Page 1 of 156
NSG 5140 Final Exam – Advanced Pathophysiology
South College QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
NSG 5140 Final Exam – Advanced Pathophysiology South College
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Cellular Injury, Adaptation, and Death — cell injury, hypoxia, ischemia, ATP depletion,
apoptosis, necrosis, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, metaplasia, free radicals, inflammation,
and cellular repair.
2. Genetics, Genomics, and Cancer — genetic mutations, inheritance patterns, chromosomal
disorders, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cancer development, metastasis, staging, and
cellular growth.
3. Inflammation and Immune Disorders — acute and chronic inflammation, inflammatory
mediators, innate and adaptive immunity, hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmune disorders,
immunodeficiency, and transplant responses.
4. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders — dehydration, fluid overload, sodium and
potassium disorders, calcium disorders, osmolality, metabolic and respiratory acidosis or
alkalosis, compensation, and related clinical findings.
5. Hematologic Disorders — anemia, iron deficiency, sickle cell disease, hemolysis, leukemia,
lymphoma, clotting disorders, platelet disorders, and abnormalities of red and white blood cells.
6. Cardiovascular Disorders — hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart
failure, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, shock, and vascular disorders.
7. Respiratory Disorders — ventilation and perfusion, gas exchange, hypoxemia, asthma, COPD,
pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, and acid-base
effects.
8. Renal and Urinary Disorders — kidney filtration, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease,
nephrotic and nephritic syndromes, glomerular disease, fluid regulation, and renal effects on
electrolytes and acid-base balance.
9. Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders — diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, pituitary
disorders, calcium regulation, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and hormone
abnormalities.
10. Neurologic, GI, Hepatic, and Multisystem Disorders — neurologic injury, seizures, stroke,
neuropathy, GI disorders, liver disease, pancreatitis, infection, and systemic effects of severe
disease.
1.
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A patient develops cellular injury after severe hypoxia. Which change occurs first because the cell
cannot produce enough energy?
A. Increased DNA production
B. Decreased ATP production
C. Increased protein production
D. Increased calcium storage
Answer: B. Decreased ATP production
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen needed for aerobic metabolism. ATP production falls, causing failure
of energy-dependent cellular processes.
2.
A patient has long-term high blood pressure and develops an enlarged left ventricle. Which cellular
adaptation best explains this change?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
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Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy means cells become larger. Cardiac muscle commonly becomes larger when it
must work against increased pressure.
3.
A patient has severe diarrhea for several days and develops weakness and low blood pressure. Which
problem is most likely causing these findings?
A. Fluid volume deficit
B. Fluid volume excess
C. Increased plasma volume
D. Increased intracellular fluid
Answer: A. Fluid volume deficit
Rationale: Severe diarrhea causes loss of water and electrolytes, which can reduce circulating blood
volume and cause hypotension.
4.
, Page 4 of 156
A patient has type 1 diabetes mellitus caused by destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Which hormone
becomes deficient because of this process?
A. Cortisol
B. Insulin
C. Thyroxine
D. Aldosterone
Answer: B. Insulin
Rationale: Pancreatic beta cells produce insulin. Their destruction causes severe insulin deficiency in
type 1 diabetes.
5.
A patient has an allergic reaction with swelling, itching, and bronchoconstriction. Which substance is
mainly responsible for these early findings?
A. Histamine
B. Insulin
C. Albumin
D. Hemoglobin
NSG 5140 Final Exam – Advanced Pathophysiology
South College QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
NSG 5140 Final Exam – Advanced Pathophysiology South College
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Cellular Injury, Adaptation, and Death — cell injury, hypoxia, ischemia, ATP depletion,
apoptosis, necrosis, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, metaplasia, free radicals, inflammation,
and cellular repair.
2. Genetics, Genomics, and Cancer — genetic mutations, inheritance patterns, chromosomal
disorders, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cancer development, metastasis, staging, and
cellular growth.
3. Inflammation and Immune Disorders — acute and chronic inflammation, inflammatory
mediators, innate and adaptive immunity, hypersensitivity reactions, autoimmune disorders,
immunodeficiency, and transplant responses.
4. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders — dehydration, fluid overload, sodium and
potassium disorders, calcium disorders, osmolality, metabolic and respiratory acidosis or
alkalosis, compensation, and related clinical findings.
5. Hematologic Disorders — anemia, iron deficiency, sickle cell disease, hemolysis, leukemia,
lymphoma, clotting disorders, platelet disorders, and abnormalities of red and white blood cells.
6. Cardiovascular Disorders — hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart
failure, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, shock, and vascular disorders.
7. Respiratory Disorders — ventilation and perfusion, gas exchange, hypoxemia, asthma, COPD,
pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, and acid-base
effects.
8. Renal and Urinary Disorders — kidney filtration, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease,
nephrotic and nephritic syndromes, glomerular disease, fluid regulation, and renal effects on
electrolytes and acid-base balance.
9. Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders — diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, pituitary
disorders, calcium regulation, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and hormone
abnormalities.
10. Neurologic, GI, Hepatic, and Multisystem Disorders — neurologic injury, seizures, stroke,
neuropathy, GI disorders, liver disease, pancreatitis, infection, and systemic effects of severe
disease.
1.
, Page 2 of 156
A patient develops cellular injury after severe hypoxia. Which change occurs first because the cell
cannot produce enough energy?
A. Increased DNA production
B. Decreased ATP production
C. Increased protein production
D. Increased calcium storage
Answer: B. Decreased ATP production
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen needed for aerobic metabolism. ATP production falls, causing failure
of energy-dependent cellular processes.
2.
A patient has long-term high blood pressure and develops an enlarged left ventricle. Which cellular
adaptation best explains this change?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
, Page 3 of 156
Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy means cells become larger. Cardiac muscle commonly becomes larger when it
must work against increased pressure.
3.
A patient has severe diarrhea for several days and develops weakness and low blood pressure. Which
problem is most likely causing these findings?
A. Fluid volume deficit
B. Fluid volume excess
C. Increased plasma volume
D. Increased intracellular fluid
Answer: A. Fluid volume deficit
Rationale: Severe diarrhea causes loss of water and electrolytes, which can reduce circulating blood
volume and cause hypotension.
4.
, Page 4 of 156
A patient has type 1 diabetes mellitus caused by destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Which hormone
becomes deficient because of this process?
A. Cortisol
B. Insulin
C. Thyroxine
D. Aldosterone
Answer: B. Insulin
Rationale: Pancreatic beta cells produce insulin. Their destruction causes severe insulin deficiency in
type 1 diabetes.
5.
A patient has an allergic reaction with swelling, itching, and bronchoconstriction. Which substance is
mainly responsible for these early findings?
A. Histamine
B. Insulin
C. Albumin
D. Hemoglobin
