ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
liver failure and hypoalbuminemia?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
C. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
D. Decreased lymphatic drainage
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In liver failure, the production of albumin is significantly
reduced. This leads to a decrease in capillary oncotic (colloid) pressure, which is necessary
to pull fluid back into the vascular space, resulting in fluid movement into the interstitial
space.
,2. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, a pCO2 of 55 mmHg, and a HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (<7.35), indicating acidosis. The pCO2 is high (>45
mmHg), indicating that the respiratory system is the cause of the acidosis. The HCO3 is
within the normal range, showing no significant metabolic compensation yet.
3. What is the primary cellular change observed in the myocardium of a patient with chronic
untreated hypertension?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic hypertension increases the afterload on the left
ventricle. In response to the increased workload, the cardiac myocytes increase in size
, (hypertrophy) to maintain cardiac output, as cardiac muscle cells have limited capacity for
division (hyperplasia).
4. In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, the destruction of pancreatic beta cells is primarily mediated
by which process?
A. Type II Hypersensitivity
B. Type I Hypersensitivity
C. Type IV Hypersensitivity
D. Chronic bacterial infection
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 DM is an autoimmune disease where T-cell mediated
(Type IV) hypersensitivity causes the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the
islets of Langerhans.
5. Which electrolyte abnormality is most likely to cause peaked T-waves on an
electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
liver failure and hypoalbuminemia?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
C. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
D. Decreased lymphatic drainage
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In liver failure, the production of albumin is significantly
reduced. This leads to a decrease in capillary oncotic (colloid) pressure, which is necessary
to pull fluid back into the vascular space, resulting in fluid movement into the interstitial
space.
,2. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, a pCO2 of 55 mmHg, and a HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (<7.35), indicating acidosis. The pCO2 is high (>45
mmHg), indicating that the respiratory system is the cause of the acidosis. The HCO3 is
within the normal range, showing no significant metabolic compensation yet.
3. What is the primary cellular change observed in the myocardium of a patient with chronic
untreated hypertension?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic hypertension increases the afterload on the left
ventricle. In response to the increased workload, the cardiac myocytes increase in size
, (hypertrophy) to maintain cardiac output, as cardiac muscle cells have limited capacity for
division (hyperplasia).
4. In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, the destruction of pancreatic beta cells is primarily mediated
by which process?
A. Type II Hypersensitivity
B. Type I Hypersensitivity
C. Type IV Hypersensitivity
D. Chronic bacterial infection
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 DM is an autoimmune disease where T-cell mediated
(Type IV) hypersensitivity causes the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the
islets of Langerhans.
5. Which electrolyte abnormality is most likely to cause peaked T-waves on an
electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
