NURS 6501 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. Which mechanism best explains the development of edema in a patient with nephrotic
syndrome?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability to sodium
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Nephrotic syndrome involves significant proteinuria, which
leads to hypoalbuminemia. A decrease in plasma albumin lowers the plasma oncotic
pressure, causing fluid to shift from the intravascular space to the interstitial space.
2. A patient with primary hyperparathyroidism is at greatest risk for which of the following?
A. Hypocalcemia and tetany
B. Metabolic alkalosis
,C. Renal calculi and bone fractures
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Primary hyperparathyroidism results in excessive PTH
secretion, leading to hypercalcemia through bone resorption and increased renal calcium
reabsorption, which predisposes patients to kidney stones and pathological fractures.
3. What is the primary pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Increased hepatic glucose production
D. Excessive secretion of glucagon
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by an autoimmune-mediated
destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of Langerhans, leading to an
absolute insulin deficiency.
4. In the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the specific role of
Angiotensin II?
A. Stimulation of aldosterone secretion and vasoconstriction
B. Systemic vasodilation
, C. Inhibition of ADH secretion
D. Conversion of Angiotensinogen to Angiotensin I
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor and stimulates the
adrenal cortex to release aldosterone, which increases sodium and water retention to raise
blood pressure.
5. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) and chronic CO2 retention?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: COPD causes hypoventilation and impaired gas exchange,
leading to the accumulation of CO2 (hypercapnia), which results in respiratory acidosis.
6. What is the characteristic cellular finding in a patient diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma?
A. Auer rods
B. Philadelphia chromosome
C. Reed-Sternberg cells
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. Which mechanism best explains the development of edema in a patient with nephrotic
syndrome?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability to sodium
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Nephrotic syndrome involves significant proteinuria, which
leads to hypoalbuminemia. A decrease in plasma albumin lowers the plasma oncotic
pressure, causing fluid to shift from the intravascular space to the interstitial space.
2. A patient with primary hyperparathyroidism is at greatest risk for which of the following?
A. Hypocalcemia and tetany
B. Metabolic alkalosis
,C. Renal calculi and bone fractures
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Primary hyperparathyroidism results in excessive PTH
secretion, leading to hypercalcemia through bone resorption and increased renal calcium
reabsorption, which predisposes patients to kidney stones and pathological fractures.
3. What is the primary pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Increased hepatic glucose production
D. Excessive secretion of glucagon
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by an autoimmune-mediated
destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of Langerhans, leading to an
absolute insulin deficiency.
4. In the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the specific role of
Angiotensin II?
A. Stimulation of aldosterone secretion and vasoconstriction
B. Systemic vasodilation
, C. Inhibition of ADH secretion
D. Conversion of Angiotensinogen to Angiotensin I
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor and stimulates the
adrenal cortex to release aldosterone, which increases sodium and water retention to raise
blood pressure.
5. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) and chronic CO2 retention?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: COPD causes hypoventilation and impaired gas exchange,
leading to the accumulation of CO2 (hypercapnia), which results in respiratory acidosis.
6. What is the characteristic cellular finding in a patient diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma?
A. Auer rods
B. Philadelphia chromosome
C. Reed-Sternberg cells
