NSG 3280 Pathophysiology ( 1&2 ) Exam 1
Review – 2026/2027 Edition – Questions with
100% Verified Correct Answers
Questions with Step-by-Step Answers | 100% Verified | A+ Graded Review
OVERVIEW:
NSG 3280 Pathophysiology ( 1&2 ) Exam 1 Review – 2026/2027 covers diabetes
mellitus types, diagnosis, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, DKA, HHS, dawn
phenomenon, GDM, microvascular, macrovascular, neuropathic complications,
energy metabolism, glycolysis, Krebs, beta-oxidation, hormonal regulation,
insulin, glucagon, cortisol, BMR, obesity, metabolic syndrome, genetics,
epigenetics, physiologic stress, starvation, nitrogen balance, emphasizing fetal
programming, appetite control, lipolysis, gluconeogenesis, and sick-day
management principles for clinical practice.
Answers are in bold Green, with rationales after.
1. What is the primary characteristic of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A) Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to absolute insulin
deficiency
C) Excessive glucagon secretion only
D) Placental hormone-induced glucose intolerance
Correct Answer: B) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading
to absolute insulin deficiency
,Rationale: Type 1 DM is autoimmune destruction of beta cells in islets of
Langerhans resulting in absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 involves insulin
resistance. Gestational is pregnancy-related.
2. Which laboratory value is diagnostic for Diabetes Mellitus with fasting
plasma glucose?
A) 100 mg/dL
B) 110 mg/dL
C) 126 mg/dL or more on two occasions after 8-14 hr fast
D) 200 mg/dL fasting
Correct Answer: C) 126 mg/dL or more on two occasions after 8-14 hr fast
Rationale: FPG ≥126 mg/dL on two occasions is diagnostic. Casual/random ≥200
mg/dL with symptoms and HbA1c >6.5% are other criteria. Prediabetes is 100-125
mg/dL.
3. A patient has polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, Kussmaul respirations, fruity
breath. Most likely complication?
A) Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome (HHS)
B) Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Dawn phenomenon
Correct Answer: B) Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: DKA occurs mainly in Type 1 due to lipolysis and ketone formation
causing metabolic acidosis, Kussmaul breathing as compensation, and fruity acetone
breath.
4. Which factor distinguishes HHS from DKA?
A) HHS occurs mostly in Type 1
B) HHS has high osmolality from hemoconcentration and dehydration without
significant ketosis
C) HHS presents with Kussmaul respirations
, D) HHS is caused by excess insulin
Correct Answer: B) HHS has high osmolality from hemoconcentration and
dehydration without significant ketosis
Rationale: HHS is more common in Type 2 because endogenous insulin suppresses
ketones but hyperglycemia persists, causing osmotic diuresis, high osmolality,
hemoconcentration of proteins/creatinine, and severe dehydration.
5. Clinical manifestations of acute hyperglycemia include:
A) Pallor, tremor, diaphoresis, anxiety
B) Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, blurred vision, fatigue, increased
infections
C) Hunger, paresthesias, confusion, coma
D) Weight gain and bradycardia
Correct Answer: B) Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, blurred vision, fatigue,
increased infections
Rationale: Hyperglycemia: polyuria from osmotic diuresis, polydipsia, polyphagia,
nausea, fatigue, blurred vision, prone to infections (skin, UTI, vagina).
6. Which are adrenergic signs of hypoglycemia?
A) Polyuria and polydipsia
B) Pallor, tremor, diaphoresis, palpitations, anxiety
C) Dry mouth and hypernatremia
D) Kussmaul respirations
Correct Answer: B) Pallor, tremor, diaphoresis, palpitations, anxiety
Rationale: Hypoglycemia from insufficient food, unplanned activity, excess
insulin/sulfonylurea causes adrenergic response: pallor, tremor, diaphoresis,
palpitations, anxiety. Neuroglycopenic: hunger, visual disturbance, paresthesias,
confusion, coma.
Review – 2026/2027 Edition – Questions with
100% Verified Correct Answers
Questions with Step-by-Step Answers | 100% Verified | A+ Graded Review
OVERVIEW:
NSG 3280 Pathophysiology ( 1&2 ) Exam 1 Review – 2026/2027 covers diabetes
mellitus types, diagnosis, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, DKA, HHS, dawn
phenomenon, GDM, microvascular, macrovascular, neuropathic complications,
energy metabolism, glycolysis, Krebs, beta-oxidation, hormonal regulation,
insulin, glucagon, cortisol, BMR, obesity, metabolic syndrome, genetics,
epigenetics, physiologic stress, starvation, nitrogen balance, emphasizing fetal
programming, appetite control, lipolysis, gluconeogenesis, and sick-day
management principles for clinical practice.
Answers are in bold Green, with rationales after.
1. What is the primary characteristic of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A) Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to absolute insulin
deficiency
C) Excessive glucagon secretion only
D) Placental hormone-induced glucose intolerance
Correct Answer: B) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading
to absolute insulin deficiency
,Rationale: Type 1 DM is autoimmune destruction of beta cells in islets of
Langerhans resulting in absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 involves insulin
resistance. Gestational is pregnancy-related.
2. Which laboratory value is diagnostic for Diabetes Mellitus with fasting
plasma glucose?
A) 100 mg/dL
B) 110 mg/dL
C) 126 mg/dL or more on two occasions after 8-14 hr fast
D) 200 mg/dL fasting
Correct Answer: C) 126 mg/dL or more on two occasions after 8-14 hr fast
Rationale: FPG ≥126 mg/dL on two occasions is diagnostic. Casual/random ≥200
mg/dL with symptoms and HbA1c >6.5% are other criteria. Prediabetes is 100-125
mg/dL.
3. A patient has polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, Kussmaul respirations, fruity
breath. Most likely complication?
A) Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome (HHS)
B) Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Dawn phenomenon
Correct Answer: B) Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: DKA occurs mainly in Type 1 due to lipolysis and ketone formation
causing metabolic acidosis, Kussmaul breathing as compensation, and fruity acetone
breath.
4. Which factor distinguishes HHS from DKA?
A) HHS occurs mostly in Type 1
B) HHS has high osmolality from hemoconcentration and dehydration without
significant ketosis
C) HHS presents with Kussmaul respirations
, D) HHS is caused by excess insulin
Correct Answer: B) HHS has high osmolality from hemoconcentration and
dehydration without significant ketosis
Rationale: HHS is more common in Type 2 because endogenous insulin suppresses
ketones but hyperglycemia persists, causing osmotic diuresis, high osmolality,
hemoconcentration of proteins/creatinine, and severe dehydration.
5. Clinical manifestations of acute hyperglycemia include:
A) Pallor, tremor, diaphoresis, anxiety
B) Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, blurred vision, fatigue, increased
infections
C) Hunger, paresthesias, confusion, coma
D) Weight gain and bradycardia
Correct Answer: B) Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, blurred vision, fatigue,
increased infections
Rationale: Hyperglycemia: polyuria from osmotic diuresis, polydipsia, polyphagia,
nausea, fatigue, blurred vision, prone to infections (skin, UTI, vagina).
6. Which are adrenergic signs of hypoglycemia?
A) Polyuria and polydipsia
B) Pallor, tremor, diaphoresis, palpitations, anxiety
C) Dry mouth and hypernatremia
D) Kussmaul respirations
Correct Answer: B) Pallor, tremor, diaphoresis, palpitations, anxiety
Rationale: Hypoglycemia from insufficient food, unplanned activity, excess
insulin/sulfonylurea causes adrenergic response: pallor, tremor, diaphoresis,
palpitations, anxiety. Neuroglycopenic: hunger, visual disturbance, paresthesias,
confusion, coma.
