NSG 5140 Advanced Pathophysiology Unit
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1. A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular
hypertrophy. What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism?
A. Reduced preload
B. Myocardial ischemia
C. Increased afterload causing myocardial adaptation
D. Decreased cardiac output
Answer: C. Increased afterload causing myocardial adaptation
Rationale: Chronic hypertension increases afterload, forcing the left
ventricle to work harder. The myocardium responds by
hypertrophying to maintain cardiac output.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T
waves on an ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
,Rationale: Elevated potassium levels alter cardiac conduction and
commonly produce peaked T waves, widening QRS complexes, and
potentially fatal arrhythmias.
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus develops diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA). Which process contributes most directly to
ketosis?
A. Increased insulin secretion
B. Enhanced glucose uptake
C. Accelerated fat breakdown and ketone production
D. Increased glycogen synthesis
Answer: C. Accelerated fat breakdown and ketone production
Rationale: Insulin deficiency promotes lipolysis, resulting in free fatty
acid release and ketone body production by the liver.
4. Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing water
reabsorption in the kidneys?
A. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic hormone
C. Cortisol
D. Thyroxine
Answer: B. Antidiuretic hormone
Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) increases water permeability
in the collecting ducts, promoting water reabsorption and
concentrating urine.
5. The hallmark pathological feature of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) is:
A. Restrictive lung expansion
B. Airflow limitation that is not fully reversible
,C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Alveolar hemorrhage
Answer: B. Airflow limitation that is not fully reversible
Rationale: COPD is characterized by chronic airflow obstruction
resulting from emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or both.
6. Which condition is associated with elevated intracranial pressure?
A. Meningitis
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Anemia
Answer: A. Meningitis
Rationale: Inflammation and edema associated with meningitis can
increase intracranial pressure.
7. What is the primary cause of edema in congestive heart failure?
A. Increased plasma proteins
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Reduced vascular permeability
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Heart failure causes blood to back up in the venous system,
increasing hydrostatic pressure and forcing fluid into tissues.
8. Which acid-base imbalance is expected in a patient with
prolonged vomiting?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
, C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: D. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Loss of gastric hydrochloric acid through vomiting leads to
increased serum bicarbonate and metabolic alkalosis.
9. Which mechanism contributes to insulin resistance in type 2
diabetes?
A. Increased insulin receptor sensitivity
B. Decreased tissue responsiveness to insulin
C. Excess glucagon suppression
D. Increased glucose utilization
Answer: B. Decreased tissue responsiveness to insulin
Rationale: Peripheral tissues become less responsive to insulin,
impairing glucose uptake and causing hyperglycemia.
10. A patient with nephrotic syndrome develops edema
primarily due to:
A. Hyperalbuminemia
B. Increased oncotic pressure
C. Hypoalbuminemia and reduced plasma oncotic pressure
D. Polycythemia
Answer: C. Hypoalbuminemia and reduced plasma oncotic pressure
Rationale: Protein loss through damaged glomeruli lowers plasma
oncotic pressure, allowing fluid to shift into tissues.
11. Which inflammatory mediator is responsible for vasodilation
during acute inflammation?
Exam Review 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 chronic hypertension develops left ventricular
hypertrophy. What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism?
A. Reduced preload
B. Myocardial ischemia
C. Increased afterload causing myocardial adaptation
D. Decreased cardiac output
Answer: C. Increased afterload causing myocardial adaptation
Rationale: Chronic hypertension increases afterload, forcing the left
ventricle to work harder. The myocardium responds by
hypertrophying to maintain cardiac output.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T
waves on an ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
,Rationale: Elevated potassium levels alter cardiac conduction and
commonly produce peaked T waves, widening QRS complexes, and
potentially fatal arrhythmias.
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus develops diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA). Which process contributes most directly to
ketosis?
A. Increased insulin secretion
B. Enhanced glucose uptake
C. Accelerated fat breakdown and ketone production
D. Increased glycogen synthesis
Answer: C. Accelerated fat breakdown and ketone production
Rationale: Insulin deficiency promotes lipolysis, resulting in free fatty
acid release and ketone body production by the liver.
4. Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing water
reabsorption in the kidneys?
A. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic hormone
C. Cortisol
D. Thyroxine
Answer: B. Antidiuretic hormone
Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) increases water permeability
in the collecting ducts, promoting water reabsorption and
concentrating urine.
5. The hallmark pathological feature of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) is:
A. Restrictive lung expansion
B. Airflow limitation that is not fully reversible
,C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Alveolar hemorrhage
Answer: B. Airflow limitation that is not fully reversible
Rationale: COPD is characterized by chronic airflow obstruction
resulting from emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or both.
6. Which condition is associated with elevated intracranial pressure?
A. Meningitis
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Anemia
Answer: A. Meningitis
Rationale: Inflammation and edema associated with meningitis can
increase intracranial pressure.
7. What is the primary cause of edema in congestive heart failure?
A. Increased plasma proteins
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Reduced vascular permeability
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Heart failure causes blood to back up in the venous system,
increasing hydrostatic pressure and forcing fluid into tissues.
8. Which acid-base imbalance is expected in a patient with
prolonged vomiting?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
, C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: D. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Loss of gastric hydrochloric acid through vomiting leads to
increased serum bicarbonate and metabolic alkalosis.
9. Which mechanism contributes to insulin resistance in type 2
diabetes?
A. Increased insulin receptor sensitivity
B. Decreased tissue responsiveness to insulin
C. Excess glucagon suppression
D. Increased glucose utilization
Answer: B. Decreased tissue responsiveness to insulin
Rationale: Peripheral tissues become less responsive to insulin,
impairing glucose uptake and causing hyperglycemia.
10. A patient with nephrotic syndrome develops edema
primarily due to:
A. Hyperalbuminemia
B. Increased oncotic pressure
C. Hypoalbuminemia and reduced plasma oncotic pressure
D. Polycythemia
Answer: C. Hypoalbuminemia and reduced plasma oncotic pressure
Rationale: Protein loss through damaged glomeruli lowers plasma
oncotic pressure, allowing fluid to shift into tissues.
11. Which inflammatory mediator is responsible for vasodilation
during acute inflammation?
