NSG 5140 EXAM 3
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3
ACTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
/2026-2027
The nurse working in an outpatient nephrology clinic knows that which of the following are primary
functions of the kidneys? (Select all that apply.)
A. Production of clotting factors
B. Homeostasis
C. Excretion of metabolic wastes
D. Regulation of acid-base balance
E. Metabolism of fats -Answer B, C, D
The kidneys do not metabolize fats.
Production of clotting factors is a primary function of the liver.
The kidneys maintain blood pressure using the RAAS and also produce erythropoietin to stimulate RBC
production.
In caring for a patient diagnosed with acute kidney injury, the nephrology nurse knows that which of
the following tests are specific for renal function? (Select all that apply.)
A. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
B. Blood urea nitrogen
C. Creatinine
,D. Glomerular filtration rate
E. White blood cell count -Answer B, C, D
AST related to LIVER function
In caring for a patient with acute kidney injury the nurse knows that the patient's renal function has
returned to normal range when the patient's GFR measures:
A. 30-40 mL/min
B. 40-50 mL/min
C. 70-90 mL/min
D. 90-120 mL/min -Answer D
Normal GFR is 90-120 mL/min
Normal Creatinine 0.6-1.1 for females and 0.6-1.2 for males
Normal BUN is 10-20 mg/dL
*Be sure to know these normal values, you will use them daily as a nurse
The nursing working in a geriatric living facility understands that as patients age, which change in
glomerular filtration rate is expected?
A. Increased GFR
B. Decreased GFR
C. Same GFR
D. No GFR -Answer B
Aging and renal function:
,Decrease in renal blood flow and GFR → altered sodium and water balance
Number of nephrons decrease due to renal vascular and perfusion changes
Response to acid-base changes is delayed
Increased risk for drug toxicity
Alterations in thirst and water intake
Get dehydrated very easily; do not recognize thirst and heat
Decreased muscle mass may lead to decreased creatinine values
An older patient is experiencing urinary stasis. The registered nurse knows that urinary stasis may
lead to which of the following?
A. Increased GFR
B. Hypocoagulation
C. Hypertension
D. Infection -Answer D
Urinary stasis is a risk factor for developing UTI
Which of the following is classified as the most common primary mineral salt composition of kidney
stones?
A. Calcium
B. Struvite
C. Uric Acid
D. Cysteine -Answer A
A - calcium (i.e. oxalate or phosphate) is most common
, *Note that a change in urine pH may lead to precipitation of stones
Which of the following are risk factors for developing renal tumors? (Select all that apply.)
A. Female gender
B. Smoking
C. Obesity
D. Diabetes
E. Hypertension -Answer B, C, E
risk factors are male gender, smoking, obesity, uncontrolled hypertension
The registered nurse would expect which of the following lab values for a patient experiencing acute
kidney failure?
A. Creatinine 3.5 mg/dL
B. Sodium 122 mEq/L
C. Albumin 3.5 g/dL
D. BUN 10 mg/dL -Answer A
the normal creatinine level is 0.6 - 1.2
This BUN is within normal range (BUN would be elevated in acute kidney failure)
In caring for a patient experiencing acute kidney injury who has these lab values: urinary output 15
mL/hr, BUN 30 mg/dL, and creatinine 3.5, the nurse knows that the patient is experiencing which
phase of acute kidney injury?
A. Initiation phase
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3
ACTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
/2026-2027
The nurse working in an outpatient nephrology clinic knows that which of the following are primary
functions of the kidneys? (Select all that apply.)
A. Production of clotting factors
B. Homeostasis
C. Excretion of metabolic wastes
D. Regulation of acid-base balance
E. Metabolism of fats -Answer B, C, D
The kidneys do not metabolize fats.
Production of clotting factors is a primary function of the liver.
The kidneys maintain blood pressure using the RAAS and also produce erythropoietin to stimulate RBC
production.
In caring for a patient diagnosed with acute kidney injury, the nephrology nurse knows that which of
the following tests are specific for renal function? (Select all that apply.)
A. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
B. Blood urea nitrogen
C. Creatinine
,D. Glomerular filtration rate
E. White blood cell count -Answer B, C, D
AST related to LIVER function
In caring for a patient with acute kidney injury the nurse knows that the patient's renal function has
returned to normal range when the patient's GFR measures:
A. 30-40 mL/min
B. 40-50 mL/min
C. 70-90 mL/min
D. 90-120 mL/min -Answer D
Normal GFR is 90-120 mL/min
Normal Creatinine 0.6-1.1 for females and 0.6-1.2 for males
Normal BUN is 10-20 mg/dL
*Be sure to know these normal values, you will use them daily as a nurse
The nursing working in a geriatric living facility understands that as patients age, which change in
glomerular filtration rate is expected?
A. Increased GFR
B. Decreased GFR
C. Same GFR
D. No GFR -Answer B
Aging and renal function:
,Decrease in renal blood flow and GFR → altered sodium and water balance
Number of nephrons decrease due to renal vascular and perfusion changes
Response to acid-base changes is delayed
Increased risk for drug toxicity
Alterations in thirst and water intake
Get dehydrated very easily; do not recognize thirst and heat
Decreased muscle mass may lead to decreased creatinine values
An older patient is experiencing urinary stasis. The registered nurse knows that urinary stasis may
lead to which of the following?
A. Increased GFR
B. Hypocoagulation
C. Hypertension
D. Infection -Answer D
Urinary stasis is a risk factor for developing UTI
Which of the following is classified as the most common primary mineral salt composition of kidney
stones?
A. Calcium
B. Struvite
C. Uric Acid
D. Cysteine -Answer A
A - calcium (i.e. oxalate or phosphate) is most common
, *Note that a change in urine pH may lead to precipitation of stones
Which of the following are risk factors for developing renal tumors? (Select all that apply.)
A. Female gender
B. Smoking
C. Obesity
D. Diabetes
E. Hypertension -Answer B, C, E
risk factors are male gender, smoking, obesity, uncontrolled hypertension
The registered nurse would expect which of the following lab values for a patient experiencing acute
kidney failure?
A. Creatinine 3.5 mg/dL
B. Sodium 122 mEq/L
C. Albumin 3.5 g/dL
D. BUN 10 mg/dL -Answer A
the normal creatinine level is 0.6 - 1.2
This BUN is within normal range (BUN would be elevated in acute kidney failure)
In caring for a patient experiencing acute kidney injury who has these lab values: urinary output 15
mL/hr, BUN 30 mg/dL, and creatinine 3.5, the nurse knows that the patient is experiencing which
phase of acute kidney injury?
A. Initiation phase
