NURS6501 EXAM 3 | ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with generalized edema and a 24-hour urine protein collection showing
4.5 grams of protein. Which of the following is the primary pathophysiological mechanism
responsible for the edema?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased lymphatic drainage
C. Increased capillary permeability to sodium
D. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In nephrotic syndrome (defined as >3.5g/day protein loss), the
loss of albumin in the urine leads to hypoalbuminemia, which reduces the plasma oncotic
pressure, allowing fluid to move into the interstitial space.
,2. A patient with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) experiences exacerbations and remissions. Which
process characterizes the pathophysiology of the CNS lesions in this patient?
A. Demyelination of nerve fibers caused by an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory
response
B. Excessive accumulation of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
C. Degeneration of the lower motor neurons in the spinal cord
D. Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: MS is an autoimmune disease where T and B cells cross the
blood-brain barrier and attack the myelin sheath of CNS neurons, leading to inflammation
and plaque formation.
3. In the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) from a prerenal cause, which of the
following is the most common underlying factor?
A. Urinary tract obstruction
B. Inadequate renal perfusion
C. Acute tubular necrosis
D. Glomerular inflammation
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that decrease blood flow to the
kidneys, such as hypovolemia, hypotension, or cardiac failure, rather than direct damage to
the renal tissue itself.
4. A 65-year-old male is diagnosed with Parkinson Disease. Which neurochemical imbalance is
the hallmark of this condition?
A. Deficiency of dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway
B. Excessive serotonin in the raphe nuclei
C. Excessive GABA in the basal ganglia
D. Deficiency of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Parkinson Disease involves the progressive loss of dopaminergic
neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, resulting in a lack of dopamine and the
characteristic motor symptoms.
5. An 8-year-old child presents with ‘smoky’ or ‘cola-colored’ urine and periorbital edema
following a recent throat infection. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis
B. Nephrotic Syndrome
C. Acute Pyelonephritis
D. Renal Cell Carcinoma
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with generalized edema and a 24-hour urine protein collection showing
4.5 grams of protein. Which of the following is the primary pathophysiological mechanism
responsible for the edema?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased lymphatic drainage
C. Increased capillary permeability to sodium
D. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In nephrotic syndrome (defined as >3.5g/day protein loss), the
loss of albumin in the urine leads to hypoalbuminemia, which reduces the plasma oncotic
pressure, allowing fluid to move into the interstitial space.
,2. A patient with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) experiences exacerbations and remissions. Which
process characterizes the pathophysiology of the CNS lesions in this patient?
A. Demyelination of nerve fibers caused by an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory
response
B. Excessive accumulation of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
C. Degeneration of the lower motor neurons in the spinal cord
D. Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: MS is an autoimmune disease where T and B cells cross the
blood-brain barrier and attack the myelin sheath of CNS neurons, leading to inflammation
and plaque formation.
3. In the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) from a prerenal cause, which of the
following is the most common underlying factor?
A. Urinary tract obstruction
B. Inadequate renal perfusion
C. Acute tubular necrosis
D. Glomerular inflammation
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that decrease blood flow to the
kidneys, such as hypovolemia, hypotension, or cardiac failure, rather than direct damage to
the renal tissue itself.
4. A 65-year-old male is diagnosed with Parkinson Disease. Which neurochemical imbalance is
the hallmark of this condition?
A. Deficiency of dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway
B. Excessive serotonin in the raphe nuclei
C. Excessive GABA in the basal ganglia
D. Deficiency of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Parkinson Disease involves the progressive loss of dopaminergic
neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, resulting in a lack of dopamine and the
characteristic motor symptoms.
5. An 8-year-old child presents with ‘smoky’ or ‘cola-colored’ urine and periorbital edema
following a recent throat infection. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis
B. Nephrotic Syndrome
C. Acute Pyelonephritis
D. Renal Cell Carcinoma
