NSG 3280 Pathophysiology for Nurses – Exam 2
Review (2026/2027 Update) Pathophysiology for
Nurses I | Review Questions and Answers |
Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Solutions)
Instant pdf - Galen
Based on the course syllabus and available study materials, Exam 2 focuses on Units 3
& 4, covering the integumentary system, inflammation and immunity, infectious
disorders, and cellular injury/adaptation . Below is a comprehensive practice exam
with verified answers and detailed rationales.
Section 1: Inflammation & Immunity
1. A patient presents with redness, swelling, heat, and pain at a wound site. The
nurse recognizes these as:
A. Systemic manifestations of infection
B. Cardinal signs of inflammation (rubor, tumor, calor, dolor)
C. Allergic reaction symptoms
D. Signs of tissue necrosis
Correct Answer: B
The classic cardinal signs of inflammation are rubor (redness), tumor (swelling), calor
(heat), and dolor (pain). These result from vasodilation and increased capillary
permeability mediated by chemical mediators like histamine and prostaglandins .
,2. Which chemical mediator, released by mast cells, causes vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability during the inflammatory response?
A. Prostaglandin
B. Leukotriene
C. Histamine
D. Cytokine
Correct Answer: C
Histamine is released from mast cells and basophils during the inflammatory response. It
causes vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and smooth muscle contraction.
Prostaglandins and leukotrienes also contribute to inflammation but are synthesized later
in the response .
3. A fever of 101°F develops during an infection. Which endogenous pyrogen is
primarily responsible?
A. Histamine
B. Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
C. Bradykinin
D. Serotonin
Correct Answer: B
IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) act on the hypothalamus to raise the thermostatic set
point, causing fever. These endogenous pyrogens are released by macrophages in response
to infection .
4. Which cell type is the first to arrive at the site of acute inflammation?
A. Macrophages
B. Lymphocytes
C. Neutrophils
D. Eosinophils
Correct Answer: C
Neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) are the first leukocytes to arrive at the site of
,acute inflammation, typically within minutes to hours. They are highly phagocytic and
release enzymes and reactive oxygen species to destroy pathogens. Monocytes arrive later
and differentiate into macrophages .
5. Chronic inflammation is characterized by which predominant cell type?
A. Neutrophilic exudate
B. Pus formation
C. Lymphocytes and macrophages
D. Immediate resolution
Correct Answer: C
Chronic inflammation involves mononuclear cells (lymphocytes and macrophages),
fibrosis, and tissue destruction. In contrast, acute inflammation is characterized by
neutrophils and exudate .
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with acute inflammation. Which mediator is
primarily responsible for vasodilation and increased vascular permeability?
A. Platelets
B. Histamine
C. Hemoglobin
D. Albumin
Correct Answer: B
Histamine released from mast cells causes vasodilation and increased permeability.
Platelets aid clotting, hemoglobin carries oxygen, and albumin maintains oncotic
pressure .
7. Which substance do anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit to produce their
therapeutic effect?
, A. Histamines
B. Prostaglandins
C. Leukocytes
D. Antibodies
Correct Answer: B
Anti-inflammatory medications, including NSAIDs and corticosteroids, primarily work by
inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, while
corticosteroids inhibit phospholipase A2, reducing production of both prostaglandins and
leukotrienes .
8. A patient with HIV has a CD4+ count of 180 cells/mm³. This indicates:
A. Early HIV infection
B. AIDS diagnosis (CD4 <200 cells/mm³)
C. Acute seroconversion
D. Immune reconstitution
Correct Answer: B
A CD4+ count <200 cells/mm³ or an AIDS-defining illness indicates a diagnosis of AIDS.
This level of immunosuppression places the patient at high risk for opportunistic
infections .
9. The complement system directly causes:
A. Antibody production
B. Memory cell formation
C. Opsonization and cytolysis
D. Fever
Correct Answer: C
Complement proteins opsonize pathogens (mark them for phagocytosis) and form
membrane attack complexes (MAC) that cause cytolysis of target cells .
Review (2026/2027 Update) Pathophysiology for
Nurses I | Review Questions and Answers |
Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Solutions)
Instant pdf - Galen
Based on the course syllabus and available study materials, Exam 2 focuses on Units 3
& 4, covering the integumentary system, inflammation and immunity, infectious
disorders, and cellular injury/adaptation . Below is a comprehensive practice exam
with verified answers and detailed rationales.
Section 1: Inflammation & Immunity
1. A patient presents with redness, swelling, heat, and pain at a wound site. The
nurse recognizes these as:
A. Systemic manifestations of infection
B. Cardinal signs of inflammation (rubor, tumor, calor, dolor)
C. Allergic reaction symptoms
D. Signs of tissue necrosis
Correct Answer: B
The classic cardinal signs of inflammation are rubor (redness), tumor (swelling), calor
(heat), and dolor (pain). These result from vasodilation and increased capillary
permeability mediated by chemical mediators like histamine and prostaglandins .
,2. Which chemical mediator, released by mast cells, causes vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability during the inflammatory response?
A. Prostaglandin
B. Leukotriene
C. Histamine
D. Cytokine
Correct Answer: C
Histamine is released from mast cells and basophils during the inflammatory response. It
causes vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and smooth muscle contraction.
Prostaglandins and leukotrienes also contribute to inflammation but are synthesized later
in the response .
3. A fever of 101°F develops during an infection. Which endogenous pyrogen is
primarily responsible?
A. Histamine
B. Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
C. Bradykinin
D. Serotonin
Correct Answer: B
IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) act on the hypothalamus to raise the thermostatic set
point, causing fever. These endogenous pyrogens are released by macrophages in response
to infection .
4. Which cell type is the first to arrive at the site of acute inflammation?
A. Macrophages
B. Lymphocytes
C. Neutrophils
D. Eosinophils
Correct Answer: C
Neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) are the first leukocytes to arrive at the site of
,acute inflammation, typically within minutes to hours. They are highly phagocytic and
release enzymes and reactive oxygen species to destroy pathogens. Monocytes arrive later
and differentiate into macrophages .
5. Chronic inflammation is characterized by which predominant cell type?
A. Neutrophilic exudate
B. Pus formation
C. Lymphocytes and macrophages
D. Immediate resolution
Correct Answer: C
Chronic inflammation involves mononuclear cells (lymphocytes and macrophages),
fibrosis, and tissue destruction. In contrast, acute inflammation is characterized by
neutrophils and exudate .
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with acute inflammation. Which mediator is
primarily responsible for vasodilation and increased vascular permeability?
A. Platelets
B. Histamine
C. Hemoglobin
D. Albumin
Correct Answer: B
Histamine released from mast cells causes vasodilation and increased permeability.
Platelets aid clotting, hemoglobin carries oxygen, and albumin maintains oncotic
pressure .
7. Which substance do anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit to produce their
therapeutic effect?
, A. Histamines
B. Prostaglandins
C. Leukocytes
D. Antibodies
Correct Answer: B
Anti-inflammatory medications, including NSAIDs and corticosteroids, primarily work by
inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, while
corticosteroids inhibit phospholipase A2, reducing production of both prostaglandins and
leukotrienes .
8. A patient with HIV has a CD4+ count of 180 cells/mm³. This indicates:
A. Early HIV infection
B. AIDS diagnosis (CD4 <200 cells/mm³)
C. Acute seroconversion
D. Immune reconstitution
Correct Answer: B
A CD4+ count <200 cells/mm³ or an AIDS-defining illness indicates a diagnosis of AIDS.
This level of immunosuppression places the patient at high risk for opportunistic
infections .
9. The complement system directly causes:
A. Antibody production
B. Memory cell formation
C. Opsonization and cytolysis
D. Fever
Correct Answer: C
Complement proteins opsonize pathogens (mark them for phagocytosis) and form
membrane attack complexes (MAC) that cause cytolysis of target cells .
