NUR 631 ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY AND
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL HIGH-YIELD
MULTISYSTEM PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND
CLINICAL APPLICATION SUMMARY 2026
◉ Which compensatory mechanism is spontaneously used by
children diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot to relieve hypoxic spells?
a. Lying on their left side
b. Performing the valsalva maneuver
c. Squatting
d. hyperventilating.
Answer: c. Squatting
Exp: squatting is a spontaneous compensatory mechanism used by
older children to alleviate hypoxic spells. Squatting and its variants
increase systemic resistance while decreasing venous return to the
heart from the inferior vena cava. The other options would not
result in these changes. pg 1209
◉ An infant diagnosed with a small patent ductus arteriosus would
likely exhibit which symptom?
a. Intermittent murmur
b. Lack of symptoms
c. Need for surgical repair
,d. Triad of congenital defects.
Answer: b. Lack of symptoms
Exp: Infants with a small PDA usually remain asymptomatic. page
1203-1204
◉ Fluid in the pleural space characterizes which condition?
a. Pleural effusion
b. Atelectasis
c. Bronchiectasis
d. Ischemia.
Answer: a. Pleural Effusion
Exp: Pleural effusion is the presence of fluid in the pleural space.
page1254
◉ Which medication classification is generally included in the
treatment of silicosis?
a. Corticosteroids
b. Antiboitics
c. Bronchodilators
d. Expectorants.
Answer: a. Corticosteroids
,Exp: No specific treatment exists for silicosis, although
corticosteroids may produce some improvement in the early, more
acute stages. page 1259
◉ The risk for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) decreases for
premature infants when they are born between how many weeks of
gestation?
a. 16 and 24
b. 20 and 24
c. 24 and 30
d. 30 and 36.
Answer: d. 30 and 36
Exp: Surfactant is secreted into fetal airways between 30 and 36
weeks. The other options are not true regarding the timeframe when
the risk for RDS decreases. page 1292
◉ What is the chief predisposing factor for respiratory distress
syndrome (RDS) of the newborn?
a. Low birth weight
b. Alcohol consumption during pregnanc
c. Premature birth
d. Smoking during pregnancy.
, Answer: a. Premature birth
Exp: RDS of the newborn, also known as hyaline membrane disease
(HMD), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in premature
newborns. page 1301
◉ What is the primary cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
of the newborn?
a. Immature immune system
b. Small alveoli
c. Surfactant deficiency
d. Anemia.
Answer: c. Surfactant deficiency
Exp: RDS is primarily caused by surfactant deficiency and
secondarily by a deficiency in alveolar surface area for gas exchange.
page 1301
◉ What is the primary problem resulting from respiratory distress
syndrome (RDS) of the newborn?
a. Consolidation
b. Pulmonary edema
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL HIGH-YIELD
MULTISYSTEM PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND
CLINICAL APPLICATION SUMMARY 2026
◉ Which compensatory mechanism is spontaneously used by
children diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot to relieve hypoxic spells?
a. Lying on their left side
b. Performing the valsalva maneuver
c. Squatting
d. hyperventilating.
Answer: c. Squatting
Exp: squatting is a spontaneous compensatory mechanism used by
older children to alleviate hypoxic spells. Squatting and its variants
increase systemic resistance while decreasing venous return to the
heart from the inferior vena cava. The other options would not
result in these changes. pg 1209
◉ An infant diagnosed with a small patent ductus arteriosus would
likely exhibit which symptom?
a. Intermittent murmur
b. Lack of symptoms
c. Need for surgical repair
,d. Triad of congenital defects.
Answer: b. Lack of symptoms
Exp: Infants with a small PDA usually remain asymptomatic. page
1203-1204
◉ Fluid in the pleural space characterizes which condition?
a. Pleural effusion
b. Atelectasis
c. Bronchiectasis
d. Ischemia.
Answer: a. Pleural Effusion
Exp: Pleural effusion is the presence of fluid in the pleural space.
page1254
◉ Which medication classification is generally included in the
treatment of silicosis?
a. Corticosteroids
b. Antiboitics
c. Bronchodilators
d. Expectorants.
Answer: a. Corticosteroids
,Exp: No specific treatment exists for silicosis, although
corticosteroids may produce some improvement in the early, more
acute stages. page 1259
◉ The risk for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) decreases for
premature infants when they are born between how many weeks of
gestation?
a. 16 and 24
b. 20 and 24
c. 24 and 30
d. 30 and 36.
Answer: d. 30 and 36
Exp: Surfactant is secreted into fetal airways between 30 and 36
weeks. The other options are not true regarding the timeframe when
the risk for RDS decreases. page 1292
◉ What is the chief predisposing factor for respiratory distress
syndrome (RDS) of the newborn?
a. Low birth weight
b. Alcohol consumption during pregnanc
c. Premature birth
d. Smoking during pregnancy.
, Answer: a. Premature birth
Exp: RDS of the newborn, also known as hyaline membrane disease
(HMD), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in premature
newborns. page 1301
◉ What is the primary cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
of the newborn?
a. Immature immune system
b. Small alveoli
c. Surfactant deficiency
d. Anemia.
Answer: c. Surfactant deficiency
Exp: RDS is primarily caused by surfactant deficiency and
secondarily by a deficiency in alveolar surface area for gas exchange.
page 1301
◉ What is the primary problem resulting from respiratory distress
syndrome (RDS) of the newborn?
a. Consolidation
b. Pulmonary edema
