NR-507 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (PDF) | 2026 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE |
100% CORRECT
1. What is the final stage of the infectious process?
A) Colonization
B) Invasion
C) Multiplication
D) Spread
Correct Answer: D) Spread
Rationale: The infectious process has four separate stages: colonization, invasion, multiplication,
and spread. Spread is the final stage where the organism moves to other tissues or organ systems,
potentially causing systemic disease .
2. Where in the respiratory tract do the majority of foreign objects aspirated by children
finally lodge?
A) Trachea
B) Left lung
C) Bronchus
D) Bronchioles
Correct Answer: C) Bronchus
Rationale: Approximately 75% of aspirated foreign bodies lodge in a bronchus, with the right
main bronchus being the most common site due to its more vertical and wider anatomy .
3. What is the primary cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn?
A) Immature immune system
B) Small alveoli
C) Surfactant deficiency
D) Anemia
Correct Answer: C) Surfactant deficiency
Rationale: RDS of the newborn, also known as hyaline membrane disease, is a major cause of
morbidity and mortality in premature newborns. Surfactant deficiency is the primary cause .
4. Which compensatory mechanism is spontaneously used by children with cyanotic
congenital heart disease to relieve hypoxic spells?
A) Crying
B) Lying flat
C) Squatting
D) Hyperventilating
Correct Answer: C) Squatting
,Rationale: Children with cyanotic heart disease, such as Tetralogy of Fallot, often adopt a
squatting position to relieve hypoxic spells. Squatting increases systemic vascular resistance
while decreasing venous return from the inferior vena cava .
5. Which cytokines initiate the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)?
A) IL-1 and IL-6
B) IL-2 and TNF-α
C) IFN and IL-12
D) TNF-β and IL-4
Correct Answer: A) IL-1 and IL-6
Rationale: High levels of IL-1 and IL-6 initiate the production of CRH .
6. Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) can occur if the mother:
A) Is Rh-positive and the fetus is Rh-negative
B) Is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive
C) Has type A blood and the fetus has type O
D) Has type AB blood and the fetus has type B
Correct Answer: B) Is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive
Rationale: HDN can occur if antigens on fetal erythrocytes differ from antigens on maternal
erythrocytes. Maternal-fetal incompatibility exists if the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is
Rh-positive .
7. Decreased lung compliance means that the lungs are demonstrating which characteristic?
A) Difficult deflation
B) Easy inflation
C) Stiffness
D) Inability to diffuse oxygen
Correct Answer: C) Stiffness
Rationale: A decrease in compliance indicates that the lungs or chest wall is abnormally stiff or
difficult to inflate .
8. Which statement concerning exotoxins is true?
A) Exotoxins are contained in cell walls of gram-negative bacteria
B) Exotoxins are released during the lysis of bacteria
C) Exotoxins are able to initiate the complement and coagulation cascades
D) Exotoxins are released during bacterial growth
Correct Answer: D) Exotoxins are released during bacterial growth
Rationale: Exotoxins are proteins released during bacterial growth. The other options describe
endotoxins .
, 9. What is the ratio of coronary capillaries to cardiac muscle cells?
A) 1:1 (one capillary per one muscle cell)
B) 1:2 (one capillary per two muscle cells)
C) 1:4 (one capillary per four muscle cells)
D) 1:10 (one capillary per ten muscle cells)
Correct Answer: A) 1:1 (one capillary per one muscle cell)
Rationale: The heart has an extensive capillary network, with approximately one capillary per
one cardiac muscle cell .
10. How high does the plasma glucose have to be before the threshold for glucose is
achieved?
A) 126 mg/dl
B) 150 mg/dl
C) 180 mg/dl
D) 200 mg/dl
Correct Answer: C) 180 mg/dl
Rationale: When the plasma glucose reaches 180 mg/dl, the threshold for glucose is achieved, as
occurs in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus .
11. What is the chief predisposing factor for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the
newborn?
A) Low birth weight
B) Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
C) Premature birth
D) Smoking during pregnancy
Correct Answer: C) Premature birth
Rationale: Premature birth is the chief predisposing factor for RDS of the newborn .
12. Perceived stress elicits an emotional, anticipatory response that begins where?
A) Prefrontal cortex
B) Anterior pituitary
C) Limbic system
D) Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: C) Limbic system
Rationale: Perceived stressors elicit an anticipatory response that begins in the limbic system, the
region responsible for emotions and cognition .
13. Causes of hyperkalemia include:
A) Hyperparathyroidism and malnutrition
B) Vomiting and diarrhea
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE |
100% CORRECT
1. What is the final stage of the infectious process?
A) Colonization
B) Invasion
C) Multiplication
D) Spread
Correct Answer: D) Spread
Rationale: The infectious process has four separate stages: colonization, invasion, multiplication,
and spread. Spread is the final stage where the organism moves to other tissues or organ systems,
potentially causing systemic disease .
2. Where in the respiratory tract do the majority of foreign objects aspirated by children
finally lodge?
A) Trachea
B) Left lung
C) Bronchus
D) Bronchioles
Correct Answer: C) Bronchus
Rationale: Approximately 75% of aspirated foreign bodies lodge in a bronchus, with the right
main bronchus being the most common site due to its more vertical and wider anatomy .
3. What is the primary cause of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn?
A) Immature immune system
B) Small alveoli
C) Surfactant deficiency
D) Anemia
Correct Answer: C) Surfactant deficiency
Rationale: RDS of the newborn, also known as hyaline membrane disease, is a major cause of
morbidity and mortality in premature newborns. Surfactant deficiency is the primary cause .
4. Which compensatory mechanism is spontaneously used by children with cyanotic
congenital heart disease to relieve hypoxic spells?
A) Crying
B) Lying flat
C) Squatting
D) Hyperventilating
Correct Answer: C) Squatting
,Rationale: Children with cyanotic heart disease, such as Tetralogy of Fallot, often adopt a
squatting position to relieve hypoxic spells. Squatting increases systemic vascular resistance
while decreasing venous return from the inferior vena cava .
5. Which cytokines initiate the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)?
A) IL-1 and IL-6
B) IL-2 and TNF-α
C) IFN and IL-12
D) TNF-β and IL-4
Correct Answer: A) IL-1 and IL-6
Rationale: High levels of IL-1 and IL-6 initiate the production of CRH .
6. Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) can occur if the mother:
A) Is Rh-positive and the fetus is Rh-negative
B) Is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive
C) Has type A blood and the fetus has type O
D) Has type AB blood and the fetus has type B
Correct Answer: B) Is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive
Rationale: HDN can occur if antigens on fetal erythrocytes differ from antigens on maternal
erythrocytes. Maternal-fetal incompatibility exists if the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is
Rh-positive .
7. Decreased lung compliance means that the lungs are demonstrating which characteristic?
A) Difficult deflation
B) Easy inflation
C) Stiffness
D) Inability to diffuse oxygen
Correct Answer: C) Stiffness
Rationale: A decrease in compliance indicates that the lungs or chest wall is abnormally stiff or
difficult to inflate .
8. Which statement concerning exotoxins is true?
A) Exotoxins are contained in cell walls of gram-negative bacteria
B) Exotoxins are released during the lysis of bacteria
C) Exotoxins are able to initiate the complement and coagulation cascades
D) Exotoxins are released during bacterial growth
Correct Answer: D) Exotoxins are released during bacterial growth
Rationale: Exotoxins are proteins released during bacterial growth. The other options describe
endotoxins .
, 9. What is the ratio of coronary capillaries to cardiac muscle cells?
A) 1:1 (one capillary per one muscle cell)
B) 1:2 (one capillary per two muscle cells)
C) 1:4 (one capillary per four muscle cells)
D) 1:10 (one capillary per ten muscle cells)
Correct Answer: A) 1:1 (one capillary per one muscle cell)
Rationale: The heart has an extensive capillary network, with approximately one capillary per
one cardiac muscle cell .
10. How high does the plasma glucose have to be before the threshold for glucose is
achieved?
A) 126 mg/dl
B) 150 mg/dl
C) 180 mg/dl
D) 200 mg/dl
Correct Answer: C) 180 mg/dl
Rationale: When the plasma glucose reaches 180 mg/dl, the threshold for glucose is achieved, as
occurs in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus .
11. What is the chief predisposing factor for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the
newborn?
A) Low birth weight
B) Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
C) Premature birth
D) Smoking during pregnancy
Correct Answer: C) Premature birth
Rationale: Premature birth is the chief predisposing factor for RDS of the newborn .
12. Perceived stress elicits an emotional, anticipatory response that begins where?
A) Prefrontal cortex
B) Anterior pituitary
C) Limbic system
D) Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: C) Limbic system
Rationale: Perceived stressors elicit an anticipatory response that begins in the limbic system, the
region responsible for emotions and cognition .
13. Causes of hyperkalemia include:
A) Hyperparathyroidism and malnutrition
B) Vomiting and diarrhea
