NR283 Final Exam Actual Exam Style V3 |
NR 283 Pathophysiology | Chamberlain
1. A patient is diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy due to chronic hypertension. This
cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. An increase in the size of individual cells
B. An increase in the number of cells in the tissue
C. A change from one adult cell type to another
D. The complete loss of cellular function and death
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy involves an increase in the size of cells, which leads to an increase
in the size of the organ. In the heart, this occurs as a response to an increased workload or
pressure. Unlike hyperplasia, hypertrophy does not involve the creation of new cells
through division.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant tumors that distinguishes them from
benign tumors?
A. They are typically encapsulated
B. They have the ability to metastasize to distant sites
C. They grow very slowly over many years
,D. They consist of well-differentiated cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by their ability to invade surrounding
tissues and spread to distant organs. Benign tumors generally remain localized and are
often encapsulated, preventing spread. The process of metastasis is a hallmark of cancer
and significantly impacts prognosis and treatment.
3. A patient presents with widespread edema and a low serum albumin level. Which
mechanism is responsible for this fluid shift?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased interstitial fluid oncotic pressure
C. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
D. Decreased lymphatic drainage
Answer: C
Rationale: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for maintaining oncotic pressure
within the blood vessels. When albumin levels drop, there is less ‘pull’ to keep fluid inside
the capillaries, allowing it to leak into the interstitial space. This imbalance leads to the
clinical manifestation of edema in various body tissues.
4. During an inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for the
initial vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Leukotrienes
, B. Cytokines
C. Prostaglandins
D. Histamine
Answer: D
Rationale: Histamine is released by mast cells in response to injury or allergens and acts
rapidly on local blood vessels. It causes the vessels to dilate and the gaps between
endothelial cells to widen, allowing fluid and cells to exit the bloodstream. This process is
essential for bringing immune cells to the site of damage.
5. A patient has a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which of the following is the most serious
potential complication of this condition?
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias
B. Muscle wasting
C. Cushing’s syndrome
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia, or high potassium, significantly affects the electrical conductivity
of the heart. Elevated levels can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias or even cardiac arrest.
It is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to stabilize the
cell membranes.
NR 283 Pathophysiology | Chamberlain
1. A patient is diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy due to chronic hypertension. This
cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. An increase in the size of individual cells
B. An increase in the number of cells in the tissue
C. A change from one adult cell type to another
D. The complete loss of cellular function and death
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy involves an increase in the size of cells, which leads to an increase
in the size of the organ. In the heart, this occurs as a response to an increased workload or
pressure. Unlike hyperplasia, hypertrophy does not involve the creation of new cells
through division.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant tumors that distinguishes them from
benign tumors?
A. They are typically encapsulated
B. They have the ability to metastasize to distant sites
C. They grow very slowly over many years
,D. They consist of well-differentiated cells
Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by their ability to invade surrounding
tissues and spread to distant organs. Benign tumors generally remain localized and are
often encapsulated, preventing spread. The process of metastasis is a hallmark of cancer
and significantly impacts prognosis and treatment.
3. A patient presents with widespread edema and a low serum albumin level. Which
mechanism is responsible for this fluid shift?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased interstitial fluid oncotic pressure
C. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
D. Decreased lymphatic drainage
Answer: C
Rationale: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for maintaining oncotic pressure
within the blood vessels. When albumin levels drop, there is less ‘pull’ to keep fluid inside
the capillaries, allowing it to leak into the interstitial space. This imbalance leads to the
clinical manifestation of edema in various body tissues.
4. During an inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for the
initial vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Leukotrienes
, B. Cytokines
C. Prostaglandins
D. Histamine
Answer: D
Rationale: Histamine is released by mast cells in response to injury or allergens and acts
rapidly on local blood vessels. It causes the vessels to dilate and the gaps between
endothelial cells to widen, allowing fluid and cells to exit the bloodstream. This process is
essential for bringing immune cells to the site of damage.
5. A patient has a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which of the following is the most serious
potential complication of this condition?
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias
B. Muscle wasting
C. Cushing’s syndrome
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia, or high potassium, significantly affects the electrical conductivity
of the heart. Elevated levels can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias or even cardiac arrest.
It is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to stabilize the
cell membranes.
