Herzing University NSG 520 Pathophysiology &
Pharmacology Final Exam | 187 Questions with
Answers & Rationales | Advanced Nursing Patho-
Pharm Certification Prep | pdf
COVERS ALL MAJOR TOPICS:
• Inflammation & Immunity (COX inhibitors, NSAIDs, Glucocorticoids)
• Cardiovascular Disorders (HTN, Heart Failure, CAD, Antihypertensives)
• Respiratory Disorders (COPD, Asthma, Pneumonia, Bronchodilators)
• Gastrointestinal Disorders (GERD, PUD, IBD, Antacids, PPIs)
• Renal & Genitourinary Disorders (AKI, CKD, UTI, Diuretics)
• Endocrine Disorders (Diabetes, Thyroid, Adrenal, Insulin, Oral Hypoglycemics)
• Neurological Disorders (Seizure, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Anticonvulsants)
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (Arthritis, Gout, Osteoporosis, DMARDs)
• Infectious Diseases & Sepsis (Antibiotics, Sepsis Protocols)
• Pharmacology Principles (ADME, Therapeutic Index, Drug Interactions)
• Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance (ABG Interpretation)
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
FORMAT:
- All answers in BOLD ITALICS for easy self-testing
- Detailed rationales in ITALICS for deep understanding
- Multiple-choice questions mirroring actual exam format
- Covers all NSG 520 course competencies
PERFECT FOR:
- Herzing University NSG 520 students
- Pathophysiology & Pharmacology final exam prep
- Advanced nursing patho-pharm review
- NCLEX preparation (patho & pharm sections)
Instant digital download – pass your NSG 520 final on the first try!
,Section 1: Inflammation & Immunity (Questions 1–20)
1. Which of the following is a primary characteristic of chronic inflammation?
a) Rapid onset and short duration
b) Presence of neutrophils
c) Prolonged duration with tissue destruction and repair
d) Absence of immune response
Chronic inflammation is characterized by a prolonged duration (weeks to years), ongoing
tissue destruction, and simultaneous repair processes. It involves macrophages and
lymphocytes rather than the neutrophils seen in acute inflammation .
2. Which of the following is NOT a classic sign of acute inflammation?
a) Redness (rubor)
b) Swelling (tumor)
c) Pain (dolor)
d) Numbness
The five cardinal signs of inflammation are redness (rubor), heat (calor), swelling (tumor),
pain (dolor), and loss of function (functio laesa). Numbness is not a sign of inflammation .
3. Which of the following best describes the function of prostaglandins in the
inflammatory response?
a) They decrease vascular permeability
b) They inhibit pain sensation
c) They mediate pain, fever, and vasodilation
d) They suppress the immune response
,*Prostaglandins are products of the arachidonic acid pathway that mediate pain
(hyperalgesia), fever (via hypothalamus), and vasodilation. They are produced by COX-1
and COX-2 enzymes. NSAIDs work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis .*
4. What is the primary mechanism of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs)?
a) Activation of the complement system
b) Inhibition of histamine release
c) Blockade of interleukin receptors
d) Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes
NSAIDs work by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are responsible for
converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and thromboxanes. This reduces
inflammation, pain, and fever. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX; other NSAIDs reversibly
inhibit COX .
5. Which of the following correctly describes the difference between COX-1 and
COX-2?
a) COX-1 causes inflammation; COX-2 protects the stomach
b) COX-1 is only found in the brain; COX-2 is only in the joints
c) COX-1 is constitutive and protects the stomach; COX-2 is induced during
inflammation
d) COX-1 is inhibited by acetaminophen; COX-2 is inhibited by ibuprofen
*COX-1 is constitutively expressed in most tissues and produces prostaglandins that
protect the gastric mucosa, support platelet function, and maintain renal blood flow.
COX-2 is induced during inflammation and produces prostaglandins that mediate pain,
fever, and inflammation .*
, 6. A patient taking long-term glucocorticoids (prednisone) for rheumatoid arthritis
should be monitored for which adverse effect?
a) Weight loss
b) Hypoglycemia
c) Increased bone density
d) Osteoporosis
Long-term glucocorticoid use causes osteoporosis due to decreased calcium absorption
and increased bone resorption. Other adverse effects include weight gain, hyperglycemia,
immunosuppression, adrenal suppression, and delayed wound healing. Patients on chronic
steroids should receive calcium and vitamin D supplementation .
7. Which of the following is a systemic manifestation of acute inflammation?
a) Rubor at the injury site
b) Localized swelling
c) Purulent drainage
d) Fever and leukocytosis
*Systemic manifestations of acute inflammation include fever (caused by pyrogens such
as IL-1 and TNF-alpha), leukocytosis (increased white blood cell count), acute-phase
protein production (CRP, fibrinogen), and malaise. Local signs are redness, heat,
swelling, and pain .*
8. A patient is prescribed ibuprofen for osteoarthritis. Which statement indicates
understanding of this medication?
a) "I can take this medication on an empty stomach"
b) "This medication will cure my arthritis"
c) "I should take this medication with food to prevent stomach upset"
d) "I can take this with my warfarin without any problems"
NSAIDs can cause gastric irritation and increase the risk of GI bleeding. They should be
taken with food or milk to reduce GI upset. NSAIDs should be used with caution in patients
on anticoagulants (warfarin) due to increased bleeding risk .
Pharmacology Final Exam | 187 Questions with
Answers & Rationales | Advanced Nursing Patho-
Pharm Certification Prep | pdf
COVERS ALL MAJOR TOPICS:
• Inflammation & Immunity (COX inhibitors, NSAIDs, Glucocorticoids)
• Cardiovascular Disorders (HTN, Heart Failure, CAD, Antihypertensives)
• Respiratory Disorders (COPD, Asthma, Pneumonia, Bronchodilators)
• Gastrointestinal Disorders (GERD, PUD, IBD, Antacids, PPIs)
• Renal & Genitourinary Disorders (AKI, CKD, UTI, Diuretics)
• Endocrine Disorders (Diabetes, Thyroid, Adrenal, Insulin, Oral Hypoglycemics)
• Neurological Disorders (Seizure, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Anticonvulsants)
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (Arthritis, Gout, Osteoporosis, DMARDs)
• Infectious Diseases & Sepsis (Antibiotics, Sepsis Protocols)
• Pharmacology Principles (ADME, Therapeutic Index, Drug Interactions)
• Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance (ABG Interpretation)
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
FORMAT:
- All answers in BOLD ITALICS for easy self-testing
- Detailed rationales in ITALICS for deep understanding
- Multiple-choice questions mirroring actual exam format
- Covers all NSG 520 course competencies
PERFECT FOR:
- Herzing University NSG 520 students
- Pathophysiology & Pharmacology final exam prep
- Advanced nursing patho-pharm review
- NCLEX preparation (patho & pharm sections)
Instant digital download – pass your NSG 520 final on the first try!
,Section 1: Inflammation & Immunity (Questions 1–20)
1. Which of the following is a primary characteristic of chronic inflammation?
a) Rapid onset and short duration
b) Presence of neutrophils
c) Prolonged duration with tissue destruction and repair
d) Absence of immune response
Chronic inflammation is characterized by a prolonged duration (weeks to years), ongoing
tissue destruction, and simultaneous repair processes. It involves macrophages and
lymphocytes rather than the neutrophils seen in acute inflammation .
2. Which of the following is NOT a classic sign of acute inflammation?
a) Redness (rubor)
b) Swelling (tumor)
c) Pain (dolor)
d) Numbness
The five cardinal signs of inflammation are redness (rubor), heat (calor), swelling (tumor),
pain (dolor), and loss of function (functio laesa). Numbness is not a sign of inflammation .
3. Which of the following best describes the function of prostaglandins in the
inflammatory response?
a) They decrease vascular permeability
b) They inhibit pain sensation
c) They mediate pain, fever, and vasodilation
d) They suppress the immune response
,*Prostaglandins are products of the arachidonic acid pathway that mediate pain
(hyperalgesia), fever (via hypothalamus), and vasodilation. They are produced by COX-1
and COX-2 enzymes. NSAIDs work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis .*
4. What is the primary mechanism of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs)?
a) Activation of the complement system
b) Inhibition of histamine release
c) Blockade of interleukin receptors
d) Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes
NSAIDs work by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which are responsible for
converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and thromboxanes. This reduces
inflammation, pain, and fever. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX; other NSAIDs reversibly
inhibit COX .
5. Which of the following correctly describes the difference between COX-1 and
COX-2?
a) COX-1 causes inflammation; COX-2 protects the stomach
b) COX-1 is only found in the brain; COX-2 is only in the joints
c) COX-1 is constitutive and protects the stomach; COX-2 is induced during
inflammation
d) COX-1 is inhibited by acetaminophen; COX-2 is inhibited by ibuprofen
*COX-1 is constitutively expressed in most tissues and produces prostaglandins that
protect the gastric mucosa, support platelet function, and maintain renal blood flow.
COX-2 is induced during inflammation and produces prostaglandins that mediate pain,
fever, and inflammation .*
, 6. A patient taking long-term glucocorticoids (prednisone) for rheumatoid arthritis
should be monitored for which adverse effect?
a) Weight loss
b) Hypoglycemia
c) Increased bone density
d) Osteoporosis
Long-term glucocorticoid use causes osteoporosis due to decreased calcium absorption
and increased bone resorption. Other adverse effects include weight gain, hyperglycemia,
immunosuppression, adrenal suppression, and delayed wound healing. Patients on chronic
steroids should receive calcium and vitamin D supplementation .
7. Which of the following is a systemic manifestation of acute inflammation?
a) Rubor at the injury site
b) Localized swelling
c) Purulent drainage
d) Fever and leukocytosis
*Systemic manifestations of acute inflammation include fever (caused by pyrogens such
as IL-1 and TNF-alpha), leukocytosis (increased white blood cell count), acute-phase
protein production (CRP, fibrinogen), and malaise. Local signs are redness, heat,
swelling, and pain .*
8. A patient is prescribed ibuprofen for osteoarthritis. Which statement indicates
understanding of this medication?
a) "I can take this medication on an empty stomach"
b) "This medication will cure my arthritis"
c) "I should take this medication with food to prevent stomach upset"
d) "I can take this with my warfarin without any problems"
NSAIDs can cause gastric irritation and increase the risk of GI bleeding. They should be
taken with food or milk to reduce GI upset. NSAIDs should be used with caution in patients
on anticoagulants (warfarin) due to increased bleeding risk .
