PATHOPHYSIOLOGY TEST BANK
NEWEST 2026 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
BIOLOGIC BASIS FOR DISEASE | 8TH / 9TH
EDITION | 50+ TOP MOST TESTED QUIZ |
A+ BUNDLE 2026
Question
A newborn receives antibodies through breast milk. This is an example of which type of
immunity?
A) Active immunity
B) Passive immunity
C) Natural active immunity
D) Artificial active immunity
Expert Rationale: Passive immunity involves the transfer of preformed antibodies from a
protected individual to an unprotected individual. IgA in breast milk and maternal IgG
crossing the placenta are classic examples of passive immunity. Active immunity occurs
when the body produces its own antibodies through natural infection or vaccination.
Passive immunity provides immediate but temporary protection.
Question
The normal range for serum potassium is:
A) 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
B) 135–145 mEq/L
C) 9–11 mg/dL
D) 2.5–4.5 mg/dL
Expert Rationale: The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is
the major intracellular cation. Sodium is 135–145 mEq/L; calcium is 9–11 mg/dL;
phosphate is 2.5–4.5 mg/dL. Hypokalemia is < 3.5; hyperkalemia is > 5.0. Potassium
imbalances can cause cardiac arrhythmias.
,Question
A client has a serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L. This condition is termed:
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hyponatremia
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypokalemia
Expert Rationale: Hyponatremia is defined as a serum sodium level below 135 mEq/L.
Sodium is the major cation of extracellular fluid. Hypernatremia is > 145 mEq/L. Potassium
levels are unrelated. Hyponatremia can cause confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma. The
nurse should assess for causes such as diuretic use, excessive water intake, or SIADH.
Question
A client with hypokalemia would most likely exhibit which of the following signs?
A) Muscle weakness and flattened T waves on ECG
B) Tall peaked T waves on ECG
C) Positive Chvostek sign
D) Muscle spasms and tetany
Expert Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) causes altered muscle function,
weakness, abdominal distention, diminished bowel sounds, constipation, dysrhythmias,
and flattened T waves on ECG. Hyperkalemia causes tall peaked T waves. Positive
Chvostek sign and tetany are seen in hypocalcemia. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac
arrest if severe.
Question
Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level:
A) Less than 3.5 mEq/L
B) Greater than 5.0 mEq/L
C) Between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L
D) Greater than 135 mEq/L
Expert Rationale: Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level greater than 5.0
mEq/L. It can cause mild cramping, hyperactive bowel sounds, muscle weakness starting
in the lower extremities, bradycardia, and tall peaked T waves on ECG. Severe
, hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrest. Causes include kidney failure, ACE inhibitors, and
excessive IV potassium.
Question
Which of the following is a cause of hypocalcemia?
A) Hyperparathyroidism
B) Vitamin D deficiency
C) Kidney failure
D) Prolonged immobility
Expert Rationale: Hypocalcemia (low calcium) can be caused by hypoparathyroidism,
vitamin D deficiency, malabsorption (Crohn's or celiac), diarrhea, and inadequate oral
calcium intake. Hypercalcemia is caused by hyperparathyroidism, malignant tumors,
kidney failure, and prolonged immobility. Hypocalcemia presents with numbness, tingling,
positive Chvostek and Trousseau signs, and muscle cramps.
Question
A client with hypercalcemia is at increased risk for which complication?
A) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
B) Hypokalemia
C) Muscle spasms
D) Hypophosphatemia
Expert Rationale: Hypercalcemia (calcium > 11 mg/dL) can cause muscle weakness,
constipation, nausea, polyuria, confusion, and increased risk of blood clots (DVT).
Hypocalcemia causes muscle spasms and cramps. The nurse should monitor for signs of
thrombosis and provide anticoagulation as prescribed. Calcium and phosphate have an
inverse relationship; hypercalcemia often correlates with hypophosphatemia.
Question
The pathophysiology of disease includes which of the following topics?
A) Etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment
B) Anatomy, physiology, and histology
C) Diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention
D) Signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings
NEWEST 2026 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
BIOLOGIC BASIS FOR DISEASE | 8TH / 9TH
EDITION | 50+ TOP MOST TESTED QUIZ |
A+ BUNDLE 2026
Question
A newborn receives antibodies through breast milk. This is an example of which type of
immunity?
A) Active immunity
B) Passive immunity
C) Natural active immunity
D) Artificial active immunity
Expert Rationale: Passive immunity involves the transfer of preformed antibodies from a
protected individual to an unprotected individual. IgA in breast milk and maternal IgG
crossing the placenta are classic examples of passive immunity. Active immunity occurs
when the body produces its own antibodies through natural infection or vaccination.
Passive immunity provides immediate but temporary protection.
Question
The normal range for serum potassium is:
A) 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
B) 135–145 mEq/L
C) 9–11 mg/dL
D) 2.5–4.5 mg/dL
Expert Rationale: The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is
the major intracellular cation. Sodium is 135–145 mEq/L; calcium is 9–11 mg/dL;
phosphate is 2.5–4.5 mg/dL. Hypokalemia is < 3.5; hyperkalemia is > 5.0. Potassium
imbalances can cause cardiac arrhythmias.
,Question
A client has a serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L. This condition is termed:
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hyponatremia
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypokalemia
Expert Rationale: Hyponatremia is defined as a serum sodium level below 135 mEq/L.
Sodium is the major cation of extracellular fluid. Hypernatremia is > 145 mEq/L. Potassium
levels are unrelated. Hyponatremia can cause confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma. The
nurse should assess for causes such as diuretic use, excessive water intake, or SIADH.
Question
A client with hypokalemia would most likely exhibit which of the following signs?
A) Muscle weakness and flattened T waves on ECG
B) Tall peaked T waves on ECG
C) Positive Chvostek sign
D) Muscle spasms and tetany
Expert Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) causes altered muscle function,
weakness, abdominal distention, diminished bowel sounds, constipation, dysrhythmias,
and flattened T waves on ECG. Hyperkalemia causes tall peaked T waves. Positive
Chvostek sign and tetany are seen in hypocalcemia. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac
arrest if severe.
Question
Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level:
A) Less than 3.5 mEq/L
B) Greater than 5.0 mEq/L
C) Between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L
D) Greater than 135 mEq/L
Expert Rationale: Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level greater than 5.0
mEq/L. It can cause mild cramping, hyperactive bowel sounds, muscle weakness starting
in the lower extremities, bradycardia, and tall peaked T waves on ECG. Severe
, hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrest. Causes include kidney failure, ACE inhibitors, and
excessive IV potassium.
Question
Which of the following is a cause of hypocalcemia?
A) Hyperparathyroidism
B) Vitamin D deficiency
C) Kidney failure
D) Prolonged immobility
Expert Rationale: Hypocalcemia (low calcium) can be caused by hypoparathyroidism,
vitamin D deficiency, malabsorption (Crohn's or celiac), diarrhea, and inadequate oral
calcium intake. Hypercalcemia is caused by hyperparathyroidism, malignant tumors,
kidney failure, and prolonged immobility. Hypocalcemia presents with numbness, tingling,
positive Chvostek and Trousseau signs, and muscle cramps.
Question
A client with hypercalcemia is at increased risk for which complication?
A) Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
B) Hypokalemia
C) Muscle spasms
D) Hypophosphatemia
Expert Rationale: Hypercalcemia (calcium > 11 mg/dL) can cause muscle weakness,
constipation, nausea, polyuria, confusion, and increased risk of blood clots (DVT).
Hypocalcemia causes muscle spasms and cramps. The nurse should monitor for signs of
thrombosis and provide anticoagulation as prescribed. Calcium and phosphate have an
inverse relationship; hypercalcemia often correlates with hypophosphatemia.
Question
The pathophysiology of disease includes which of the following topics?
A) Etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment
B) Anatomy, physiology, and histology
C) Diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention
D) Signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings
