NURS 5315 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM —
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES — 2026
LATEST UPDATE
1. Which of the following is the most significant risk factor
for the development of atherosclerosis?
A. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
B. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Hypercalcemia
ANSWER: A
Rationale: Elevated LDL cholesterol is the major risk factor for
atherosclerosis because it contributes to the accumulation of
cholesterol within the arterial walls, leading to plaque formation.
HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, helps in the reverse transport of
cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver, reducing the
risk of atherosclerosis.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic finding of acute
inflammation?
A. Vasoconstriction and tissue ischemia
B. Increase in capillary permeability
C. Decrease in blood flow
D. Absence of leukocyte infiltration
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Acute inflammation is characterized by increased
capillary permeability, which allows the passage of proteins,
nutrients, and immune cells into the tissue, aiding in the defense
and repair processes. Vasodilation and leukocyte infiltration are also
common features.
3. What is the primary cause of pulmonary edema in heart
failure?
1
,A. Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased oncotic pressure in the bloodstream
C. Increased pulmonary blood flow
D. Decreased capillary permeability
ANSWER: A
Rationale: In heart failure, the left ventricle's inability to pump
blood effectively causes a backup of blood into the pulmonary
circulation, increasing hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary
capillaries. This forces fluid out of the capillaries into the alveoli,
leading to pulmonary edema.
4. Which of the following is an example of a type II
hypersensitivity reaction?
A. Immediate anaphylaxis
B. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
C. Allergic rhinitis
D. Contact dermatitis
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Type II hypersensitivity reactions involve the immune
system attacking cells through antibody binding, leading to cell
destruction. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is an example of this,
where antibodies target red blood cells for destruction. Type I is
anaphylactic, type III involves immune complexes, and type IV is
delayed-type hypersensitivity.
5. Which of the following is a common pathophysiological
feature of cirrhosis of the liver?
A. Portal hypertension
B. Decreased blood flow to the kidneys
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypoglycemia
ANSWER: A
Rationale: In cirrhosis, liver scarring obstructs normal blood flow,
leading to portal hypertension, which increases pressure in the
portal venous system. This can lead to complications such as
varices, ascites, and splenomegaly. Other complications may affect
kidney function but portal hypertension is a hallmark of cirrhosis.
2
, 6. In which of the following conditions would you expect a
"ground glass" appearance on chest X-ray?
A. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Tuberculosis
D. Acute bronchitis
ANSWER: A
Rationale: A "ground glass" appearance on chest X-ray is
commonly associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP),
especially in immunocompromised patients, such as those with
HIV/AIDS. This finding reflects interstitial pneumonia and diffuse
alveolar damage.
7. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of
damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
A. Direct viral infection of tissues
B. Autoantibody formation leading to immune complex deposition
C. Defective T-cell immunity
D. Chronic bacterial infections
ANSWER: B
Rationale: In SLE, autoantibodies (such as anti-dsDNA) form
immune complexes that deposit in tissues, triggering inflammation
and tissue damage. This is a hallmark of the disease and contributes
to symptoms like renal damage, skin rashes, and arthritis.
8. What is the key feature of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis with ketosis
B. Hyperglycemia and alkalosis
C. Hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis
D. Hypoglycemia with ketosis
ANSWER: A
Rationale: In DKA, a severe complication of type 1 diabetes, the
body starts breaking down fats for energy due to insulin deficiency,
leading to the production of ketones. These ketones cause
metabolic acidosis, and hyperglycemia is often present due to
impaired glucose utilization.
3
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM —
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES — 2026
LATEST UPDATE
1. Which of the following is the most significant risk factor
for the development of atherosclerosis?
A. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
B. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Hypercalcemia
ANSWER: A
Rationale: Elevated LDL cholesterol is the major risk factor for
atherosclerosis because it contributes to the accumulation of
cholesterol within the arterial walls, leading to plaque formation.
HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, helps in the reverse transport of
cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver, reducing the
risk of atherosclerosis.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic finding of acute
inflammation?
A. Vasoconstriction and tissue ischemia
B. Increase in capillary permeability
C. Decrease in blood flow
D. Absence of leukocyte infiltration
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Acute inflammation is characterized by increased
capillary permeability, which allows the passage of proteins,
nutrients, and immune cells into the tissue, aiding in the defense
and repair processes. Vasodilation and leukocyte infiltration are also
common features.
3. What is the primary cause of pulmonary edema in heart
failure?
1
,A. Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased oncotic pressure in the bloodstream
C. Increased pulmonary blood flow
D. Decreased capillary permeability
ANSWER: A
Rationale: In heart failure, the left ventricle's inability to pump
blood effectively causes a backup of blood into the pulmonary
circulation, increasing hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary
capillaries. This forces fluid out of the capillaries into the alveoli,
leading to pulmonary edema.
4. Which of the following is an example of a type II
hypersensitivity reaction?
A. Immediate anaphylaxis
B. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
C. Allergic rhinitis
D. Contact dermatitis
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Type II hypersensitivity reactions involve the immune
system attacking cells through antibody binding, leading to cell
destruction. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is an example of this,
where antibodies target red blood cells for destruction. Type I is
anaphylactic, type III involves immune complexes, and type IV is
delayed-type hypersensitivity.
5. Which of the following is a common pathophysiological
feature of cirrhosis of the liver?
A. Portal hypertension
B. Decreased blood flow to the kidneys
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypoglycemia
ANSWER: A
Rationale: In cirrhosis, liver scarring obstructs normal blood flow,
leading to portal hypertension, which increases pressure in the
portal venous system. This can lead to complications such as
varices, ascites, and splenomegaly. Other complications may affect
kidney function but portal hypertension is a hallmark of cirrhosis.
2
, 6. In which of the following conditions would you expect a
"ground glass" appearance on chest X-ray?
A. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Tuberculosis
D. Acute bronchitis
ANSWER: A
Rationale: A "ground glass" appearance on chest X-ray is
commonly associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP),
especially in immunocompromised patients, such as those with
HIV/AIDS. This finding reflects interstitial pneumonia and diffuse
alveolar damage.
7. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of
damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
A. Direct viral infection of tissues
B. Autoantibody formation leading to immune complex deposition
C. Defective T-cell immunity
D. Chronic bacterial infections
ANSWER: B
Rationale: In SLE, autoantibodies (such as anti-dsDNA) form
immune complexes that deposit in tissues, triggering inflammation
and tissue damage. This is a hallmark of the disease and contributes
to symptoms like renal damage, skin rashes, and arthritis.
8. What is the key feature of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis with ketosis
B. Hyperglycemia and alkalosis
C. Hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis
D. Hypoglycemia with ketosis
ANSWER: A
Rationale: In DKA, a severe complication of type 1 diabetes, the
body starts breaking down fats for energy due to insulin deficiency,
leading to the production of ketones. These ketones cause
metabolic acidosis, and hyperglycemia is often present due to
impaired glucose utilization.
3
