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Chamberlain NR 283 Pathophysiology Final Exam |
Actual Exam Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | 2026–2027 Nursing Study Guide | Grade A
1. A nurse is teaching about hypersensitivity reactions. Which type of hypersensitivity
reaction is associated with rheumatoid arthritis?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with Type III hypersensitivity reactions,
which involve immune complex deposition in tissues, leading to inflammation and tissue
damage.
2. A nurse is teaching about inflammation. What is the primary function of histamine
during inflammation?
A. Decrease capillary permeability
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B. Increase capillary permeability
C. Promote vasoconstriction
D. Inhibit pain receptors
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Histamine, released from mast cells, causes immediate vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability, allowing fluid and immune cells to move into tissues.
3. A nurse is reviewing stages of disease progression. Which stage is characterized by
vague, early symptoms like fatigue or low-grade fever?
A. Incubation period
B. Prodromal period
C. Acute period
D. Convalescent period
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The prodromal period is characterized by nonspecific, vague symptoms such
as fatigue, malaise, and low-grade fever, indicating the onset of illness.
4. A nurse is teaching about disease stages. What is an example of the prodromal
stage of illness?
A. Severe chest pain during a heart attack
B. Fatigue before developing a viral rash
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C. Productive cough with green sputum
D. Hypertension in chronic kidney disease
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Fatigue before the appearance of a viral rash (e.g., measles, chickenpox) is a
classic example of the prodromal stage, where nonspecific symptoms occur before
specific manifestations.
5. A nurse is teaching about cellular adaptation. What does metaplasia refer to?
A. Decrease in cell size
B. Increase in cell number
C. Change from one type of mature cell to another
D. Programmed cell death
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible cellular adaptation where one mature cell type is
replaced by another mature cell type better able to withstand adverse conditions.
6. A nurse is identifying conditions associated with chronic inflammation. Which
condition is most associated with chronic inflammation and autoimmune joint
destruction?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Rheumatoid arthritis
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C. Gout
D. Fibromyalgia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder
characterized by inflammatory synovitis and progressive joint destruction.
7. A nurse is reviewing lab findings indicative of inflammation. Which lab finding is
most indicative of systemic inflammation?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
C. Decreased white blood cell count
D. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant produced by the liver in
response to inflammation. Elevated CRP indicates systemic inflammation.
8. A nurse is teaching about cellular adaptation. What cellular adaptation involves
replacement of one mature cell type with another due to stress or irritation?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
Chamberlain NR 283 Pathophysiology Final Exam |
Actual Exam Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | 2026–2027 Nursing Study Guide | Grade A
1. A nurse is teaching about hypersensitivity reactions. Which type of hypersensitivity
reaction is associated with rheumatoid arthritis?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with Type III hypersensitivity reactions,
which involve immune complex deposition in tissues, leading to inflammation and tissue
damage.
2. A nurse is teaching about inflammation. What is the primary function of histamine
during inflammation?
A. Decrease capillary permeability
,2|Page
B. Increase capillary permeability
C. Promote vasoconstriction
D. Inhibit pain receptors
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Histamine, released from mast cells, causes immediate vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability, allowing fluid and immune cells to move into tissues.
3. A nurse is reviewing stages of disease progression. Which stage is characterized by
vague, early symptoms like fatigue or low-grade fever?
A. Incubation period
B. Prodromal period
C. Acute period
D. Convalescent period
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The prodromal period is characterized by nonspecific, vague symptoms such
as fatigue, malaise, and low-grade fever, indicating the onset of illness.
4. A nurse is teaching about disease stages. What is an example of the prodromal
stage of illness?
A. Severe chest pain during a heart attack
B. Fatigue before developing a viral rash
,3|Page
C. Productive cough with green sputum
D. Hypertension in chronic kidney disease
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Fatigue before the appearance of a viral rash (e.g., measles, chickenpox) is a
classic example of the prodromal stage, where nonspecific symptoms occur before
specific manifestations.
5. A nurse is teaching about cellular adaptation. What does metaplasia refer to?
A. Decrease in cell size
B. Increase in cell number
C. Change from one type of mature cell to another
D. Programmed cell death
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible cellular adaptation where one mature cell type is
replaced by another mature cell type better able to withstand adverse conditions.
6. A nurse is identifying conditions associated with chronic inflammation. Which
condition is most associated with chronic inflammation and autoimmune joint
destruction?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Rheumatoid arthritis
, 4|Page
C. Gout
D. Fibromyalgia
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder
characterized by inflammatory synovitis and progressive joint destruction.
7. A nurse is reviewing lab findings indicative of inflammation. Which lab finding is
most indicative of systemic inflammation?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)
C. Decreased white blood cell count
D. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant produced by the liver in
response to inflammation. Elevated CRP indicates systemic inflammation.
8. A nurse is teaching about cellular adaptation. What cellular adaptation involves
replacement of one mature cell type with another due to stress or irritation?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
