NR 507 MIDTERM EXAM – ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – Q&A (2026) PDF | CHAMBERLAIN
*Core Domains:
• Cellular Injury, Adaptation, and Death
• Genetics and Congenital Disorders
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
• Respiratory Pathophysiology
• Renal and Urologic Pathophysiology
• Endocrine and Metabolic Pathophysiology
• Neurological Pathophysiology
• Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Pathophysiology
• Hematology and Immunology*
Introduction:
This comprehensive midterm examination assesses advanced pathophysiological
concepts essential for graduate nursing practice. The 100 multiple-choice
questions cover cellular mechanisms of disease, genetic inheritance, fluid and
electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disturbances, and multisystem disorders. Each
question includes a correct answer and a detailed rationale to reinforce critical
thinking and clinical application. This practice exam is designed for study and self-
assessment and does not represent the actual proctored NR507 midterm exam.
1. A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy.
This cellular adaptation is best described as:
, A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
RATIONALE: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size without an increase
in cell number, often in response to increased workload (e.g., pressure
overload from hypertension).
2. Which type of cell death is characterized by cell swelling, membrane
rupture, and inflammation?
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Autophagy
D. Pyknosis
B. Necrosis
RATIONALE: Necrosis is uncontrolled cell death due to severe injury,
leading to membrane rupture, release of intracellular contents, and an
inflammatory response.
3. A patient with a genetic disorder has a mutation in a tumor suppressor
gene. This mutation typically leads to:
A. Uncontrolled cell proliferation because the gene normally inhibits cell
division
B. Enhanced DNA repair
C. Increased apoptosis
D. Decreased angiogenesis
A. Uncontrolled cell proliferation because the gene normally inhibits
cell division
RATIONALE: Tumor suppressor genes (e.g., p53, RB) normally restrain
cell division. Loss-of-function mutations remove this brake, allowing
uncontrolled proliferation.
4. Which of the following is an autosomal recessive disorder?
A. Huntington disease
, B. Marfan syndrome
C. Cystic fibrosis
D. Neurofibromatosis type 1
C. Cystic fibrosis
RATIONALE: Cystic fibrosis requires two copies of the mutant CFTR
gene. The other options are autosomal dominant.
5. A patient with severe diarrhea develops metabolic acidosis. Which
laboratory finding is expected?
A. pH 7.48, HCO3 30 mEq/L
B. pH 7.30, HCO3 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mm Hg
D. pH 7.32, PaCO2 50 mm Hg
B. pH 7.30, HCO3 18 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Diarrhea causes loss of bicarbonate, leading to metabolic
acidosis with low pH and low HCO3.
6. A patient with SIADH will most likely exhibit:
A. Hypernatremia and dilute urine
B. Hyponatremia and concentrated urine
C. Hyperkalemia and polyuria
D. Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis
B. Hyponatremia and concentrated urine
RATIONALE: SIADH causes excessive ADH, leading to water retention,
dilutional hyponatremia, and inappropriately concentrated urine.
7. In heart failure, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
causes:
A. Decreased preload and afterload
B. Sodium and water retention, vasoconstriction, and increased afterload
C. Increased renal blood flow
D. Decreased sympathetic activity
B. Sodium and water retention, vasoconstriction, and increased
afterload
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – Q&A (2026) PDF | CHAMBERLAIN
*Core Domains:
• Cellular Injury, Adaptation, and Death
• Genetics and Congenital Disorders
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
• Respiratory Pathophysiology
• Renal and Urologic Pathophysiology
• Endocrine and Metabolic Pathophysiology
• Neurological Pathophysiology
• Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Pathophysiology
• Hematology and Immunology*
Introduction:
This comprehensive midterm examination assesses advanced pathophysiological
concepts essential for graduate nursing practice. The 100 multiple-choice
questions cover cellular mechanisms of disease, genetic inheritance, fluid and
electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disturbances, and multisystem disorders. Each
question includes a correct answer and a detailed rationale to reinforce critical
thinking and clinical application. This practice exam is designed for study and self-
assessment and does not represent the actual proctored NR507 midterm exam.
1. A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy.
This cellular adaptation is best described as:
, A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
RATIONALE: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size without an increase
in cell number, often in response to increased workload (e.g., pressure
overload from hypertension).
2. Which type of cell death is characterized by cell swelling, membrane
rupture, and inflammation?
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Autophagy
D. Pyknosis
B. Necrosis
RATIONALE: Necrosis is uncontrolled cell death due to severe injury,
leading to membrane rupture, release of intracellular contents, and an
inflammatory response.
3. A patient with a genetic disorder has a mutation in a tumor suppressor
gene. This mutation typically leads to:
A. Uncontrolled cell proliferation because the gene normally inhibits cell
division
B. Enhanced DNA repair
C. Increased apoptosis
D. Decreased angiogenesis
A. Uncontrolled cell proliferation because the gene normally inhibits
cell division
RATIONALE: Tumor suppressor genes (e.g., p53, RB) normally restrain
cell division. Loss-of-function mutations remove this brake, allowing
uncontrolled proliferation.
4. Which of the following is an autosomal recessive disorder?
A. Huntington disease
, B. Marfan syndrome
C. Cystic fibrosis
D. Neurofibromatosis type 1
C. Cystic fibrosis
RATIONALE: Cystic fibrosis requires two copies of the mutant CFTR
gene. The other options are autosomal dominant.
5. A patient with severe diarrhea develops metabolic acidosis. Which
laboratory finding is expected?
A. pH 7.48, HCO3 30 mEq/L
B. pH 7.30, HCO3 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mm Hg
D. pH 7.32, PaCO2 50 mm Hg
B. pH 7.30, HCO3 18 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Diarrhea causes loss of bicarbonate, leading to metabolic
acidosis with low pH and low HCO3.
6. A patient with SIADH will most likely exhibit:
A. Hypernatremia and dilute urine
B. Hyponatremia and concentrated urine
C. Hyperkalemia and polyuria
D. Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis
B. Hyponatremia and concentrated urine
RATIONALE: SIADH causes excessive ADH, leading to water retention,
dilutional hyponatremia, and inappropriately concentrated urine.
7. In heart failure, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
causes:
A. Decreased preload and afterload
B. Sodium and water retention, vasoconstriction, and increased afterload
C. Increased renal blood flow
D. Decreased sympathetic activity
B. Sodium and water retention, vasoconstriction, and increased
afterload
