NSG 5140 final Exam Advanced
Pathophysiology – South College Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
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1. A patient with chronic heart failure develops peripheral edema.
What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism responsible?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Decreased capillary permeability
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: In heart failure, impaired cardiac output leads to fluid
backing up in the venous system, increasing hydrostatic pressure
in capillaries and forcing fluid into the interstitial space, resulting
in edema.
2. Which condition is most associated with Type 1 hypersensitivity
reactions?
, A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Systemic lupus erythematosus
C. Anaphylaxis
D. Transfusion reaction
Answer: C. Anaphylaxis
Rationale: Type 1 hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated and includes
allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, which involves mast cell
degranulation and histamine release.
3. A patient with chronic kidney disease develops metabolic acidosis.
What is the primary cause?
A. Increased bicarbonate retention
B. Decreased hydrogen ion secretion
C. Increased insulin secretion
D. Decreased aldosterone production only
Answer: B. Decreased hydrogen ion secretion
Rationale: Diseased kidneys lose the ability to excrete hydrogen
ions and regenerate bicarbonate, leading to metabolic acidosis.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in Addison’s disease?
A. Hypernatremia and hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia
, D. Hypomagnesemia and hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
Rationale: Aldosterone deficiency reduces sodium retention and
potassium excretion, leading to hyponatremia and
hyperkalemia.
5. Which mechanism best describes Type 2 diabetes mellitus
pathophysiology?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency due to beta-cell destruction
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic alpha cells
C. Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
D. Excess glucagon secretion only
Answer: C. Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is characterized primarily by
peripheral insulin resistance and progressive beta-cell
dysfunction.
6. Which condition is characterized by decreased surfactant
production?
A. Asthma
B. ARDS
C. Chronic bronchitis
D. Pulmonary embolism
, Answer: B. ARDS
Rationale: Acute respiratory distress syndrome involves alveolar
damage and decreased surfactant, leading to alveolar collapse
and impaired gas exchange.
7. What is the primary mechanism of ischemic stroke?
A. Hemorrhage into brain tissue
B. Embolism or thrombosis blocking cerebral blood flow
C. Increased intracranial pressure only
D. Autoimmune destruction of neurons
Answer: B. Embolism or thrombosis blocking cerebral blood flow
Rationale: Ischemic stroke results from occlusion of cerebral
arteries leading to tissue ischemia and infarction.
8. Which acid-base disorder is associated with uncontrolled
vomiting?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Vomiting leads to loss of gastric acid (HCl), increasing
blood pH and resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
Pathophysiology – South College Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient with chronic heart failure develops peripheral edema.
What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism responsible?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Decreased capillary permeability
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: In heart failure, impaired cardiac output leads to fluid
backing up in the venous system, increasing hydrostatic pressure
in capillaries and forcing fluid into the interstitial space, resulting
in edema.
2. Which condition is most associated with Type 1 hypersensitivity
reactions?
, A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Systemic lupus erythematosus
C. Anaphylaxis
D. Transfusion reaction
Answer: C. Anaphylaxis
Rationale: Type 1 hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated and includes
allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, which involves mast cell
degranulation and histamine release.
3. A patient with chronic kidney disease develops metabolic acidosis.
What is the primary cause?
A. Increased bicarbonate retention
B. Decreased hydrogen ion secretion
C. Increased insulin secretion
D. Decreased aldosterone production only
Answer: B. Decreased hydrogen ion secretion
Rationale: Diseased kidneys lose the ability to excrete hydrogen
ions and regenerate bicarbonate, leading to metabolic acidosis.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in Addison’s disease?
A. Hypernatremia and hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia
, D. Hypomagnesemia and hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
Rationale: Aldosterone deficiency reduces sodium retention and
potassium excretion, leading to hyponatremia and
hyperkalemia.
5. Which mechanism best describes Type 2 diabetes mellitus
pathophysiology?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency due to beta-cell destruction
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic alpha cells
C. Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
D. Excess glucagon secretion only
Answer: C. Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is characterized primarily by
peripheral insulin resistance and progressive beta-cell
dysfunction.
6. Which condition is characterized by decreased surfactant
production?
A. Asthma
B. ARDS
C. Chronic bronchitis
D. Pulmonary embolism
, Answer: B. ARDS
Rationale: Acute respiratory distress syndrome involves alveolar
damage and decreased surfactant, leading to alveolar collapse
and impaired gas exchange.
7. What is the primary mechanism of ischemic stroke?
A. Hemorrhage into brain tissue
B. Embolism or thrombosis blocking cerebral blood flow
C. Increased intracranial pressure only
D. Autoimmune destruction of neurons
Answer: B. Embolism or thrombosis blocking cerebral blood flow
Rationale: Ischemic stroke results from occlusion of cerebral
arteries leading to tissue ischemia and infarction.
8. Which acid-base disorder is associated with uncontrolled
vomiting?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Vomiting leads to loss of gastric acid (HCl), increasing
blood pH and resulting in metabolic alkalosis.