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NURS 6501 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
TEST BANK 2026 (140 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES) 100% CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Topic: Cellular Adaptation
A patient’s myocardial cells show hypertrophy on biopsy. Which best
explains this process?
A. Increase in cell number
B. Increase in cell size due to workload
C. Decrease in cell size due to disuse
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size (not number) in
response to increased functional demand, such as in the heart during
hypertension.
2. Topic: Inflammation
A 45-year-old presents with acute appendicitis. Which cardinal signs of
inflammation are most likely present at the site?
A. Redness, heat, swelling, pain
B. Necrosis and fibrosis
C. Apoptosis and fever
D. Immobility and scar formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Inflammation is characterized by rubor (redness), calor (heat),
tumor (swelling), dolor (pain) due to vascular and cellular responses.
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3. Topic: Genetics
A patient has cystic fibrosis, an autosomal recessive disorder. What is the
chance that two carriers will have an affected child?
A. 0%
B. 25%
C. 50%
D. 75%
Answer: B
Rationale: For autosomal recessive traits, if both parents are carriers, the
chance is 25% for affected offspring, 50% carrier, 25% unaffected.
4. Topic: Cellular Injury
During ischemia, ATP production falls. What is the primary cellular
consequence?
A. DNA mutations
B. Increased sodium influx and cell swelling
C. Enhanced protein synthesis
D. Increased apoptosis
Answer: B
Rationale: ATP depletion disables Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, causing sodium and
water influx → cellular swelling (hydropic change).
5. Topic: Acid–Base Balance
A patient’s ABG shows: pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 60 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 25 mEq/L.
What is the disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
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Answer: C
Rationale: Low pH (acidosis) + elevated CO₂ indicates respiratory
acidosis due to hypoventilation.
6. Topic: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
A patient with left-sided heart failure develops pulmonary edema. What is
the mechanism?
A. Increased oncotic pressure in pulmonary capillaries
B. Increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary circulation
C. Decreased right ventricular preload
D. Obstruction of lymphatic drainage
Answer: B
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes increased pulmonary venous
hydrostatic pressure, leading to fluid leakage into alveoli.
7. Topic: Renal Pathophysiology
Which lab finding best indicates chronic kidney disease progression?
A. Decreased creatinine clearance
B. Elevated hemoglobin
C. Increased GFR
D. Low serum potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: CKD is indicated by falling GFR and decreasing creatinine
clearance.
8. Topic: Immunology
Which cells are primarily responsible for Type I hypersensitivity reactions
such as anaphylaxis?
A. Neutrophils
B. Mast cells and basophils
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C. Cytotoxic T cells
D. NK cells
Answer: B
Rationale: IgE binds to mast cells/basophils, releasing histamine during
allergic reactions.
9. Topic: Respiratory Pathophysiology
In COPD, chronic hypoxemia often stimulates which compensatory
mechanism?
A. Increased surfactant production
B. Erythropoietin release → polycythemia
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hypoventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia triggers erythropoietin from kidneys, increasing
RBC mass.
10. Topic: Endocrine Disorders
A patient with untreated type 1 diabetes presents with Kussmaul
respirations. What is the primary mechanism?
A. Respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis
B. Excess insulin levels
C. Increased oxygen demand
D. Decreased ketone production
Answer: A
Rationale: In DKA, metabolic acidosis from ketones stimulates deep, rapid
breathing (Kussmaul) to reduce CO₂.
11. Topic: Cancer Biology
Which genetic alteration is most associated with uncontrolled cell
NURS 6501 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
TEST BANK 2026 (140 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES) 100% CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Topic: Cellular Adaptation
A patient’s myocardial cells show hypertrophy on biopsy. Which best
explains this process?
A. Increase in cell number
B. Increase in cell size due to workload
C. Decrease in cell size due to disuse
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size (not number) in
response to increased functional demand, such as in the heart during
hypertension.
2. Topic: Inflammation
A 45-year-old presents with acute appendicitis. Which cardinal signs of
inflammation are most likely present at the site?
A. Redness, heat, swelling, pain
B. Necrosis and fibrosis
C. Apoptosis and fever
D. Immobility and scar formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Inflammation is characterized by rubor (redness), calor (heat),
tumor (swelling), dolor (pain) due to vascular and cellular responses.
,2|Page
3. Topic: Genetics
A patient has cystic fibrosis, an autosomal recessive disorder. What is the
chance that two carriers will have an affected child?
A. 0%
B. 25%
C. 50%
D. 75%
Answer: B
Rationale: For autosomal recessive traits, if both parents are carriers, the
chance is 25% for affected offspring, 50% carrier, 25% unaffected.
4. Topic: Cellular Injury
During ischemia, ATP production falls. What is the primary cellular
consequence?
A. DNA mutations
B. Increased sodium influx and cell swelling
C. Enhanced protein synthesis
D. Increased apoptosis
Answer: B
Rationale: ATP depletion disables Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, causing sodium and
water influx → cellular swelling (hydropic change).
5. Topic: Acid–Base Balance
A patient’s ABG shows: pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 60 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 25 mEq/L.
What is the disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
,3|Page
Answer: C
Rationale: Low pH (acidosis) + elevated CO₂ indicates respiratory
acidosis due to hypoventilation.
6. Topic: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
A patient with left-sided heart failure develops pulmonary edema. What is
the mechanism?
A. Increased oncotic pressure in pulmonary capillaries
B. Increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary circulation
C. Decreased right ventricular preload
D. Obstruction of lymphatic drainage
Answer: B
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes increased pulmonary venous
hydrostatic pressure, leading to fluid leakage into alveoli.
7. Topic: Renal Pathophysiology
Which lab finding best indicates chronic kidney disease progression?
A. Decreased creatinine clearance
B. Elevated hemoglobin
C. Increased GFR
D. Low serum potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: CKD is indicated by falling GFR and decreasing creatinine
clearance.
8. Topic: Immunology
Which cells are primarily responsible for Type I hypersensitivity reactions
such as anaphylaxis?
A. Neutrophils
B. Mast cells and basophils
, 4|Page
C. Cytotoxic T cells
D. NK cells
Answer: B
Rationale: IgE binds to mast cells/basophils, releasing histamine during
allergic reactions.
9. Topic: Respiratory Pathophysiology
In COPD, chronic hypoxemia often stimulates which compensatory
mechanism?
A. Increased surfactant production
B. Erythropoietin release → polycythemia
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hypoventilation
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia triggers erythropoietin from kidneys, increasing
RBC mass.
10. Topic: Endocrine Disorders
A patient with untreated type 1 diabetes presents with Kussmaul
respirations. What is the primary mechanism?
A. Respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis
B. Excess insulin levels
C. Increased oxygen demand
D. Decreased ketone production
Answer: A
Rationale: In DKA, metabolic acidosis from ketones stimulates deep, rapid
breathing (Kussmaul) to reduce CO₂.
11. Topic: Cancer Biology
Which genetic alteration is most associated with uncontrolled cell
