NR 283
Pathophysiology
Latest Final Exam Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
,1. Case: A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular
hypertrophy.
Question: Which mechanism explains this adaptation?
- A. Atrophy
- B. Hyperplasia
- C. Hypertrophy
- D. Dysplasia
Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Increased workload → enlargement of myocardial cells.
---
2. Case: A patient with COPD develops polycythemia.
Question: What is the underlying cause?
- A. Chronic hypoxemia stimulating erythropoietin
- B. Increased plasma volume
- C. Bone marrow suppression
- D. Iron deficiency
Answer: A. Chronic hypoxemia stimulating erythropoietin
Rationale: Hypoxia → ↑ erythropoietin → ↑ RBC production.
---
3. Case: A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with fruity breath and
Kussmaul respirations.
Question: Which acid-base imbalance is present?
- A. Metabolic alkalosis
- B. Respiratory alkalosis
- C. Metabolic acidosis
- D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: C. Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: DKA → accumulation of ketones → metabolic acidosis.
---
2
, 4. Case: A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites.
Question: Which mechanism contributes most?
- A. Increased oncotic pressure
- B. Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
- C. Decreased capillary permeability
- D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B. Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
Rationale: Cirrhosis → ↑ hydrostatic pressure + ↓ oncotic pressure →
fluid accumulation.
---
5. Case: A patient with myocardial infarction develops ST elevation.
Question: What does this represent?
- A. Subendocardial ischemia
- B. Transmural infarction
- C. Ventricular hypertrophy
- D. Pericarditis
Answer: B. Transmural infarction
Rationale: ST elevation = full-thickness myocardial injury.
---
6. Case: A patient with chronic kidney disease develops anemia.
Question: Which mechanism explains this?
- A. Iron deficiency
- B. Decreased erythropoietin production
- C. Hemolysis
- D. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Answer: B. Decreased erythropoietin production
Rationale: CKD → impaired erythropoietin → ↓ RBCs.
---
3
Pathophysiology
Latest Final Exam Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
,1. Case: A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular
hypertrophy.
Question: Which mechanism explains this adaptation?
- A. Atrophy
- B. Hyperplasia
- C. Hypertrophy
- D. Dysplasia
Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Increased workload → enlargement of myocardial cells.
---
2. Case: A patient with COPD develops polycythemia.
Question: What is the underlying cause?
- A. Chronic hypoxemia stimulating erythropoietin
- B. Increased plasma volume
- C. Bone marrow suppression
- D. Iron deficiency
Answer: A. Chronic hypoxemia stimulating erythropoietin
Rationale: Hypoxia → ↑ erythropoietin → ↑ RBC production.
---
3. Case: A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with fruity breath and
Kussmaul respirations.
Question: Which acid-base imbalance is present?
- A. Metabolic alkalosis
- B. Respiratory alkalosis
- C. Metabolic acidosis
- D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: C. Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: DKA → accumulation of ketones → metabolic acidosis.
---
2
, 4. Case: A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites.
Question: Which mechanism contributes most?
- A. Increased oncotic pressure
- B. Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
- C. Decreased capillary permeability
- D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B. Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
Rationale: Cirrhosis → ↑ hydrostatic pressure + ↓ oncotic pressure →
fluid accumulation.
---
5. Case: A patient with myocardial infarction develops ST elevation.
Question: What does this represent?
- A. Subendocardial ischemia
- B. Transmural infarction
- C. Ventricular hypertrophy
- D. Pericarditis
Answer: B. Transmural infarction
Rationale: ST elevation = full-thickness myocardial injury.
---
6. Case: A patient with chronic kidney disease develops anemia.
Question: Which mechanism explains this?
- A. Iron deficiency
- B. Decreased erythropoietin production
- C. Hemolysis
- D. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Answer: B. Decreased erythropoietin production
Rationale: CKD → impaired erythropoietin → ↓ RBCs.
---
3
