,NU 545 Unit 5 Exam | Physio-Pathological Basis of Advanced
Nursing (2026) Q&A | University of South Alabama
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of alveolar type II
cells?
A) They provide structural support for the alveoli.
B) They produce surfactant to reduce surface tension.
C) They phagocytize foreign particles in the alveoli.
D) They facilitate gas exchange across the alveolar membrane.
Correct Answer: They produce surfactant to reduce surface tension.
Rationale: Type II alveolar cells are responsible for synthesizing and secreting
surfactant, a lipoprotein that lowers surface tension within the alveoli and
prevents collapse during exhalation. Type I cells provide structural support and
form the alveolar wall, while macrophages phagocytize particles. Gas exchange
occurs across the alveolar-capillary membrane, primarily lined by type I cells.
2. What is the primary mechanism of hypoxemia in a patient with a large
pulmonary embolism?
A) Alveolar hypoventilation
B) Diffusion impairment
C) Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
D) Right-to-left shunting
Correct Answer: Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
,Rationale: A pulmonary embolism obstructs pulmonary blood flow, creating
areas that are ventilated but not perfused, which is a classic ventilation-perfusion
mismatch. Alveolar hypoventilation occurs with opioid overdose or neuromuscular
disease, diffusion impairment occurs with pulmonary fibrosis, and true right-to-
left shunting occurs when blood bypasses ventilated alveoli entirely.
3. The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a patient with chronic bronchitis.
Which acid-base disturbance is most likely?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis causes airflow obstruction and alveolar
hypoventilation, leading to carbon dioxide retention and respiratory acidosis.
Respiratory alkalosis results from hyperventilation, metabolic acidosis from
bicarbonate loss or acid gain, and metabolic alkalosis from acid loss or bicarbonate
retention.
4. Which renal structure is the primary site of glomerular filtration?
A) Proximal convoluted tubule
B) Glomerulus
C) Loop of Henle
D) Collecting duct
Correct Answer: Glomerulus
, Rationale: The glomerulus is a tuft of capillaries where plasma is filtered into
Bowman's space, forming the initial filtrate. The proximal tubule reabsorbs most
solutes, the loop of Henle establishes the medullary osmotic gradient, and the
collecting duct fine-tunes water and electrolyte balance under hormonal control.
5. A patient with nephrotic syndrome is at risk for which complication?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Thromboembolism
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Thromboembolism
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome involves loss of antithrombin III and other
anticoagulant proteins in urine, leading to a hypercoagulable state and increased
risk of thromboembolism. Hypercalcemia and hyperkalemia are not typical, and
metabolic alkalosis is unrelated to nephrotic syndrome.
6. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS)?
A) Chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa
B) Diffuse alveolar damage with increased capillary permeability
C) Irreversible airflow limitation due to alveolar destruction
D) Autoimmune destruction of alveolar basement membranes
Correct Answer: Diffuse alveolar damage with increased capillary permeability
Nursing (2026) Q&A | University of South Alabama
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of alveolar type II
cells?
A) They provide structural support for the alveoli.
B) They produce surfactant to reduce surface tension.
C) They phagocytize foreign particles in the alveoli.
D) They facilitate gas exchange across the alveolar membrane.
Correct Answer: They produce surfactant to reduce surface tension.
Rationale: Type II alveolar cells are responsible for synthesizing and secreting
surfactant, a lipoprotein that lowers surface tension within the alveoli and
prevents collapse during exhalation. Type I cells provide structural support and
form the alveolar wall, while macrophages phagocytize particles. Gas exchange
occurs across the alveolar-capillary membrane, primarily lined by type I cells.
2. What is the primary mechanism of hypoxemia in a patient with a large
pulmonary embolism?
A) Alveolar hypoventilation
B) Diffusion impairment
C) Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
D) Right-to-left shunting
Correct Answer: Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
,Rationale: A pulmonary embolism obstructs pulmonary blood flow, creating
areas that are ventilated but not perfused, which is a classic ventilation-perfusion
mismatch. Alveolar hypoventilation occurs with opioid overdose or neuromuscular
disease, diffusion impairment occurs with pulmonary fibrosis, and true right-to-
left shunting occurs when blood bypasses ventilated alveoli entirely.
3. The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a patient with chronic bronchitis.
Which acid-base disturbance is most likely?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis causes airflow obstruction and alveolar
hypoventilation, leading to carbon dioxide retention and respiratory acidosis.
Respiratory alkalosis results from hyperventilation, metabolic acidosis from
bicarbonate loss or acid gain, and metabolic alkalosis from acid loss or bicarbonate
retention.
4. Which renal structure is the primary site of glomerular filtration?
A) Proximal convoluted tubule
B) Glomerulus
C) Loop of Henle
D) Collecting duct
Correct Answer: Glomerulus
, Rationale: The glomerulus is a tuft of capillaries where plasma is filtered into
Bowman's space, forming the initial filtrate. The proximal tubule reabsorbs most
solutes, the loop of Henle establishes the medullary osmotic gradient, and the
collecting duct fine-tunes water and electrolyte balance under hormonal control.
5. A patient with nephrotic syndrome is at risk for which complication?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Thromboembolism
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Thromboembolism
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome involves loss of antithrombin III and other
anticoagulant proteins in urine, leading to a hypercoagulable state and increased
risk of thromboembolism. Hypercalcemia and hyperkalemia are not typical, and
metabolic alkalosis is unrelated to nephrotic syndrome.
6. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS)?
A) Chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa
B) Diffuse alveolar damage with increased capillary permeability
C) Irreversible airflow limitation due to alveolar destruction
D) Autoimmune destruction of alveolar basement membranes
Correct Answer: Diffuse alveolar damage with increased capillary permeability
