NR283 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. JUST
RELEASED
1. A patient with long-term cigarette smoking exhibits a change in the respiratory epithelium
where ciliated columnar cells are replaced by stratified squamous cells. What is this cellular
adaptation called?
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
liver failure and low serum albumin?
A. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
,C. Increased interstitial fluid osmotic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for maintaining
plasma oncotic pressure. Low levels (hypoalbuminemia) cause fluid to leak out of the
capillaries into the interstitial space.
3. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (>45)
indicates the cause is respiratory in nature. The HCO3 is within normal range, suggesting
no compensation yet.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T-waves and a widened QRS
complex on an EKG?
A. Hypokalemia
, B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia affects cardiac conduction, typically manifesting
as tall peaked T-waves, prolonged PR intervals, and eventual widening of the QRS complex.
5. A patient presents with muscle spasms, tetany, and a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which
electrolyte abnormality does the nurse suspect?
A. Hypophosphatemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
tetany, spasms, and positive Chvostek’s/Trousseau’s signs.
6. Anaphylaxis is classified as which type of hypersensitivity reaction?
A. Type IV
B. Type II
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. JUST
RELEASED
1. A patient with long-term cigarette smoking exhibits a change in the respiratory epithelium
where ciliated columnar cells are replaced by stratified squamous cells. What is this cellular
adaptation called?
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
liver failure and low serum albumin?
A. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
,C. Increased interstitial fluid osmotic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for maintaining
plasma oncotic pressure. Low levels (hypoalbuminemia) cause fluid to leak out of the
capillaries into the interstitial space.
3. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the
nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (>45)
indicates the cause is respiratory in nature. The HCO3 is within normal range, suggesting
no compensation yet.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T-waves and a widened QRS
complex on an EKG?
A. Hypokalemia
, B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia affects cardiac conduction, typically manifesting
as tall peaked T-waves, prolonged PR intervals, and eventual widening of the QRS complex.
5. A patient presents with muscle spasms, tetany, and a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which
electrolyte abnormality does the nurse suspect?
A. Hypophosphatemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
tetany, spasms, and positive Chvostek’s/Trousseau’s signs.
6. Anaphylaxis is classified as which type of hypersensitivity reaction?
A. Type IV
B. Type II
