NSG 3280 Exam 4 | Pathophysiology for
Nurses I
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) Which condition is characterized by the sudden loss of kidney function, often
reversible, resulting in the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products?
A. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
B. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
C. Polycystic Kidney Disease
D. Nephrotic Syndrome
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: AKI is an abrupt decline in renal function. Pre-renal causes
(hypovolemia), intra-renal (tubular necrosis), and post-renal (obstruction) are the primary drivers.
(2) A client with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a very low erythropoietin level. Which
clinical manifestation should the nurse expect?
A. Hypertension
B. Edema
C. Anemia
D. Hyperkalemia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Pathophysiological Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin to stimulate RBC production.
In CKD, decreased production leads to renal-related anemia.
,(3) In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the primary pathophysiological mechanism?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues.
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
C. Excessive glucose production by the liver.
0. Hypersecretion of glucagon.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: Type 1 DM is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due
to the autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans.
(4) Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of Graves' Disease (Hyperthyroidism)?
A. Weight gain and cold intolerance.
B. Bradycardia and lethargy.
C. Exophthalmos and heat intolerance.
D. Dry skin and brittle hair.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Pathophysiological Rationale: Graves' disease involves hypermetabolism. Exophthalmos
(bulging eyes) and heat intolerance are classic signs of excessive thyroid hormone (T3/T4).
(5) What is the primary cause of Cushing's Syndrome?
A. Deficiency of ADH.
B. Excessive levels of cortisol.
C. Underproduction of aldosterone.
D. Hypersecretion of growth hormone.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: Cushing's Syndrome results from chronic exposure to excess
glucocorticoids (cortisol), either from an adrenal tumor or prolonged steroid use.
,(6) Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) causes urinary symptoms primarily through which
mechanism?
A. Infection of the bladder wall.
B. Compression of the urethra.
C. Decreased production of testosterone.
D. Formation of kidney stones.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: BPH involves the enlargement of the prostate gland, which
surrounds the male urethra, leading to obstruction of urinary flow.
(7) Which condition is defined as the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside of
the uterus?
A. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
B. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
C. Endometriosis
D. Uterine Fibroids
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Pathophysiological Rationale: Endometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows on the
ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic lining, causing inflammation and pain.
(8) Which type of skin cancer is the most aggressive and has the highest risk of
metastasis?
A. Basal Cell Carcinoma
B. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
C. Malignant Melanoma
D. Actinic Keratosis
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Pathophysiological Rationale: Malignant melanoma arises from melanocytes and is highly
invasive with a high potential to spread to other organs if not treated early.
, (9) Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) results in which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes the
serum sodium, leading to dilutional hyponatremia.
(10) What is the defining characteristic of Nephrotic Syndrome?
A. Gross hematuria (blood in urine).
B. Massive proteinuria and generalized edema.
C. Hypotension and tachycardia.
D. Increased glomerular filtration rate.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome involves damage to the glomerular
capillaries, leading to the loss of large amounts of protein in the urine, which causes low serum
albumin and severe edema (anasarca).
(11) Which condition is characterized by the sudden loss of kidney function, often
reversible, resulting in the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products?
A. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
B. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
C. Polycystic Kidney Disease
D. Nephrotic Syndrome
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: AKI is an abrupt decline in renal function. Pre-renal causes
(hypovolemia), intra-renal (tubular necrosis), and post-renal (obstruction) are the primary drivers.
Nurses I
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) Which condition is characterized by the sudden loss of kidney function, often
reversible, resulting in the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products?
A. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
B. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
C. Polycystic Kidney Disease
D. Nephrotic Syndrome
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: AKI is an abrupt decline in renal function. Pre-renal causes
(hypovolemia), intra-renal (tubular necrosis), and post-renal (obstruction) are the primary drivers.
(2) A client with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a very low erythropoietin level. Which
clinical manifestation should the nurse expect?
A. Hypertension
B. Edema
C. Anemia
D. Hyperkalemia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Pathophysiological Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin to stimulate RBC production.
In CKD, decreased production leads to renal-related anemia.
,(3) In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the primary pathophysiological mechanism?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues.
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
C. Excessive glucose production by the liver.
0. Hypersecretion of glucagon.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: Type 1 DM is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due
to the autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans.
(4) Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of Graves' Disease (Hyperthyroidism)?
A. Weight gain and cold intolerance.
B. Bradycardia and lethargy.
C. Exophthalmos and heat intolerance.
D. Dry skin and brittle hair.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Pathophysiological Rationale: Graves' disease involves hypermetabolism. Exophthalmos
(bulging eyes) and heat intolerance are classic signs of excessive thyroid hormone (T3/T4).
(5) What is the primary cause of Cushing's Syndrome?
A. Deficiency of ADH.
B. Excessive levels of cortisol.
C. Underproduction of aldosterone.
D. Hypersecretion of growth hormone.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: Cushing's Syndrome results from chronic exposure to excess
glucocorticoids (cortisol), either from an adrenal tumor or prolonged steroid use.
,(6) Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) causes urinary symptoms primarily through which
mechanism?
A. Infection of the bladder wall.
B. Compression of the urethra.
C. Decreased production of testosterone.
D. Formation of kidney stones.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: BPH involves the enlargement of the prostate gland, which
surrounds the male urethra, leading to obstruction of urinary flow.
(7) Which condition is defined as the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside of
the uterus?
A. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
B. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
C. Endometriosis
D. Uterine Fibroids
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Pathophysiological Rationale: Endometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows on the
ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic lining, causing inflammation and pain.
(8) Which type of skin cancer is the most aggressive and has the highest risk of
metastasis?
A. Basal Cell Carcinoma
B. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
C. Malignant Melanoma
D. Actinic Keratosis
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Pathophysiological Rationale: Malignant melanoma arises from melanocytes and is highly
invasive with a high potential to spread to other organs if not treated early.
, (9) Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) results in which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes the
serum sodium, leading to dilutional hyponatremia.
(10) What is the defining characteristic of Nephrotic Syndrome?
A. Gross hematuria (blood in urine).
B. Massive proteinuria and generalized edema.
C. Hypotension and tachycardia.
D. Increased glomerular filtration rate.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome involves damage to the glomerular
capillaries, leading to the loss of large amounts of protein in the urine, which causes low serum
albumin and severe edema (anasarca).
(11) Which condition is characterized by the sudden loss of kidney function, often
reversible, resulting in the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products?
A. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
B. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
C. Polycystic Kidney Disease
D. Nephrotic Syndrome
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Pathophysiological Rationale: AKI is an abrupt decline in renal function. Pre-renal causes
(hypovolemia), intra-renal (tubular necrosis), and post-renal (obstruction) are the primary drivers.
