NURS 5315 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY UTA
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
FULL ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ Inherited Mutation of Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Gene. Answer: -Causes
emphysema
-Should be considered for anyone who has emphysema under age 40 and
do not smoke
⩥ Emphysema. Answer: -Dilation of airways and destruction of alveolar
walls, causing a decrease in elastic recoil. Air becomes trapped in lungs
and cannot be completely exhaled. CO2 lingers in lung after exhale and
takes up space and does not allow enough oxygen to be inhaled.
-As amount of air trapped increases, thoracic cavity changes shape to
accomodate increased lung volumes and becomes barrel shaped.
-Alveolar destruction results in formation of bullae in lung tissue, which
are pockets of air and do not assist with gas exchange.
-All of this results in hypoxemia, hypoventilation, and hypercapnia.
-Patients tend to use pursed lip breathing and tripod position.
-High metabolic rate because shallow, rapid breathing burns lots of
calories. Patients tend to be thin.
-Hyperresonant (very dull) sound with percussion
,⩥ Chronic Bronchitis. Answer: -Marked by productive cough for 3
consecutive months for 2 years
-Mucous secreting cells in airways undergo a hyperplasia and secrete
excessive amounts of mucous.
-Mucous can be hard to clear due to being thick and impaired ciliary
function
-Mucous may plug the airway and impair oxygenation
-Hyperplasia is typically triggered by a chronic irritant, such as smoking
-Poor exercise tolerance, wheezing, dyspnea
-Main sign is decreased FEV1 (forced expiratory volume 1 second)
-Hypoxemia causes polycythemia (increased hematocrit) and cyanosis
-May lead to pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale (abnormal
enlargement of right side of heart secondary to resp. issues)
⩥ Pneumonia. Answer: -Inflammatory or infectious process which
results in accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveolar sacs
-Casues: Bacterial, viral, fungal, or aspiration
⩥ Common bacterial causes of pneumonia. Answer: -Streptococcus
Pneumoniae: Most common cause of pneumonia. Elderly, debilitated,
malnourished, or cardiopulmonary patients.
,-Staphylococcus Aureas: Often a complication of influenza or viral
pneumonia. Elderly, debilitated hospitalized patients or chronic lung
disease.
-Streptococcus Pyogenes: Complication of viral infection such as
influenza or measles
-Klebsiella Pneumoniae: Common in hospitalized, debilitated patients,
diabetics, and alcoholics. Elderly infected with this bacteria have a high
mortality!
-Haemophilus Influenza: Commonly seen in infants and children.
Occurs in adults with COPD.
⩥ Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia. Answer: -Occurs in any individual
who has had contact with healthcare system
-Patients who have received infusion therapy or dialysis or have resided
in a nursing home within 90 days of the diagnosis are said to have a
healthcare-associated pneumonia
-Common causes: Gram-negative (harder to treat) Klebsiella,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E-Coli
⩥ Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia. Answer: -Diagnosed 48 hours after
admission to hospital
, -Common causes: Gram-negative (harder to treat) Klebsiella,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E-Coli
⩥ Tuberculosis. Answer: -Most commonly occurs in disadvantaged
populations
-Caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis
-Spread via droplets containing the organism
⩥ Tuberculosis Stages. Answer: 1. Primary infection: Macrophages
engulf the mycobacterium and form a granuloma (mass) called a Ghon.
Inflammatory cascade is triggered. Center of lesion necroses and
eventually calcifies. This infection is usually asymptomatic and does not
cause active disease.
2. Secondary infection: Ghon has activated and the infection has spread
to additional sites within the lung. SIGNS OF INFECTION OCCUR:
fever, hemoptysis, pleural effusion, wasting, weight loss. Lesions often
occur in the apices (highest point of lung). These individuals are
infectious and can spread disease! Mycobacterium can spread to other
parts of the body via blood or lymphatic systems.
⩥ During what stage of TB infection is the patient infectious and has
signs/symptoms?. Answer: Secondary infection
⩥ Lung cancers. Answer: -Usually malignant
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY UTA
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
FULL ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ Inherited Mutation of Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Gene. Answer: -Causes
emphysema
-Should be considered for anyone who has emphysema under age 40 and
do not smoke
⩥ Emphysema. Answer: -Dilation of airways and destruction of alveolar
walls, causing a decrease in elastic recoil. Air becomes trapped in lungs
and cannot be completely exhaled. CO2 lingers in lung after exhale and
takes up space and does not allow enough oxygen to be inhaled.
-As amount of air trapped increases, thoracic cavity changes shape to
accomodate increased lung volumes and becomes barrel shaped.
-Alveolar destruction results in formation of bullae in lung tissue, which
are pockets of air and do not assist with gas exchange.
-All of this results in hypoxemia, hypoventilation, and hypercapnia.
-Patients tend to use pursed lip breathing and tripod position.
-High metabolic rate because shallow, rapid breathing burns lots of
calories. Patients tend to be thin.
-Hyperresonant (very dull) sound with percussion
,⩥ Chronic Bronchitis. Answer: -Marked by productive cough for 3
consecutive months for 2 years
-Mucous secreting cells in airways undergo a hyperplasia and secrete
excessive amounts of mucous.
-Mucous can be hard to clear due to being thick and impaired ciliary
function
-Mucous may plug the airway and impair oxygenation
-Hyperplasia is typically triggered by a chronic irritant, such as smoking
-Poor exercise tolerance, wheezing, dyspnea
-Main sign is decreased FEV1 (forced expiratory volume 1 second)
-Hypoxemia causes polycythemia (increased hematocrit) and cyanosis
-May lead to pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale (abnormal
enlargement of right side of heart secondary to resp. issues)
⩥ Pneumonia. Answer: -Inflammatory or infectious process which
results in accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveolar sacs
-Casues: Bacterial, viral, fungal, or aspiration
⩥ Common bacterial causes of pneumonia. Answer: -Streptococcus
Pneumoniae: Most common cause of pneumonia. Elderly, debilitated,
malnourished, or cardiopulmonary patients.
,-Staphylococcus Aureas: Often a complication of influenza or viral
pneumonia. Elderly, debilitated hospitalized patients or chronic lung
disease.
-Streptococcus Pyogenes: Complication of viral infection such as
influenza or measles
-Klebsiella Pneumoniae: Common in hospitalized, debilitated patients,
diabetics, and alcoholics. Elderly infected with this bacteria have a high
mortality!
-Haemophilus Influenza: Commonly seen in infants and children.
Occurs in adults with COPD.
⩥ Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia. Answer: -Occurs in any individual
who has had contact with healthcare system
-Patients who have received infusion therapy or dialysis or have resided
in a nursing home within 90 days of the diagnosis are said to have a
healthcare-associated pneumonia
-Common causes: Gram-negative (harder to treat) Klebsiella,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E-Coli
⩥ Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia. Answer: -Diagnosed 48 hours after
admission to hospital
, -Common causes: Gram-negative (harder to treat) Klebsiella,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E-Coli
⩥ Tuberculosis. Answer: -Most commonly occurs in disadvantaged
populations
-Caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis
-Spread via droplets containing the organism
⩥ Tuberculosis Stages. Answer: 1. Primary infection: Macrophages
engulf the mycobacterium and form a granuloma (mass) called a Ghon.
Inflammatory cascade is triggered. Center of lesion necroses and
eventually calcifies. This infection is usually asymptomatic and does not
cause active disease.
2. Secondary infection: Ghon has activated and the infection has spread
to additional sites within the lung. SIGNS OF INFECTION OCCUR:
fever, hemoptysis, pleural effusion, wasting, weight loss. Lesions often
occur in the apices (highest point of lung). These individuals are
infectious and can spread disease! Mycobacterium can spread to other
parts of the body via blood or lymphatic systems.
⩥ During what stage of TB infection is the patient infectious and has
signs/symptoms?. Answer: Secondary infection
⩥ Lung cancers. Answer: -Usually malignant
