NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology
Midterm Exam Questions And Answers |
Walden University | 2026/2027
NURS 6501 Midterm – Key Content Areas
The exam covers cellular and genetic mechanisms, inflammation and immunity,
hematologic disorders, cardiovascular and pulmonary pathophysiology, renal and
endocrine systems, and neurological and gastrointestinal disorders.
SECTION 1: CELLULAR & GENETIC PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
(Questions 1–15)
Question 1
What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury in hypoxia?
• A) Increased oxidative phosphorylation
• B) Depletion of ATP
• C) Excessive calcium release
• D) Activation of lysosomal enzymes
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia impairs oxidative phosphorylation, leading to ATP depletion, which
disrupts cellular functions like ion pumps, causing swelling and injury.
,Question 2
A runner has depleted all the oxygen available for muscle energy. Which of the
following will facilitate continued muscle performance?
• A) Aerobic glycolysis
• B) Anaerobic glycolysis
• C) Gluconeogenesis
• D) Lipolysis
Answer: B
Rationale: Anaerobic glycolysis breaks down glucose without oxygen, producing ATP
and lactic acid to sustain muscle activity during high-intensity exercise when oxygen is
limited.
Question 3
What causes the rapid change in the resting membrane potential that initiates an action
potential?
• A) Potassium channels open, and potassium exits the cell
• B) Chloride gates open, and chloride enters the cell
• C) Sodium gates open, and sodium rushes into the cell
• D) Calcium channels open, and calcium enters the cell
Answer: C
Rationale: This rapid depolarization phase is triggered when the membrane potential
reaches threshold, causing voltage-gated sodium channels to open and sodium ions to
flood into the cell, making the inside more positive.
Question 4
A 12-year-old male is diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. His karyotype would reveal
which of the following?
, • A) XXY
• B) XYY
• C) Turner syndrome (XO)
• D) Trisomy 21
Answer: A
Rationale: Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition where a male has an extra X
chromosome (47,XXY), leading to hypogonadism, infertility, and gynecomastia.
Question 5
A nurse is reviewing a pedigree chart. When checking for a proband, what is the nurse
looking for?
• A) The youngest person with the disease
• B) The person who is first diagnosed with a genetic disease
• C) The person with the most severe symptoms
• D) The parent who transmitted the disease
Answer: B
Rationale: The proband is the affected individual through whom a family with a genetic
disorder is first ascertained; they are the index case for genetic studies.
Question 6
An aide asks the nurse why people who have neurofibromatosis will show varying
degrees of the disease. Which genetic principle should the nurse explain to the aide?
• A) Penetrance
• B) Expressivity
• C) Pleiotropy
• D) Genetic heterogeneity
Answer: B
Midterm Exam Questions And Answers |
Walden University | 2026/2027
NURS 6501 Midterm – Key Content Areas
The exam covers cellular and genetic mechanisms, inflammation and immunity,
hematologic disorders, cardiovascular and pulmonary pathophysiology, renal and
endocrine systems, and neurological and gastrointestinal disorders.
SECTION 1: CELLULAR & GENETIC PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
(Questions 1–15)
Question 1
What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury in hypoxia?
• A) Increased oxidative phosphorylation
• B) Depletion of ATP
• C) Excessive calcium release
• D) Activation of lysosomal enzymes
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia impairs oxidative phosphorylation, leading to ATP depletion, which
disrupts cellular functions like ion pumps, causing swelling and injury.
,Question 2
A runner has depleted all the oxygen available for muscle energy. Which of the
following will facilitate continued muscle performance?
• A) Aerobic glycolysis
• B) Anaerobic glycolysis
• C) Gluconeogenesis
• D) Lipolysis
Answer: B
Rationale: Anaerobic glycolysis breaks down glucose without oxygen, producing ATP
and lactic acid to sustain muscle activity during high-intensity exercise when oxygen is
limited.
Question 3
What causes the rapid change in the resting membrane potential that initiates an action
potential?
• A) Potassium channels open, and potassium exits the cell
• B) Chloride gates open, and chloride enters the cell
• C) Sodium gates open, and sodium rushes into the cell
• D) Calcium channels open, and calcium enters the cell
Answer: C
Rationale: This rapid depolarization phase is triggered when the membrane potential
reaches threshold, causing voltage-gated sodium channels to open and sodium ions to
flood into the cell, making the inside more positive.
Question 4
A 12-year-old male is diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. His karyotype would reveal
which of the following?
, • A) XXY
• B) XYY
• C) Turner syndrome (XO)
• D) Trisomy 21
Answer: A
Rationale: Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition where a male has an extra X
chromosome (47,XXY), leading to hypogonadism, infertility, and gynecomastia.
Question 5
A nurse is reviewing a pedigree chart. When checking for a proband, what is the nurse
looking for?
• A) The youngest person with the disease
• B) The person who is first diagnosed with a genetic disease
• C) The person with the most severe symptoms
• D) The parent who transmitted the disease
Answer: B
Rationale: The proband is the affected individual through whom a family with a genetic
disorder is first ascertained; they are the index case for genetic studies.
Question 6
An aide asks the nurse why people who have neurofibromatosis will show varying
degrees of the disease. Which genetic principle should the nurse explain to the aide?
• A) Penetrance
• B) Expressivity
• C) Pleiotropy
• D) Genetic heterogeneity
Answer: B
