PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES
Exam 2: NSG3280 / NSG 3280
A+
(Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Pathophysiology for Nurses I Guide
Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Solutions) | Galen 2026/2027
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED EXAM DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
■ Section 1: CELLULAR INJURY, INFLAMMATION & HEALING (10 questions)
■ Section 2: INFECTION & IMMUNITY (10 questions)
■ Section 3: FLUID & ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES (12 questions)
■ Section 4: ACID-BASE IMBALANCES (10 questions)
■ Section 5: INTEGUMENTARY & TISSUE INTEGRITY ALTERATIONS (8 questions)
Passing Score: 80% | Format: Multiple Choice (A–D) | Level: Application / Analysis
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
, SECTION 1: CELLULAR INJURY, INFLAMMATION & HEALING
Q1. A client sustains a deep laceration. Within hours the wound edges become red, swollen, and warm. Laboratory studies show
elevated neutrophils. The nurse recognizes that these local and systemic findings are primarily driven by which sequence of events?
A. Immediate fibroblast proliferation that seals the wound before inflammation begins
B. Release of chemical mediators that produce vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and leukocyte recruitment
C. Predominant activity of eosinophils that clear debris and initiate scar formation
D. Rapid keratinocyte migration that closes the epidermis within the first hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute inflammation is initiated by chemical mediators (histamine, prostaglandins, cytokines) that cause vasodilation and increased permeability,
allowing plasma proteins and leukocytes (especially neutrophils) to enter the tissue. These processes produce the classic signs of redness, swelling, heat,
and pain.
Q2. A pathologist examines tissue from a client with prolonged ischemia of a limb. The cells show swelling of mitochondria and
endoplasmic reticulum but intact nuclei. The nurse interprets this pattern as consistent with:
A. Irreversible coagulative necrosis that has already progressed to cell death
B. Apoptosis characterized by orderly nuclear fragmentation
C. Reversible cellular injury in which removal of the ischemic stress may allow recovery
D. Caseous necrosis typically associated with mycobacterial infection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cellular swelling of organelles without nuclear dissolution indicates reversible injury. If perfusion is restored before membrane rupture and
nuclear changes occur, the cell can recover. Necrosis and apoptosis involve irreversible nuclear and membrane damage.
Q3. During the proliferative phase of wound healing a client develops a hypertrophic scar that remains within the original wound
boundaries. The nurse explains that this type of scar results from:
A. Excessive collagen deposition that is confined to the area of the original injury
B. Uncontrolled fibroblast activity that invades surrounding normal skin
C. Failure of angiogenesis that leaves the wound ischemic
D. Predominant activity of osteoclasts that remodel the dermal matrix
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophic scars result from over-production of collagen that remains within the original wound margins. Keloids, by contrast, extend beyond
the original boundaries into adjacent tissue.
Q4. A client with a chronic venous stasis ulcer shows delayed healing. Wound cultures are negative. The nurse attributes the delayed
healing most directly to which local factor?
A. Excessive dietary protein intake that accelerates matrix turnover
B. Hyperoxia of the wound bed that inhibits fibroblast activity
C. Absence of any inflammatory cells in the wound margins
D. Persistent tissue hypoxia and edema that impair fibroblast function and collagen synthesis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Adequate oxygen and a balanced inflammatory response are required for fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. Chronic edema and
hypoxia, common in venous stasis, markedly slow these processes even in the absence of infection.
Q5. A client develops a fever, elevated C-reactive protein, and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate three days after major surgery.
The wound itself appears clean. The nurse recognizes these findings as:
A. Evidence of wound dehiscence requiring immediate surgical exploration
B. A primary immunodeficiency that prevents normal healing
C. Systemic manifestations of the acute-phase response that accompany significant tissue injury
D. Indicators that the proliferative phase has failed and the wound will not heal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The acute-phase response includes fever and elevation of acute-phase proteins (CRP, fibrinogen) mediated by cytokines such as IL-6. These
systemic changes commonly accompany major tissue trauma even when local infection is absent.
Q6. In a client with a healing surgical incision, the nurse notes that the wound is filled with pink, vascular tissue that bleeds easily when
touched. This tissue is best described as:
A. Granulation tissue composed of new capillaries, fibroblasts, and extracellular matrix
B. Mature scar tissue dominated by densely packed collagen
C. Necrotic eschar that must be debrided before healing can proceed
D. Epithelial tissue that has already restored the epidermal barrier
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Granulation tissue is the hallmark of the proliferative phase. It is richly vascular, soft, and pink; its presence indicates active healing rather than
necrosis or mature scarring.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM Page 2
Exam 2: NSG3280 / NSG 3280
A+
(Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Pathophysiology for Nurses I Guide
Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Solutions) | Galen 2026/2027
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED EXAM DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
■ Section 1: CELLULAR INJURY, INFLAMMATION & HEALING (10 questions)
■ Section 2: INFECTION & IMMUNITY (10 questions)
■ Section 3: FLUID & ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES (12 questions)
■ Section 4: ACID-BASE IMBALANCES (10 questions)
■ Section 5: INTEGUMENTARY & TISSUE INTEGRITY ALTERATIONS (8 questions)
Passing Score: 80% | Format: Multiple Choice (A–D) | Level: Application / Analysis
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
, SECTION 1: CELLULAR INJURY, INFLAMMATION & HEALING
Q1. A client sustains a deep laceration. Within hours the wound edges become red, swollen, and warm. Laboratory studies show
elevated neutrophils. The nurse recognizes that these local and systemic findings are primarily driven by which sequence of events?
A. Immediate fibroblast proliferation that seals the wound before inflammation begins
B. Release of chemical mediators that produce vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and leukocyte recruitment
C. Predominant activity of eosinophils that clear debris and initiate scar formation
D. Rapid keratinocyte migration that closes the epidermis within the first hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute inflammation is initiated by chemical mediators (histamine, prostaglandins, cytokines) that cause vasodilation and increased permeability,
allowing plasma proteins and leukocytes (especially neutrophils) to enter the tissue. These processes produce the classic signs of redness, swelling, heat,
and pain.
Q2. A pathologist examines tissue from a client with prolonged ischemia of a limb. The cells show swelling of mitochondria and
endoplasmic reticulum but intact nuclei. The nurse interprets this pattern as consistent with:
A. Irreversible coagulative necrosis that has already progressed to cell death
B. Apoptosis characterized by orderly nuclear fragmentation
C. Reversible cellular injury in which removal of the ischemic stress may allow recovery
D. Caseous necrosis typically associated with mycobacterial infection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cellular swelling of organelles without nuclear dissolution indicates reversible injury. If perfusion is restored before membrane rupture and
nuclear changes occur, the cell can recover. Necrosis and apoptosis involve irreversible nuclear and membrane damage.
Q3. During the proliferative phase of wound healing a client develops a hypertrophic scar that remains within the original wound
boundaries. The nurse explains that this type of scar results from:
A. Excessive collagen deposition that is confined to the area of the original injury
B. Uncontrolled fibroblast activity that invades surrounding normal skin
C. Failure of angiogenesis that leaves the wound ischemic
D. Predominant activity of osteoclasts that remodel the dermal matrix
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophic scars result from over-production of collagen that remains within the original wound margins. Keloids, by contrast, extend beyond
the original boundaries into adjacent tissue.
Q4. A client with a chronic venous stasis ulcer shows delayed healing. Wound cultures are negative. The nurse attributes the delayed
healing most directly to which local factor?
A. Excessive dietary protein intake that accelerates matrix turnover
B. Hyperoxia of the wound bed that inhibits fibroblast activity
C. Absence of any inflammatory cells in the wound margins
D. Persistent tissue hypoxia and edema that impair fibroblast function and collagen synthesis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Adequate oxygen and a balanced inflammatory response are required for fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. Chronic edema and
hypoxia, common in venous stasis, markedly slow these processes even in the absence of infection.
Q5. A client develops a fever, elevated C-reactive protein, and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate three days after major surgery.
The wound itself appears clean. The nurse recognizes these findings as:
A. Evidence of wound dehiscence requiring immediate surgical exploration
B. A primary immunodeficiency that prevents normal healing
C. Systemic manifestations of the acute-phase response that accompany significant tissue injury
D. Indicators that the proliferative phase has failed and the wound will not heal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The acute-phase response includes fever and elevation of acute-phase proteins (CRP, fibrinogen) mediated by cytokines such as IL-6. These
systemic changes commonly accompany major tissue trauma even when local infection is absent.
Q6. In a client with a healing surgical incision, the nurse notes that the wound is filled with pink, vascular tissue that bleeds easily when
touched. This tissue is best described as:
A. Granulation tissue composed of new capillaries, fibroblasts, and extracellular matrix
B. Mature scar tissue dominated by densely packed collagen
C. Necrotic eschar that must be debrided before healing can proceed
D. Epithelial tissue that has already restored the epidermal barrier
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Granulation tissue is the hallmark of the proliferative phase. It is richly vascular, soft, and pink; its presence indicates active healing rather than
necrosis or mature scarring.
STUVIAACTUALEXAM Page 2
