WA L D E N U N I V E R S I T Y
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Final Exam · Question Bank
Question 1
A healthcare professional is educating a community men's group on symptoms of
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The professional relates that most symptoms are a
result of which pathophysiologic condition?
A. Compression of the urethra
B. Enlargement of the prostate gland
C. Bladder obstruction
D. Urinary retention
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Compression of the urethra
RATIONALE:
The symptoms of BPH (hesitancy, weak stream, frequency) are primarily due to mechanical
obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate compressing the urethra.
, Question 2
A mother reports that her young teens have voracious appetites. The healthcare
professional would explain that which hormone is linked to an increase in appetite
during puberty?
A. Leptin
B. Ghrelin
C. Estrogen
D. Testosterone
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Leptin
RATIONALE:
Leptin is a hormone produced by adipose tissue that regulates appetite and energy balance.
During puberty, changes in leptin levels are associated with increased appetite and growth.
Question 3
A woman attempting to conceive tells the healthcare professional that she and her
partner have intercourse when her basal body temperature (BBT) is around 37˚C (98˚F)
without getting pregnant. What information does the professional give the woman?
A. Temperature alone is not the most accurate way to predict ovulation
B. She should have intercourse only when her temperature is 36.5°C
C. She should use an ovulation predictor kit instead
D. She should have intercourse daily during the follicular phase
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Temperature alone is not the most accurate way to predict ovulation
RATIONALE:
BBT rises after ovulation and confirms that ovulation has occurred, but it does not predict it
in advance. Timing intercourse based on BBT alone may miss the fertile window.
, Question 4
A patient has been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and asks the
healthcare professional to describe it. What description by the professional is most
accurate?
A. ALL is a progressive neoplasm defined by the presence of greater than 30%
lymphoblasts in the bone marrow or blood
B. ALL is a chronic condition affecting myeloid cells
C. ALL is a benign growth of lymphocytes
D. ALL is a type of lymphoma
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. ALL is a progressive neoplasm defined by the presence of greater than 30%
lymphoblasts in the bone marrow or blood
RATIONALE:
ALL is a malignancy of B or T lymphoblasts that accumulates in the bone marrow and blood.
Diagnosis requires >30% lymphoblasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood.
Question 5
An infant has gluten-sensitive enteropathy and the parents ask the healthcare
professional to explain why the baby bruises so easily. The professional explains that
the baby has which deficit?
A. Vitamin K deficiency from fat malabsorption
B. Iron deficiency from blood loss
C. Vitamin C deficiency
D. Platelet dysfunction
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Vitamin K deficiency from fat malabsorption
RATIONALE:
Gluten-sensitive enteropathy (celiac disease) causes malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins
including vitamin K, which is essential for synthesis of coagulation factors. Deficiency leads
to easy bruising and bleeding.
, Question 6
A patient is admitted to the hospital with multiple myeloma (MM). Which diagnostic
test should the healthcare professional assess as the priority?
A. Serum calcium level
B. Complete blood count
C. Serum protein electrophoresis
D. Bone marrow biopsy
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Serum calcium level
RATIONALE:
Multiple myeloma causes osteolytic bone lesions and hypercalcemia, which can be life-
threatening. Serum calcium is a priority assessment to prevent complications.
Question 7
What is the effect of low plasma albumin?
A. Osmotic pressure decreases; thus water moves from the capillaries to the interstitium
B. Osmotic pressure increases; thus water moves from the interstitium to the capillaries
C. Hydrostatic pressure increases, causing edema
D. No change in fluid distribution
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Osmotic pressure decreases; thus water moves from the capillaries to the
interstitium
RATIONALE:
Albumin is the major plasma protein contributing to oncotic pressure. Low plasma albumin
reduces colloid osmotic pressure, leading to fluid shift from the intravascular space to the
interstitial space, causing edema.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Final Exam · Question Bank
Question 1
A healthcare professional is educating a community men's group on symptoms of
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The professional relates that most symptoms are a
result of which pathophysiologic condition?
A. Compression of the urethra
B. Enlargement of the prostate gland
C. Bladder obstruction
D. Urinary retention
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Compression of the urethra
RATIONALE:
The symptoms of BPH (hesitancy, weak stream, frequency) are primarily due to mechanical
obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate compressing the urethra.
, Question 2
A mother reports that her young teens have voracious appetites. The healthcare
professional would explain that which hormone is linked to an increase in appetite
during puberty?
A. Leptin
B. Ghrelin
C. Estrogen
D. Testosterone
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Leptin
RATIONALE:
Leptin is a hormone produced by adipose tissue that regulates appetite and energy balance.
During puberty, changes in leptin levels are associated with increased appetite and growth.
Question 3
A woman attempting to conceive tells the healthcare professional that she and her
partner have intercourse when her basal body temperature (BBT) is around 37˚C (98˚F)
without getting pregnant. What information does the professional give the woman?
A. Temperature alone is not the most accurate way to predict ovulation
B. She should have intercourse only when her temperature is 36.5°C
C. She should use an ovulation predictor kit instead
D. She should have intercourse daily during the follicular phase
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Temperature alone is not the most accurate way to predict ovulation
RATIONALE:
BBT rises after ovulation and confirms that ovulation has occurred, but it does not predict it
in advance. Timing intercourse based on BBT alone may miss the fertile window.
, Question 4
A patient has been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and asks the
healthcare professional to describe it. What description by the professional is most
accurate?
A. ALL is a progressive neoplasm defined by the presence of greater than 30%
lymphoblasts in the bone marrow or blood
B. ALL is a chronic condition affecting myeloid cells
C. ALL is a benign growth of lymphocytes
D. ALL is a type of lymphoma
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. ALL is a progressive neoplasm defined by the presence of greater than 30%
lymphoblasts in the bone marrow or blood
RATIONALE:
ALL is a malignancy of B or T lymphoblasts that accumulates in the bone marrow and blood.
Diagnosis requires >30% lymphoblasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood.
Question 5
An infant has gluten-sensitive enteropathy and the parents ask the healthcare
professional to explain why the baby bruises so easily. The professional explains that
the baby has which deficit?
A. Vitamin K deficiency from fat malabsorption
B. Iron deficiency from blood loss
C. Vitamin C deficiency
D. Platelet dysfunction
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Vitamin K deficiency from fat malabsorption
RATIONALE:
Gluten-sensitive enteropathy (celiac disease) causes malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins
including vitamin K, which is essential for synthesis of coagulation factors. Deficiency leads
to easy bruising and bleeding.
, Question 6
A patient is admitted to the hospital with multiple myeloma (MM). Which diagnostic
test should the healthcare professional assess as the priority?
A. Serum calcium level
B. Complete blood count
C. Serum protein electrophoresis
D. Bone marrow biopsy
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Serum calcium level
RATIONALE:
Multiple myeloma causes osteolytic bone lesions and hypercalcemia, which can be life-
threatening. Serum calcium is a priority assessment to prevent complications.
Question 7
What is the effect of low plasma albumin?
A. Osmotic pressure decreases; thus water moves from the capillaries to the interstitium
B. Osmotic pressure increases; thus water moves from the interstitium to the capillaries
C. Hydrostatic pressure increases, causing edema
D. No change in fluid distribution
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Osmotic pressure decreases; thus water moves from the capillaries to the
interstitium
RATIONALE:
Albumin is the major plasma protein contributing to oncotic pressure. Low plasma albumin
reduces colloid osmotic pressure, leading to fluid shift from the intravascular space to the
interstitial space, causing edema.
