NSG 1700 Pathophysiology
VERIFIED EXAM PREP & SUCCESS GUIDE (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in an
organ or tissue?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells resulting from an
increased rate of cellular division. Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells.
(2) A client has a reduction in oxygen reach the tissues. This condition is known as:
A. Ischemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Infarction
D. Anoxia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Patho Rationale: Hypoxia is a lack of sufficient oxygen reaching the tissues. Ischemia is the
reduced blood supply, which often leads to hypoxia.
,(3) A client presents with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L and confusion. Which
condition is the client experiencing?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Hyponatremia is defined as a serum sodium level less than 135 mEq/L.
Severe hyponatremia can cause cerebral edema and neurological symptoms.
(4) Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with peaked T-waves on an ECG and
potential cardiac arrest?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) affects cardiac conduction and is a
medical emergency often characterized by peaked T-waves and widened QRS complexes.
,(5) Right-sided heart failure typically results in which of the following clinical
manifestations?
A. Pulmonary edema and crackles
B. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention (JVD)
C. Dyspnea and orthopnea
D. Pink frothy sputum
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Patho Rationale: Right-sided failure causes blood to back up into the systemic circulation,
leading to peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, and JVD. Left-sided failure leads to pulmonary
congestion.
(6) Which type of shock is caused by a massive release of histamine, leading to
widespread vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Anaphylactic shock
D. Septic shock
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Anaphylactic shock is a Type I hypersensitivity reaction resulting in
massive vasodilation and fluid shifts.
, (7) A client with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has developed 'barrel
chest.' This is primarily due to:
A. Chronic inflammation of the bronchi
B. Air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs
C. Excessive mucus production
D. Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Patho Rationale: In emphysema (a form of COPD), the destruction of alveolar walls leads to
loss of elastic recoil, air trapping, and hyperinflation, which expands the chest wall.
(8) In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, the primary underlying pathophysiology is:
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues.
B. Absolute insulin deficiency due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
C. Excessive glucose production by the liver.
D. Over-secretion of glucagon by alpha cells.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Patho Rationale: Type 1 DM is characterized by an autoimmune-mediated destruction of
beta cells, leading to a total lack of insulin production.
(9) A client presents with 'moon face,' 'buffalo hump,' and central obesity. These are
classic signs of which endocrine disorder?
A. Addison's Disease
B. Graves' Disease
C. Cushing's Syndrome
D. Diabetes Insipidus
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Cushing's Syndrome is caused by excessive levels of cortisol, resulting in
characteristic fat redistribution and skin changes.
VERIFIED EXAM PREP & SUCCESS GUIDE (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in an
organ or tissue?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells resulting from an
increased rate of cellular division. Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells.
(2) A client has a reduction in oxygen reach the tissues. This condition is known as:
A. Ischemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Infarction
D. Anoxia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Patho Rationale: Hypoxia is a lack of sufficient oxygen reaching the tissues. Ischemia is the
reduced blood supply, which often leads to hypoxia.
,(3) A client presents with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L and confusion. Which
condition is the client experiencing?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Hyponatremia is defined as a serum sodium level less than 135 mEq/L.
Severe hyponatremia can cause cerebral edema and neurological symptoms.
(4) Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with peaked T-waves on an ECG and
potential cardiac arrest?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) affects cardiac conduction and is a
medical emergency often characterized by peaked T-waves and widened QRS complexes.
,(5) Right-sided heart failure typically results in which of the following clinical
manifestations?
A. Pulmonary edema and crackles
B. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention (JVD)
C. Dyspnea and orthopnea
D. Pink frothy sputum
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Patho Rationale: Right-sided failure causes blood to back up into the systemic circulation,
leading to peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, and JVD. Left-sided failure leads to pulmonary
congestion.
(6) Which type of shock is caused by a massive release of histamine, leading to
widespread vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Anaphylactic shock
D. Septic shock
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Anaphylactic shock is a Type I hypersensitivity reaction resulting in
massive vasodilation and fluid shifts.
, (7) A client with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has developed 'barrel
chest.' This is primarily due to:
A. Chronic inflammation of the bronchi
B. Air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs
C. Excessive mucus production
D. Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Patho Rationale: In emphysema (a form of COPD), the destruction of alveolar walls leads to
loss of elastic recoil, air trapping, and hyperinflation, which expands the chest wall.
(8) In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, the primary underlying pathophysiology is:
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues.
B. Absolute insulin deficiency due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
C. Excessive glucose production by the liver.
D. Over-secretion of glucagon by alpha cells.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Patho Rationale: Type 1 DM is characterized by an autoimmune-mediated destruction of
beta cells, leading to a total lack of insulin production.
(9) A client presents with 'moon face,' 'buffalo hump,' and central obesity. These are
classic signs of which endocrine disorder?
A. Addison's Disease
B. Graves' Disease
C. Cushing's Syndrome
D. Diabetes Insipidus
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Patho Rationale: Cushing's Syndrome is caused by excessive levels of cortisol, resulting in
characteristic fat redistribution and skin changes.
