2026/2027
Wilkes University Graduate Nursing
NSG 530 Advanced Pathophysiology
Exam 1 Prep Manual 2026/2027
Including Case-Based Learning and
Quiz Questions for Mastery
Question 1:
A newborn is suspected to have been exposed to alcohol in utero. Which assessment
findings are most consistent with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder?
A. Low birth weight only
B. Intellectual disability only
C. Facial anomalies only
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Fetal alcohol exposure can result in a wide spectrum of abnormalities
including low birth weight, intellectual disability, and characteristic facial anomalies.
These findings collectively form part of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, making
option D the most comprehensive and correct choice. The other options are
incomplete as fetal alcohol syndrome affects multiple body systems simultaneously.
Question 2:
A forensic nurse documents “tattooing” and “stippling” on a trauma patient. What
type of injury is most likely present?
A. Blunt force trauma
B. Gunshot wound
C. Burn injury
D. Sharp laceration
Correct Answer: B. Gunshot wound
Rationale: Tattooing and stippling occur when unburned powder particles embed into
the skin surrounding a gunshot entrance wound. This is highly characteristic of
firearm injuries and helps differentiate close-range or intermediate-range shooting.
Blunt force, burns, and lacerations do not produce these patterns.
,2026/2027
Question 3:
A newborn is diagnosed with Down syndrome. Which chromosomal abnormality is
responsible?
A. Trisomy 13
B. Trisomy 18
C. Trisomy 21
D. Monosomy X
Correct Answer: C. Trisomy 21
Rationale: Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy
21). This leads to characteristic physical features, intellectual disability, and
congenital abnormalities. The other trisomies and monosomy X are associated with
different syndromes.
Question 4:
A couple has two children: one affected with an autosomal recessive disorder and one
unaffected. What is the most likely genetic status of the parents?
A. One parent is affected, the other is normal
B. Both parents are carriers
C. Both parents are affected
D. Neither parent carries the gene
Correct Answer: B. Both parents are carriers
Rationale: Autosomal recessive disorders require both parents to contribute a mutated
allele. The most likely explanation for one affected and one unaffected child is that
both parents are asymptomatic carriers of the gene.
Question 5:
A nondisjunction event occurs during oogenesis. What chromosomal abnormalities
may result?
A. Point mutations only
B. Monosomy and trisomy
C. Deletions only
D. Gene amplification
Correct Answer: B. Monosomy and trisomy
,2026/2027
Rationale: Nondisjunction leads to unequal chromosome separation during meiosis,
producing gametes with abnormal chromosome numbers. This results in monosomy
or trisomy after fertilization.
Question 6:
A patient is diagnosed with liquefactive necrosis. Which organ is most commonly
affected?
A. Liver
B. Brain
C. Kidney
D. Heart
Correct Answer: B. Brain
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis commonly occurs in the brain due to ischemia. The
brain lacks supportive connective tissue, leading to enzymatic digestion of tissue after
hypoxic injury.
Question 7:
What is the primary function of adaptive cellular mechanisms?
A. Destroy all abnormal cells
B. Promote uncontrolled cell growth
C. Help cells adapt and survive stress
D. Cause permanent cell injury
Correct Answer: C. Help cells adapt and survive stress
Rationale: Adaptive cellular mechanisms (e.g., hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy)
allow cells to adjust to environmental stress and prevent injury or death. They are
protective rather than destructive.
Question 8:
Which condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern?
A. Huntington disease
B. Cystic fibrosis
C. Marfan syndrome
D. Neurofibromatosis
Correct Answer: B. Cystic fibrosis
, 2026/2027
Rationale: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder requiring two mutated
alleles. The other conditions listed are autosomal dominant.
Question 9:
Which organ is most commonly damaged by chronic alcohol use?
A. Brain
B. Liver
C. Pancreas
D. Kidney
Correct Answer: B. Liver
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of alcohol metabolism and is most affected by
chronic alcohol toxicity, leading to fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Question 10:
Which statement about mutations is correct?
A. All mutations cause disease
B. Mutations are always inherited
C. Mutations are changes in DNA sequence
D. Mutations only occur due to environmental exposure
Correct Answer: C. Mutations are changes in DNA sequence
Rationale: Mutations refer to alterations in DNA structure and may be inherited or
acquired. They do not always cause disease and may occur spontaneously or due to
environmental factors.
Question 11:
Which genetic disorder is associated with progressive dementia in adulthood?
A. Alzheimer disease
B. Huntington disease
C. Parkinson disease
D. Multiple sclerosis
Correct Answer: B. Huntington disease
Rationale: Huntington disease is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder
characterized by movement abnormalities and progressive dementia in mid-adulthood.
Wilkes University Graduate Nursing
NSG 530 Advanced Pathophysiology
Exam 1 Prep Manual 2026/2027
Including Case-Based Learning and
Quiz Questions for Mastery
Question 1:
A newborn is suspected to have been exposed to alcohol in utero. Which assessment
findings are most consistent with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder?
A. Low birth weight only
B. Intellectual disability only
C. Facial anomalies only
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Fetal alcohol exposure can result in a wide spectrum of abnormalities
including low birth weight, intellectual disability, and characteristic facial anomalies.
These findings collectively form part of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, making
option D the most comprehensive and correct choice. The other options are
incomplete as fetal alcohol syndrome affects multiple body systems simultaneously.
Question 2:
A forensic nurse documents “tattooing” and “stippling” on a trauma patient. What
type of injury is most likely present?
A. Blunt force trauma
B. Gunshot wound
C. Burn injury
D. Sharp laceration
Correct Answer: B. Gunshot wound
Rationale: Tattooing and stippling occur when unburned powder particles embed into
the skin surrounding a gunshot entrance wound. This is highly characteristic of
firearm injuries and helps differentiate close-range or intermediate-range shooting.
Blunt force, burns, and lacerations do not produce these patterns.
,2026/2027
Question 3:
A newborn is diagnosed with Down syndrome. Which chromosomal abnormality is
responsible?
A. Trisomy 13
B. Trisomy 18
C. Trisomy 21
D. Monosomy X
Correct Answer: C. Trisomy 21
Rationale: Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy
21). This leads to characteristic physical features, intellectual disability, and
congenital abnormalities. The other trisomies and monosomy X are associated with
different syndromes.
Question 4:
A couple has two children: one affected with an autosomal recessive disorder and one
unaffected. What is the most likely genetic status of the parents?
A. One parent is affected, the other is normal
B. Both parents are carriers
C. Both parents are affected
D. Neither parent carries the gene
Correct Answer: B. Both parents are carriers
Rationale: Autosomal recessive disorders require both parents to contribute a mutated
allele. The most likely explanation for one affected and one unaffected child is that
both parents are asymptomatic carriers of the gene.
Question 5:
A nondisjunction event occurs during oogenesis. What chromosomal abnormalities
may result?
A. Point mutations only
B. Monosomy and trisomy
C. Deletions only
D. Gene amplification
Correct Answer: B. Monosomy and trisomy
,2026/2027
Rationale: Nondisjunction leads to unequal chromosome separation during meiosis,
producing gametes with abnormal chromosome numbers. This results in monosomy
or trisomy after fertilization.
Question 6:
A patient is diagnosed with liquefactive necrosis. Which organ is most commonly
affected?
A. Liver
B. Brain
C. Kidney
D. Heart
Correct Answer: B. Brain
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis commonly occurs in the brain due to ischemia. The
brain lacks supportive connective tissue, leading to enzymatic digestion of tissue after
hypoxic injury.
Question 7:
What is the primary function of adaptive cellular mechanisms?
A. Destroy all abnormal cells
B. Promote uncontrolled cell growth
C. Help cells adapt and survive stress
D. Cause permanent cell injury
Correct Answer: C. Help cells adapt and survive stress
Rationale: Adaptive cellular mechanisms (e.g., hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy)
allow cells to adjust to environmental stress and prevent injury or death. They are
protective rather than destructive.
Question 8:
Which condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern?
A. Huntington disease
B. Cystic fibrosis
C. Marfan syndrome
D. Neurofibromatosis
Correct Answer: B. Cystic fibrosis
, 2026/2027
Rationale: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder requiring two mutated
alleles. The other conditions listed are autosomal dominant.
Question 9:
Which organ is most commonly damaged by chronic alcohol use?
A. Brain
B. Liver
C. Pancreas
D. Kidney
Correct Answer: B. Liver
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of alcohol metabolism and is most affected by
chronic alcohol toxicity, leading to fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Question 10:
Which statement about mutations is correct?
A. All mutations cause disease
B. Mutations are always inherited
C. Mutations are changes in DNA sequence
D. Mutations only occur due to environmental exposure
Correct Answer: C. Mutations are changes in DNA sequence
Rationale: Mutations refer to alterations in DNA structure and may be inherited or
acquired. They do not always cause disease and may occur spontaneously or due to
environmental factors.
Question 11:
Which genetic disorder is associated with progressive dementia in adulthood?
A. Alzheimer disease
B. Huntington disease
C. Parkinson disease
D. Multiple sclerosis
Correct Answer: B. Huntington disease
Rationale: Huntington disease is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder
characterized by movement abnormalities and progressive dementia in mid-adulthood.
