Exam 3: NR283/ NR 283 (Latest 2025/ 2026 Update)
Pathophysiology Review| Questions with Verified
Answers| 100% Correct| Graded A - Chamberlain.
NR283 Pathophysiology Exam 3 Study Guide
Section 1: Hematology (RBC Disorders)
1. What is the primary function of erythrocytes (RBCs)?
A. Fighting infection
B. Tissue oxygenation
C. Clotting blood
D. Producing antibodies
Answer-: B
Rationale: The primary job of erythrocytes is tissue oxygenation. Their biconcave
shape and ability to deform make them optimal for gas transport through various
sized vessels. Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein, gives RBCs their color .
2. Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the __________ that stimulates the
production of erythrocytes.
A. Liver
B. Spleen
C. Kidneys
D. Bone marrow
Answer-: C
Rationale: Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys. It is the primary stimulus for
erythropoiesis (RBC production) in the bone marrow. Epogen (epoetin alpha) is a
synthetic form used to treat anemia from chronic kidney disease .
,3. Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency in:
A. Iron
B. Folate
C. Vitamin B12
D. Intrinsic factor
Answer-: D
Rationale: Pernicious anemia is caused by the absence of intrinsic factor, an
enzyme needed to absorb vitamin B12 in the stomach. This can be genetic or due
to gastric surgery. The resulting vitamin B12 deficiency impairs DNA synthesis in
erythrocytes. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, and paresthesia .
4. A patient with a history of alcoholism and poor diet presents with fissures
and scales in the corners of their mouth (cheilosis) and a painful, inflamed
tongue. This is most suggestive of:
A. Iron deficiency anemia
B. Folate deficiency anemia
C. Pernicious anemia
D. Sideroblastic anemia
Answer-: B
Rationale: Folate deficiency anemia is common in alcoholics and malnourished
individuals. Clinical manifestations specifically include cheilosis (fissures/scales in
the mouth) and stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth with painful tongue
ulcers) .
5. A patient presents with fatigue, weakness, and brittle, spoon-shaped
fingernails (koilonychias). This is a classic sign of which stage of iron deficiency
anemia?
A. Stage 1 (iron stores depleted)
B. Stage 2 (iron-deficient RBC production)
C. Stage 3 (HGB-deficient cells enter circulation)
D. All stages present with these symptoms
Answer-: C
Rationale: Iron deficiency develops slowly. Clinical manifestations like
koilonychias, sore tongue, and dry mouth corners occur in stage 3, when
,hemoglobin-deficient cells enter the circulation to replace normal aging cells.
Early stages are often non-specific .
6. Which anemia is characterized by the presence of iron trapped within the
erythrocyte due to a problem with heme synthesis?
A. Sideroblastic anemia
B. Thalassemia
C. Hemolytic anemia
D. Aplastic anemia
Answer-: A
Rationale: In sideroblastic anemia, there is plenty of iron, but it is not used
correctly to make hemoglobin. The erythrocytes end up with a ring of iron inside.
It can be acquired (idiopathic), hereditary, or reversible (e.g., associated with
alcoholism) .
7. Polycythemia Vera is characterized by:
A. A decrease in all blood cells
B. An excess production of RBCs due to tissue hypoxia
C. An excess production of RBCs due to a genetic alteration of the erythrocyte
receptor
D. A deficiency in plasma proteins
Answer-: C
Rationale: Polycythemia Vera (primary absolute polycythemia) is caused by a
genetic alteration where the receptor does not sense enough circulating
erythrocytes and keeps producing them. This leads to increased blood viscosity,
risking clogging and occlusion of vessels .
Section 2: Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Disorders
8. A patient vomits material that is yellow or greenish. This indicates the
presence of:
A. Blood (hematemesis)
B. Bile
C. Undigested food
D. Occult blood
, Answer-: B
Rationale: Yellow or green-stained vomitus indicates the presence of bile. This
distinguishes it from hematemesis (blood) .
9. Small, hidden amounts of blood in the stool that are only detectable by a
chemical test are referred to as:
A. Melena
B. Frank blood
C. Occult blood
D. Hematochezia
Answer-: C
Rationale: Occult blood refers to small, hidden amounts of blood detectable only
by a stool test. This may be caused by small bleeding ulcers. Melena is black, tarry
stool .
10. The primary site for nutrient absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is the:
A. Stomach
B. Duodenum
C. Ileum
D. Ascending colon
Answer-: C
Rationale: While some absorption occurs in the duodenum, the ileum (the final
part of the small intestine) is considered the primary site for absorption of
nutrients, including vitamin B12 and bile salts .
11. Long-term exposure to a hepatotoxin (e.g., ethanol, carbon tetrachloride) is
most likely to result in:
A. Acute, reversible inflammation of the liver
B. Gradual, irreversible damage leading to cirrhosis
C. Complete recovery with no lasting effects
D. Immediate liver failure
Answer-: B
Rationale: Direct toxins like ethanol cause inflammation and necrosis of the liver.
Long-term, repeated exposure leads to gradual, irreversible damage
and cirrhosis .
Pathophysiology Review| Questions with Verified
Answers| 100% Correct| Graded A - Chamberlain.
NR283 Pathophysiology Exam 3 Study Guide
Section 1: Hematology (RBC Disorders)
1. What is the primary function of erythrocytes (RBCs)?
A. Fighting infection
B. Tissue oxygenation
C. Clotting blood
D. Producing antibodies
Answer-: B
Rationale: The primary job of erythrocytes is tissue oxygenation. Their biconcave
shape and ability to deform make them optimal for gas transport through various
sized vessels. Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein, gives RBCs their color .
2. Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the __________ that stimulates the
production of erythrocytes.
A. Liver
B. Spleen
C. Kidneys
D. Bone marrow
Answer-: C
Rationale: Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys. It is the primary stimulus for
erythropoiesis (RBC production) in the bone marrow. Epogen (epoetin alpha) is a
synthetic form used to treat anemia from chronic kidney disease .
,3. Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency in:
A. Iron
B. Folate
C. Vitamin B12
D. Intrinsic factor
Answer-: D
Rationale: Pernicious anemia is caused by the absence of intrinsic factor, an
enzyme needed to absorb vitamin B12 in the stomach. This can be genetic or due
to gastric surgery. The resulting vitamin B12 deficiency impairs DNA synthesis in
erythrocytes. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, and paresthesia .
4. A patient with a history of alcoholism and poor diet presents with fissures
and scales in the corners of their mouth (cheilosis) and a painful, inflamed
tongue. This is most suggestive of:
A. Iron deficiency anemia
B. Folate deficiency anemia
C. Pernicious anemia
D. Sideroblastic anemia
Answer-: B
Rationale: Folate deficiency anemia is common in alcoholics and malnourished
individuals. Clinical manifestations specifically include cheilosis (fissures/scales in
the mouth) and stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth with painful tongue
ulcers) .
5. A patient presents with fatigue, weakness, and brittle, spoon-shaped
fingernails (koilonychias). This is a classic sign of which stage of iron deficiency
anemia?
A. Stage 1 (iron stores depleted)
B. Stage 2 (iron-deficient RBC production)
C. Stage 3 (HGB-deficient cells enter circulation)
D. All stages present with these symptoms
Answer-: C
Rationale: Iron deficiency develops slowly. Clinical manifestations like
koilonychias, sore tongue, and dry mouth corners occur in stage 3, when
,hemoglobin-deficient cells enter the circulation to replace normal aging cells.
Early stages are often non-specific .
6. Which anemia is characterized by the presence of iron trapped within the
erythrocyte due to a problem with heme synthesis?
A. Sideroblastic anemia
B. Thalassemia
C. Hemolytic anemia
D. Aplastic anemia
Answer-: A
Rationale: In sideroblastic anemia, there is plenty of iron, but it is not used
correctly to make hemoglobin. The erythrocytes end up with a ring of iron inside.
It can be acquired (idiopathic), hereditary, or reversible (e.g., associated with
alcoholism) .
7. Polycythemia Vera is characterized by:
A. A decrease in all blood cells
B. An excess production of RBCs due to tissue hypoxia
C. An excess production of RBCs due to a genetic alteration of the erythrocyte
receptor
D. A deficiency in plasma proteins
Answer-: C
Rationale: Polycythemia Vera (primary absolute polycythemia) is caused by a
genetic alteration where the receptor does not sense enough circulating
erythrocytes and keeps producing them. This leads to increased blood viscosity,
risking clogging and occlusion of vessels .
Section 2: Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Disorders
8. A patient vomits material that is yellow or greenish. This indicates the
presence of:
A. Blood (hematemesis)
B. Bile
C. Undigested food
D. Occult blood
, Answer-: B
Rationale: Yellow or green-stained vomitus indicates the presence of bile. This
distinguishes it from hematemesis (blood) .
9. Small, hidden amounts of blood in the stool that are only detectable by a
chemical test are referred to as:
A. Melena
B. Frank blood
C. Occult blood
D. Hematochezia
Answer-: C
Rationale: Occult blood refers to small, hidden amounts of blood detectable only
by a stool test. This may be caused by small bleeding ulcers. Melena is black, tarry
stool .
10. The primary site for nutrient absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is the:
A. Stomach
B. Duodenum
C. Ileum
D. Ascending colon
Answer-: C
Rationale: While some absorption occurs in the duodenum, the ileum (the final
part of the small intestine) is considered the primary site for absorption of
nutrients, including vitamin B12 and bile salts .
11. Long-term exposure to a hepatotoxin (e.g., ethanol, carbon tetrachloride) is
most likely to result in:
A. Acute, reversible inflammation of the liver
B. Gradual, irreversible damage leading to cirrhosis
C. Complete recovery with no lasting effects
D. Immediate liver failure
Answer-: B
Rationale: Direct toxins like ethanol cause inflammation and necrosis of the liver.
Long-term, repeated exposure leads to gradual, irreversible damage
and cirrhosis .
