BSN | Midterm Study Guide: Nursing Process, Pathophysiology &
Pharmacology Exam Questions With Answers and detailed
Rationales
Question 1.
Which phase of the nursing process is a nurse performing when they establish short-term
and long-term goals for a patient?
A. Planning
B. Diagnosis
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: A. Planning
Explanation: The planning phase involves prioritizing nursing diagnoses, setting patient-
centered goals, and choosing nursing interventions.
Question 2.
A patient reports ‘crushing chest pain’ and ‘shortness of breath.’ What type of data is this
considered?
A. Objective data
B. Baseline data
C. Secondary data
D. Subjective data
Correct Answer: D. Subjective data
Explanation: Subjective data are information gathered from the patient’s point of view
(‘symptoms’), such as feelings or perceptions.
Question 3.
Which of the following describes the cellular adaptation where one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type due to chronic irritation?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: D. Metaplasia
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another to better endure environmental stress.
, Question 4.
What is the primary intracellular cation responsible for maintaining resting membrane
potential?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Explanation: Potassium is the major intracellular cation; sodium is the major extracellular
cation.
Question 5.
A nurse is reviewing a patient’s ABG results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55, HCO3 24. How should the
nurse interpret this?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory Acidosis
Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 indicates the
respiratory system is the cause.
Question 6.
Which pharmacokinetic process is most affected by a patient with severe liver cirrhosis?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: C. Metabolism
Explanation: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism (biotransformation).
Question 7.
A drug with a narrow therapeutic index implies which of the following?
A. The difference between a lethal dose and effective dose is small
B. The drug is very safe and rarely toxic
C. The drug does not require blood level monitoring
D. The drug has a very long half-life
Correct Answer: A. The difference between a lethal dose and effective dose is
small
Pharmacology Exam Questions With Answers and detailed
Rationales
Question 1.
Which phase of the nursing process is a nurse performing when they establish short-term
and long-term goals for a patient?
A. Planning
B. Diagnosis
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: A. Planning
Explanation: The planning phase involves prioritizing nursing diagnoses, setting patient-
centered goals, and choosing nursing interventions.
Question 2.
A patient reports ‘crushing chest pain’ and ‘shortness of breath.’ What type of data is this
considered?
A. Objective data
B. Baseline data
C. Secondary data
D. Subjective data
Correct Answer: D. Subjective data
Explanation: Subjective data are information gathered from the patient’s point of view
(‘symptoms’), such as feelings or perceptions.
Question 3.
Which of the following describes the cellular adaptation where one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type due to chronic irritation?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: D. Metaplasia
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another to better endure environmental stress.
, Question 4.
What is the primary intracellular cation responsible for maintaining resting membrane
potential?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Explanation: Potassium is the major intracellular cation; sodium is the major extracellular
cation.
Question 5.
A nurse is reviewing a patient’s ABG results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55, HCO3 24. How should the
nurse interpret this?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory Acidosis
Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 indicates the
respiratory system is the cause.
Question 6.
Which pharmacokinetic process is most affected by a patient with severe liver cirrhosis?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Correct Answer: C. Metabolism
Explanation: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism (biotransformation).
Question 7.
A drug with a narrow therapeutic index implies which of the following?
A. The difference between a lethal dose and effective dose is small
B. The drug is very safe and rarely toxic
C. The drug does not require blood level monitoring
D. The drug has a very long half-life
Correct Answer: A. The difference between a lethal dose and effective dose is
small
