NR283 Exam 2 Actual Exam Style V1 | NR
283 Pathophysiology | Chamberlain
1. A patient is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of Diabetes Insipidus (DI). Which clinical
manifestation would the nurse expect to find?
A. Concentrated urine with high specific gravity
B. Hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis
C. Fluid volume overload and peripheral edema
D. Excessive thirst and excretion of large volumes of dilute urine
Answer: D
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus is caused by a deficiency of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) or a
decreased renal response to ADH. This deficiency leads to the inability of the kidneys to
concentrate urine, resulting in polyuria and intense polydipsia. Patients typically exhibit a
low urine specific gravity, usually below 1.005, due to the high water content of the urine.
2. Which lab value is most indicative of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
(SIADH)?
A. Blood Glucose 350 mg/dL
B. Serum sodium 155 mEq/L
C. Serum sodium 120 mEq/L
,D. Serum Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: SIADH involves the excessive release of ADH, which causes the body to retain
water abnormally. This excess water dilutes the blood, leading to dilutional hyponatremia,
where serum sodium levels drop significantly below the normal range. In contrast, high
sodium levels are associated with dehydration or DI, not SIADH.
3. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes presents to the ER with fruity-smelling breath, Kussmaul
respirations, and a blood glucose of 450 mg/dL. What is the most likely condition?
A. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)
B. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Hypoglycemic Reaction
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: DKA is a life-threatening complication of Type 1 Diabetes characterized by
hyperglycemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis. The fruity breath is caused by the presence
of acetone, a byproduct of ketoacidosis. Kussmaul respirations are the body’s
compensatory mechanism to blow off excess CO2 and mitigate the acidic state.
4. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of Grave’s Disease?
A. Thyroid-stimulating antibodies that mimic TSH, leading to hyperthyroidism
, B. Excessive secretion of TSH by the pituitary gland
C. Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland
D. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Grave’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder where the body produces
antibodies known as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI). These antibodies bind to
TSH receptors on the thyroid gland, stimulating it to overproduce thyroid hormones. This
results in the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism, such as weight loss, tachycardia,
and exophthalmos.
5. A patient presents with a ‘moon face,’ ‘buffalo hump,’ and purple striae on the abdomen.
Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Addison’s Disease
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. Hypothyroidism
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome is caused by an excess of glucocorticoids, specifically
cortisol, in the body. The classic physical signs include fat redistribution to the face and
283 Pathophysiology | Chamberlain
1. A patient is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of Diabetes Insipidus (DI). Which clinical
manifestation would the nurse expect to find?
A. Concentrated urine with high specific gravity
B. Hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis
C. Fluid volume overload and peripheral edema
D. Excessive thirst and excretion of large volumes of dilute urine
Answer: D
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus is caused by a deficiency of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) or a
decreased renal response to ADH. This deficiency leads to the inability of the kidneys to
concentrate urine, resulting in polyuria and intense polydipsia. Patients typically exhibit a
low urine specific gravity, usually below 1.005, due to the high water content of the urine.
2. Which lab value is most indicative of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
(SIADH)?
A. Blood Glucose 350 mg/dL
B. Serum sodium 155 mEq/L
C. Serum sodium 120 mEq/L
,D. Serum Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: SIADH involves the excessive release of ADH, which causes the body to retain
water abnormally. This excess water dilutes the blood, leading to dilutional hyponatremia,
where serum sodium levels drop significantly below the normal range. In contrast, high
sodium levels are associated with dehydration or DI, not SIADH.
3. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes presents to the ER with fruity-smelling breath, Kussmaul
respirations, and a blood glucose of 450 mg/dL. What is the most likely condition?
A. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)
B. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Hypoglycemic Reaction
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: DKA is a life-threatening complication of Type 1 Diabetes characterized by
hyperglycemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis. The fruity breath is caused by the presence
of acetone, a byproduct of ketoacidosis. Kussmaul respirations are the body’s
compensatory mechanism to blow off excess CO2 and mitigate the acidic state.
4. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of Grave’s Disease?
A. Thyroid-stimulating antibodies that mimic TSH, leading to hyperthyroidism
, B. Excessive secretion of TSH by the pituitary gland
C. Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland
D. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Grave’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder where the body produces
antibodies known as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI). These antibodies bind to
TSH receptors on the thyroid gland, stimulating it to overproduce thyroid hormones. This
results in the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism, such as weight loss, tachycardia,
and exophthalmos.
5. A patient presents with a ‘moon face,’ ‘buffalo hump,’ and purple striae on the abdomen.
Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Addison’s Disease
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. Hypothyroidism
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome is caused by an excess of glucocorticoids, specifically
cortisol, in the body. The classic physical signs include fat redistribution to the face and
