NURS 5220 EXAM 3 - ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS (A+ GUARANTEE)
1. A patient presents with a hemoglobin of 8 g/dL and a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of
115 fL. Which deficiency is most likely responsible for these findings?
A. Iron deficiency
B. Chronic blood loss
C. Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency
D. Thalassemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: An MCV greater than 100 fL indicates macrocytic anemia,
commonly caused by Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency. Iron deficiency and thalassemia
cause microcytic anemia (low MCV).
2. Which pathophysiologic mechanism describes the development of Diabetes Insipidus (DI)?
A. Insufficiency of ADH or lack of renal response to it
B. Insulin resistance at the cellular level
C. Excessive secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
D. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells
,Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: DI results from either a lack of ADH production (central) or a
lack of renal response to ADH (nephrogenic), leading to the inability to concentrate urine.
3. In the context of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), why does secondary hyperparathyroidism
occur?
A. Direct stimulation of the thyroid gland by urea
B. Excessive excretion of parathyroid hormone in the urine
C. Hypocalcemia resulting from hyperphosphatemia and decreased Vitamin D activation
D. Hypercalcemia caused by reduced renal clearance
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In CKD, kidneys cannot excrete phosphorus or activate Vitamin
D, leading to low serum calcium. This low calcium triggers the parathyroid glands to
release more PTH.
4. A patient with portal hypertension develops esophageal varices. What is the primary
underlying cause of these varices?
A. Backflow of blood from the portal vein into collateral vessels
B. Destruction of the esophageal mucosa by gastric acid
C. Increased systemic arterial pressure
D. Reduced synthesis of clotting factors
, Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Obstruction of blood flow through the liver increases pressure in
the portal vein, forcing blood into low-pressure collateral veins in the esophagus.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is a hallmark feature of the Syndrome of Inappropriate
Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Dilutional hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH causes excessive water reabsorption in the kidneys,
which expands the extracellular fluid volume and dilutes the sodium concentration.
6. Which type of leukemia is characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome
(translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22)?
A. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
B. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
C. Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
D. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Answer: A
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS (A+ GUARANTEE)
1. A patient presents with a hemoglobin of 8 g/dL and a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of
115 fL. Which deficiency is most likely responsible for these findings?
A. Iron deficiency
B. Chronic blood loss
C. Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency
D. Thalassemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: An MCV greater than 100 fL indicates macrocytic anemia,
commonly caused by Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency. Iron deficiency and thalassemia
cause microcytic anemia (low MCV).
2. Which pathophysiologic mechanism describes the development of Diabetes Insipidus (DI)?
A. Insufficiency of ADH or lack of renal response to it
B. Insulin resistance at the cellular level
C. Excessive secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
D. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells
,Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: DI results from either a lack of ADH production (central) or a
lack of renal response to ADH (nephrogenic), leading to the inability to concentrate urine.
3. In the context of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), why does secondary hyperparathyroidism
occur?
A. Direct stimulation of the thyroid gland by urea
B. Excessive excretion of parathyroid hormone in the urine
C. Hypocalcemia resulting from hyperphosphatemia and decreased Vitamin D activation
D. Hypercalcemia caused by reduced renal clearance
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In CKD, kidneys cannot excrete phosphorus or activate Vitamin
D, leading to low serum calcium. This low calcium triggers the parathyroid glands to
release more PTH.
4. A patient with portal hypertension develops esophageal varices. What is the primary
underlying cause of these varices?
A. Backflow of blood from the portal vein into collateral vessels
B. Destruction of the esophageal mucosa by gastric acid
C. Increased systemic arterial pressure
D. Reduced synthesis of clotting factors
, Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Obstruction of blood flow through the liver increases pressure in
the portal vein, forcing blood into low-pressure collateral veins in the esophagus.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is a hallmark feature of the Syndrome of Inappropriate
Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Dilutional hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH causes excessive water reabsorption in the kidneys,
which expands the extracellular fluid volume and dilutes the sodium concentration.
6. Which type of leukemia is characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome
(translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22)?
A. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
B. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
C. Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
D. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Answer: A
