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NURS 6501 Actual Midterm Questions
2025 – Advanced Pathophysiology |
Verified and Graded A Content
Question 1
What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury in hypoxia?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Impaired oxidative phosphorylation
C. Enhanced protein synthesis
D. Increased calcium influx
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen availability, impairing oxidative phosphorylation in
mitochondria, leading to decreased ATP production and cellular dysfunction.
Question 2
Which process is most responsible for apoptosis?
A. Necrosis due to severe ischemia
B. Programmed cell death via caspase activation
C. Cellular swelling from sodium influx
D. Uncontrolled cell proliferation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process mediated by caspase activation,
distinguishing it from necrosis, which is uncontrolled cell death.
Question 3
A patient with type 2 diabetes develops insulin resistance. What is the primary
pathophysiological mechanism?
A. Autoimmune destruction of beta cells
B. Decreased insulin receptor sensitivity
C. Excessive glucagon secretion
D. Impaired glucose secretion
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes results from decreased sensitivity of insulin
receptors, impairing glucose uptake in peripheral tissues.
Question 4
What is the hallmark feature of inflammation?
A. Fibrosis
B. Increased vascular permeability
C. Cellular atrophy
D. Tissue necrosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inflammation involves increased vascular permeability, allowing plasma proteins and
immune cells to enter tissues, leading to edema and immune response.
Question 5
Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with metabolic acidosis?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis causes hydrogen ions to shift into cells, displacing potassium into
the extracellular space, resulting in hyperkalemia.
Question 6
What is the primary cause of edema in congestive heart failure?
A. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased venous pressure
C. Enhanced lymphatic drainage
D. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Congestive heart failure increases venous pressure, raising capillary hydrostatic
pressure and forcing fluid into interstitial spaces, causing edema.
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Question 7
Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is associated with anaphylaxis?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anaphylaxis is a Type I hypersensitivity reaction, mediated by IgE antibodies and
mast cell degranulation, leading to histamine release.
Question 8
What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of atherosclerosis?
A. Endothelial dysfunction and plaque formation
B. Smooth muscle cell apoptosis
C. Decreased lipid uptake by macrophages
D. Platelet lysis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atherosclerosis begins with endothelial dysfunction, followed by lipid accumulation
and plaque formation, narrowing arterial lumens.
Question 9
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops hypoxia. What is the
primary mechanism?
A. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
B. Increased airway compliance
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Bronchial dilation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: COPD causes ventilation-perfusion mismatch due to obstructed airways and alveolar
destruction, leading to inadequate oxygenation.
Question 10
NURS 6501 Actual Midterm Questions
2025 – Advanced Pathophysiology |
Verified and Graded A Content
Question 1
What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury in hypoxia?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Impaired oxidative phosphorylation
C. Enhanced protein synthesis
D. Increased calcium influx
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen availability, impairing oxidative phosphorylation in
mitochondria, leading to decreased ATP production and cellular dysfunction.
Question 2
Which process is most responsible for apoptosis?
A. Necrosis due to severe ischemia
B. Programmed cell death via caspase activation
C. Cellular swelling from sodium influx
D. Uncontrolled cell proliferation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process mediated by caspase activation,
distinguishing it from necrosis, which is uncontrolled cell death.
Question 3
A patient with type 2 diabetes develops insulin resistance. What is the primary
pathophysiological mechanism?
A. Autoimmune destruction of beta cells
B. Decreased insulin receptor sensitivity
C. Excessive glucagon secretion
D. Impaired glucose secretion
, 2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes results from decreased sensitivity of insulin
receptors, impairing glucose uptake in peripheral tissues.
Question 4
What is the hallmark feature of inflammation?
A. Fibrosis
B. Increased vascular permeability
C. Cellular atrophy
D. Tissue necrosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inflammation involves increased vascular permeability, allowing plasma proteins and
immune cells to enter tissues, leading to edema and immune response.
Question 5
Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with metabolic acidosis?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis causes hydrogen ions to shift into cells, displacing potassium into
the extracellular space, resulting in hyperkalemia.
Question 6
What is the primary cause of edema in congestive heart failure?
A. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased venous pressure
C. Enhanced lymphatic drainage
D. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Congestive heart failure increases venous pressure, raising capillary hydrostatic
pressure and forcing fluid into interstitial spaces, causing edema.
, 3
Question 7
Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is associated with anaphylaxis?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anaphylaxis is a Type I hypersensitivity reaction, mediated by IgE antibodies and
mast cell degranulation, leading to histamine release.
Question 8
What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of atherosclerosis?
A. Endothelial dysfunction and plaque formation
B. Smooth muscle cell apoptosis
C. Decreased lipid uptake by macrophages
D. Platelet lysis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atherosclerosis begins with endothelial dysfunction, followed by lipid accumulation
and plaque formation, narrowing arterial lumens.
Question 9
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops hypoxia. What is the
primary mechanism?
A. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
B. Increased airway compliance
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Bronchial dilation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: COPD causes ventilation-perfusion mismatch due to obstructed airways and alveolar
destruction, leading to inadequate oxygenation.
Question 10
