NR507 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WEEK 3 EXAM CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
NR507 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WEEK
3 EXAM CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
2026
Topics: Hematologic Disorders, Cardiovascular
Pathophysiology, Hemodynamics, Shock, and Vascular
Disorders
Questions 1–10
1. A patient with iron-deficiency anemia is most likely to have which laboratory
finding?
A. Elevated ferritin
B. Increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
C. Decreased ferritin
D. Elevated vitamin B12
Answer: C
Rationale: Ferritin reflects iron stores and is typically decreased in iron-deficiency anemia.
2. Which compensatory mechanism occurs first during acute hemorrhage?
A. Increased erythropoietin production
B. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
C. Increased aldosterone secretion
D. Increased red blood cell production
Answer: B
Rationale: Sympathetic activation causes tachycardia and vasoconstriction within seconds to
maintain perfusion.
, NR507 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WEEK 3 EXAM CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
3. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to develop:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Ascites
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: C
Rationale: Blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation, causing pulmonary congestion and
edema.
4. Which factor most directly determines cardiac output?
A. Heart rate × stroke volume
B. Blood pressure × heart rate
C. Afterload × preload
D. Ejection fraction × preload
Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.
5. The most common cause of heart failure in adults is:
A. Rheumatic fever
B. Hypertension and coronary artery disease
C. Congenital defects
D. Endocarditis
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic hypertension and ischemic heart disease account for most heart failure cases.
6. Which laboratory value is most useful for diagnosing heart failure?
A. BNP
B. Hemoglobin
NR507 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WEEK
3 EXAM CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
2026
Topics: Hematologic Disorders, Cardiovascular
Pathophysiology, Hemodynamics, Shock, and Vascular
Disorders
Questions 1–10
1. A patient with iron-deficiency anemia is most likely to have which laboratory
finding?
A. Elevated ferritin
B. Increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
C. Decreased ferritin
D. Elevated vitamin B12
Answer: C
Rationale: Ferritin reflects iron stores and is typically decreased in iron-deficiency anemia.
2. Which compensatory mechanism occurs first during acute hemorrhage?
A. Increased erythropoietin production
B. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
C. Increased aldosterone secretion
D. Increased red blood cell production
Answer: B
Rationale: Sympathetic activation causes tachycardia and vasoconstriction within seconds to
maintain perfusion.
, NR507 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WEEK 3 EXAM CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
3. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to develop:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Ascites
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: C
Rationale: Blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation, causing pulmonary congestion and
edema.
4. Which factor most directly determines cardiac output?
A. Heart rate × stroke volume
B. Blood pressure × heart rate
C. Afterload × preload
D. Ejection fraction × preload
Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.
5. The most common cause of heart failure in adults is:
A. Rheumatic fever
B. Hypertension and coronary artery disease
C. Congenital defects
D. Endocarditis
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic hypertension and ischemic heart disease account for most heart failure cases.
6. Which laboratory value is most useful for diagnosing heart failure?
A. BNP
B. Hemoglobin
