NSG 3280 Exam 2: Pathophysiology for Nurses –
Verified Questions & Rationales (2026 Update) Instant
Pdf Download
Below is a comprehensive 150-question practice exam for NSG 3280 Pathophysiology
for Nurses Exam 2 at Galen College of Nursing. These questions are verified and include
correct answers with detailed rationales based on the 2026/2027 course curriculum .
INFECTION & IMMUNITY (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
The nurse is administering a childhood vaccine to a pediatric client. The mother asks
why the child needs so many vaccinations. How should the nurse respond?
A. "Immunization is an important means of inhibiting the spread of infection by
decreasing your child's susceptibility to the infection."
B. "Vaccines prevent all infections completely for life."
C. "The more vaccines a child gets, the stronger their immune system becomes overall."
D. "Vaccines are mainly required for school paperwork."
Answer: A
Rationale: Vaccines induce active immunity and herd protection by reducing
susceptibility and transmission of specific pathogens. They do not prevent all infections
lifelong, nor do they non-specifically "strengthen" the entire immune system. The
primary purpose is disease prevention, not paperwork compliance .
,Question 2
A newborn has been lethargic and is not nursing well. Testing of cord blood done at
birth reveals the presence of IgM. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. IgM is normally transferred from the mother in utero
B. The presence of IgM suggests the newborn has an infection
C. IgM indicates adequate maternal immunity
D. IgM indicates a normal newborn immune response to breast milk
Answer: B
Rationale: Maternal IgM does NOT cross the placenta. IgM in cord blood suggests
fetal/neonatal synthesis in response to in utero infection. This is an abnormal finding
that warrants further investigation .
Question 3
Stem cells in the bone marrow produce T lymphocytes (T cells) and release them into
the vascular system. The T cells then migrate where to mature?
A. Spleen
B. Lymph nodes
C. Thymus
D. Liver
Answer: C
Rationale: T cells mature in the thymus, where they undergo selection to ensure
appropriate antigen recognition and self-tolerance. The "T" in T cells actually stands for
"thymus-derived" .
Question 4
The bacteria that line the gut of a human help maintain normal gut health and provide
essential nutrients. This type of relationship is:
A. Parasitic
B. Commensal
, C. Mutualistic
D. Opportunistic
Answer: C
Rationale: Mutualism describes a relationship where BOTH the host and microbe
benefit. Gut flora aid digestion while receiving nutrients and habitat. Parasitic
relationships harm the host; commensal relationships benefit one party without harming
the other .
Question 5
An infectious disease that is consistently present within a specific geographic area or
population is termed:
A. Endemic
B. Epidemic
C. Pandemic
D. Sporadic
Answer: A
Rationale: An endemic disease is consistently present within a specific geographic area
or population (e.g., malaria in certain tropical regions). An epidemic is a sudden increase
above expected levels; a pandemic is global spread across multiple countries or
continents .
Question 6
The most common method of disease transmission is:
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
C. Vector
D. Inoculant
Answer: B
Verified Questions & Rationales (2026 Update) Instant
Pdf Download
Below is a comprehensive 150-question practice exam for NSG 3280 Pathophysiology
for Nurses Exam 2 at Galen College of Nursing. These questions are verified and include
correct answers with detailed rationales based on the 2026/2027 course curriculum .
INFECTION & IMMUNITY (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
The nurse is administering a childhood vaccine to a pediatric client. The mother asks
why the child needs so many vaccinations. How should the nurse respond?
A. "Immunization is an important means of inhibiting the spread of infection by
decreasing your child's susceptibility to the infection."
B. "Vaccines prevent all infections completely for life."
C. "The more vaccines a child gets, the stronger their immune system becomes overall."
D. "Vaccines are mainly required for school paperwork."
Answer: A
Rationale: Vaccines induce active immunity and herd protection by reducing
susceptibility and transmission of specific pathogens. They do not prevent all infections
lifelong, nor do they non-specifically "strengthen" the entire immune system. The
primary purpose is disease prevention, not paperwork compliance .
,Question 2
A newborn has been lethargic and is not nursing well. Testing of cord blood done at
birth reveals the presence of IgM. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. IgM is normally transferred from the mother in utero
B. The presence of IgM suggests the newborn has an infection
C. IgM indicates adequate maternal immunity
D. IgM indicates a normal newborn immune response to breast milk
Answer: B
Rationale: Maternal IgM does NOT cross the placenta. IgM in cord blood suggests
fetal/neonatal synthesis in response to in utero infection. This is an abnormal finding
that warrants further investigation .
Question 3
Stem cells in the bone marrow produce T lymphocytes (T cells) and release them into
the vascular system. The T cells then migrate where to mature?
A. Spleen
B. Lymph nodes
C. Thymus
D. Liver
Answer: C
Rationale: T cells mature in the thymus, where they undergo selection to ensure
appropriate antigen recognition and self-tolerance. The "T" in T cells actually stands for
"thymus-derived" .
Question 4
The bacteria that line the gut of a human help maintain normal gut health and provide
essential nutrients. This type of relationship is:
A. Parasitic
B. Commensal
, C. Mutualistic
D. Opportunistic
Answer: C
Rationale: Mutualism describes a relationship where BOTH the host and microbe
benefit. Gut flora aid digestion while receiving nutrients and habitat. Parasitic
relationships harm the host; commensal relationships benefit one party without harming
the other .
Question 5
An infectious disease that is consistently present within a specific geographic area or
population is termed:
A. Endemic
B. Epidemic
C. Pandemic
D. Sporadic
Answer: A
Rationale: An endemic disease is consistently present within a specific geographic area
or population (e.g., malaria in certain tropical regions). An epidemic is a sudden increase
above expected levels; a pandemic is global spread across multiple countries or
continents .
Question 6
The most common method of disease transmission is:
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
C. Vector
D. Inoculant
Answer: B
