1|Page
NURS 5315 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY UTA EXAM 1: THE
DEFINITIVE 2026-2027 A+ STUDY GUIDE
FEATURING VERIFIED EXAM
QUESTIONS, HIGH-YIELD CLINICAL
SCENARIOS, AND PRECISION-TESTED
ANSWERS FOR A GUARANTEED FIRST-
ATTEMPT PASS ON THE LATEST
UPDATED CURRICULUM
What can Reactive Oxygen Species cause?
>>correct answer >> Heart disease, Alzheimers,
Parkinsons, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS), CV disease, HTN, HLD, DM, ischemic
heart disease, HF, OSA. Lipid perioxidation,
damage proteins, fragment DNA, less *protein
synthesis*, chromatin destruction, damage
mitochondria
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How are free radicals produced? >>correct
answer >> 1. Normal cellular respiration
2. Absorption of extreme energy sources
(radiation, UV light)
3. Metabolism of exogenous chemicals, drugs,
and pesticides
4. Transition of metals
5. Nitric oxide acting like a chemical mediator
and a free radical
What is the body's defense against ROS?
>>correct answer >> Antioxidants (Vitamin E,
Vitamin C, cysteine, glutathione, albumin,
ceruloplasmin, transferrin)
Action potential >>correct answer >> Process
of conducting an impulse. Activates the neuron -
-> the neuron depolarizes --> then repolarizes
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Threshold potential >>correct answer >>
Point at which depolarization must reach in
order to initiate an action potential
Hypokalemia and action potentials >>correct
answer >> hyperpolarized (more negative, ex. -
100). Less excitable. Decreased neuromuscular
excitability: weakness, smooth muscle atony,
paresthesia, cardiac dysrhythmias
Hyperkalemia and action potentials >>correct
answer >> hypopolarized (more positive, ex:
closer to 0). More excitable. Peaked T waves.
When resting membrane potential=threshold
potential, it is BAD = cardiac standstill,
paresthesia, paralysis
Hypocalcemia and action potentials >>correct
answer >> Increased permeability to Na+. More
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excitable. Tetany, hyperreflexia, circumoral
paresthesia, seizures, dysrhythmias.
Hypercalcemia and action potentials
>>correct answer >> Decreased permeability to
Na+. Less excitable. Weakness, hyporeflexia,
fatigue, lethargy, confusion, encephalopathy,
depressed T waves
Atrophy >>correct answer >> Occurs as a
result of decrease in work load, pressure, use,
blood supply, nutrition, hormonal stimulation,
or nervous stimulation. Once the cell has
decreased in size, it has now compensated for
decreased blood supply, nerve supply, nutrient
supply, hormonal supply, and has achieved new
homeostasis. Cells are alive but have diminished
function and may lead to cellular death.
NURS 5315 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY UTA EXAM 1: THE
DEFINITIVE 2026-2027 A+ STUDY GUIDE
FEATURING VERIFIED EXAM
QUESTIONS, HIGH-YIELD CLINICAL
SCENARIOS, AND PRECISION-TESTED
ANSWERS FOR A GUARANTEED FIRST-
ATTEMPT PASS ON THE LATEST
UPDATED CURRICULUM
What can Reactive Oxygen Species cause?
>>correct answer >> Heart disease, Alzheimers,
Parkinsons, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS), CV disease, HTN, HLD, DM, ischemic
heart disease, HF, OSA. Lipid perioxidation,
damage proteins, fragment DNA, less *protein
synthesis*, chromatin destruction, damage
mitochondria
,2|Page
How are free radicals produced? >>correct
answer >> 1. Normal cellular respiration
2. Absorption of extreme energy sources
(radiation, UV light)
3. Metabolism of exogenous chemicals, drugs,
and pesticides
4. Transition of metals
5. Nitric oxide acting like a chemical mediator
and a free radical
What is the body's defense against ROS?
>>correct answer >> Antioxidants (Vitamin E,
Vitamin C, cysteine, glutathione, albumin,
ceruloplasmin, transferrin)
Action potential >>correct answer >> Process
of conducting an impulse. Activates the neuron -
-> the neuron depolarizes --> then repolarizes
,3|Page
Threshold potential >>correct answer >>
Point at which depolarization must reach in
order to initiate an action potential
Hypokalemia and action potentials >>correct
answer >> hyperpolarized (more negative, ex. -
100). Less excitable. Decreased neuromuscular
excitability: weakness, smooth muscle atony,
paresthesia, cardiac dysrhythmias
Hyperkalemia and action potentials >>correct
answer >> hypopolarized (more positive, ex:
closer to 0). More excitable. Peaked T waves.
When resting membrane potential=threshold
potential, it is BAD = cardiac standstill,
paresthesia, paralysis
Hypocalcemia and action potentials >>correct
answer >> Increased permeability to Na+. More
, 4|Page
excitable. Tetany, hyperreflexia, circumoral
paresthesia, seizures, dysrhythmias.
Hypercalcemia and action potentials
>>correct answer >> Decreased permeability to
Na+. Less excitable. Weakness, hyporeflexia,
fatigue, lethargy, confusion, encephalopathy,
depressed T waves
Atrophy >>correct answer >> Occurs as a
result of decrease in work load, pressure, use,
blood supply, nutrition, hormonal stimulation,
or nervous stimulation. Once the cell has
decreased in size, it has now compensated for
decreased blood supply, nerve supply, nutrient
supply, hormonal supply, and has achieved new
homeostasis. Cells are alive but have diminished
function and may lead to cellular death.
