NURS6501 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Activation of apoptosis due to DNA damage
B. Rapid synthesis of ATP via anaerobic pathways
C. Increased intracellular pH due to lactic acid accumulation
D. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump leading to intracellular edema
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to reduced ATP production. Without ATP, the
Na+/K+ ATPase pump fails, causing sodium to stay inside the cell, which draws water in by
osmosis, resulting in cellular swelling.
2. Which genetic process involves the silencing of one allele of a gene through DNA
methylation?
A. Trisomy
B. Nondisjunction
C. Genomic Imprinting
,D. Translocation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic process where one parent’s
allele is silenced via methylation, so only one functional copy is expressed.
3. In the inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is responsible for increasing
capillary permeability and inducing pain?
A. Complement C3b
B. Prostaglandins
C. Interleukin-10
D. Interferon-gamma
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Prostaglandins contribute to vasodilation, increased capillary
permeability, and specifically sensitize pain receptors.
4. A patient presents with metabolic acidosis and a high anion gap. Which of the following is a
likely cause?
A. Chronic diarrhea
B. Renal tubular acidosis
C. Excessive intake of saline
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: High anion gap metabolic acidosis is caused by the accumulation
of metabolic acids such as ketoacids in DKA, lactic acid, or toxins.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by T-lymphocytes and occurs 48 to 72
hours after exposure?
A. Type I (Immediate)
B. Type II (Cytotoxic)
C. Type IV (Delayed)
D. Type III (Immune Complex)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type IV hypersensitivity is cell-mediated (T-cells), not antibody-
mediated, and takes time to develop (e.g., TB skin test).
6. What is the pathophysiological hallmark of Multiple Sclerosis?
A. Depletion of dopamine in the basal ganglia
B. Degeneration of lower motor neurons
C. Demyelination of the central nervous system axons
D. Accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques
Answer: C
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Activation of apoptosis due to DNA damage
B. Rapid synthesis of ATP via anaerobic pathways
C. Increased intracellular pH due to lactic acid accumulation
D. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump leading to intracellular edema
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to reduced ATP production. Without ATP, the
Na+/K+ ATPase pump fails, causing sodium to stay inside the cell, which draws water in by
osmosis, resulting in cellular swelling.
2. Which genetic process involves the silencing of one allele of a gene through DNA
methylation?
A. Trisomy
B. Nondisjunction
C. Genomic Imprinting
,D. Translocation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic process where one parent’s
allele is silenced via methylation, so only one functional copy is expressed.
3. In the inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is responsible for increasing
capillary permeability and inducing pain?
A. Complement C3b
B. Prostaglandins
C. Interleukin-10
D. Interferon-gamma
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Prostaglandins contribute to vasodilation, increased capillary
permeability, and specifically sensitize pain receptors.
4. A patient presents with metabolic acidosis and a high anion gap. Which of the following is a
likely cause?
A. Chronic diarrhea
B. Renal tubular acidosis
C. Excessive intake of saline
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: High anion gap metabolic acidosis is caused by the accumulation
of metabolic acids such as ketoacids in DKA, lactic acid, or toxins.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by T-lymphocytes and occurs 48 to 72
hours after exposure?
A. Type I (Immediate)
B. Type II (Cytotoxic)
C. Type IV (Delayed)
D. Type III (Immune Complex)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type IV hypersensitivity is cell-mediated (T-cells), not antibody-
mediated, and takes time to develop (e.g., TB skin test).
6. What is the pathophysiological hallmark of Multiple Sclerosis?
A. Depletion of dopamine in the basal ganglia
B. Degeneration of lower motor neurons
C. Demyelination of the central nervous system axons
D. Accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques
Answer: C
