NRSG 2350 Northeastern University Final
Exam – Complete Practice Questions
GRADED A +
Question 1
The central chemoreceptors in the brainstem respond primarily to changes
in which parameter to regulate respiratory rate and depth?
A. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂)
B. Carbon dioxide levels (PCO₂) and pH in the cerebrospinal fluid
C. Blood pressure and cardiac output
D. Inflammatory mediators released from mast cells
*Correct Answer: B. Carbon dioxide levels (PCO₂) and pH in the
cerebrospinal fluid. *
Rationale: Central chemoreceptors measure PCO₂ and pH in cerebrospinal
fluid. They increase respiration when PCO₂ increases or pH decreases .
Question 2
A patient has an arterial blood gas showing PO₂ of 55 mmHg. This patient
meets the diagnostic criteria for which condition?
A. Hypercapnia
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Hypoxemia
D. Polycythemia
*Correct Answer: C. Hypoxemia. *
Rationale: Hypoxemia is defined as PO₂ < 60 mmHg .
,Question 3
A patient with chronic hypoxemia develops clubbing of the fingers and
toes. What compensatory mechanism in the body explains this finding?
A. Increased platelet aggregation leading to thrombi formation
B. Vasodilation causing warm, flushed skin and headache
C. Polycythemia as the body increases red blood cell production
D. Decreased nerve activity resulting in CO₂ narcosis
*Correct Answer: C. Polycythemia as the body increases red blood cell
production. *
Rationale: In chronic hypoxemia, the body produces more red blood cells
(polycythemia) to increase oxygen delivery to tissues. Clubbing is associated
with this increased RBC production .
Question 4
A patient with COPD has chronic hypercapnia. Which manifestation is
expected due to the vasodilatory effects of elevated CO₂?
A. Cold, cyanotic extremities
B. Headache and warm, flushed skin
C. Clubbing of the fingers and toes
D. Barrel chest and use of accessory muscles
*Correct Answer: B. Headache and warm, flushed skin. *
Rationale: Hypercapnia causes vasodilation, leading to headache and warm,
flushed skin. Other effects include decreased nerve activity (CO₂ narcosis:
disorientation, somnolence, coma) .
,Question 5
Which of the following conditions is characterized by inflammation and
fibrosis of the bronchial wall with hypertrophied mucous glands?
A. Emphysema
B. Chronic bronchitis
C. Asthma
D. Pulmonary embolism
*Correct Answer: B. Chronic bronchitis. *
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of
the bronchial wall, hypertrophied mucous glands that produce excess mucus,
and obstruction of airflow .
Question 6
A patient with primary emphysema has a genetic deficiency of which
protective substance that normally prevents alveolar damage?
A. Histamine
B. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
C. Alpha-1 antitrypsin
D. Neutrophil elastase
*Correct Answer: C. Alpha-1 antitrypsin. *
Rationale: Primary emphysema is a genetic disorder where patients lack
alpha-1 antitrypsin, which is needed to prevent damage to the alveoli .
Question 7
A patient is experiencing an asthma attack after exercising in cold air. This
type of asthma is classified as which of the following?
A. Extrinsic (atopic) asthma
, B. Intrinsic (nonatopic) asthma
C. Occupational asthma
D. Nocturnal asthma
*Correct Answer: B. Intrinsic (nonatopic) asthma. *
Rationale: Intrinsic (nonatopic) asthma can be triggered by exercise,
hyperventilation, cold air, respiratory infections, or inhaled irritants .
Question 8
Which of the following best describes the difference between LDL and HDL
lipoproteins?
A. LDL is "good" cholesterol and removes cholesterol from the blood
B. HDL is "bad" cholesterol and transports fat to the tissues
C. LDL is "bad" cholesterol and transports fat to the tissues; HDL is "good"
and removes cholesterol
D. There is no clinically significant difference between these lipoproteins
*Correct Answer: C. LDL is "bad" cholesterol and transports fat to the
tissues; HDL is "good" and removes cholesterol. *
Rationale: LDL is considered "bad" cholesterol that transports all fat
molecules around the body; HDL is "good" cholesterol that absorbs
cholesterol and carries it back to the liver to be flushed from the body .
Question 9
What is the definition of orthostatic hypotension, and why is it more
common in older adults?
A. Elevated blood pressure when standing; caused by increased
sympathetic tone
B. Blood pressure drop when standing; age-related impairments in vascular
Exam – Complete Practice Questions
GRADED A +
Question 1
The central chemoreceptors in the brainstem respond primarily to changes
in which parameter to regulate respiratory rate and depth?
A. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂)
B. Carbon dioxide levels (PCO₂) and pH in the cerebrospinal fluid
C. Blood pressure and cardiac output
D. Inflammatory mediators released from mast cells
*Correct Answer: B. Carbon dioxide levels (PCO₂) and pH in the
cerebrospinal fluid. *
Rationale: Central chemoreceptors measure PCO₂ and pH in cerebrospinal
fluid. They increase respiration when PCO₂ increases or pH decreases .
Question 2
A patient has an arterial blood gas showing PO₂ of 55 mmHg. This patient
meets the diagnostic criteria for which condition?
A. Hypercapnia
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Hypoxemia
D. Polycythemia
*Correct Answer: C. Hypoxemia. *
Rationale: Hypoxemia is defined as PO₂ < 60 mmHg .
,Question 3
A patient with chronic hypoxemia develops clubbing of the fingers and
toes. What compensatory mechanism in the body explains this finding?
A. Increased platelet aggregation leading to thrombi formation
B. Vasodilation causing warm, flushed skin and headache
C. Polycythemia as the body increases red blood cell production
D. Decreased nerve activity resulting in CO₂ narcosis
*Correct Answer: C. Polycythemia as the body increases red blood cell
production. *
Rationale: In chronic hypoxemia, the body produces more red blood cells
(polycythemia) to increase oxygen delivery to tissues. Clubbing is associated
with this increased RBC production .
Question 4
A patient with COPD has chronic hypercapnia. Which manifestation is
expected due to the vasodilatory effects of elevated CO₂?
A. Cold, cyanotic extremities
B. Headache and warm, flushed skin
C. Clubbing of the fingers and toes
D. Barrel chest and use of accessory muscles
*Correct Answer: B. Headache and warm, flushed skin. *
Rationale: Hypercapnia causes vasodilation, leading to headache and warm,
flushed skin. Other effects include decreased nerve activity (CO₂ narcosis:
disorientation, somnolence, coma) .
,Question 5
Which of the following conditions is characterized by inflammation and
fibrosis of the bronchial wall with hypertrophied mucous glands?
A. Emphysema
B. Chronic bronchitis
C. Asthma
D. Pulmonary embolism
*Correct Answer: B. Chronic bronchitis. *
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of
the bronchial wall, hypertrophied mucous glands that produce excess mucus,
and obstruction of airflow .
Question 6
A patient with primary emphysema has a genetic deficiency of which
protective substance that normally prevents alveolar damage?
A. Histamine
B. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
C. Alpha-1 antitrypsin
D. Neutrophil elastase
*Correct Answer: C. Alpha-1 antitrypsin. *
Rationale: Primary emphysema is a genetic disorder where patients lack
alpha-1 antitrypsin, which is needed to prevent damage to the alveoli .
Question 7
A patient is experiencing an asthma attack after exercising in cold air. This
type of asthma is classified as which of the following?
A. Extrinsic (atopic) asthma
, B. Intrinsic (nonatopic) asthma
C. Occupational asthma
D. Nocturnal asthma
*Correct Answer: B. Intrinsic (nonatopic) asthma. *
Rationale: Intrinsic (nonatopic) asthma can be triggered by exercise,
hyperventilation, cold air, respiratory infections, or inhaled irritants .
Question 8
Which of the following best describes the difference between LDL and HDL
lipoproteins?
A. LDL is "good" cholesterol and removes cholesterol from the blood
B. HDL is "bad" cholesterol and transports fat to the tissues
C. LDL is "bad" cholesterol and transports fat to the tissues; HDL is "good"
and removes cholesterol
D. There is no clinically significant difference between these lipoproteins
*Correct Answer: C. LDL is "bad" cholesterol and transports fat to the
tissues; HDL is "good" and removes cholesterol. *
Rationale: LDL is considered "bad" cholesterol that transports all fat
molecules around the body; HDL is "good" cholesterol that absorbs
cholesterol and carries it back to the liver to be flushed from the body .
Question 9
What is the definition of orthostatic hypotension, and why is it more
common in older adults?
A. Elevated blood pressure when standing; caused by increased
sympathetic tone
B. Blood pressure drop when standing; age-related impairments in vascular
