloma formation in the left lung apex
-ANSWER- D) Granuloma formation in the left lung apex
A 57-year-old female presents to the ED for a complaint of cough and dyspnea.
She reports feeling feverish, having a non-productive cough, and progressive
shortness of breath. Medical history is negative. On exam she has a temperature of
100.3°F, a blood pressure of 105/70 mmHg, a heart rate of 106, and a respiratory
3
, rate of 32 per minute. The O2 sat is 92% on room air. The chest is dull to
percussion on the left lower base with decreased air exchange audible in the same
area. Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Pneumonia
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Pleural effusion
D) Atelectasis
-ANSWER- C) Pleural effusion
A 70-year-old male patient is admitted with profuse diarrhea for three days. He has
a history of systolic heart failure and an ejection fraction of 45%. He is weak and
his vitals are 98.0°F, pulse 120, respirations 18, and blood pressure 75/60 mmHg.
Which lab result is consistent with the clinical scenario?
A) Elevated lactate
B) Elevated BNP
C) Normal lactate
D) Elevated hemoglobin
-ANSWER- A) Elevated lactate
Which patient is at risk for a pulmonary embolus?
A) A female patient with a factor V Leiden mutation because it causes a
hypercoagulable state
B) A patient with a history of asthma
C) A patient with a history of COPD
D) A patient with a history of hypertension
-ANSWER- A) A female patient with a factor V Leiden mutation because it causes
a hypercoagulable state
An acute right ventricular failure may be caused by which pulmonary condition?
A) A pulmonary embolus that significantly occludes pulmonary blood flow from
the right ventricle
B) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
C) Pneumonia
D) Pleural effusion
-ANSWER- A) A pulmonary embolus that significantly occludes pulmonary blood
flow from the right ventricle
A 3-year-old girl presents to your office with fever, hoarseness, and a "seal bark-
like" cough. Her mother reports she has had a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore
4
