Maryville Patho NURS 611 Exam 2 Dr.
Wunderlich Latest Update 2026 | Exam
Prep | High-Yield Review Guide
INSTRUCTIONS
● This comprehensive review guide contains high-yield content for the
Maryville NURS 611 Pathophysiology Exam 2 with Dr. Wunderlich
● Includes verified questions and answers from actual exam content
● Topics include: autonomic nervous system, neurological disorders,
inflammatory processes, immunology, pain management, sensory
disorders, and autoimmune diseases
● Each answer includes detailed rationale for exam preparation
SECTION 1: AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM &
STRESS RESPONSE
Question 1
Which body system is responsible for conserving energy and body
resources?
Answer: Parasympathetic nervous system
,Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and
digest" functions. It conserves energy by slowing the heart rate, increasing
intestinal and gland activity, and relaxing sphincter muscles. This system
promotes maintenance activities and restores the body to a state of calm
after a stress response has passed.
Question 2
Which system responds to stress by preparing the body to defend itself?
Answer: Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system initiates the "fight or flight"
response during stress. It mobilizes energy stores, increases heart rate and
blood pressure, dilates airways, and redirects blood flow to essential
organs (muscles and brain) while decreasing blood flow to non-essential
areas like the GI tract and skin.
Question 3
How is blood flow redistributed by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)?
Answer: Blood flow to the muscles is increased while blood flow to the GI
tract and integumentary system is decreased.
Rationale: During sympathetic activation, blood vessels in skeletal muscles
dilate to provide oxygen and nutrients for "fight or flight," while splanchnic
(GI) and cutaneous vessels constrict. This prioritizes perfusion to vital
organs (brain, heart, muscles) and reduces blood flow to areas not
immediately needed for survival.
, Question 4
What is the central component of the pathogenic model of Multiple
Sclerosis?
Answer: Demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS)
Rationale: Multiple sclerosis is characterized by autoimmune-mediated
demyelination of nerve fibers in the CNS. The immune system attacks the
myelin sheaths covering motor and sensory axons, disrupting nerve signal
transmission and leading to the characteristic relapsing-remitting course
and progressive neurological decline.
Question 5
What is the primary mechanism involved in the progression of Multiple
Sclerosis?
Answer: Demyelination of nerve fibers in the CNS
Rationale: MS progression involves inflammatory changes in the CNS
where demyelination disrupts sodium, calcium, and potassium ion
channels. Calcium influx is proinflammatory and neurotoxic. Activated
microglia and macrophages release nitric oxide and free radicals, further
damaging neural tissue. Once walking problems develop, disease
progression occurs quickly regardless of disease type.
SECTION 2: BRAIN INJURY CLASSIFICATION
Question 6
Wunderlich Latest Update 2026 | Exam
Prep | High-Yield Review Guide
INSTRUCTIONS
● This comprehensive review guide contains high-yield content for the
Maryville NURS 611 Pathophysiology Exam 2 with Dr. Wunderlich
● Includes verified questions and answers from actual exam content
● Topics include: autonomic nervous system, neurological disorders,
inflammatory processes, immunology, pain management, sensory
disorders, and autoimmune diseases
● Each answer includes detailed rationale for exam preparation
SECTION 1: AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM &
STRESS RESPONSE
Question 1
Which body system is responsible for conserving energy and body
resources?
Answer: Parasympathetic nervous system
,Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and
digest" functions. It conserves energy by slowing the heart rate, increasing
intestinal and gland activity, and relaxing sphincter muscles. This system
promotes maintenance activities and restores the body to a state of calm
after a stress response has passed.
Question 2
Which system responds to stress by preparing the body to defend itself?
Answer: Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system initiates the "fight or flight"
response during stress. It mobilizes energy stores, increases heart rate and
blood pressure, dilates airways, and redirects blood flow to essential
organs (muscles and brain) while decreasing blood flow to non-essential
areas like the GI tract and skin.
Question 3
How is blood flow redistributed by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)?
Answer: Blood flow to the muscles is increased while blood flow to the GI
tract and integumentary system is decreased.
Rationale: During sympathetic activation, blood vessels in skeletal muscles
dilate to provide oxygen and nutrients for "fight or flight," while splanchnic
(GI) and cutaneous vessels constrict. This prioritizes perfusion to vital
organs (brain, heart, muscles) and reduces blood flow to areas not
immediately needed for survival.
, Question 4
What is the central component of the pathogenic model of Multiple
Sclerosis?
Answer: Demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS)
Rationale: Multiple sclerosis is characterized by autoimmune-mediated
demyelination of nerve fibers in the CNS. The immune system attacks the
myelin sheaths covering motor and sensory axons, disrupting nerve signal
transmission and leading to the characteristic relapsing-remitting course
and progressive neurological decline.
Question 5
What is the primary mechanism involved in the progression of Multiple
Sclerosis?
Answer: Demyelination of nerve fibers in the CNS
Rationale: MS progression involves inflammatory changes in the CNS
where demyelination disrupts sodium, calcium, and potassium ion
channels. Calcium influx is proinflammatory and neurotoxic. Activated
microglia and macrophages release nitric oxide and free radicals, further
damaging neural tissue. Once walking problems develop, disease
progression occurs quickly regardless of disease type.
SECTION 2: BRAIN INJURY CLASSIFICATION
Question 6
