NR 324 Exam Pathophysiology
Questions
with Detailed Answers &
Rationales |
Verified & Graded A+ | LATEST
Edition
2026/2027 Frequently Most Tested Questions and 100%
Accurate From Past papers | Graded A+ , Reviewed and
Updated | 100% Guarantee Pass | Latest Exam and Newest
Version!!!
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has an epidural infusion of local
anesthetic. The client reports a sudden headache, nausea, and neck stiffness. Which
action should the nurse take first?
a. Administer acetaminophen
b. Lower the infusion rate
c. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
d. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These symptoms suggest possible dural puncture and spread of anesthetic, or
intracranial involvement. The infusion should be stopped and the provider notified
immediately. DIF: Application | OBJ: Recognize complications of epidural therapy | TOP:
Pain management / Safety
,A nurse is assessing a client with chronic heart failure who reports increasing shortness
of breath, orthopnea, and weight gain of 3 kg in two days. Which laboratory value
should the nurse check first?
a. Serum potassium
b. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
c. Serum creatinine
d. Troponin I
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BNP is a marker of ventricular stretch and heart failure exacerbation,
correlating with worsening fluid overload. DIF: Application | OBJ: Interpret diagnostic
data | TOP: Cardiovascular / Heart Failure
A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) presents with Kussmaul respirations, fruity
breath odor, and polyuria. Which acid-base disorder should the nurse expect on the
arterial blood gas (ABG)?
a. Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
b. Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
c. Respiratory acidosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In DKA, accumulation of ketoacids leads to primary metabolic acidosis;
Kussmaul respirations are compensatory hyperventilation. DIF: Application | OBJ:
Recognize acid-base disturbances | TOP: Endocrine / Metabolic
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an ABG result: pH 7.31,
PaCO₂ 55 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 28 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
a. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
b. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
,c. Metabolic acidosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated PaCO₂ with low pH indicates respiratory acidosis; the elevated HCO₃⁻
suggests renal compensation is in progress (partial compensation). DIF: Analysis | OBJ:
Interpret acid-base data | TOP: Respiratory / Acid-Base
A nurse is caring for a client who recently had a traumatic brain injury. The client's
intracranial pressure (ICP) begins rising. Which assessment finding should be addressed
first?
a. Decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale from 14 to 12
b. Pulse 110 beats/min
c. Blood pressure 150/90 mm Hg
d. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
✔️ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypoventilation will raise CO₂, causing vasodilation and further increases in
ICP; respiratory compromise is highest priority. DIF: Application | OBJ: Prioritize care |
TOP: Neurology / Intracranial Pressure
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is developing metabolic acidosis. Which
compensatory mechanism does the nurse expect to observe?
a. Increased respiratory rate (hyperventilation)
b. Decreased respiratory rate (hypoventilation)
c. Increased secretion of ammonia by the kidneys
d. Increased bicarbonate loss in urine
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The lungs attempt to compensate by blowing off CO₂, decreasing PaCO₂ and
moving pH toward normal. DIF: Application | OBJ: Recognize compensation | TOP: Renal
/ Acid-Base
, A client presents with hyperthyroidism. The nurse should expect to assess which of the
following?
a. Cold intolerance, bradycardia, weight gain
b. Heat intolerance, tachycardia, weight loss
c. Hyperreflexia, coarse hair, lethargy
d. Hypotension, anorexia, brittle nails
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperthyroid clients have increased metabolic rate, leading to heat
intolerance, tachycardia, and weight loss. DIF: Knowledge | OBJ: Recognize clinical
manifestations | TOP: Endocrine / Thyroid
A nurse is caring for a client who has had a myocardial infarction (MI). The client begins
to have sudden onset of pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and a friction rub. Which
complication is most likely occurring?
a. Ventricular aneurysm
b. Pericarditis
c. Papillary muscle rupture
d. Ventricular septal rupture
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Post-MI inflammation of pericardial layers causes chest pain aggravated by
respiration and friction rub on auscultation. DIF: Application | OBJ: Recognize
complications | TOP: Cardiovascular / Post-MI
A client is diagnosed with Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency). Which of the
following electrolyte abnormalities should the nurse anticipate?
a. Hypernatremia, hyperkalemia
b. Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia
Questions
with Detailed Answers &
Rationales |
Verified & Graded A+ | LATEST
Edition
2026/2027 Frequently Most Tested Questions and 100%
Accurate From Past papers | Graded A+ , Reviewed and
Updated | 100% Guarantee Pass | Latest Exam and Newest
Version!!!
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has an epidural infusion of local
anesthetic. The client reports a sudden headache, nausea, and neck stiffness. Which
action should the nurse take first?
a. Administer acetaminophen
b. Lower the infusion rate
c. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
d. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These symptoms suggest possible dural puncture and spread of anesthetic, or
intracranial involvement. The infusion should be stopped and the provider notified
immediately. DIF: Application | OBJ: Recognize complications of epidural therapy | TOP:
Pain management / Safety
,A nurse is assessing a client with chronic heart failure who reports increasing shortness
of breath, orthopnea, and weight gain of 3 kg in two days. Which laboratory value
should the nurse check first?
a. Serum potassium
b. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
c. Serum creatinine
d. Troponin I
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BNP is a marker of ventricular stretch and heart failure exacerbation,
correlating with worsening fluid overload. DIF: Application | OBJ: Interpret diagnostic
data | TOP: Cardiovascular / Heart Failure
A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) presents with Kussmaul respirations, fruity
breath odor, and polyuria. Which acid-base disorder should the nurse expect on the
arterial blood gas (ABG)?
a. Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation
b. Metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation
c. Respiratory acidosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In DKA, accumulation of ketoacids leads to primary metabolic acidosis;
Kussmaul respirations are compensatory hyperventilation. DIF: Application | OBJ:
Recognize acid-base disturbances | TOP: Endocrine / Metabolic
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an ABG result: pH 7.31,
PaCO₂ 55 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 28 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
a. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
b. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
,c. Metabolic acidosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated PaCO₂ with low pH indicates respiratory acidosis; the elevated HCO₃⁻
suggests renal compensation is in progress (partial compensation). DIF: Analysis | OBJ:
Interpret acid-base data | TOP: Respiratory / Acid-Base
A nurse is caring for a client who recently had a traumatic brain injury. The client's
intracranial pressure (ICP) begins rising. Which assessment finding should be addressed
first?
a. Decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale from 14 to 12
b. Pulse 110 beats/min
c. Blood pressure 150/90 mm Hg
d. Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
✔️ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypoventilation will raise CO₂, causing vasodilation and further increases in
ICP; respiratory compromise is highest priority. DIF: Application | OBJ: Prioritize care |
TOP: Neurology / Intracranial Pressure
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is developing metabolic acidosis. Which
compensatory mechanism does the nurse expect to observe?
a. Increased respiratory rate (hyperventilation)
b. Decreased respiratory rate (hypoventilation)
c. Increased secretion of ammonia by the kidneys
d. Increased bicarbonate loss in urine
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The lungs attempt to compensate by blowing off CO₂, decreasing PaCO₂ and
moving pH toward normal. DIF: Application | OBJ: Recognize compensation | TOP: Renal
/ Acid-Base
, A client presents with hyperthyroidism. The nurse should expect to assess which of the
following?
a. Cold intolerance, bradycardia, weight gain
b. Heat intolerance, tachycardia, weight loss
c. Hyperreflexia, coarse hair, lethargy
d. Hypotension, anorexia, brittle nails
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperthyroid clients have increased metabolic rate, leading to heat
intolerance, tachycardia, and weight loss. DIF: Knowledge | OBJ: Recognize clinical
manifestations | TOP: Endocrine / Thyroid
A nurse is caring for a client who has had a myocardial infarction (MI). The client begins
to have sudden onset of pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, and a friction rub. Which
complication is most likely occurring?
a. Ventricular aneurysm
b. Pericarditis
c. Papillary muscle rupture
d. Ventricular septal rupture
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Post-MI inflammation of pericardial layers causes chest pain aggravated by
respiration and friction rub on auscultation. DIF: Application | OBJ: Recognize
complications | TOP: Cardiovascular / Post-MI
A client is diagnosed with Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency). Which of the
following electrolyte abnormalities should the nurse anticipate?
a. Hypernatremia, hyperkalemia
b. Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia
