1
Galen College NU110 Actual Exam
Questions and Answers with
Rationales 2026/2027 | Integrated
Human Sciences Exam 4 | Pass
Guarantee
Q001: A 68-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) develops a bacterial respiratory infection. The pathogen produces an
exotoxin that inhibits protein synthesis within his alveolar cells. Which cellular
organelle is primarily affected by this toxin, and what is the likely impact on
pulmonary gas exchange?
Options:
A. Mitochondria; decreased ATP production leading to impaired ciliary function
B. Ribosomes; reduced surfactant production causing alveolar collapse and V/Q
mismatch
C. Lysosomes; inefficient pathogen degradation resulting in chronic inflammation
D. Peroxisomes; impaired detoxification of free radicals and oxidative stress
ANSWER: B
Q002: A 45-year-old female patient presents with metabolic acidosis due to
uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus. Her arterial blood gas reveals a pH of 7.28.
Which chemical buffer system in her blood will respond first to correct this pH
imbalance, and what is the primary metabolic byproduct accumulating in her
plasma?
Options:
, 2
A. Phosphate buffer system; lactic acid accumulation from anaerobic metabolism
B. Bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system; ketone bodies (acetoacetate and beta-
hydroxybutyrate) from fat metabolism
C. Protein buffer system; urea from protein catabolism
D. Hemoglobin buffer system; carbonic acid from hypercapnia
ANSWER: B
Q003: A 32-year-old female patient develops a urinary tract infection caused by E.
coli. The bacterium's pili facilitate adherence to the uroepithelial cells of the
bladder wall, triggering an inflammatory response. Which anatomical structure of
the urinary system normally prevents such ascending infections, and which
leukocyte is primarily recruited to combat this infection?
Options:
A. Internal urethral sphincter; eosinophils
B. Vesicoureteral valves; neutrophils
C. Prostatic secretions in males; lymphocytes
D. Renal capsule; basophils
ANSWER: B
Q004: A 78-year-old patient with congestive heart failure is prescribed a diuretic
that blocks the sodium-potassium-2-chloride (NKCC2) cotransporter in the
ascending limb of the loop of Henle. How does this pharmacological action affect
renal handling of electrolytes and the patient's overall fluid homeostasis?
Options:
A. Increases water reabsorption and dilutes plasma sodium concentration
B. Decreases excretion of potassium, chloride, and water, leading to fluid retention
C. Inhibits reabsorption of sodium, potassium, and chloride, resulting in increased
osmotic diuresis and reduced plasma volume
D. Enhances hydrogen ion secretion, causing metabolic alkalosis and hypervolemia
, 3
ANSWER: C
Q005: A 55-year-old male patient with a history of alcohol use disorder develops
acute pancreatitis. The premature activation of pancreatic enzymes leads to
autodigestion of pancreatic tissue. Which specific enzyme, when activated, is most
responsible for the necrosis of pancreatic acinar cells, and which electrolyte
imbalance is commonly associated with this condition?
Options:
A. Amylase; hypernatremia
B. Lipase; hypercalcemia
C. Trypsin; hypocalcemia due to saponification of calcium by fats
D. Carboxypeptidase; hyperkalemia
ANSWER: C
Q006: A newborn infant is diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
due to insufficient surfactant production. Surfactant is a lipoprotein complex that
reduces surface tension in the alveoli. Which type of alveolar cell produces
surfactant, and what is the physiological consequence of its deficiency at the
molecular level?
Options:
A. Type I pneumocytes; increased alveolar surface tension causing alveolar
collapse
B. Type II pneumocytes; increased alveolar surface tension causing alveolar
collapse and impaired gas exchange
C. Alveolar macrophages; decreased compliance and increased work of breathing
D. Ciliated columnar epithelial cells; mucus plugging and airway obstruction
ANSWER: B
Q007: A 70-year-old patient with chronic renal failure develops
hyperphosphatemia. Excess phosphate binds with free calcium, leading to
hypocalcemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Which endocrine gland is
Galen College NU110 Actual Exam
Questions and Answers with
Rationales 2026/2027 | Integrated
Human Sciences Exam 4 | Pass
Guarantee
Q001: A 68-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) develops a bacterial respiratory infection. The pathogen produces an
exotoxin that inhibits protein synthesis within his alveolar cells. Which cellular
organelle is primarily affected by this toxin, and what is the likely impact on
pulmonary gas exchange?
Options:
A. Mitochondria; decreased ATP production leading to impaired ciliary function
B. Ribosomes; reduced surfactant production causing alveolar collapse and V/Q
mismatch
C. Lysosomes; inefficient pathogen degradation resulting in chronic inflammation
D. Peroxisomes; impaired detoxification of free radicals and oxidative stress
ANSWER: B
Q002: A 45-year-old female patient presents with metabolic acidosis due to
uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus. Her arterial blood gas reveals a pH of 7.28.
Which chemical buffer system in her blood will respond first to correct this pH
imbalance, and what is the primary metabolic byproduct accumulating in her
plasma?
Options:
, 2
A. Phosphate buffer system; lactic acid accumulation from anaerobic metabolism
B. Bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system; ketone bodies (acetoacetate and beta-
hydroxybutyrate) from fat metabolism
C. Protein buffer system; urea from protein catabolism
D. Hemoglobin buffer system; carbonic acid from hypercapnia
ANSWER: B
Q003: A 32-year-old female patient develops a urinary tract infection caused by E.
coli. The bacterium's pili facilitate adherence to the uroepithelial cells of the
bladder wall, triggering an inflammatory response. Which anatomical structure of
the urinary system normally prevents such ascending infections, and which
leukocyte is primarily recruited to combat this infection?
Options:
A. Internal urethral sphincter; eosinophils
B. Vesicoureteral valves; neutrophils
C. Prostatic secretions in males; lymphocytes
D. Renal capsule; basophils
ANSWER: B
Q004: A 78-year-old patient with congestive heart failure is prescribed a diuretic
that blocks the sodium-potassium-2-chloride (NKCC2) cotransporter in the
ascending limb of the loop of Henle. How does this pharmacological action affect
renal handling of electrolytes and the patient's overall fluid homeostasis?
Options:
A. Increases water reabsorption and dilutes plasma sodium concentration
B. Decreases excretion of potassium, chloride, and water, leading to fluid retention
C. Inhibits reabsorption of sodium, potassium, and chloride, resulting in increased
osmotic diuresis and reduced plasma volume
D. Enhances hydrogen ion secretion, causing metabolic alkalosis and hypervolemia
, 3
ANSWER: C
Q005: A 55-year-old male patient with a history of alcohol use disorder develops
acute pancreatitis. The premature activation of pancreatic enzymes leads to
autodigestion of pancreatic tissue. Which specific enzyme, when activated, is most
responsible for the necrosis of pancreatic acinar cells, and which electrolyte
imbalance is commonly associated with this condition?
Options:
A. Amylase; hypernatremia
B. Lipase; hypercalcemia
C. Trypsin; hypocalcemia due to saponification of calcium by fats
D. Carboxypeptidase; hyperkalemia
ANSWER: C
Q006: A newborn infant is diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
due to insufficient surfactant production. Surfactant is a lipoprotein complex that
reduces surface tension in the alveoli. Which type of alveolar cell produces
surfactant, and what is the physiological consequence of its deficiency at the
molecular level?
Options:
A. Type I pneumocytes; increased alveolar surface tension causing alveolar
collapse
B. Type II pneumocytes; increased alveolar surface tension causing alveolar
collapse and impaired gas exchange
C. Alveolar macrophages; decreased compliance and increased work of breathing
D. Ciliated columnar epithelial cells; mucus plugging and airway obstruction
ANSWER: B
Q007: A 70-year-old patient with chronic renal failure develops
hyperphosphatemia. Excess phosphate binds with free calcium, leading to
hypocalcemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Which endocrine gland is
