Final Exam - NUR2063 / NUR2063
(Latest ) : Essentials of
Pathophysiology - Rasmussen
SECTION 1: CELLULAR INJURY, HOMEOSTASIS & BASIC
CONCEPTS
Question 1
What is the definition of homeostasis?
A) The body's response to external stress
B) The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment
C) The process of cellular reproduction
D) The elimination of metabolic wastes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal
environment despite external changes. It involves the coordination of multiple body
systems to keep temperature, pH, fluid balance, and other parameters within normal
ranges .
Question 2
,What is the function of ribosomes?
A) Energy production
B) Protein synthesis
C) Waste removal
D) DNA storage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis through transcription of
DNA and translation of RNA into proteins. They can be free-floating in the cytoplasm or
attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum .
Question 3
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom?
A) A sign is subjective; a symptom is objective
B) A symptom is subjective evidence of disease; a sign is objective evidence of disease
C) Both are objective findings
D) Both are subjective findings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A symptom is any subjective evidence of disease reported by the patient
(e.g., pain, nausea, dizziness), while a sign is any objective evidence of disease that can
be measured or observed by the examiner (e.g., fever, rash, elevated lab values) .
Question 4
What electrolytes are found primarily in the intracellular space?
A) Sodium, chloride, bicarbonate
B) Potassium, magnesium, phosphate
C) Calcium, sodium, chloride
D) Phosphate, bicarbonate, sodium
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intracellular fluid (ICF) contains primarily potassium (K+), magnesium
(Mg2+), and phosphate (PO4³-). The extracellular space contains primarily sodium
(Na+), chloride (Cl-), and bicarbonate (HCO3-) .
Question 5
What electrolytes are found primarily in the extracellular space?
A) Potassium, magnesium, phosphate
B) Calcium, sodium, potassium
C) Sodium, chloride, bicarbonate
D) Magnesium, phosphate, bicarbonate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Extracellular fluid (ECF) contains primarily sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), and
bicarbonate (HCO3-). This gradient is maintained by the sodium-potassium pump and is
essential for nerve impulse transmission and fluid balance .
Question 6
What is the cause of edema related to protein status?
A) High albumin levels
B) Low albumin levels
C) Elevated glucose levels
D) Decreased sodium levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low protein levels (particularly low albumin) allow salt and water to leave the
blood vessels and leak into tissues. Albumin maintains oncotic pressure that keeps fluid
within the vascular space; when albumin is low, fluid shifts into the interstitial space,
causing edema .
, Question 7
What is a potentially lethal effect of hyponatremia?
A) Cardiac arrhythmias
B) Cerebral edema and rapid brain swelling leading to coma
C) Pulmonary edema
D) Muscle spasms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia can cause cerebral edema (rapid brain swelling) due to
water shifting into brain cells. This can progress to increased intracranial pressure,
herniation, and coma, making it a medical emergency .
Question 8
What is the physiological response to the "fight-or-flight" response?
A) Decreased heart rate, bronchoconstriction
B) Increased heart rate, bronchodilation, hypertension, hyperglycemia
C) Pupil constriction, increased salivation
D) Decreased respiration, GI activation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system's "fight-or-flight" response includes:
increased heart rate, bronchodilation (airway opening), increased respirations, pupil
dilation, glucose release, hypertension, and inhibition of GI/GU function. This prepares
the body for perceived danger .
Question 9
(Latest ) : Essentials of
Pathophysiology - Rasmussen
SECTION 1: CELLULAR INJURY, HOMEOSTASIS & BASIC
CONCEPTS
Question 1
What is the definition of homeostasis?
A) The body's response to external stress
B) The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment
C) The process of cellular reproduction
D) The elimination of metabolic wastes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal
environment despite external changes. It involves the coordination of multiple body
systems to keep temperature, pH, fluid balance, and other parameters within normal
ranges .
Question 2
,What is the function of ribosomes?
A) Energy production
B) Protein synthesis
C) Waste removal
D) DNA storage
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis through transcription of
DNA and translation of RNA into proteins. They can be free-floating in the cytoplasm or
attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum .
Question 3
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom?
A) A sign is subjective; a symptom is objective
B) A symptom is subjective evidence of disease; a sign is objective evidence of disease
C) Both are objective findings
D) Both are subjective findings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A symptom is any subjective evidence of disease reported by the patient
(e.g., pain, nausea, dizziness), while a sign is any objective evidence of disease that can
be measured or observed by the examiner (e.g., fever, rash, elevated lab values) .
Question 4
What electrolytes are found primarily in the intracellular space?
A) Sodium, chloride, bicarbonate
B) Potassium, magnesium, phosphate
C) Calcium, sodium, chloride
D) Phosphate, bicarbonate, sodium
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intracellular fluid (ICF) contains primarily potassium (K+), magnesium
(Mg2+), and phosphate (PO4³-). The extracellular space contains primarily sodium
(Na+), chloride (Cl-), and bicarbonate (HCO3-) .
Question 5
What electrolytes are found primarily in the extracellular space?
A) Potassium, magnesium, phosphate
B) Calcium, sodium, potassium
C) Sodium, chloride, bicarbonate
D) Magnesium, phosphate, bicarbonate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Extracellular fluid (ECF) contains primarily sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), and
bicarbonate (HCO3-). This gradient is maintained by the sodium-potassium pump and is
essential for nerve impulse transmission and fluid balance .
Question 6
What is the cause of edema related to protein status?
A) High albumin levels
B) Low albumin levels
C) Elevated glucose levels
D) Decreased sodium levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low protein levels (particularly low albumin) allow salt and water to leave the
blood vessels and leak into tissues. Albumin maintains oncotic pressure that keeps fluid
within the vascular space; when albumin is low, fluid shifts into the interstitial space,
causing edema .
, Question 7
What is a potentially lethal effect of hyponatremia?
A) Cardiac arrhythmias
B) Cerebral edema and rapid brain swelling leading to coma
C) Pulmonary edema
D) Muscle spasms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia can cause cerebral edema (rapid brain swelling) due to
water shifting into brain cells. This can progress to increased intracranial pressure,
herniation, and coma, making it a medical emergency .
Question 8
What is the physiological response to the "fight-or-flight" response?
A) Decreased heart rate, bronchoconstriction
B) Increased heart rate, bronchodilation, hypertension, hyperglycemia
C) Pupil constriction, increased salivation
D) Decreased respiration, GI activation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system's "fight-or-flight" response includes:
increased heart rate, bronchodilation (airway opening), increased respirations, pupil
dilation, glucose release, hypertension, and inhibition of GI/GU function. This prepares
the body for perceived danger .
Question 9
