NURS 5315 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM 2026
UPDATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW VISION)
How does edema cause increased hydrostatic pressure? - ANS-Venous obstruction -->
increased hydrostatic pressure --> fluid is pushed out of the vascular space into the interstitial
space
How does edema cause decreased oncotic pressure? - ANS-Decreased plasma protein
production --> decreased oncotic pressure and osmotic pressure --> fluid moves into the
interstitium
How does edema cause increased capillary permeability? - ANS-Results from times of
inflammation (trauma, crushing injuries, burns, neoplastic diseases, allergic reactions,
infections). Increased capillary permeability allows large amounts of fluid to escape and enter
the interstitial space.
How does edema cause lymphatic channel obstruction? - ANS-Lymphatic channels are blocked
because of infection or tumor. Proteins and fluids are not reabsorbed and accumulate in the
interstitial space, causing lymphedema.
Hypovolemic hypernatremia - ANS-Occurs as a result of sodium and water loss.
Clinical manifestations: volume depletion, orthostatic hypotension, hypotension, tachycardia,
lack of organ perfusion
Hypervolemic hypernatremia - ANS-Uncommon, but most common cause is administration of
hypertonic sodium salts.
Infants: erroneous preparation of dietary formula
Outpatient adults: ingestion of salts
,Inpatient adults: iatrogenic (hypertonic IV solutions)
Clinical manifestations of mild, moderate, and severe hyponatremia? - ANS-Mild: anorexia,
apathy, restlessness, nausea, lethargy, muscle cramps
Moderate: agitation, disorientation, headache
Severe: seizures, coma, incontinence, death
Insulin effects on potassium - ANS-Shifts K+ intracellularly
Acid base balance effects on potassium - ANS-Alkalosis shifts K+ into cells --> hypokalemia
Acidosis shifts K+ out of cells --> hyperkalemia
Osmolality and effects on potassium - ANS-Hyperosmolar state causes K+ to shift out of cells --
> hyperkalemia.
Hypoosmolar state causes K+ to shift into cells --> hypokalemia.
Exercise and effects on potassium - ANS-Depletes ATP --> opens K+ channels --> K+ shifts into
ECF --> hyperkalemia
What causes hypokalemia? - ANS-Diuretics, nephrotoxic drugs, diarrhea, laxative abuse,
hyperglycemia, increased levels of aldosterone, alkalosis
Hypokalemia clinical manifestations - ANS-Dysrhythmias, weakness, numbness, tingling,
confusion, respiratory difficulty, constipation, depression, muscle cramps
What causes hyperkalemia? - ANS-ESRD, medications (ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS), tissue injury,
adrenal insufficiency, hypoxia, digitalis overdose, insulin deficits, acidosis
, Hyperkalemia clinical manifestations - ANS-Syncope, weakness, paresthesia, paralysis, cardiac
arrest
Relationship between calcium and phosphorous? - ANS-React OPPOSITELY. When calcium rises,
phosphate falls, and vice versa.
Regulated by PTH, vitamin D, and calcitonin.
Hypercalcemia effect on action potential - ANS-Hypercalcemia decreases cell permeability to
Na+ --> threshold potential farther from RMP --> LESS EXCITABLE.
Hypocalcemia effect on action potential - ANS-Hypocalcemia increases cell permeability to Na+
--> threshold potential closer to RMP --> MORE EXCITABLE
Hypocalcemia clinical manifestations - ANS-Tetany, hyperreflexia, paresthesia, seizures,
dysrhythmias
Hypercalcemia clinical manifestations - ANS-Polyuria, renal stones, nausea, vomiting,
constipation, weakness, fatigue, confusion, coma
Metabolic acidosis - ANS-Causes: Excess H+ ions (renal disease), bicarb deficiency (diarrhea,
renal tubular acidosis), increased acid production (ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis).
Clinical Manifestations: myocardial contractility, decreased cardiac output, hyperkalemia,
headache, lethargy, coma
Patho: Body will compensate by hyperventilation or Kussmaul respirations, increased ionized
calcium
Metabolic alkalosis - ANS-Causes: Excess of bicarbonate, deficiency of H+ (gastric suctioning,
excessive vomiting, diuretic use)
UPDATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW VISION)
How does edema cause increased hydrostatic pressure? - ANS-Venous obstruction -->
increased hydrostatic pressure --> fluid is pushed out of the vascular space into the interstitial
space
How does edema cause decreased oncotic pressure? - ANS-Decreased plasma protein
production --> decreased oncotic pressure and osmotic pressure --> fluid moves into the
interstitium
How does edema cause increased capillary permeability? - ANS-Results from times of
inflammation (trauma, crushing injuries, burns, neoplastic diseases, allergic reactions,
infections). Increased capillary permeability allows large amounts of fluid to escape and enter
the interstitial space.
How does edema cause lymphatic channel obstruction? - ANS-Lymphatic channels are blocked
because of infection or tumor. Proteins and fluids are not reabsorbed and accumulate in the
interstitial space, causing lymphedema.
Hypovolemic hypernatremia - ANS-Occurs as a result of sodium and water loss.
Clinical manifestations: volume depletion, orthostatic hypotension, hypotension, tachycardia,
lack of organ perfusion
Hypervolemic hypernatremia - ANS-Uncommon, but most common cause is administration of
hypertonic sodium salts.
Infants: erroneous preparation of dietary formula
Outpatient adults: ingestion of salts
,Inpatient adults: iatrogenic (hypertonic IV solutions)
Clinical manifestations of mild, moderate, and severe hyponatremia? - ANS-Mild: anorexia,
apathy, restlessness, nausea, lethargy, muscle cramps
Moderate: agitation, disorientation, headache
Severe: seizures, coma, incontinence, death
Insulin effects on potassium - ANS-Shifts K+ intracellularly
Acid base balance effects on potassium - ANS-Alkalosis shifts K+ into cells --> hypokalemia
Acidosis shifts K+ out of cells --> hyperkalemia
Osmolality and effects on potassium - ANS-Hyperosmolar state causes K+ to shift out of cells --
> hyperkalemia.
Hypoosmolar state causes K+ to shift into cells --> hypokalemia.
Exercise and effects on potassium - ANS-Depletes ATP --> opens K+ channels --> K+ shifts into
ECF --> hyperkalemia
What causes hypokalemia? - ANS-Diuretics, nephrotoxic drugs, diarrhea, laxative abuse,
hyperglycemia, increased levels of aldosterone, alkalosis
Hypokalemia clinical manifestations - ANS-Dysrhythmias, weakness, numbness, tingling,
confusion, respiratory difficulty, constipation, depression, muscle cramps
What causes hyperkalemia? - ANS-ESRD, medications (ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS), tissue injury,
adrenal insufficiency, hypoxia, digitalis overdose, insulin deficits, acidosis
, Hyperkalemia clinical manifestations - ANS-Syncope, weakness, paresthesia, paralysis, cardiac
arrest
Relationship between calcium and phosphorous? - ANS-React OPPOSITELY. When calcium rises,
phosphate falls, and vice versa.
Regulated by PTH, vitamin D, and calcitonin.
Hypercalcemia effect on action potential - ANS-Hypercalcemia decreases cell permeability to
Na+ --> threshold potential farther from RMP --> LESS EXCITABLE.
Hypocalcemia effect on action potential - ANS-Hypocalcemia increases cell permeability to Na+
--> threshold potential closer to RMP --> MORE EXCITABLE
Hypocalcemia clinical manifestations - ANS-Tetany, hyperreflexia, paresthesia, seizures,
dysrhythmias
Hypercalcemia clinical manifestations - ANS-Polyuria, renal stones, nausea, vomiting,
constipation, weakness, fatigue, confusion, coma
Metabolic acidosis - ANS-Causes: Excess H+ ions (renal disease), bicarb deficiency (diarrhea,
renal tubular acidosis), increased acid production (ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis).
Clinical Manifestations: myocardial contractility, decreased cardiac output, hyperkalemia,
headache, lethargy, coma
Patho: Body will compensate by hyperventilation or Kussmaul respirations, increased ionized
calcium
Metabolic alkalosis - ANS-Causes: Excess of bicarbonate, deficiency of H+ (gastric suctioning,
excessive vomiting, diuretic use)
