NUR 611 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During cellular injury, what is the primary consequence of a failure in the sodium-
potassium (Na+/K+) pump?
A. Cellular swelling due to sodium influx
B. Isotonic cell shrinkage
C. Intracellular dehydration
D. Decreased osmotic pressure within the cell
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Failure of the Na+/K+ pump leads to the accumulation of sodium
inside the cell, which increases osmotic pressure and draws water in, causing cellular
swelling (onchosis).
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T-waves and a widened QRS
complex on an EKG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
,C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia increases the resting membrane potential, leading
to faster repolarization (peaked T-curves) and eventually slowing conduction (widened
QRS).
3. What is the primary mechanism of Type II hypersensitivity reactions?
A. Antibody-mediated cell destruction or dysfunction
B. T-cell mediated cytotoxicity
C. IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation
D. Immune complex deposition in tissues
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Type II hypersensitivity involves IgG or IgM antibodies binding
to antigens on specific cell surfaces, leading to cell lysis or phagocytosis.
4. Which compensation mechanism occurs during metabolic acidosis?
A. The kidneys excrete more bicarbonate
B. The lungs decrease the respiratory rate to retain CO2
C. The kidneys retain hydrogen ions
, D. The lungs increase the respiratory rate to blow off CO2
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In metabolic acidosis, the lungs compensate by hyperventilating
(Kussmaul respirations) to decrease PaCO2 and increase the pH.
5. A patient with SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone) is at highest risk
for which complication?
A. Dilutional hyponatremia and cerebral edema
B. Hypernatremia and dehydration
C. Hypokalemia and cardiac arrhythmias
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes serum
sodium levels, leading to hyponatremia and potential brain swelling.
6. The ‘p53’ gene is best described as a:
A. Proto-oncogene
B. Angiogenic factor gene
C. DNA polymerase gene
D. Tumor suppressor gene
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During cellular injury, what is the primary consequence of a failure in the sodium-
potassium (Na+/K+) pump?
A. Cellular swelling due to sodium influx
B. Isotonic cell shrinkage
C. Intracellular dehydration
D. Decreased osmotic pressure within the cell
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Failure of the Na+/K+ pump leads to the accumulation of sodium
inside the cell, which increases osmotic pressure and draws water in, causing cellular
swelling (onchosis).
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T-waves and a widened QRS
complex on an EKG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
,C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia increases the resting membrane potential, leading
to faster repolarization (peaked T-curves) and eventually slowing conduction (widened
QRS).
3. What is the primary mechanism of Type II hypersensitivity reactions?
A. Antibody-mediated cell destruction or dysfunction
B. T-cell mediated cytotoxicity
C. IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation
D. Immune complex deposition in tissues
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Type II hypersensitivity involves IgG or IgM antibodies binding
to antigens on specific cell surfaces, leading to cell lysis or phagocytosis.
4. Which compensation mechanism occurs during metabolic acidosis?
A. The kidneys excrete more bicarbonate
B. The lungs decrease the respiratory rate to retain CO2
C. The kidneys retain hydrogen ions
, D. The lungs increase the respiratory rate to blow off CO2
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In metabolic acidosis, the lungs compensate by hyperventilating
(Kussmaul respirations) to decrease PaCO2 and increase the pH.
5. A patient with SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone) is at highest risk
for which complication?
A. Dilutional hyponatremia and cerebral edema
B. Hypernatremia and dehydration
C. Hypokalemia and cardiac arrhythmias
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes serum
sodium levels, leading to hyponatremia and potential brain swelling.
6. The ‘p53’ gene is best described as a:
A. Proto-oncogene
B. Angiogenic factor gene
C. DNA polymerase gene
D. Tumor suppressor gene
