Chapter 03: Physiologic Changes
Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the pathophysiology of emphysema?
a. Constriction of the bronchial tree, excessive mucus, and nonproductive cough
b. Calcification of the alveoli and a dry cough
c. Overinflation of the alveoli, making them ineffective for gas exchange
d. Inflammation of the trachea and bronchioles, excessive mucus, and productive
cough
ANS: C
Emphysema causes overinflation of the nonelastic alveoli, which disallows gas
exchange in the affected alveoli and results in reduced oxygenation.
PTS: 1 DIF: 4 REF: p. 43 OBJ: 5
TOP: Emphysema KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation NOT:
Understanding
2. What is the pathophysiology of a myocardial infarct?
a. A portion of the myocardium necroses and scars over.
b. The coronary vessels are narrowed during the attack.
c. The ischemic myocardium causes pain during the attack but is able to regenerate.
d. There is damage to the myocardium but no serious alteration of cardiac output.
ANS: A
, The myocardium necroses and scars and does not regenerate. The degree of heart
damage is related to the amount of necrosis.
PTS: 1 DIF: 4 REF: p. 48 OBJ: 5
TOP: Myocardial Infarct KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation NOT:
Understanding
3. Which assessment findings are the cardinal signs and symptoms of heart failure?
a. Dyspnea and edema
b. Myocardial pain and hypotension
c. Ventricular arrhythmias and cyanosis
d. Atrial arrhythmias and polycythemia
ANS: A
Dyspnea and generalized edema are the cardinal signs and symptoms of heart failure.
PTS: 1 DIF: 7 REF: p. 48 OBJ: 5
TOP: Congestive Heart Failure KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data
Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation NOT:
Applying
4. Which disorder is a cause of pernicious anemia?
a. An iron deficiency
b. A deficiency of vitamin B12
c. Low serum potassium level
d. Blood loss
ANS: B
, Pernicious anemia results from a deficiency of vitamin B12.
PTS: 1 DIF: 3 REF: p. 52 OBJ: 5
TOP: Pernicious Anemia KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation NOT:
Remembering
5. Which alteration would be acceptable in the plan of care for a patient with a hiatal hernia
who is experiencing gastroesophageal reflux?
a. Encouraging the patient to lie down after meals
b. Drinking two full glasses of liquid after the evening meal
c. Eating smaller, more frequent meals
d. Using caffeine drinks to assist with digestion
ANS: C
Eating smaller and more frequent meals does not enlarge the stomach.
PTS: 1 DIF: 7 REF: p. 55 OBJ: 5
TOP: Hiatal Hernia KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk NOT: Applying
6. The nurse assesses a patient with diabetes and finds the patient to be pale, edematous, and
listless with a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 35 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 4
mg/dL. Which disorder would these findings indicate?
a. Diverticulitis
b. Congestive heart failure
c. Chronic kidney disease
d. Benign prostatic hypertrophy
ANS: C
Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the pathophysiology of emphysema?
a. Constriction of the bronchial tree, excessive mucus, and nonproductive cough
b. Calcification of the alveoli and a dry cough
c. Overinflation of the alveoli, making them ineffective for gas exchange
d. Inflammation of the trachea and bronchioles, excessive mucus, and productive
cough
ANS: C
Emphysema causes overinflation of the nonelastic alveoli, which disallows gas
exchange in the affected alveoli and results in reduced oxygenation.
PTS: 1 DIF: 4 REF: p. 43 OBJ: 5
TOP: Emphysema KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation NOT:
Understanding
2. What is the pathophysiology of a myocardial infarct?
a. A portion of the myocardium necroses and scars over.
b. The coronary vessels are narrowed during the attack.
c. The ischemic myocardium causes pain during the attack but is able to regenerate.
d. There is damage to the myocardium but no serious alteration of cardiac output.
ANS: A
, The myocardium necroses and scars and does not regenerate. The degree of heart
damage is related to the amount of necrosis.
PTS: 1 DIF: 4 REF: p. 48 OBJ: 5
TOP: Myocardial Infarct KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation NOT:
Understanding
3. Which assessment findings are the cardinal signs and symptoms of heart failure?
a. Dyspnea and edema
b. Myocardial pain and hypotension
c. Ventricular arrhythmias and cyanosis
d. Atrial arrhythmias and polycythemia
ANS: A
Dyspnea and generalized edema are the cardinal signs and symptoms of heart failure.
PTS: 1 DIF: 7 REF: p. 48 OBJ: 5
TOP: Congestive Heart Failure KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data
Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation NOT:
Applying
4. Which disorder is a cause of pernicious anemia?
a. An iron deficiency
b. A deficiency of vitamin B12
c. Low serum potassium level
d. Blood loss
ANS: B
, Pernicious anemia results from a deficiency of vitamin B12.
PTS: 1 DIF: 3 REF: p. 52 OBJ: 5
TOP: Pernicious Anemia KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation NOT:
Remembering
5. Which alteration would be acceptable in the plan of care for a patient with a hiatal hernia
who is experiencing gastroesophageal reflux?
a. Encouraging the patient to lie down after meals
b. Drinking two full glasses of liquid after the evening meal
c. Eating smaller, more frequent meals
d. Using caffeine drinks to assist with digestion
ANS: C
Eating smaller and more frequent meals does not enlarge the stomach.
PTS: 1 DIF: 7 REF: p. 55 OBJ: 5
TOP: Hiatal Hernia KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk NOT: Applying
6. The nurse assesses a patient with diabetes and finds the patient to be pale, edematous, and
listless with a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 35 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 4
mg/dL. Which disorder would these findings indicate?
a. Diverticulitis
b. Congestive heart failure
c. Chronic kidney disease
d. Benign prostatic hypertrophy
ANS: C
