NU104
Pathophysiology for Nursing
Midterm Exam Prep
(With Solutions)
2025
1
,1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of
congestive heart failure?
A) Decreased cardiac output due to impaired ventricular filling
B) Left ventricular hypertrophy leading to increased stroke volume
C) Inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood due to ventricular
dysfunction
D) Excessive preload causing increased contractility
Answer: C
Rationale: Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart fails to pump
effectively, leading to inadequate perfusion of tissues. Ventricular
dysfunction is a primary cause.
2. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, the primary pathophysiological mechanism
is:
A) Insulin resistance at cellular receptors
B) Autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the pancreas
C) Excessive hepatic glucose production
D) Beta cell hyperplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes arises mainly from autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, leading to insulin deficiency.
3. Which of the following best explains why hypoxemia stimulates
increased erythropoiesis?
A) Hypoxemia triggers the release of erythropoietin from the kidneys
B) Hypoxemia causes bone marrow suppression which necessitates
2
,compensation
C) Hypoxemia directly increases hemoglobin synthesis in existing RBCs
D) Hypoxemia increases plasma volume to dilute oxygen content
Answer: A
Rationale: Low oxygen levels stimulate the kidneys to release
erythropoietin, promoting red blood cell production to enhance oxygen
carrying capacity.
4. A patient with chronic kidney disease commonly develops metabolic
acidosis due to:
A) Excess bicarbonate retention
B) Inability to excrete hydrogen ions effectively
C) Increased renal gluconeogenesis
D) Overproduction of aldosterone
Answer: B
Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys lose the ability to
excrete hydrogen ions, leading to acid retention and metabolic acidosis.
5. In asthma, airway obstruction primarily results from:
A) Destruction of alveoli resulting in reduced surface area
B) Inflammation, bronchospasm, and mucus hypersecretion
C) Decrease in alveolar surfactant
D) Pulmonary vascular congestion
Answer: B
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation,
bronchoconstriction, and excess mucus, all contributing to airflow
limitation.
3
, 6. What is the primary pathophysiological feature of Parkinson’s disease?
A) Loss of sensory neurons in the dorsal horn
B) Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
C) Autoimmune demyelination
D) Excess acetylcholine receptor activity
Answer: B
Rationale: Parkinson's disease results from degeneration of dopamine-
producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to movement
impairments.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
Addison’s disease?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Addison’s disease causes aldosterone deficiency, resulting in
sodium loss (hyponatremia) and potassium retention.
8. The primary mechanism of injury in ischemic stroke is:
A) Hemorrhage leading to increased intracranial pressure
B) Excitotoxicity and energy failure due to lack of oxygen and glucose
C) Autoimmune attack on neurons
D) Infection causing cerebral inflammation
Answer: B
4
Pathophysiology for Nursing
Midterm Exam Prep
(With Solutions)
2025
1
,1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of
congestive heart failure?
A) Decreased cardiac output due to impaired ventricular filling
B) Left ventricular hypertrophy leading to increased stroke volume
C) Inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood due to ventricular
dysfunction
D) Excessive preload causing increased contractility
Answer: C
Rationale: Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart fails to pump
effectively, leading to inadequate perfusion of tissues. Ventricular
dysfunction is a primary cause.
2. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, the primary pathophysiological mechanism
is:
A) Insulin resistance at cellular receptors
B) Autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the pancreas
C) Excessive hepatic glucose production
D) Beta cell hyperplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes arises mainly from autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, leading to insulin deficiency.
3. Which of the following best explains why hypoxemia stimulates
increased erythropoiesis?
A) Hypoxemia triggers the release of erythropoietin from the kidneys
B) Hypoxemia causes bone marrow suppression which necessitates
2
,compensation
C) Hypoxemia directly increases hemoglobin synthesis in existing RBCs
D) Hypoxemia increases plasma volume to dilute oxygen content
Answer: A
Rationale: Low oxygen levels stimulate the kidneys to release
erythropoietin, promoting red blood cell production to enhance oxygen
carrying capacity.
4. A patient with chronic kidney disease commonly develops metabolic
acidosis due to:
A) Excess bicarbonate retention
B) Inability to excrete hydrogen ions effectively
C) Increased renal gluconeogenesis
D) Overproduction of aldosterone
Answer: B
Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys lose the ability to
excrete hydrogen ions, leading to acid retention and metabolic acidosis.
5. In asthma, airway obstruction primarily results from:
A) Destruction of alveoli resulting in reduced surface area
B) Inflammation, bronchospasm, and mucus hypersecretion
C) Decrease in alveolar surfactant
D) Pulmonary vascular congestion
Answer: B
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation,
bronchoconstriction, and excess mucus, all contributing to airflow
limitation.
3
, 6. What is the primary pathophysiological feature of Parkinson’s disease?
A) Loss of sensory neurons in the dorsal horn
B) Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
C) Autoimmune demyelination
D) Excess acetylcholine receptor activity
Answer: B
Rationale: Parkinson's disease results from degeneration of dopamine-
producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to movement
impairments.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with
Addison’s disease?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Addison’s disease causes aldosterone deficiency, resulting in
sodium loss (hyponatremia) and potassium retention.
8. The primary mechanism of injury in ischemic stroke is:
A) Hemorrhage leading to increased intracranial pressure
B) Excitotoxicity and energy failure due to lack of oxygen and glucose
C) Autoimmune attack on neurons
D) Infection causing cerebral inflammation
Answer: B
4
