NSG 3113 Pathophysiology Exam 3
Practice Questions and Verified
Answers Latest Update 2026 |
Graded A+
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM –
HYPERTENSION & ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is a non-modifiable risk factor for hypertension?
A) Obesity
B) High sodium intake
C) Age
D) Sedentary lifestyle
Answer: C) Age
,Rationale: Non-modifiable risk factors for hypertension include age, race/ethnicity, and
genetics/family history. Modifiable risk factors include obesity, high sodium intake,
smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyle .
2. What is the primary pathological mechanism in atherosclerosis?
A) Thrombus formation in deep leg veins
B) Plaque buildup on arterial walls
C) Vasospasm of coronary arteries
D) Inflammation of the pericardial sac
Answer: B) Plaque buildup on arterial walls
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty plaques (atheroma) inside artery walls,
making them narrow, hard, and less flexible. The process begins with endothelial injury,
which triggers an inflammatory response and accumulation of cholesterol, inflammatory
cells, and fibrous tissue .
3. Which lipid abnormality is most strongly associated with atherosclerosis?
A) Low HDL
B) High LDL
C) Low triglycerides
D) High HDL
Answer: B) High LDL
,Rationale: High LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is most strongly associated with
atherosclerosis. LDL particles infiltrate the arterial wall, become oxidized, and trigger the
inflammatory response that leads to plaque formation. High HDL is protective .
4. What is the diagnostic threshold for hypertension according to 2017 ACC/AHA
guidelines?
A) SBP ≥140 or DBP ≥90 mmHg
B) SBP ≥130 or DBP ≥80 mmHg
C) SBP ≥120 or DBP ≥80 mmHg
D) SBP ≥160 or DBP ≥100 mmHg
Answer: B) SBP ≥130 or DBP ≥80 mmHg
Rationale: The 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines define hypertension as systolic blood pressure
≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg. Stage 1 hypertension is SBP 130-139
or DBP 80-89. Stage 2 is SBP ≥140 or DBP ≥90 .
5. What is the difference between arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis?
A) They are the same condition
B) Arteriosclerosis is a general term for hardening of arteries; atherosclerosis is a specific
type with plaque buildup
C) Atherosclerosis is a general term; arteriosclerosis is the specific condition
D) Arteriosclerosis only affects veins
Answer: B) Arteriosclerosis is a general term for hardening of arteries;
atherosclerosis is a specific type with plaque buildup
, Rationale: Arteriosclerosis is a general term for hardening and loss of elasticity of arteries.
Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis characterized by the buildup of fatty
plaques inside artery walls. Think of arteriosclerosis as the general condition and
atherosclerosis as the specific mechanism .
6. A patient with hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). What
is the underlying pathophysiology?
A) The coronary circulation is unable to meet the increased demand of the
hypertrophied muscle
B) The heart valves become calcified
C) The pericardium becomes inflamed
D) The aorta becomes dilated
Answer: A) The coronary circulation is unable to meet the increased demand of the
hypertrophied muscle
Rationale: Chronic hypertension increases afterload, forcing the left ventricle to pump
against higher resistance. The myocardium hypertrophies in response, but the coronary
circulation cannot adequately supply the increased muscle mass. This leads to ischemia
and restrictive cardiomyopathy (less filling space due to enlarged LV) .
7. A patient with atherosclerosis develops a thrombus that completely occludes a
coronary artery. This will most likely result in:
A) Stable angina
B) Unstable angina
Practice Questions and Verified
Answers Latest Update 2026 |
Graded A+
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM –
HYPERTENSION & ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is a non-modifiable risk factor for hypertension?
A) Obesity
B) High sodium intake
C) Age
D) Sedentary lifestyle
Answer: C) Age
,Rationale: Non-modifiable risk factors for hypertension include age, race/ethnicity, and
genetics/family history. Modifiable risk factors include obesity, high sodium intake,
smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and sedentary lifestyle .
2. What is the primary pathological mechanism in atherosclerosis?
A) Thrombus formation in deep leg veins
B) Plaque buildup on arterial walls
C) Vasospasm of coronary arteries
D) Inflammation of the pericardial sac
Answer: B) Plaque buildup on arterial walls
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty plaques (atheroma) inside artery walls,
making them narrow, hard, and less flexible. The process begins with endothelial injury,
which triggers an inflammatory response and accumulation of cholesterol, inflammatory
cells, and fibrous tissue .
3. Which lipid abnormality is most strongly associated with atherosclerosis?
A) Low HDL
B) High LDL
C) Low triglycerides
D) High HDL
Answer: B) High LDL
,Rationale: High LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is most strongly associated with
atherosclerosis. LDL particles infiltrate the arterial wall, become oxidized, and trigger the
inflammatory response that leads to plaque formation. High HDL is protective .
4. What is the diagnostic threshold for hypertension according to 2017 ACC/AHA
guidelines?
A) SBP ≥140 or DBP ≥90 mmHg
B) SBP ≥130 or DBP ≥80 mmHg
C) SBP ≥120 or DBP ≥80 mmHg
D) SBP ≥160 or DBP ≥100 mmHg
Answer: B) SBP ≥130 or DBP ≥80 mmHg
Rationale: The 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines define hypertension as systolic blood pressure
≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg. Stage 1 hypertension is SBP 130-139
or DBP 80-89. Stage 2 is SBP ≥140 or DBP ≥90 .
5. What is the difference between arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis?
A) They are the same condition
B) Arteriosclerosis is a general term for hardening of arteries; atherosclerosis is a specific
type with plaque buildup
C) Atherosclerosis is a general term; arteriosclerosis is the specific condition
D) Arteriosclerosis only affects veins
Answer: B) Arteriosclerosis is a general term for hardening of arteries;
atherosclerosis is a specific type with plaque buildup
, Rationale: Arteriosclerosis is a general term for hardening and loss of elasticity of arteries.
Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis characterized by the buildup of fatty
plaques inside artery walls. Think of arteriosclerosis as the general condition and
atherosclerosis as the specific mechanism .
6. A patient with hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). What
is the underlying pathophysiology?
A) The coronary circulation is unable to meet the increased demand of the
hypertrophied muscle
B) The heart valves become calcified
C) The pericardium becomes inflamed
D) The aorta becomes dilated
Answer: A) The coronary circulation is unable to meet the increased demand of the
hypertrophied muscle
Rationale: Chronic hypertension increases afterload, forcing the left ventricle to pump
against higher resistance. The myocardium hypertrophies in response, but the coronary
circulation cannot adequately supply the increased muscle mass. This leads to ischemia
and restrictive cardiomyopathy (less filling space due to enlarged LV) .
7. A patient with atherosclerosis develops a thrombus that completely occludes a
coronary artery. This will most likely result in:
A) Stable angina
B) Unstable angina
