NR283 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient who has smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 20 years undergoes a
bronchoscopy. The biopsy reveals that the normal ciliated columnar epithelium has been
replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often in response to chronic irritation like cigarette smoke.
2. Which process is an active, programmed cell death that prevents an inflammatory
response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
,D. Ischemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death where the cell breaks into
fragments that are neatly cleared by phagocytes without spilling inflammatory contents.
3. A patient presents with severe peripheral edema and a low serum albumin level. Which
mechanism explains this fluid shift?
A. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for oncotic pressure;
a decrease reduces the force that keeps fluid in the vessels, leading to edema.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek sign and Trousseau
sign?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
these characteristic signs of tetany.
5. An arterial blood gas (ABG) shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. How
would the nurse interpret this result?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 indicates
the cause is respiratory.
6. What is the primary function of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)?
A. Decrease blood pressure by excreting water
B. Increase blood pressure and vascular volume
C. Lower serum potassium levels exclusively
D. Increase blood glucose during stress
Answer: B
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient who has smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 20 years undergoes a
bronchoscopy. The biopsy reveals that the normal ciliated columnar epithelium has been
replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often in response to chronic irritation like cigarette smoke.
2. Which process is an active, programmed cell death that prevents an inflammatory
response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
,D. Ischemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death where the cell breaks into
fragments that are neatly cleared by phagocytes without spilling inflammatory contents.
3. A patient presents with severe peripheral edema and a low serum albumin level. Which
mechanism explains this fluid shift?
A. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for oncotic pressure;
a decrease reduces the force that keeps fluid in the vessels, leading to edema.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek sign and Trousseau
sign?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
these characteristic signs of tetany.
5. An arterial blood gas (ABG) shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. How
would the nurse interpret this result?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 indicates
the cause is respiratory.
6. What is the primary function of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)?
A. Decrease blood pressure by excreting water
B. Increase blood pressure and vascular volume
C. Lower serum potassium levels exclusively
D. Increase blood glucose during stress
Answer: B
