NUR 376
EXAM 1
(Applied Pathophysiology)
Actual Questions with Correct Answers
Concordia University’s
What’s Included:
• EXAM + STUDY GUIDE
• 50+ verified questions with Correct answers
with Rationales.
• Multiple-choice questions
• select-all-that-apply (SATA) questions
• Matching & Sequencing questions
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,Table of Contents
NUR 376 EXAM 1 .......................................................................................... 2
NUR 376 EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE .................................................................. 39
NUR 376 EXAM 1
1. A nurse is caring for a client with suspected mitral valve regurgitation. Which diagnostic
test is considered the gold standard for confirming valvular disorders?
A. Cardiac catheterization
B. Echocardiogram
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: B. Echocardiogram
Rationale:
An echocardiogram is the gold standard for diagnosing valvular disorders because it provides
real-time visualization of valve structure, motion, and blood flow. Cardiac catheterization is
invasive and used for hemodynamic assessment or intervention. ECG evaluates electrical
activity, not valve anatomy. Chest X-ray shows cardiac silhouette and pulmonary status but
cannot visualize valve leaflets directly.
2. Which cardiac arrhythmia is most associated with turbulent blood flow and significantly
increases the risk for thrombus formation?
A. Atrial flutter
B. Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
C. Ventricular tachycardia
D. Third-degree heart block
,Correct Answer: B. Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Rationale:
In atrial fibrillation, the atria quiver instead of contracting effectively, causing blood stasis and
turbulent flow—particularly in the left atrial appendage. This stagnant blood significantly
increases the risk of thrombus formation, which can embolize and cause stroke. While other
arrhythmias have risks, AFib is the most thrombogenic due to the loss of organized atrial
contraction.
3. Which formula correctly calculates cardiac output (CO)? (Select all that apply.)
A. CO = Stroke Volume (SV) × Heart Rate (HR)
B. CO = Blood Pressure (BP) × Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. CO = Preload × Afterload
D. CO = SV × HR
Correct Answer: A, D
Rationale:
Cardiac output is defined as the volume of blood ejected by the heart in one minute and is
calculated by multiplying stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped per beat) by heart rate
(beats per minute). Both options A and D state the same correct formula. Blood pressure is not
used to calculate CO directly, and preload × afterload is not a valid formula for cardiac output.
4. Atherosclerosis is best described as which of the following pathological processes?
A. A disease of the veins characterized by inflammation and clot formation
B. A disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of fatty plaques on the inner walls
C. A condition of the capillaries causing excessive permeability and fluid leakage
D. An autoimmune disorder targeting the endothelial lining of blood vessels
Correct Answer: B. A disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of fatty plaques
on the inner walls
Rationale:
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial intima characterized by lipid
accumulation, fibrous tissue proliferation, and plaque formation. It affects arteries, not veins or
capillaries. While inflammation is involved, it is not classified as an autoimmune disorder.
, 5. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis with a client. Place the
following steps in the correct sequence of plaque formation:
1. Foam cells develop
2. Lipids are phagocytized by white blood cells
3. Endothelial lining is damaged
4. Plaque forms on the artery wall
A. 3, 2, 1, 4
B. 2, 3, 1, 4
C. 3, 1, 2, 4
D. 1, 2, 3, 4
Correct Answer: A. 3, 2, 1, 4
Rationale:
The sequence begins with endothelial damage (step 3), which allows lipids to penetrate the
intima. White blood cells (particularly macrophages) migrate to the site and phagocytize lipids
(step 2), becoming foam cells (step 1). Over time, these foam cells accumulate, smooth muscle
cells proliferate, and a stable or unstable plaque forms (step 4). This cascade is the foundation
of atherosclerotic disease.
6. Which three physiological components determine stroke volume? (Select all that apply.)
A. Preload
B. Afterload
C. Contractility
D. Chronotropy
E. Dromotropy
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale:
Stroke volume is determined by preload (the degree of stretch on the ventricular muscle at the
end of diastole), afterload (the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood), and
contractility (the force of myocardial contraction independent of preload). Chronotropy refers to
heart rate, and dromotropy refers to conduction velocity—neither directly determines stroke
volume.
EXAM 1
(Applied Pathophysiology)
Actual Questions with Correct Answers
Concordia University’s
What’s Included:
• EXAM + STUDY GUIDE
• 50+ verified questions with Correct answers
with Rationales.
• Multiple-choice questions
• select-all-that-apply (SATA) questions
• Matching & Sequencing questions
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,Table of Contents
NUR 376 EXAM 1 .......................................................................................... 2
NUR 376 EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE .................................................................. 39
NUR 376 EXAM 1
1. A nurse is caring for a client with suspected mitral valve regurgitation. Which diagnostic
test is considered the gold standard for confirming valvular disorders?
A. Cardiac catheterization
B. Echocardiogram
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: B. Echocardiogram
Rationale:
An echocardiogram is the gold standard for diagnosing valvular disorders because it provides
real-time visualization of valve structure, motion, and blood flow. Cardiac catheterization is
invasive and used for hemodynamic assessment or intervention. ECG evaluates electrical
activity, not valve anatomy. Chest X-ray shows cardiac silhouette and pulmonary status but
cannot visualize valve leaflets directly.
2. Which cardiac arrhythmia is most associated with turbulent blood flow and significantly
increases the risk for thrombus formation?
A. Atrial flutter
B. Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
C. Ventricular tachycardia
D. Third-degree heart block
,Correct Answer: B. Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Rationale:
In atrial fibrillation, the atria quiver instead of contracting effectively, causing blood stasis and
turbulent flow—particularly in the left atrial appendage. This stagnant blood significantly
increases the risk of thrombus formation, which can embolize and cause stroke. While other
arrhythmias have risks, AFib is the most thrombogenic due to the loss of organized atrial
contraction.
3. Which formula correctly calculates cardiac output (CO)? (Select all that apply.)
A. CO = Stroke Volume (SV) × Heart Rate (HR)
B. CO = Blood Pressure (BP) × Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. CO = Preload × Afterload
D. CO = SV × HR
Correct Answer: A, D
Rationale:
Cardiac output is defined as the volume of blood ejected by the heart in one minute and is
calculated by multiplying stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped per beat) by heart rate
(beats per minute). Both options A and D state the same correct formula. Blood pressure is not
used to calculate CO directly, and preload × afterload is not a valid formula for cardiac output.
4. Atherosclerosis is best described as which of the following pathological processes?
A. A disease of the veins characterized by inflammation and clot formation
B. A disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of fatty plaques on the inner walls
C. A condition of the capillaries causing excessive permeability and fluid leakage
D. An autoimmune disorder targeting the endothelial lining of blood vessels
Correct Answer: B. A disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of fatty plaques
on the inner walls
Rationale:
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial intima characterized by lipid
accumulation, fibrous tissue proliferation, and plaque formation. It affects arteries, not veins or
capillaries. While inflammation is involved, it is not classified as an autoimmune disorder.
, 5. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis with a client. Place the
following steps in the correct sequence of plaque formation:
1. Foam cells develop
2. Lipids are phagocytized by white blood cells
3. Endothelial lining is damaged
4. Plaque forms on the artery wall
A. 3, 2, 1, 4
B. 2, 3, 1, 4
C. 3, 1, 2, 4
D. 1, 2, 3, 4
Correct Answer: A. 3, 2, 1, 4
Rationale:
The sequence begins with endothelial damage (step 3), which allows lipids to penetrate the
intima. White blood cells (particularly macrophages) migrate to the site and phagocytize lipids
(step 2), becoming foam cells (step 1). Over time, these foam cells accumulate, smooth muscle
cells proliferate, and a stable or unstable plaque forms (step 4). This cascade is the foundation
of atherosclerotic disease.
6. Which three physiological components determine stroke volume? (Select all that apply.)
A. Preload
B. Afterload
C. Contractility
D. Chronotropy
E. Dromotropy
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale:
Stroke volume is determined by preload (the degree of stretch on the ventricular muscle at the
end of diastole), afterload (the resistance the ventricle must overcome to eject blood), and
contractility (the force of myocardial contraction independent of preload). Chronotropy refers to
heart rate, and dromotropy refers to conduction velocity—neither directly determines stroke
volume.
