NR 507 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WEEK 6
PULMONARY EXAM| 50 QUESTIONS |
PROCTORED EXAM | CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY
1. Which physiological mechanism is the primary cause of pulmonary hypertension in
patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A. Excessive production of pulmonary surfactant
B. Systemic hypertension affecting the pulmonary circuit
C. Increased left atrial pressure
D. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic hypoxia leads to pulmonary artery constriction (hypoxic
pulmonary vasoconstriction), which increases pulmonary vascular resistance and leads to
pulmonary hypertension.
2. In the exudative phase of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), what is the primary
cause of pulmonary edema?
A. Decreased oncotic pressure in the capillaries
,B. Decreased hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary veins
C. Increased alveolocapillary membrane permeability
D. Obstruction of the lymphatic drainage system
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: ARDS is characterized by damage to the alveolocapillary
membrane, leading to increased permeability and the flooding of the alveoli with protein-
rich fluid.
3. A patient with cystic fibrosis has a mutation in the CFTR protein. What is the direct
consequence of this defect in the lungs?
A. Impaired chloride and water transport across epithelial membranes
B. Excessive secretion of watery fluid into the airway
C. Hyper-responsiveness of the bronchioles to allergens
D. Destruction of the elastic fibers in the alveolar walls
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The CFTR mutation impairs chloride ion transport, leading to
thick, dehydrated mucus that obstructs the airways and predisposes the patient to
infection.
4. Cor pulmonale is best described as:
A. Left-sided heart failure caused by systemic hypertension
, B. Inflammation of the pericardium following a viral infection
C. A congenital defect in the pulmonary valve
D. Right-sided heart failure resulting from primary lung disease
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Cor pulmonale is right ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure
caused by pulmonary hypertension resulting from lung diseases like COPD.
5. Which cell type is responsible for the production of surfactant in the alveoli?
A. Type I pneumocytes
B. Type II pneumocytes
C. Goblet cells
D. Alveolar macrophages
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type II pneumocytes produce surfactant, a lipoprotein that
reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse.
6. Which characteristic differentiates emphysema from chronic bronchitis?
A. Productive cough for at least 3 months
B. Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of elastic recoil
C. Hypertrophy of mucus-secreting glands
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WEEK 6
PULMONARY EXAM| 50 QUESTIONS |
PROCTORED EXAM | CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY
1. Which physiological mechanism is the primary cause of pulmonary hypertension in
patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A. Excessive production of pulmonary surfactant
B. Systemic hypertension affecting the pulmonary circuit
C. Increased left atrial pressure
D. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic hypoxia leads to pulmonary artery constriction (hypoxic
pulmonary vasoconstriction), which increases pulmonary vascular resistance and leads to
pulmonary hypertension.
2. In the exudative phase of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), what is the primary
cause of pulmonary edema?
A. Decreased oncotic pressure in the capillaries
,B. Decreased hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary veins
C. Increased alveolocapillary membrane permeability
D. Obstruction of the lymphatic drainage system
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: ARDS is characterized by damage to the alveolocapillary
membrane, leading to increased permeability and the flooding of the alveoli with protein-
rich fluid.
3. A patient with cystic fibrosis has a mutation in the CFTR protein. What is the direct
consequence of this defect in the lungs?
A. Impaired chloride and water transport across epithelial membranes
B. Excessive secretion of watery fluid into the airway
C. Hyper-responsiveness of the bronchioles to allergens
D. Destruction of the elastic fibers in the alveolar walls
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The CFTR mutation impairs chloride ion transport, leading to
thick, dehydrated mucus that obstructs the airways and predisposes the patient to
infection.
4. Cor pulmonale is best described as:
A. Left-sided heart failure caused by systemic hypertension
, B. Inflammation of the pericardium following a viral infection
C. A congenital defect in the pulmonary valve
D. Right-sided heart failure resulting from primary lung disease
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Cor pulmonale is right ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure
caused by pulmonary hypertension resulting from lung diseases like COPD.
5. Which cell type is responsible for the production of surfactant in the alveoli?
A. Type I pneumocytes
B. Type II pneumocytes
C. Goblet cells
D. Alveolar macrophages
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type II pneumocytes produce surfactant, a lipoprotein that
reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse.
6. Which characteristic differentiates emphysema from chronic bronchitis?
A. Productive cough for at least 3 months
B. Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of elastic recoil
C. Hypertrophy of mucus-secreting glands
