NURS 6380 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY &
ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT MIDTERM PRACTICE
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
WALDEN UNIVERSITY
1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of Type 1 diabetes
mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance and decreased insulin production
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive insulin secretion causing hypoglycemia
D. Impaired glucose absorption in the intestines
Answer: B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated
destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to
absolute insulin deficiency.
2. During auscultation of the lungs, which breath sound indicates consolidation
in pneumonia?
,A. Vesicular breath sounds
B. Crackles (rales)
C. Wheezing
D. Stridor
Answer: B. Crackles (rales)
Rationale: Crackles are caused by the opening of small airways and alveoli that
are collapsed or filled with fluid, typical in pneumonia.
3. The primary mechanism behind the development of hypertension in chronic
kidney disease is:
A. Decreased aldosterone secretion
B. Increased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation
C. Decreased sympathetic nervous system activity
D. Hypernatremia due to excessive water loss
Answer: B. Increased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation
Rationale: Chronic kidney disease leads to impaired sodium excretion and
hypoperfusion of the kidney, activating RAAS, which causes vasoconstriction
and sodium retention, raising blood pressure.
4. Which laboratory value is the most sensitive indicator of early acute kidney
injury?
A. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
B. Serum creatinine
, C. Urine specific gravity
D. Urinary protein
Answer: B. Serum creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine rises when glomerular filtration rate declines,
making it a sensitive and specific marker of kidney function and early acute
kidney injury.
5. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is most likely to
have which arterial blood gas (ABG) abnormality?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis with compensated metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C. Respiratory acidosis with compensated metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: COPD causes hypoventilation and CO2 retention (respiratory
acidosis). The kidneys compensate by retaining bicarbonate, leading to
metabolic alkalosis.
6. Which of the following clinical findings is most indicative of right-sided heart
failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Jugular venous distension
ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT MIDTERM PRACTICE
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
WALDEN UNIVERSITY
1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of Type 1 diabetes
mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance and decreased insulin production
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive insulin secretion causing hypoglycemia
D. Impaired glucose absorption in the intestines
Answer: B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated
destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to
absolute insulin deficiency.
2. During auscultation of the lungs, which breath sound indicates consolidation
in pneumonia?
,A. Vesicular breath sounds
B. Crackles (rales)
C. Wheezing
D. Stridor
Answer: B. Crackles (rales)
Rationale: Crackles are caused by the opening of small airways and alveoli that
are collapsed or filled with fluid, typical in pneumonia.
3. The primary mechanism behind the development of hypertension in chronic
kidney disease is:
A. Decreased aldosterone secretion
B. Increased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation
C. Decreased sympathetic nervous system activity
D. Hypernatremia due to excessive water loss
Answer: B. Increased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation
Rationale: Chronic kidney disease leads to impaired sodium excretion and
hypoperfusion of the kidney, activating RAAS, which causes vasoconstriction
and sodium retention, raising blood pressure.
4. Which laboratory value is the most sensitive indicator of early acute kidney
injury?
A. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
B. Serum creatinine
, C. Urine specific gravity
D. Urinary protein
Answer: B. Serum creatinine
Rationale: Serum creatinine rises when glomerular filtration rate declines,
making it a sensitive and specific marker of kidney function and early acute
kidney injury.
5. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is most likely to
have which arterial blood gas (ABG) abnormality?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis with compensated metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C. Respiratory acidosis with compensated metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: COPD causes hypoventilation and CO2 retention (respiratory
acidosis). The kidneys compensate by retaining bicarbonate, leading to
metabolic alkalosis.
6. Which of the following clinical findings is most indicative of right-sided heart
failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Jugular venous distension
