NSG 3280 EXAM 2 – PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
FOR NURSES I - PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 2026-2027
Question 1: Which complement protein is responsible for opsonization,
marking pathogens for phagocytosis?
A) C3a
B) C3b
C) C5a
D) C5b
Correct Answer: B) C3b
Rationale: C3b is the complement protein responsible for opsonization. It
binds to the surface of pathogens, marking them for phagocytosis by
neutrophils and macrophages. C3a (A) and C5a (C) are anaphylatoxins that
promote inflammation and chemotaxis. C5b (D) initiates the formation of the
membrane attack complex.
Question 2: A patient with a wound infection has an elevated erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR). This indicates:
A) Hemolytic anemia
B) Presence of inflammation
C) Dehydration
D) Liver disease
Correct Answer: B) Presence of inflammation
,Rationale: ESR is a non-specific marker of inflammation. Inflammatory
proteins (fibrinogen, immunoglobulins) cause red blood cells to aggregate
and sediment faster. Elevated ESR can indicate acute or chronic
inflammation, infection, malignancy, or autoimmune disease. It does not
specifically indicate hemolytic anemia (A), dehydration (C), or liver disease
(D).
Question 3: Which of the following is an acute phase protein produced by
the liver during inflammation?
A) Albumin
B) C-reactive protein (CRP)
C) Hemoglobin
D) Transferrin
Correct Answer: B) C-reactive protein (CRP)
Rationale: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein produced by the
liver in response to inflammation, particularly in response to IL-6. It functions
as an opsonin and activates complement. Albumin (A) is a negative acute
phase protein (levels decrease during inflammation). Hemoglobin (C) is not
an acute phase protein. Transferrin (D) is a negative acute phase protein.
Question 4: Which of the following is a characteristic of the proliferative
phase of wound healing?
A) Formation of a blood clot
B) Formation of granulation tissue
C) Collagen remodeling
D) Neutrophil infiltration
,Correct Answer: B) Formation of granulation tissue
Rationale: The proliferative phase of wound healing is characterized by the
formation of granulation tissue (new blood vessels, fibroblasts, collagen),
wound contraction, and epithelialization. Formation of a blood clot (A) occurs
during the hemostasis phase. Collagen remodeling (C) occurs during the
maturation phase. Neutrophil infiltration (D) occurs during the inflammatory
phase.
Question 5: A patient with an autoimmune disorder has antibodies that
attack the body's own tissues. Which of the following best describes
autoimmunity?
A) The immune system fails to respond to pathogens
B) The immune system attacks the body's own tissues
C) The immune system produces excessive antibodies to foreign antigens
D) The immune system is suppressed
Correct Answer: B) The immune system attacks the body's own tissues
Rationale: Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system fails to distinguish
between self and non-self, leading to an immune response against the body's
own tissues. Examples include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid
arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. The immune system does not fail to respond to
pathogens (A); it mistakenly attacks self.
Question 6: A patient with a hypersensitivity reaction develops contact
dermatitis after exposure to poison ivy. This reaction is mediated by:
A) IgE antibodies
B) IgM antibodies
, C) T lymphocytes
D) Complement activation
Correct Answer: C) T lymphocytes
Rationale: Contact dermatitis to poison ivy is a Type IV (delayed-type)
hypersensitivity reaction mediated by T lymphocytes. After initial
sensitization, re-exposure to the allergen triggers a cell-mediated immune
response, leading to inflammation and skin lesions. IgE antibodies (A)
mediate Type I hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis). Complement activation (D)
mediates Type II and III hypersensitivity.
Question 7: Which of the following is a characteristic of the inflammatory
response?
A) Vasoconstriction
B) Increased capillary permeability
C) Decreased blood flow
D) Decreased white blood cell count
Correct Answer: B) Increased capillary permeability
Rationale: The inflammatory response is characterized by vasodilation
(increased blood flow), increased capillary permeability (allowing fluid and
proteins to leave the vessels), and leukocyte migration (chemotaxis).
Vasoconstriction (A), decreased blood flow (C), and decreased white blood cell
count (D) are not characteristic of inflammation.
Question 8: A patient with a wound infection has a fever. Which of the
following is the mechanism of fever?
FOR NURSES I - PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 2026-2027
Question 1: Which complement protein is responsible for opsonization,
marking pathogens for phagocytosis?
A) C3a
B) C3b
C) C5a
D) C5b
Correct Answer: B) C3b
Rationale: C3b is the complement protein responsible for opsonization. It
binds to the surface of pathogens, marking them for phagocytosis by
neutrophils and macrophages. C3a (A) and C5a (C) are anaphylatoxins that
promote inflammation and chemotaxis. C5b (D) initiates the formation of the
membrane attack complex.
Question 2: A patient with a wound infection has an elevated erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR). This indicates:
A) Hemolytic anemia
B) Presence of inflammation
C) Dehydration
D) Liver disease
Correct Answer: B) Presence of inflammation
,Rationale: ESR is a non-specific marker of inflammation. Inflammatory
proteins (fibrinogen, immunoglobulins) cause red blood cells to aggregate
and sediment faster. Elevated ESR can indicate acute or chronic
inflammation, infection, malignancy, or autoimmune disease. It does not
specifically indicate hemolytic anemia (A), dehydration (C), or liver disease
(D).
Question 3: Which of the following is an acute phase protein produced by
the liver during inflammation?
A) Albumin
B) C-reactive protein (CRP)
C) Hemoglobin
D) Transferrin
Correct Answer: B) C-reactive protein (CRP)
Rationale: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein produced by the
liver in response to inflammation, particularly in response to IL-6. It functions
as an opsonin and activates complement. Albumin (A) is a negative acute
phase protein (levels decrease during inflammation). Hemoglobin (C) is not
an acute phase protein. Transferrin (D) is a negative acute phase protein.
Question 4: Which of the following is a characteristic of the proliferative
phase of wound healing?
A) Formation of a blood clot
B) Formation of granulation tissue
C) Collagen remodeling
D) Neutrophil infiltration
,Correct Answer: B) Formation of granulation tissue
Rationale: The proliferative phase of wound healing is characterized by the
formation of granulation tissue (new blood vessels, fibroblasts, collagen),
wound contraction, and epithelialization. Formation of a blood clot (A) occurs
during the hemostasis phase. Collagen remodeling (C) occurs during the
maturation phase. Neutrophil infiltration (D) occurs during the inflammatory
phase.
Question 5: A patient with an autoimmune disorder has antibodies that
attack the body's own tissues. Which of the following best describes
autoimmunity?
A) The immune system fails to respond to pathogens
B) The immune system attacks the body's own tissues
C) The immune system produces excessive antibodies to foreign antigens
D) The immune system is suppressed
Correct Answer: B) The immune system attacks the body's own tissues
Rationale: Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system fails to distinguish
between self and non-self, leading to an immune response against the body's
own tissues. Examples include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid
arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. The immune system does not fail to respond to
pathogens (A); it mistakenly attacks self.
Question 6: A patient with a hypersensitivity reaction develops contact
dermatitis after exposure to poison ivy. This reaction is mediated by:
A) IgE antibodies
B) IgM antibodies
, C) T lymphocytes
D) Complement activation
Correct Answer: C) T lymphocytes
Rationale: Contact dermatitis to poison ivy is a Type IV (delayed-type)
hypersensitivity reaction mediated by T lymphocytes. After initial
sensitization, re-exposure to the allergen triggers a cell-mediated immune
response, leading to inflammation and skin lesions. IgE antibodies (A)
mediate Type I hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylaxis). Complement activation (D)
mediates Type II and III hypersensitivity.
Question 7: Which of the following is a characteristic of the inflammatory
response?
A) Vasoconstriction
B) Increased capillary permeability
C) Decreased blood flow
D) Decreased white blood cell count
Correct Answer: B) Increased capillary permeability
Rationale: The inflammatory response is characterized by vasodilation
(increased blood flow), increased capillary permeability (allowing fluid and
proteins to leave the vessels), and leukocyte migration (chemotaxis).
Vasoconstriction (A), decreased blood flow (C), and decreased white blood cell
count (D) are not characteristic of inflammation.
Question 8: A patient with a wound infection has a fever. Which of the
following is the mechanism of fever?
