NSG 1520 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 115 mEq/L and high urine osmolality.
Which endocrine disorder is most likely responsible?
A. Diabetes Insipidus
B. Addison’s Disease
C. Cushing’s Syndrome
D. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH involves excessive release of ADH, causing water
retention, dilutional hyponatremia, and concentrated urine (high osmolality).
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is a hallmark feature of a patient experiencing an Addisonian
Crisis?
A. Hypernatremia and Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia and Hypomagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia and Hyperkalemia
,D. Hypocalcemia and Hyperphosphatemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Addison’s disease involves a deficiency in aldosterone, leading
to sodium wasting (hyponatremia) and potassium retention (hyperkalemia).
3. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious with Kussmaul respirations. What is
the primary pathophysiological cause of these respirations?
A. To compensate for metabolic alkalosis
B. A direct result of intracranial pressure from cerebral edema
C. To blow off CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis
D. Hypoxemia caused by pulmonary shunting
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur in DKA
to blow off carbon dioxide, thereby increasing blood pH to compensate for metabolic
acidosis.
4. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of Grave’s Disease?
A. Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland
B. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter
C. A pituitary tumor secreting excess TSH
D. Thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSI) mimic TSH and overstimulate the gland
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition where Type II
hypersensitivity antibodies bind to TSH receptors, causing hyperthyroidism.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a low hemoglobin level. What is the most
likely cause?
A. Iron deficiency due to poor diet
B. Chronic blood loss during hemodialysis
C. Inadequate production of erythropoietin by the kidneys
D. Destruction of red blood cells by uremic toxins
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The kidneys produce erythropoietin; in CKD, this production
fails, leading to decreased red blood cell synthesis in the bone marrow.
6. Which condition is characterized by the presence of Bence-Jones proteins in the urine?
A. Acute Myeloid Leukemia
B. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
C. Multiple Myeloma
D. Nephrotic Syndrome
Answer: C
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 115 mEq/L and high urine osmolality.
Which endocrine disorder is most likely responsible?
A. Diabetes Insipidus
B. Addison’s Disease
C. Cushing’s Syndrome
D. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH involves excessive release of ADH, causing water
retention, dilutional hyponatremia, and concentrated urine (high osmolality).
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is a hallmark feature of a patient experiencing an Addisonian
Crisis?
A. Hypernatremia and Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia and Hypomagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia and Hyperkalemia
,D. Hypocalcemia and Hyperphosphatemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Addison’s disease involves a deficiency in aldosterone, leading
to sodium wasting (hyponatremia) and potassium retention (hyperkalemia).
3. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious with Kussmaul respirations. What is
the primary pathophysiological cause of these respirations?
A. To compensate for metabolic alkalosis
B. A direct result of intracranial pressure from cerebral edema
C. To blow off CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis
D. Hypoxemia caused by pulmonary shunting
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur in DKA
to blow off carbon dioxide, thereby increasing blood pH to compensate for metabolic
acidosis.
4. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of Grave’s Disease?
A. Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland
B. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter
C. A pituitary tumor secreting excess TSH
D. Thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSI) mimic TSH and overstimulate the gland
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition where Type II
hypersensitivity antibodies bind to TSH receptors, causing hyperthyroidism.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a low hemoglobin level. What is the most
likely cause?
A. Iron deficiency due to poor diet
B. Chronic blood loss during hemodialysis
C. Inadequate production of erythropoietin by the kidneys
D. Destruction of red blood cells by uremic toxins
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The kidneys produce erythropoietin; in CKD, this production
fails, leading to decreased red blood cell synthesis in the bone marrow.
6. Which condition is characterized by the presence of Bence-Jones proteins in the urine?
A. Acute Myeloid Leukemia
B. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
C. Multiple Myeloma
D. Nephrotic Syndrome
Answer: C
