NR 507
Midterm Exam Prep
(300 Practice Questions)
(Week’s 1 – 4 Covered)
Verified Questions & Answers With Rationales
Advanced Pathophysiology
Chamberlain
,Table of Contents
SECTION 1 .................................................................... 2
SECTION 2 .................................................................. 37
SECTION 3 .................................................................. 73
SECTION 1
1. Which of the following is the underlying pathology for hay fever?
A. Formation of autoantibodies.
B. Activation of complement.
C. Destruction by T-cells.
D. Mast cell degranulation.
Correct Answer: Mast
Cell Degranulation
Expert Rationale:
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is a Type I hypersensitivity reaction. Upon allergen exposure,
IgE bound to mast cells triggers cross-linking and degranulation, releasing histamine,
leukotrienes, and prostaglandins that produce the classic rhinorrhea, sneezing, and nasal
congestion.
2. Which of the following assessment findings would be expected in a patient who presents
with urticaria?
A. Eosinophilia.
B. Decreased thyroid-stimulation hormone level.
C. Thrombocytopenia.
D. Leukopenia.
Correct Answer:
Eosinophilia
Expert Rationale:
,Urticaria is a localized Type I hypersensitivity reaction involving mast cell degranulation in
the skin. The inflammatory cascade recruits eosinophils, making eosinophilia a
characteristic laboratory finding in allergic-mediated urticaria.
3. The diagnosis for an individual who presents to the office with sudden swollen lips and
eyes, shortness of breath and throat tightness after a bee sting is:
A. Anaphylaxis.
B. Asthma.
C. Angioedema.
D. Reactive airway disease.
Correct Answer:
Anaphylaxis
Expert Rationale:
The acute onset of angioedema (swollen lips/eyes), respiratory compromise (shortness of
breath, throat tightness), and known allergen exposure (bee sting) constitutes anaphylaxis—a
systemic, life-threatening IgE-mediated reaction requiring immediate epinephrine
administration.
4. Damage occurs with ABO incompatibility because:
A. Complement damages RBC membrane causing cell lysis.
B. Mast cell degranulation.
C. Autoantibodies specific for thyroid tissue impairs the receptors for TSH.
D. Antigen/Antibody complexes attack the RBC.
Correct Answer:
Complement damages RBC membrane causing cell lysis
Expert Rationale:
ABO incompatibility triggers a Type II cytotoxic hypersensitivity reaction. Pre-formed anti-
A or anti-B antibodies bind to foreign RBC surface antigens, activating the classical
complement cascade and causing intravascular hemolysis via membrane attack complex
(MAC) formation.
5. Which is true about a primary immunodeficiency?
A. It is the result of a single gene defect.
B. It appears primarily in older adults.
C. It is usually inherited.
, D. It is the result of multiple gene defects.
Correct Answer:
It is the result of a single gene defect.
Expert Rationale:
Primary immunodeficiencies are congenital disorders arising from genetic mutations— most
commonly single gene defects (e.g., SCID, CGD, Wiskott-Aldrich). They are present from
birth and are distinct from secondary (acquired) immunodeficiencies.
6. _____________ is a predominant cause of secondary immune deficiencies worldwide.
Correct Answer:
Malnutrition
7. An example of a secondary immunodeficiency is:
A. Job Syndrome.
B. Common Variable Immunodeficiency.
C. Familial Mediterranean Fever.
D. Pneumocystis Carinii.
Correct Answer:
Pneumocystis Carinii.
Expert Rationale:
Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly carinii) pneumonia is an opportunistic infection that
occurs in immunocompromised hosts, most notably HIV/AIDS patients. It represents a
secondary (acquired) immunodeficiency resulting from viral destruction of CD4+ Thelper
cells.
8. An example of a primary immunodeficiency is:
A. Sinus Infection.
B. Human Immunodeficiency virus.
C. Pneumonia.
D. Chronic Granulomatous Disease.
Correct Answer:
Chronic Granulomatous Disease
Expert Rationale:
Midterm Exam Prep
(300 Practice Questions)
(Week’s 1 – 4 Covered)
Verified Questions & Answers With Rationales
Advanced Pathophysiology
Chamberlain
,Table of Contents
SECTION 1 .................................................................... 2
SECTION 2 .................................................................. 37
SECTION 3 .................................................................. 73
SECTION 1
1. Which of the following is the underlying pathology for hay fever?
A. Formation of autoantibodies.
B. Activation of complement.
C. Destruction by T-cells.
D. Mast cell degranulation.
Correct Answer: Mast
Cell Degranulation
Expert Rationale:
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is a Type I hypersensitivity reaction. Upon allergen exposure,
IgE bound to mast cells triggers cross-linking and degranulation, releasing histamine,
leukotrienes, and prostaglandins that produce the classic rhinorrhea, sneezing, and nasal
congestion.
2. Which of the following assessment findings would be expected in a patient who presents
with urticaria?
A. Eosinophilia.
B. Decreased thyroid-stimulation hormone level.
C. Thrombocytopenia.
D. Leukopenia.
Correct Answer:
Eosinophilia
Expert Rationale:
,Urticaria is a localized Type I hypersensitivity reaction involving mast cell degranulation in
the skin. The inflammatory cascade recruits eosinophils, making eosinophilia a
characteristic laboratory finding in allergic-mediated urticaria.
3. The diagnosis for an individual who presents to the office with sudden swollen lips and
eyes, shortness of breath and throat tightness after a bee sting is:
A. Anaphylaxis.
B. Asthma.
C. Angioedema.
D. Reactive airway disease.
Correct Answer:
Anaphylaxis
Expert Rationale:
The acute onset of angioedema (swollen lips/eyes), respiratory compromise (shortness of
breath, throat tightness), and known allergen exposure (bee sting) constitutes anaphylaxis—a
systemic, life-threatening IgE-mediated reaction requiring immediate epinephrine
administration.
4. Damage occurs with ABO incompatibility because:
A. Complement damages RBC membrane causing cell lysis.
B. Mast cell degranulation.
C. Autoantibodies specific for thyroid tissue impairs the receptors for TSH.
D. Antigen/Antibody complexes attack the RBC.
Correct Answer:
Complement damages RBC membrane causing cell lysis
Expert Rationale:
ABO incompatibility triggers a Type II cytotoxic hypersensitivity reaction. Pre-formed anti-
A or anti-B antibodies bind to foreign RBC surface antigens, activating the classical
complement cascade and causing intravascular hemolysis via membrane attack complex
(MAC) formation.
5. Which is true about a primary immunodeficiency?
A. It is the result of a single gene defect.
B. It appears primarily in older adults.
C. It is usually inherited.
, D. It is the result of multiple gene defects.
Correct Answer:
It is the result of a single gene defect.
Expert Rationale:
Primary immunodeficiencies are congenital disorders arising from genetic mutations— most
commonly single gene defects (e.g., SCID, CGD, Wiskott-Aldrich). They are present from
birth and are distinct from secondary (acquired) immunodeficiencies.
6. _____________ is a predominant cause of secondary immune deficiencies worldwide.
Correct Answer:
Malnutrition
7. An example of a secondary immunodeficiency is:
A. Job Syndrome.
B. Common Variable Immunodeficiency.
C. Familial Mediterranean Fever.
D. Pneumocystis Carinii.
Correct Answer:
Pneumocystis Carinii.
Expert Rationale:
Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly carinii) pneumonia is an opportunistic infection that
occurs in immunocompromised hosts, most notably HIV/AIDS patients. It represents a
secondary (acquired) immunodeficiency resulting from viral destruction of CD4+ Thelper
cells.
8. An example of a primary immunodeficiency is:
A. Sinus Infection.
B. Human Immunodeficiency virus.
C. Pneumonia.
D. Chronic Granulomatous Disease.
Correct Answer:
Chronic Granulomatous Disease
Expert Rationale:
