BSN Midterm Study Guide: Nursing Process, Pathophysiology &
Pharmacology Exam 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which phase of the nursing process is a nurse performing when they establish
short-term and long-term goals for a patient?
A. Planning
B. Diagnosis
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Answer: A
Rationale: The planning phase involves prioritizing nursing diagnoses, setting patient-
centered goals, and choosing nursing interventions.
2. A patient reports ‘crushing chest pain’ and ‘shortness of breath.’ What type of
data is this considered?
A. Objective data
B. Baseline data
C. Secondary data
D. Subjective data
Answer: D
Rationale: Subjective data are information gathered from the patient’s point of view
(‘symptoms’), such as feelings or perceptions.
,3. Which of the following describes the cellular adaptation where one adult cell
type is replaced by another adult cell type due to chronic irritation?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another to better endure environmental stress.
4. What is the primary intracellular cation responsible for maintaining resting
membrane potential?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular cation; sodium is the major extracellular
cation.
5. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s ABG results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55, HCO3 24.
How should the nurse interpret this?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 indicates the respiratory
system is the cause.
, 6. Which pharmacokinetic process is most affected by a patient with severe liver
cirrhosis?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism (biotransformation).
7. A drug with a narrow therapeutic index implies which of the following?
A. The difference between a lethal dose and effective dose is small
B. The drug is very safe and rarely toxic
C. The drug does not require blood level monitoring
D. The drug has a very long half-life
Answer: A
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index means there is a small margin of safety between
therapeutic and toxic doses.
8. Which sign is a classic clinical manifestation of hypocalcemia?
A. Polydipsia
B. Hyporeflexia
C. Trousseau’s sign
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm) and Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) indicate
neuromuscular irritability from low calcium.
Pharmacology Exam 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which phase of the nursing process is a nurse performing when they establish
short-term and long-term goals for a patient?
A. Planning
B. Diagnosis
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Answer: A
Rationale: The planning phase involves prioritizing nursing diagnoses, setting patient-
centered goals, and choosing nursing interventions.
2. A patient reports ‘crushing chest pain’ and ‘shortness of breath.’ What type of
data is this considered?
A. Objective data
B. Baseline data
C. Secondary data
D. Subjective data
Answer: D
Rationale: Subjective data are information gathered from the patient’s point of view
(‘symptoms’), such as feelings or perceptions.
,3. Which of the following describes the cellular adaptation where one adult cell
type is replaced by another adult cell type due to chronic irritation?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another to better endure environmental stress.
4. What is the primary intracellular cation responsible for maintaining resting
membrane potential?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular cation; sodium is the major extracellular
cation.
5. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s ABG results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55, HCO3 24.
How should the nurse interpret this?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 indicates the respiratory
system is the cause.
, 6. Which pharmacokinetic process is most affected by a patient with severe liver
cirrhosis?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: C
Rationale: The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism (biotransformation).
7. A drug with a narrow therapeutic index implies which of the following?
A. The difference between a lethal dose and effective dose is small
B. The drug is very safe and rarely toxic
C. The drug does not require blood level monitoring
D. The drug has a very long half-life
Answer: A
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index means there is a small margin of safety between
therapeutic and toxic doses.
8. Which sign is a classic clinical manifestation of hypocalcemia?
A. Polydipsia
B. Hyporeflexia
C. Trousseau’s sign
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm) and Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) indicate
neuromuscular irritability from low calcium.
