SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Preparation 2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Preparation 2026/2027
UPDATE |Nightingale
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Preparation 2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of the bronchial
epithelium reveals a change from ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. This
cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature cell
type, often in response to chronic irritation like smoking. In practice, this guides the nurse to set
priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent
priorities. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly
and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
liver failure and low serum albumin?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary permeability
C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Rationale: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for plasma oncotic pressure; a decrease leads
to fluid shifting from the intravascular space to the interstitial space. Exam questions often test whether
you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the
nurse can actually do right now. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that
keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when
answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Preparation 2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient’s arterial blood gas results are: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3- 24 mEq/L.
How would you interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory
cause for the acidosis. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from
harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. In practice, this guides the
nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are
frequent priorities.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a flattened T-wave and the presence of
a U-wave on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia characteristically causes ST segment depression, flattened T- waves, and
prominent U-waves on the electrocardiogram. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and
protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. In
practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and
clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Preparation 2026/2027
UPDATE |Nightingale
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Preparation 2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of the bronchial
epithelium reveals a change from ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. This
cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature cell
type, often in response to chronic irritation like smoking. In practice, this guides the nurse to set
priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent
priorities. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly
and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
liver failure and low serum albumin?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary permeability
C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Rationale: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for plasma oncotic pressure; a decrease leads
to fluid shifting from the intravascular space to the interstitial space. Exam questions often test whether
you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the
nurse can actually do right now. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that
keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when
answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Preparation 2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient’s arterial blood gas results are: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3- 24 mEq/L.
How would you interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory
cause for the acidosis. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from
harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. In practice, this guides the
nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are
frequent priorities.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a flattened T-wave and the presence of
a U-wave on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia characteristically causes ST segment depression, flattened T- waves, and
prominent U-waves on the electrocardiogram. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and
protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. In
practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and
clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
