NRS 455 Exam 1 V2 | NRS 455 Pathophysiology |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NRS455 Exam 1) |
Grand Canyon University
1. A patient’s biopsy results reveal that one cell type has been replaced by another cell type
due to chronic irritation from smoking. Which cellular adaptation is the patient experiencing?
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as a response to chronic irritation. In smokers, the ciliated columnar epithelial cells of
the bronchial tree are often replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This
adaptation provides a more rugged surface but results in the loss of important protective
mechanisms like cilia and mucus secretion.
2. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L.
Which of the following clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe? (Select All
That Apply)
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias
,B. Muscle weakness
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Presence of U waves on EKG
E. Respiratory distress
F. Peaked T waves
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Explanation: Hypokalemia affects the resting membrane potential of cells, leading to
decreased excitability in muscles and nerves. This manifests as muscle weakness, potential
respiratory failure, and cardiac issues like U waves and dysrhythmias. Hyperactive bowel
sounds and peaked T waves are actually associated with hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia.
3. A patient presents with the following ABG results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. How would the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The pH of 7.30 indicates acidosis because it is below the normal range of 7.35
to 7.45. The PaCO2 is elevated at 52 mmHg, which points toward a respiratory cause for the
, acid-base imbalance. Since the HCO3 is within the normal range of 22 to 26 mEq/L, the
condition is identified as uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
4. Which of the following describes the mechanism of atrophy in skeletal muscle cells?
A. Decrease in cell size due to reduced protein synthesis and increased protein catabolism
B. Increase in the number of organelles within the cell
C. Replacement of muscle fibers with adipose tissue
D. Abnormal growth of cells resulting in size variation
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size caused by aging, disuse, or reduced
blood supply. At the molecular level, it involves a decrease in protein synthesis and an
increase in protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This process allows
the cell to survive under conditions of decreased demand or nutrient supply.
5. A 45-year-old male with long-standing hypertension shows evidence of left ventricular
enlargement on an echocardiogram. This is an example of which type of cellular adaptation?
A. Pathologic hyperplasia
B. Pathologic hypertrophy
C. Physiologic hypertrophy
D. Compensatory hyperplasia
Correct Answer: B
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NRS455 Exam 1) |
Grand Canyon University
1. A patient’s biopsy results reveal that one cell type has been replaced by another cell type
due to chronic irritation from smoking. Which cellular adaptation is the patient experiencing?
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as a response to chronic irritation. In smokers, the ciliated columnar epithelial cells of
the bronchial tree are often replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This
adaptation provides a more rugged surface but results in the loss of important protective
mechanisms like cilia and mucus secretion.
2. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L.
Which of the following clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe? (Select All
That Apply)
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias
,B. Muscle weakness
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Presence of U waves on EKG
E. Respiratory distress
F. Peaked T waves
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Explanation: Hypokalemia affects the resting membrane potential of cells, leading to
decreased excitability in muscles and nerves. This manifests as muscle weakness, potential
respiratory failure, and cardiac issues like U waves and dysrhythmias. Hyperactive bowel
sounds and peaked T waves are actually associated with hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia.
3. A patient presents with the following ABG results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. How would the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The pH of 7.30 indicates acidosis because it is below the normal range of 7.35
to 7.45. The PaCO2 is elevated at 52 mmHg, which points toward a respiratory cause for the
, acid-base imbalance. Since the HCO3 is within the normal range of 22 to 26 mEq/L, the
condition is identified as uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
4. Which of the following describes the mechanism of atrophy in skeletal muscle cells?
A. Decrease in cell size due to reduced protein synthesis and increased protein catabolism
B. Increase in the number of organelles within the cell
C. Replacement of muscle fibers with adipose tissue
D. Abnormal growth of cells resulting in size variation
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size caused by aging, disuse, or reduced
blood supply. At the molecular level, it involves a decrease in protein synthesis and an
increase in protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This process allows
the cell to survive under conditions of decreased demand or nutrient supply.
5. A 45-year-old male with long-standing hypertension shows evidence of left ventricular
enlargement on an echocardiogram. This is an example of which type of cellular adaptation?
A. Pathologic hyperplasia
B. Pathologic hypertrophy
C. Physiologic hypertrophy
D. Compensatory hyperplasia
Correct Answer: B
