BIO 322 Exam 2 V2 | BIO 322 Applied
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (BIO322 Exam 2) | Grand Canyon
University
1. A 68-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with significant dyspnea and
orthopnea. Which clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to find in a patient
experiencing left-sided heart failure? (Select All That Apply)
A. Dyspnea on exertion
B. Crackles in lung bases
C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
D. Peripheral edema in lower extremities
E. Hepatomegaly
F. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: A, B, C, F
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because the left ventricle
fails to pump blood efficiently into the systemic circulation. This backup of fluid into the
lungs results in respiratory symptoms such as crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Peripheral
edema and hepatomegaly are more characteristic of right-sided heart failure, where fluid
backs up into the systemic venous system.
,2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the healthcare provider expect in a patient
who is experiencing an acute asthma attack and is hyperventilating?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 23
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 40, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.50, PaCO2 42, HCO3 30
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperventilation during an acute asthma attack causes the patient to blow off
excess carbon dioxide (CO2). This reduction in PaCO2 leads to an increase in blood pH,
resulting in respiratory alkalosis. As the attack progresses and the patient tires, they may
eventually shift into respiratory acidosis due to CO2 retention.
3. A patient is diagnosed with pre-renal acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following
conditions most likely contributed to this diagnosis?
A. Aminoglycoside toxicity
B. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
C. Glomerulonephritis
D. Hypovolemic shock
Correct Answer: D
, Rationale: Pre-renal AKI is caused by factors that decrease blood flow to the kidneys,
reducing glomerular filtration without direct damage to the renal parenchyma.
Hypovolemic shock is a classic cause of decreased renal perfusion. In contrast,
aminoglycosides cause intrarenal damage, and BPH causes post-renal obstruction.
4. Which compensatory mechanism is activated by the kidneys in response to chronic
hypoxemia in a patient with COPD?
A. Increased excretion of sodium
B. Decreased production of bicarbonate
C. Increased secretion of erythropoietin
D. Decreased release of renin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The kidneys sense low oxygen levels in the blood and respond by secreting
erythropoietin. This hormone stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells
to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, a condition known as secondary
polycythemia. This is a common physiological adaptation found in patients with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease.
5. In the pathophysiology of emphysema, the primary underlying mechanism of airflow
limitation is:
A. Loss of elastic recoil and alveolar wall destruction
B. Hypertrophy of the mucus-secreting glands
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (BIO322 Exam 2) | Grand Canyon
University
1. A 68-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with significant dyspnea and
orthopnea. Which clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to find in a patient
experiencing left-sided heart failure? (Select All That Apply)
A. Dyspnea on exertion
B. Crackles in lung bases
C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
D. Peripheral edema in lower extremities
E. Hepatomegaly
F. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: A, B, C, F
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because the left ventricle
fails to pump blood efficiently into the systemic circulation. This backup of fluid into the
lungs results in respiratory symptoms such as crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Peripheral
edema and hepatomegaly are more characteristic of right-sided heart failure, where fluid
backs up into the systemic venous system.
,2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the healthcare provider expect in a patient
who is experiencing an acute asthma attack and is hyperventilating?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 23
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 40, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.50, PaCO2 42, HCO3 30
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperventilation during an acute asthma attack causes the patient to blow off
excess carbon dioxide (CO2). This reduction in PaCO2 leads to an increase in blood pH,
resulting in respiratory alkalosis. As the attack progresses and the patient tires, they may
eventually shift into respiratory acidosis due to CO2 retention.
3. A patient is diagnosed with pre-renal acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following
conditions most likely contributed to this diagnosis?
A. Aminoglycoside toxicity
B. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
C. Glomerulonephritis
D. Hypovolemic shock
Correct Answer: D
, Rationale: Pre-renal AKI is caused by factors that decrease blood flow to the kidneys,
reducing glomerular filtration without direct damage to the renal parenchyma.
Hypovolemic shock is a classic cause of decreased renal perfusion. In contrast,
aminoglycosides cause intrarenal damage, and BPH causes post-renal obstruction.
4. Which compensatory mechanism is activated by the kidneys in response to chronic
hypoxemia in a patient with COPD?
A. Increased excretion of sodium
B. Decreased production of bicarbonate
C. Increased secretion of erythropoietin
D. Decreased release of renin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The kidneys sense low oxygen levels in the blood and respond by secreting
erythropoietin. This hormone stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells
to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, a condition known as secondary
polycythemia. This is a common physiological adaptation found in patients with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease.
5. In the pathophysiology of emphysema, the primary underlying mechanism of airflow
limitation is:
A. Loss of elastic recoil and alveolar wall destruction
B. Hypertrophy of the mucus-secreting glands
