NURS 6501 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which phase of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by the release
of inflammatory mediators causing damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane?
A. Exudative phase
B. Fibrotic phase
C. Proliferative phase
D. Resolution phase
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The exudative phase occurs within the first 72 hours.
Inflammatory mediators damage the alveolar-capillary membrane, leading to increased
permeability and protein-rich pulmonary edema.
2. In Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH), what is the primary
electrolyte imbalance observed?
A. Hypernatremia
,B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH involves excessive ADH release, leading to water
retention and dilutional hyponatremia.
3. Which mechanism explains why patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) often develop
anemia?
A. Inadequate production of erythropoietin
B. Chronic blood loss during dialysis
C. Increased destruction of red blood cells in the spleen
D. Vitamin B12 deficiency due to dietary restrictions
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The kidneys produce erythropoietin; in CKD, decreased renal
mass leads to insufficient erythropoietin to stimulate bone marrow RBC production.
4. What is the underlying cause of the painful joint inflammation seen in Gout?
A. Crystallization of monosodium urate in the synovial fluid
B. Autoimmune attack on the synovial membrane
, C. Degeneration of articular cartilage
D. Bacterial infection within the joint space
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Gout is caused by hyperuricemia, leading to the deposition of
monosodium urate crystals in joints, triggering an inflammatory response.
5. Which pathological feature is characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system
B. Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway
C. Deposition of amyloid-beta plaques in the cerebral cortex
D. Loss of lower motor neurons in the spinal cord
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: MS is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation
and demyelination of the CNS axons.
6. A patient with primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn Syndrome) is likely to exhibit which
clinical findings?
A. Hyponatremia and metabolic acidosis
B. Hypotension and hyperkalemia
C. Hypertension and hypokalemia
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which phase of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by the release
of inflammatory mediators causing damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane?
A. Exudative phase
B. Fibrotic phase
C. Proliferative phase
D. Resolution phase
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The exudative phase occurs within the first 72 hours.
Inflammatory mediators damage the alveolar-capillary membrane, leading to increased
permeability and protein-rich pulmonary edema.
2. In Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH), what is the primary
electrolyte imbalance observed?
A. Hypernatremia
,B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH involves excessive ADH release, leading to water
retention and dilutional hyponatremia.
3. Which mechanism explains why patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) often develop
anemia?
A. Inadequate production of erythropoietin
B. Chronic blood loss during dialysis
C. Increased destruction of red blood cells in the spleen
D. Vitamin B12 deficiency due to dietary restrictions
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The kidneys produce erythropoietin; in CKD, decreased renal
mass leads to insufficient erythropoietin to stimulate bone marrow RBC production.
4. What is the underlying cause of the painful joint inflammation seen in Gout?
A. Crystallization of monosodium urate in the synovial fluid
B. Autoimmune attack on the synovial membrane
, C. Degeneration of articular cartilage
D. Bacterial infection within the joint space
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Gout is caused by hyperuricemia, leading to the deposition of
monosodium urate crystals in joints, triggering an inflammatory response.
5. Which pathological feature is characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system
B. Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway
C. Deposition of amyloid-beta plaques in the cerebral cortex
D. Loss of lower motor neurons in the spinal cord
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: MS is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation
and demyelination of the CNS axons.
6. A patient with primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn Syndrome) is likely to exhibit which
clinical findings?
A. Hyponatremia and metabolic acidosis
B. Hypotension and hyperkalemia
C. Hypertension and hypokalemia
