PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM PRACTICE QUIZ
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
The condition of a client with metabolic acidosis from an intestinal fistula is not
improving. The pulse is 125 beats/min and the BP 84/56 mm Hg. ABG values are:
pH 7.1, HCO3- 18 mEq/L (18 mmol/L), PCO2 57 mm Hg (7.58 kPa). What IV
medication should the nurse expect to provide next?
a. Sodium bicarbonate
b. Epinephrine
c. Potassium chloride
d. Antibiotics - ANS✅✅a
The nurse is caring for a client with a tumor obstructing the lymphatic system.
For which consequence does the nurse assess?
a. Fluid accumulating in the interstitial spaces distal to the tumor
b. Plasma protein accumulating in the circulatory system
c. Fluid being trapped in intercellular spaces
d. The client developing circulatory overload - ANS✅✅a
An older adult client recently had a cerebrovascular accident that resulted in
dysphagia. What is the nurse's greatest concern while feeding this client?
,a. Failure to thrive
b. Aspiration
c. Accidental biting of cheek
d. Pocketing of food in cheeks - ANS✅✅b
A client receives a phone call from her gynecologist's office nurse and is informed
that her Pap test results identified mild dysplasia. The best explanation for the
nurse to provide would be:
a. "Minor degrees of dysplasia are associated with chronic irritation or
inflammation. However, we will need to do additional diagnostic studies to
confirm the diagnosis."
b. "You definitely have cancer."
c. "Do not be concerned; this is not abnormal."
d. "You need emergency treatment; please come in to the office today." -
ANS✅✅a
The nurse is educating about the importance of improving the metabolic process
in a client who has morbid obesity and is beginning a weight loss program with
exercise. What should the nurse inform the client about the importance of
improving the metabolic rate?
a. Increasing metabolism improves the process by which cells engulf materials
from their surroundings to improve electrolyte function.
b. Increasing metabolism will allow the client to be able to eat whatever foods he
wants as long as he is exercising.
c. Increasing metabolism improves the secretion of intracellular substances into
the extracellular spaces.
,d. Increasing metabolism will improve the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins to provide energy for cell function. - ANS✅✅d
A client has been exercising his arms repeatedly. Which statement by the nurse
explains the increase in the size of the arms?
a. "Your cells have atrophied in response to increased oxygen."
b. "Your cells have hypertrophied in response to increased workload."
c. "You have increased your number of cells due to increased oxygenation."
d. "You have caused the cells to clump together in response to exercise." -
ANS✅✅b
What can the nurse tell family members to best explain muscle atrophy of a
family member who has been in a persistent coma?
a. "Cell size has increased in response to immobility."
b. "Cells hypertrophy in response to disuse."
c. "Cell size decreases as workload declines."
d. "Cells need more oxygen the longer they are immobile." - ANS✅✅c
Which statement would a nurse tell a client to best describe apoptosis?
a. "Apoptosis describes increase in number of cells."
b. "Apoptosis occurs in irreversibly damaged cells."
c. "Apoptosis is an increase in the size of cells."
, d. "Apoptosis is the natural removal of injured or worn out cells." - ANS✅✅d
The student nurse is removing sutures on client after abdominal surgery, and the
wound begins to pull apart. The student asks the instructor, "Did I do something
wrong?" The instructor reviews wound healing and replies:
a. "Maybe the wound edges were not close enough together to allow
epithelialization of the wound to occur."
b. "Maybe the client was 'picking' at the wound and caused the edges to not be
well-approximated."
c. "Maybe you were a little rough when you pulled out the sutures."
d. "Maybe the sutures were left in too long and impeded healing." - ANS✅✅a
Following hip replacement surgery, the client has had many weeks of physical
therapy. Upon assessing the wound, it is still red and draining thick, green,
odoriferous secretions. The client has limited range-of-motion and is constantly
reporting pain. The physician explains that the hip device needs to be removed.
Why is removal required?
a. A fragment of bone may be rubbing at the insertion site of the joint and
keeping it inflamed.
b. The body considers the hip replacement device a foreign body and an infection
has developed around the joint.
c. The device is impeding the supply of nutrients and oxygen to reach the
inflamed area.
d. No amount of antibiotic therapy will be able to reach the area around the new
joint and kill the infection. - ANS✅✅b
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
The condition of a client with metabolic acidosis from an intestinal fistula is not
improving. The pulse is 125 beats/min and the BP 84/56 mm Hg. ABG values are:
pH 7.1, HCO3- 18 mEq/L (18 mmol/L), PCO2 57 mm Hg (7.58 kPa). What IV
medication should the nurse expect to provide next?
a. Sodium bicarbonate
b. Epinephrine
c. Potassium chloride
d. Antibiotics - ANS✅✅a
The nurse is caring for a client with a tumor obstructing the lymphatic system.
For which consequence does the nurse assess?
a. Fluid accumulating in the interstitial spaces distal to the tumor
b. Plasma protein accumulating in the circulatory system
c. Fluid being trapped in intercellular spaces
d. The client developing circulatory overload - ANS✅✅a
An older adult client recently had a cerebrovascular accident that resulted in
dysphagia. What is the nurse's greatest concern while feeding this client?
,a. Failure to thrive
b. Aspiration
c. Accidental biting of cheek
d. Pocketing of food in cheeks - ANS✅✅b
A client receives a phone call from her gynecologist's office nurse and is informed
that her Pap test results identified mild dysplasia. The best explanation for the
nurse to provide would be:
a. "Minor degrees of dysplasia are associated with chronic irritation or
inflammation. However, we will need to do additional diagnostic studies to
confirm the diagnosis."
b. "You definitely have cancer."
c. "Do not be concerned; this is not abnormal."
d. "You need emergency treatment; please come in to the office today." -
ANS✅✅a
The nurse is educating about the importance of improving the metabolic process
in a client who has morbid obesity and is beginning a weight loss program with
exercise. What should the nurse inform the client about the importance of
improving the metabolic rate?
a. Increasing metabolism improves the process by which cells engulf materials
from their surroundings to improve electrolyte function.
b. Increasing metabolism will allow the client to be able to eat whatever foods he
wants as long as he is exercising.
c. Increasing metabolism improves the secretion of intracellular substances into
the extracellular spaces.
,d. Increasing metabolism will improve the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins to provide energy for cell function. - ANS✅✅d
A client has been exercising his arms repeatedly. Which statement by the nurse
explains the increase in the size of the arms?
a. "Your cells have atrophied in response to increased oxygen."
b. "Your cells have hypertrophied in response to increased workload."
c. "You have increased your number of cells due to increased oxygenation."
d. "You have caused the cells to clump together in response to exercise." -
ANS✅✅b
What can the nurse tell family members to best explain muscle atrophy of a
family member who has been in a persistent coma?
a. "Cell size has increased in response to immobility."
b. "Cells hypertrophy in response to disuse."
c. "Cell size decreases as workload declines."
d. "Cells need more oxygen the longer they are immobile." - ANS✅✅c
Which statement would a nurse tell a client to best describe apoptosis?
a. "Apoptosis describes increase in number of cells."
b. "Apoptosis occurs in irreversibly damaged cells."
c. "Apoptosis is an increase in the size of cells."
, d. "Apoptosis is the natural removal of injured or worn out cells." - ANS✅✅d
The student nurse is removing sutures on client after abdominal surgery, and the
wound begins to pull apart. The student asks the instructor, "Did I do something
wrong?" The instructor reviews wound healing and replies:
a. "Maybe the wound edges were not close enough together to allow
epithelialization of the wound to occur."
b. "Maybe the client was 'picking' at the wound and caused the edges to not be
well-approximated."
c. "Maybe you were a little rough when you pulled out the sutures."
d. "Maybe the sutures were left in too long and impeded healing." - ANS✅✅a
Following hip replacement surgery, the client has had many weeks of physical
therapy. Upon assessing the wound, it is still red and draining thick, green,
odoriferous secretions. The client has limited range-of-motion and is constantly
reporting pain. The physician explains that the hip device needs to be removed.
Why is removal required?
a. A fragment of bone may be rubbing at the insertion site of the joint and
keeping it inflamed.
b. The body considers the hip replacement device a foreign body and an infection
has developed around the joint.
c. The device is impeding the supply of nutrients and oxygen to reach the
inflamed area.
d. No amount of antibiotic therapy will be able to reach the area around the new
joint and kill the infection. - ANS✅✅b
