NSG 5140 Midterm 2 Exam Review Adv
Pathophysiology South College With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers, Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
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1. A patient with left-sided heart failure most commonly develops
which complication first?
A. Hepatomegaly
B. Ascites
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: C. Pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, resulting in pulmonary edema and congestion
before systemic manifestations occur.
2. Which electrolyte abnormality is most likely to cause cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Mild hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
,Rationale: Potassium is critical for cardiac conduction. Hypokalemia
increases myocardial excitability and predisposes patients to
dangerous arrhythmias.
3. The primary pathophysiologic mechanism in Type 2 diabetes
mellitus is:
A. Autoimmune destruction of beta cells
B. Absolute insulin deficiency
C. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
D. Excess glucagon production only
Answer: C. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes develops from insulin resistance combined
with progressive beta-cell dysfunction resulting in relative insulin
deficiency.
4. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of acute pancreatitis?
A. Elevated troponin
B. Elevated amylase and lipase
C. Elevated bilirubin only
D. Elevated creatinine only
Answer: B. Elevated amylase and lipase
Rationale: Elevated pancreatic enzymes, especially lipase, are
hallmark findings of acute pancreatitis.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease commonly develops anemia
because of:
A. Excess iron loss
B. Reduced erythropoietin production
C. Increased platelet destruction
D. Bone marrow failure
,Answer: B. Reduced erythropoietin production
Rationale: Damaged kidneys produce insufficient erythropoietin,
leading to decreased red blood cell production.
6. Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing blood
glucose levels during stress?
A. Insulin
B. Aldosterone
C. Cortisol
D. Calcitonin
Answer: C. Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance,
increasing blood glucose during stress.
7. The hallmark pathologic feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) is:
A. Restrictive lung expansion
B. Reversible airflow obstruction
C. Progressive airflow limitation
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: C. Progressive airflow limitation
Rationale: COPD is characterized by chronic, progressive, and largely
irreversible airflow obstruction.
8. Which condition is associated with increased preload?
A. Hemorrhage
B. Severe dehydration
C. Fluid overload
D. Septic shock
, Answer: C. Fluid overload
Rationale: Preload refers to ventricular filling volume. Fluid overload
increases venous return and preload.
9. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is:
A. Thyroid cancer
B. Graves disease
C. Hashimoto thyroiditis
D. Pituitary adenoma
Answer: B. Graves disease
Rationale: Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder and the leading
cause of hyperthyroidism.
10. A patient with metabolic acidosis would most likely exhibit:
A. Slow, shallow respirations
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Bradycardia only
D. Increased bicarbonate levels
Answer: B. Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Deep, rapid breathing helps eliminate carbon dioxide and
compensate for metabolic acidosis.
11. Which process occurs during inflammation?
A. Vasoconstriction only
B. Decreased vascular permeability
C. Leukocyte migration to injured tissue
D. Reduced blood flow
Answer: C. Leukocyte migration to injured tissue
Pathophysiology South College With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers, Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure most commonly develops
which complication first?
A. Hepatomegaly
B. Ascites
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: C. Pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, resulting in pulmonary edema and congestion
before systemic manifestations occur.
2. Which electrolyte abnormality is most likely to cause cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Mild hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
,Rationale: Potassium is critical for cardiac conduction. Hypokalemia
increases myocardial excitability and predisposes patients to
dangerous arrhythmias.
3. The primary pathophysiologic mechanism in Type 2 diabetes
mellitus is:
A. Autoimmune destruction of beta cells
B. Absolute insulin deficiency
C. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
D. Excess glucagon production only
Answer: C. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes develops from insulin resistance combined
with progressive beta-cell dysfunction resulting in relative insulin
deficiency.
4. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of acute pancreatitis?
A. Elevated troponin
B. Elevated amylase and lipase
C. Elevated bilirubin only
D. Elevated creatinine only
Answer: B. Elevated amylase and lipase
Rationale: Elevated pancreatic enzymes, especially lipase, are
hallmark findings of acute pancreatitis.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease commonly develops anemia
because of:
A. Excess iron loss
B. Reduced erythropoietin production
C. Increased platelet destruction
D. Bone marrow failure
,Answer: B. Reduced erythropoietin production
Rationale: Damaged kidneys produce insufficient erythropoietin,
leading to decreased red blood cell production.
6. Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing blood
glucose levels during stress?
A. Insulin
B. Aldosterone
C. Cortisol
D. Calcitonin
Answer: C. Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance,
increasing blood glucose during stress.
7. The hallmark pathologic feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) is:
A. Restrictive lung expansion
B. Reversible airflow obstruction
C. Progressive airflow limitation
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: C. Progressive airflow limitation
Rationale: COPD is characterized by chronic, progressive, and largely
irreversible airflow obstruction.
8. Which condition is associated with increased preload?
A. Hemorrhage
B. Severe dehydration
C. Fluid overload
D. Septic shock
, Answer: C. Fluid overload
Rationale: Preload refers to ventricular filling volume. Fluid overload
increases venous return and preload.
9. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is:
A. Thyroid cancer
B. Graves disease
C. Hashimoto thyroiditis
D. Pituitary adenoma
Answer: B. Graves disease
Rationale: Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder and the leading
cause of hyperthyroidism.
10. A patient with metabolic acidosis would most likely exhibit:
A. Slow, shallow respirations
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Bradycardia only
D. Increased bicarbonate levels
Answer: B. Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Deep, rapid breathing helps eliminate carbon dioxide and
compensate for metabolic acidosis.
11. Which process occurs during inflammation?
A. Vasoconstriction only
B. Decreased vascular permeability
C. Leukocyte migration to injured tissue
D. Reduced blood flow
Answer: C. Leukocyte migration to injured tissue
