NRS 455 Exam 2 V2 | NRS 455
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NRS455 Exam 2) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A patient is diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Which of the
following clinical manifestations are characteristic of this disease process? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Dyspnea on exertion
B. Increased sputum production
C. Barrel chest appearance
D. Stridor
E. Prolonged expiratory phase
F. Clubbing of the fingers
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E, F
Rationale: COPD manifests as persistent airflow limitation caused by chronic inflammation
and alveolar destruction. The barrel chest results from chronic air trapping which
increases the anteroposterior diameter of the thorax. Stridor is not a typical sign of COPD
as it usually indicates upper airway obstruction, whereas COPD affects the lower airways.
,2. Which pathophysiological mechanism primarily accounts for the development of
pulmonary edema in patients with left-sided heart failure?
A. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
B. Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Decreased lymphatic drainage
D. Increased alveolar surface tension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure results in the backup of blood into the pulmonary
circulation. This increase in blood volume raises the pulmonary capillary hydrostatic
pressure, which eventually forces fluid into the interstitial and alveolar spaces. This
mechanism is distinct from osmotic issues which involve protein levels rather than fluid
pressure.
3. A client is experiencing an acute asthma attack. What is the underlying pathophysiology of
the airway obstruction in this condition?
A. Destruction of alveolar walls
B. Permanent dilation of the bronchioles
C. Fibrosis of the pulmonary interstitium
D. Bronchoconstriction, mucosal edema, and mucus hypersecretion
Correct Answer: D
, Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway hyperresponsiveness triggered by
allergens or irritants. The inflammatory response leads to smooth muscle contraction
(bronchospasm) and swelling of the lining of the airways. Furthermore, goblet cell
hyperplasia results in the production of thick mucus that further occludes the lumen.
4. Which of the following is considered a prerenal cause of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Renal calculi
C. Aminoglycoside toxicity
D. Glomerulonephritis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that reduce systemic circulation, causing a
decrease in renal blood flow. Hypovolemic shock results in decreased perfusion to the
kidneys, which impairs glomerular filtration without initially damaging the renal
parenchyma. In contrast, aminoglycoside toxicity and glomerulonephritis are intrarenal
causes, while calculi represent a postrenal cause.
5. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) develops anemia. What is the primary cause
of this complication?
A. Inadequate production of erythropoietin by the kidneys
B. Chronic blood loss during hemodialysis
C. Shortened life span of red blood cells due to uremia
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NRS455 Exam 2) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A patient is diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Which of the
following clinical manifestations are characteristic of this disease process? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Dyspnea on exertion
B. Increased sputum production
C. Barrel chest appearance
D. Stridor
E. Prolonged expiratory phase
F. Clubbing of the fingers
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E, F
Rationale: COPD manifests as persistent airflow limitation caused by chronic inflammation
and alveolar destruction. The barrel chest results from chronic air trapping which
increases the anteroposterior diameter of the thorax. Stridor is not a typical sign of COPD
as it usually indicates upper airway obstruction, whereas COPD affects the lower airways.
,2. Which pathophysiological mechanism primarily accounts for the development of
pulmonary edema in patients with left-sided heart failure?
A. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
B. Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Decreased lymphatic drainage
D. Increased alveolar surface tension
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure results in the backup of blood into the pulmonary
circulation. This increase in blood volume raises the pulmonary capillary hydrostatic
pressure, which eventually forces fluid into the interstitial and alveolar spaces. This
mechanism is distinct from osmotic issues which involve protein levels rather than fluid
pressure.
3. A client is experiencing an acute asthma attack. What is the underlying pathophysiology of
the airway obstruction in this condition?
A. Destruction of alveolar walls
B. Permanent dilation of the bronchioles
C. Fibrosis of the pulmonary interstitium
D. Bronchoconstriction, mucosal edema, and mucus hypersecretion
Correct Answer: D
, Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway hyperresponsiveness triggered by
allergens or irritants. The inflammatory response leads to smooth muscle contraction
(bronchospasm) and swelling of the lining of the airways. Furthermore, goblet cell
hyperplasia results in the production of thick mucus that further occludes the lumen.
4. Which of the following is considered a prerenal cause of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Renal calculi
C. Aminoglycoside toxicity
D. Glomerulonephritis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that reduce systemic circulation, causing a
decrease in renal blood flow. Hypovolemic shock results in decreased perfusion to the
kidneys, which impairs glomerular filtration without initially damaging the renal
parenchyma. In contrast, aminoglycoside toxicity and glomerulonephritis are intrarenal
causes, while calculi represent a postrenal cause.
5. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) develops anemia. What is the primary cause
of this complication?
A. Inadequate production of erythropoietin by the kidneys
B. Chronic blood loss during hemodialysis
C. Shortened life span of red blood cells due to uremia
