RASMUSSEN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3
ACTUAL PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
CERTIFICATION READY
◉ A 51-year-old male is at the health clinic for an annual physical
exam. After walking from the car to the clinic, he developed
substernal pain. He also reported discomfort in his left shoulder and
his jaw, lasting 2 to 3 minutes and then subsiding with rest. He
indicates that this has occurred frequently over the past few months
with similar exertion. The nurse suspects he is most likely
experiencing:
A. Prinzmetal angina
B. Myocardial infarction (MI)
C. Unstable angina
D. Stable angina
Answer: Stable angina
◉ Many valvular stenosis and regurgitation disorders in adults have
a common etiology. Which of the following conditions should alert
the nurse that the patient may have both types of valve dysfunction?
,A. Heart failure
B. Connective tissue disorders
C. Syphilis infection
D. Rheumatic fever or heart disease
Answer: Rheumatic fever or heart disease
◉ The hypotensive state seen in septic shock can lead to:
A. Gut lining disruption and the translocation of bacteria into the
bloodstream
B. Bradycardia due to an overworked heart
C. Decreased oxygen demand of highly metabolic tissue
D. The increased spread of infection
Answer: Gut lining disruption and the translocation of bacteria into
the bloodstream
◉ A nurse monitors the patient for _____ when rapid onset of
malignant hypertension results.
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Encephalopathy
C. Acute renal failure
,D. Atherosclerosis
Answer: Encephalopathy
◉ A nurse recalls the most common cardiac valve disease in the
United States, which tends to be most prevalent in young women, is:
A. Tricuspid valve prolapse
B. Pulmonary stenosis
C. Mitral valve prolapse
D. Aortic stenosis
Answer: Mitral valve prolapse
◉ A nurse is planning care for a patient in shock. Which principle
should the nurse remember? During shock states, glucose uptake is
usually:
A. Normal
B. Enhanced
C. Energy intensive
D. Impaired
Answer: Impaired
, ◉ A 50-year-old male is diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension.
Which of the following symptoms would he most likely experience?
A. Syncope and fainting
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Chest pain and palpitations
D. Headache and blurred vision
Answer: Syncope and fainting
◉ While checking lab results, the nurse remembers the normal
leukocyte
count is:
A. 1,000-2,000/mm3
B. 5,000-10,000/mm3
C. 4.2-6.2 million/mm3
D. 1.2-2.2 million/mm3
Answer: 5,000-10,000/mm3
◉ Which electrolyte will the nurse check to ensure normal platelet
functioning?
ACTUAL PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
CERTIFICATION READY
◉ A 51-year-old male is at the health clinic for an annual physical
exam. After walking from the car to the clinic, he developed
substernal pain. He also reported discomfort in his left shoulder and
his jaw, lasting 2 to 3 minutes and then subsiding with rest. He
indicates that this has occurred frequently over the past few months
with similar exertion. The nurse suspects he is most likely
experiencing:
A. Prinzmetal angina
B. Myocardial infarction (MI)
C. Unstable angina
D. Stable angina
Answer: Stable angina
◉ Many valvular stenosis and regurgitation disorders in adults have
a common etiology. Which of the following conditions should alert
the nurse that the patient may have both types of valve dysfunction?
,A. Heart failure
B. Connective tissue disorders
C. Syphilis infection
D. Rheumatic fever or heart disease
Answer: Rheumatic fever or heart disease
◉ The hypotensive state seen in septic shock can lead to:
A. Gut lining disruption and the translocation of bacteria into the
bloodstream
B. Bradycardia due to an overworked heart
C. Decreased oxygen demand of highly metabolic tissue
D. The increased spread of infection
Answer: Gut lining disruption and the translocation of bacteria into
the bloodstream
◉ A nurse monitors the patient for _____ when rapid onset of
malignant hypertension results.
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Encephalopathy
C. Acute renal failure
,D. Atherosclerosis
Answer: Encephalopathy
◉ A nurse recalls the most common cardiac valve disease in the
United States, which tends to be most prevalent in young women, is:
A. Tricuspid valve prolapse
B. Pulmonary stenosis
C. Mitral valve prolapse
D. Aortic stenosis
Answer: Mitral valve prolapse
◉ A nurse is planning care for a patient in shock. Which principle
should the nurse remember? During shock states, glucose uptake is
usually:
A. Normal
B. Enhanced
C. Energy intensive
D. Impaired
Answer: Impaired
, ◉ A 50-year-old male is diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension.
Which of the following symptoms would he most likely experience?
A. Syncope and fainting
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Chest pain and palpitations
D. Headache and blurred vision
Answer: Syncope and fainting
◉ While checking lab results, the nurse remembers the normal
leukocyte
count is:
A. 1,000-2,000/mm3
B. 5,000-10,000/mm3
C. 4.2-6.2 million/mm3
D. 1.2-2.2 million/mm3
Answer: 5,000-10,000/mm3
◉ Which electrolyte will the nurse check to ensure normal platelet
functioning?
