NSG 3280 EXAM 2 – PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR
NURSES I - PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
Course: NSG 3280 – Pathophysiology for Nurses I
Institution: Galen College of Nursing
Exam: Exam 2
Academic Year: 2026
Key Topics Covered:
• Immune System & Inflammation – Acute/chronic inflammation,
immune response, hypersensitivity reactions
• Infectious Diseases – Transmission, stages of infection, herpes, Lyme
disease, HIV/AIDS
• Respiratory Disorders – COPD, asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis,
pulmonary function testing
• Integumentary System – Skin disorders, pressure injuries, burns,
wound healing
• Autonomic Nervous System – Sympathetic/parasympathetic
responses, neurotransmitters
• Cardiovascular Disorders – Heart failure, angina, myocardial
infarction, arrhythmias
• Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances
• Pain & Pain Management
• Stress & Coping
,SECTION 1: IMMUNE SYSTEM & INFLAMMATION
(Questions 1–35)
Question 1: A patient presents with redness, swelling, heat, and pain at a
wound site. The nurse recognizes these as:
A) Systemic manifestations of infection
B) Cardinal signs of inflammation
C) Allergic reaction symptoms
D) Signs of tissue necrosis
Correct Answer: B) Cardinal signs of inflammation
Rationale: The classic cardinal signs of inflammation are rubor (redness),
tumor (swelling), calor (heat), and dolor (pain). These result from vasodilation
and increased capillary permeability mediated by chemical mediators like
histamine and prostaglandins.
Question 2: Which chemical mediator released by mast cells causes
vasodilation and increased capillary permeability during the inflammatory
response?
A) Prostaglandin
B) Leukotriene
C) Histamine
D) Cytokine
Correct Answer: C) Histamine
Rationale: Histamine is released from mast cells and basophils during the
inflammatory response. It causes vasodilation, increased capillary
,permeability, and smooth muscle contraction. Prostaglandins and
leukotrienes also contribute to inflammation but are synthesized later in the
response.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic inflammation.
Which cell type would the nurse expect to find predominantly at the site?
A) Neutrophils
B) Macrophages and lymphocytes
C) Eosinophils
D) Basophils
Correct Answer: B) Macrophages and lymphocytes
Rationale: Chronic inflammation is characterized by the predominance of
macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as plasma cells and fibroblasts.
Neutrophils are the predominant cells in acute inflammation. Macrophages
are responsible for phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and tissue remodeling
in chronic inflammation.
Question 4: Which substance do anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit to
produce their therapeutic effect?
A) Histamine
B) Prostaglandins
C) Leukocytes
D) Antibodies
Correct Answer: B) Prostaglandins
Rationale: Anti-inflammatory medications, including NSAIDs and
corticosteroids, primarily work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. NSAIDs
, inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, while corticosteroids inhibit
phospholipase A2, reducing production of both prostaglandins and
leukotrienes.
Question 5: A patient with an infection develops a fever. This is considered
a:
A) Local manifestation of inflammation
B) Systemic manifestation of inflammation
C) Sign of tissue necrosis
D) Allergic reaction
Correct Answer: B) Systemic manifestation of inflammation
Rationale: Fever is a systemic manifestation of inflammation, along with
leukocytosis, malaise, and the acute phase response. It is caused by pyrogens
(such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor) that act on the
hypothalamus to raise the body's temperature set point.
Question 6: Which type of immunity is acquired through vaccination?
A) Natural active immunity
B) Artificial active immunity
C) Natural passive immunity
D) Artificial passive immunity
Correct Answer: B) Artificial active immunity
Rationale: Artificial active immunity is acquired through vaccination, where
the body is exposed to an antigen and produces its own antibodies and
memory cells. Natural active immunity occurs after exposure to a pathogen.
Natural passive immunity occurs through maternal antibodies. Artificial
NURSES I - PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
Course: NSG 3280 – Pathophysiology for Nurses I
Institution: Galen College of Nursing
Exam: Exam 2
Academic Year: 2026
Key Topics Covered:
• Immune System & Inflammation – Acute/chronic inflammation,
immune response, hypersensitivity reactions
• Infectious Diseases – Transmission, stages of infection, herpes, Lyme
disease, HIV/AIDS
• Respiratory Disorders – COPD, asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis,
pulmonary function testing
• Integumentary System – Skin disorders, pressure injuries, burns,
wound healing
• Autonomic Nervous System – Sympathetic/parasympathetic
responses, neurotransmitters
• Cardiovascular Disorders – Heart failure, angina, myocardial
infarction, arrhythmias
• Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances
• Pain & Pain Management
• Stress & Coping
,SECTION 1: IMMUNE SYSTEM & INFLAMMATION
(Questions 1–35)
Question 1: A patient presents with redness, swelling, heat, and pain at a
wound site. The nurse recognizes these as:
A) Systemic manifestations of infection
B) Cardinal signs of inflammation
C) Allergic reaction symptoms
D) Signs of tissue necrosis
Correct Answer: B) Cardinal signs of inflammation
Rationale: The classic cardinal signs of inflammation are rubor (redness),
tumor (swelling), calor (heat), and dolor (pain). These result from vasodilation
and increased capillary permeability mediated by chemical mediators like
histamine and prostaglandins.
Question 2: Which chemical mediator released by mast cells causes
vasodilation and increased capillary permeability during the inflammatory
response?
A) Prostaglandin
B) Leukotriene
C) Histamine
D) Cytokine
Correct Answer: C) Histamine
Rationale: Histamine is released from mast cells and basophils during the
inflammatory response. It causes vasodilation, increased capillary
,permeability, and smooth muscle contraction. Prostaglandins and
leukotrienes also contribute to inflammation but are synthesized later in the
response.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic inflammation.
Which cell type would the nurse expect to find predominantly at the site?
A) Neutrophils
B) Macrophages and lymphocytes
C) Eosinophils
D) Basophils
Correct Answer: B) Macrophages and lymphocytes
Rationale: Chronic inflammation is characterized by the predominance of
macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as plasma cells and fibroblasts.
Neutrophils are the predominant cells in acute inflammation. Macrophages
are responsible for phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and tissue remodeling
in chronic inflammation.
Question 4: Which substance do anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit to
produce their therapeutic effect?
A) Histamine
B) Prostaglandins
C) Leukocytes
D) Antibodies
Correct Answer: B) Prostaglandins
Rationale: Anti-inflammatory medications, including NSAIDs and
corticosteroids, primarily work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. NSAIDs
, inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, while corticosteroids inhibit
phospholipase A2, reducing production of both prostaglandins and
leukotrienes.
Question 5: A patient with an infection develops a fever. This is considered
a:
A) Local manifestation of inflammation
B) Systemic manifestation of inflammation
C) Sign of tissue necrosis
D) Allergic reaction
Correct Answer: B) Systemic manifestation of inflammation
Rationale: Fever is a systemic manifestation of inflammation, along with
leukocytosis, malaise, and the acute phase response. It is caused by pyrogens
(such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor) that act on the
hypothalamus to raise the body's temperature set point.
Question 6: Which type of immunity is acquired through vaccination?
A) Natural active immunity
B) Artificial active immunity
C) Natural passive immunity
D) Artificial passive immunity
Correct Answer: B) Artificial active immunity
Rationale: Artificial active immunity is acquired through vaccination, where
the body is exposed to an antigen and produces its own antibodies and
memory cells. Natural active immunity occurs after exposure to a pathogen.
Natural passive immunity occurs through maternal antibodies. Artificial
