NR283 EXAM 3 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE TEST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens on inspiration,
and a respiratory rate of 28. A V/Q scan indicates a mismatch. Which condition is most likely?
A. Pulmonary Embolism
B. Pulmonary Edema
C. Pneumothorax
D. Atelectasis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Pulmonary embolism typically causes a ventilation-perfusion
(V/Q) mismatch where areas are ventilated but not perfused due to a clot.
2. In the development of Left-Sided Heart Failure, which physiological manifestation is
primarily caused by pulmonary congestion?
A. Jugular Venous Distension
B. Orthopnea
C. Splenomegaly
,D. Peripheral Edema
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Orthopnea is the difficulty breathing while lying flat, caused by
pulmonary congestion associated with left-sided heart failure.
3. Which type of shock is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response leading to
massive vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Septic Shock
B. Hypovolemic Shock
C. Cardiogenic Shock
D. Neurogenic Shock
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Septic shock involves infection-triggered inflammatory
mediators causing widespread vasodilation and capillary leaking.
4. What is the hallmark clinical finding of Tension Pneumothorax that distinguishes it from a
simple pneumothorax?
A. Absent breath sounds
B. Dyspnea
C. Sudden chest pain
D. Mediastinal shift to the unaffected side
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In a tension pneumothorax, air pressure builds up, pushing the
heart and great vessels toward the opposite side, known as a mediastinal shift.
5. A client with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a GFR of 25 mL/min/1.73 m². Which stage of
CKD is this patient in?
A. Stage 2
B. Stage 4
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 5
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Stage 4 CKD is defined by a severely decreased GFR ranging
from 15 to 29 mL/min.
6. Which compensatory mechanism is activated by the kidneys in response to decreased
cardiac output and low blood pressure?
A. Activation of the RAAS system
B. Release of Natriuretic Peptides
C. Inhibition of ADH
D. Parasympathetic stimulation
Answer: A
COMPREHENSIVE TEST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens on inspiration,
and a respiratory rate of 28. A V/Q scan indicates a mismatch. Which condition is most likely?
A. Pulmonary Embolism
B. Pulmonary Edema
C. Pneumothorax
D. Atelectasis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Pulmonary embolism typically causes a ventilation-perfusion
(V/Q) mismatch where areas are ventilated but not perfused due to a clot.
2. In the development of Left-Sided Heart Failure, which physiological manifestation is
primarily caused by pulmonary congestion?
A. Jugular Venous Distension
B. Orthopnea
C. Splenomegaly
,D. Peripheral Edema
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Orthopnea is the difficulty breathing while lying flat, caused by
pulmonary congestion associated with left-sided heart failure.
3. Which type of shock is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response leading to
massive vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Septic Shock
B. Hypovolemic Shock
C. Cardiogenic Shock
D. Neurogenic Shock
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Septic shock involves infection-triggered inflammatory
mediators causing widespread vasodilation and capillary leaking.
4. What is the hallmark clinical finding of Tension Pneumothorax that distinguishes it from a
simple pneumothorax?
A. Absent breath sounds
B. Dyspnea
C. Sudden chest pain
D. Mediastinal shift to the unaffected side
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In a tension pneumothorax, air pressure builds up, pushing the
heart and great vessels toward the opposite side, known as a mediastinal shift.
5. A client with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a GFR of 25 mL/min/1.73 m². Which stage of
CKD is this patient in?
A. Stage 2
B. Stage 4
C. Stage 3
D. Stage 5
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Stage 4 CKD is defined by a severely decreased GFR ranging
from 15 to 29 mL/min.
6. Which compensatory mechanism is activated by the kidneys in response to decreased
cardiac output and low blood pressure?
A. Activation of the RAAS system
B. Release of Natriuretic Peptides
C. Inhibition of ADH
D. Parasympathetic stimulation
Answer: A
