Walden University - NURS 6501
Advanced Pathophysiology — Practice Midterm
(Original Practice Content)
Format: 50 multiple-choice questions. Choose the best answer. This is a practice exam created for
study and review; it is not a reproduction of any proprietary exam.
Time allowed: 90 minutes (suggested).
Instructions: Read each question carefully. For questions that include lab values or clinical vignettes,
select the single best answer.
, 1. A patient presents with exophthalmos, weight loss, and heat intolerance. Which lab result best
supports a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism?
A. Low TSH, high free T4
B. High TSH, low free T4
C. High cortisol, low ACTH
D. Low insulin, high glucose
2. In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which serum electrolyte abnormality is commonly seen despite total
body depletion?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia due to water loss
D. Hypocalcemia
3. A patient with chronic liver disease develops spider angiomas and gynecomastia. These findings are
primarily due to:
A. Elevated estrogen levels due to decreased hepatic metabolism
B. Increased androgen production
C. Low cortisol production
D. Hyperaldosteronism
4. Which immune mechanism primarily causes tissue damage in type II hypersensitivity reactions?
A. Immune complex deposition in tissues
B. Complement activation and antibody-mediated cytotoxicity
C. T-cell mediated cytotoxicity
D. Mast cell degranulation via IgE
5. In congestive heart failure, reduced cardiac output leads to renal sodium retention mainly through
activation of:
A. Sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
D. Increased glomerular filtration rate
6. A 65-year-old smoker with chronic bronchitis has a PaO2 of 60 mmHg and PaCO2 of 55 mmHg. This
blood gas shows:
A. Respiratory alkalosis with hypoxemia
B. Respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia
C. Metabolic acidosis with hypercapnia
D. Metabolic alkalosis
7. In Cushing syndrome due to an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma, which of the following lab
patterns is expected?
A. Low ACTH, high cortisol
B. High ACTH, high cortisol
C. High ACTH, low cortisol
D. Low ACTH, low cortisol
8. Which electrolyte disturbance increases the risk of torsades de pointes (polymorphic ventricular
tachycardia)?
A. Hyperkalemia
Advanced Pathophysiology — Practice Midterm
(Original Practice Content)
Format: 50 multiple-choice questions. Choose the best answer. This is a practice exam created for
study and review; it is not a reproduction of any proprietary exam.
Time allowed: 90 minutes (suggested).
Instructions: Read each question carefully. For questions that include lab values or clinical vignettes,
select the single best answer.
, 1. A patient presents with exophthalmos, weight loss, and heat intolerance. Which lab result best
supports a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism?
A. Low TSH, high free T4
B. High TSH, low free T4
C. High cortisol, low ACTH
D. Low insulin, high glucose
2. In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which serum electrolyte abnormality is commonly seen despite total
body depletion?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia due to water loss
D. Hypocalcemia
3. A patient with chronic liver disease develops spider angiomas and gynecomastia. These findings are
primarily due to:
A. Elevated estrogen levels due to decreased hepatic metabolism
B. Increased androgen production
C. Low cortisol production
D. Hyperaldosteronism
4. Which immune mechanism primarily causes tissue damage in type II hypersensitivity reactions?
A. Immune complex deposition in tissues
B. Complement activation and antibody-mediated cytotoxicity
C. T-cell mediated cytotoxicity
D. Mast cell degranulation via IgE
5. In congestive heart failure, reduced cardiac output leads to renal sodium retention mainly through
activation of:
A. Sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
B. Parasympathetic nervous system
C. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
D. Increased glomerular filtration rate
6. A 65-year-old smoker with chronic bronchitis has a PaO2 of 60 mmHg and PaCO2 of 55 mmHg. This
blood gas shows:
A. Respiratory alkalosis with hypoxemia
B. Respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia
C. Metabolic acidosis with hypercapnia
D. Metabolic alkalosis
7. In Cushing syndrome due to an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma, which of the following lab
patterns is expected?
A. Low ACTH, high cortisol
B. High ACTH, high cortisol
C. High ACTH, low cortisol
D. Low ACTH, low cortisol
8. Which electrolyte disturbance increases the risk of torsades de pointes (polymorphic ventricular
tachycardia)?
A. Hyperkalemia
