https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
NUR2063 ESSENTIALS OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3 Original Exam
Questions with Answers and Rationales
Section 1: Renal and Urinary Disorders (Questions)
1. A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has a urine output
of 200 mL over 24 hours. Which phase of AKI does this
indicate?
A. Prodromal phase
B. Oliguric phase
C. Diuretic phase
D. Recovery phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The oliguric phase of AKI is characterized by
urine output less than 400 mL per day (oliguria). The
diuretic phase follows with increased urine output, and
recovery phase shows gradual return of function.
2. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of glomerular
injury?
A. Elevated BUN only
B. Proteinuria and hematuria
C. Hypokalemia
D. Elevated blood glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: Glomerular injury causes increased
permeability of the glomerular basement membrane,
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
leading to proteinuria (especially albumin) and
hematuria. BUN alone is not specific to glomerular
damage.
3. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a serum
potassium of 6.2 mEq/L. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Administer potassium supplements
B. Notify the healthcare provider and prepare for
emergency treatment
C. Encourage potassium-rich foods
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K > 6.0 mEq/L) is life-
threatening due to risk of cardiac dysrhythmias.
Immediate provider notification and emergency
interventions (insulin/glucose, calcium, dialysis) are
required.
4. What is the primary cause of nephrotic syndrome?
A. Decreased glomerular permeability
B. Increased glomerular permeability to proteins
C. Obstruction of the ureters
D. Infection of the bladder
Answer: B
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome results from glomerular
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
damage that increases permeability, causing massive
proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, edema, and
hyperlipidemia.
5. A patient with acute glomerulonephritis presents with
which classic triad?
A. Hematuria, proteinuria, hypertension
B. Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia
C. Fever, chills, flank pain
D. Dysuria, frequency, urgency
Answer: A
Rationale: Acute glomerulonephritis classically presents
with hematuria (cola-colored urine), proteinuria, and
hypertension due to sodium and water retention, often
following a streptococcal infection.
6. Which type of urinary incontinence is characterized by
urine loss with coughing, sneezing, or exertion?
A. Urge incontinence
B. Stress incontinence
C. Overflow incontinence
D. Functional incontinence
Answer: B
Rationale: Stress incontinence results from weak pelvic
floor muscles or urethral sphincter, causing urine leakage
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
when intra-abdominal pressure increases (coughing,
laughing, lifting).
7. A patient with renal calculi (kidney stones) reports severe
flank pain radiating to the groin. What is the likely cause of
the pain?
A. Infection
B. Ureteral obstruction and spasm
C. Bladder distention
D. Glomerular inflammation
Answer: B
Rationale: Renal colic is caused by the stone obstructing
the ureter, leading to ureteral spasm and stretching,
producing severe, intermittent flank pain that radiates to
the groin.
8. Which finding is most characteristic of acute
pyelonephritis?
A. Painless hematuria
B. Fever, chills, and costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness
C. Polyuria
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Pyelonephritis (kidney infection) causes
systemic signs of infection—fever, chills—and localized
NUR2063 ESSENTIALS OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3 Original Exam
Questions with Answers and Rationales
Section 1: Renal and Urinary Disorders (Questions)
1. A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has a urine output
of 200 mL over 24 hours. Which phase of AKI does this
indicate?
A. Prodromal phase
B. Oliguric phase
C. Diuretic phase
D. Recovery phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The oliguric phase of AKI is characterized by
urine output less than 400 mL per day (oliguria). The
diuretic phase follows with increased urine output, and
recovery phase shows gradual return of function.
2. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of glomerular
injury?
A. Elevated BUN only
B. Proteinuria and hematuria
C. Hypokalemia
D. Elevated blood glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: Glomerular injury causes increased
permeability of the glomerular basement membrane,
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
leading to proteinuria (especially albumin) and
hematuria. BUN alone is not specific to glomerular
damage.
3. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a serum
potassium of 6.2 mEq/L. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Administer potassium supplements
B. Notify the healthcare provider and prepare for
emergency treatment
C. Encourage potassium-rich foods
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K > 6.0 mEq/L) is life-
threatening due to risk of cardiac dysrhythmias.
Immediate provider notification and emergency
interventions (insulin/glucose, calcium, dialysis) are
required.
4. What is the primary cause of nephrotic syndrome?
A. Decreased glomerular permeability
B. Increased glomerular permeability to proteins
C. Obstruction of the ureters
D. Infection of the bladder
Answer: B
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome results from glomerular
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
damage that increases permeability, causing massive
proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, edema, and
hyperlipidemia.
5. A patient with acute glomerulonephritis presents with
which classic triad?
A. Hematuria, proteinuria, hypertension
B. Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia
C. Fever, chills, flank pain
D. Dysuria, frequency, urgency
Answer: A
Rationale: Acute glomerulonephritis classically presents
with hematuria (cola-colored urine), proteinuria, and
hypertension due to sodium and water retention, often
following a streptococcal infection.
6. Which type of urinary incontinence is characterized by
urine loss with coughing, sneezing, or exertion?
A. Urge incontinence
B. Stress incontinence
C. Overflow incontinence
D. Functional incontinence
Answer: B
Rationale: Stress incontinence results from weak pelvic
floor muscles or urethral sphincter, causing urine leakage
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
when intra-abdominal pressure increases (coughing,
laughing, lifting).
7. A patient with renal calculi (kidney stones) reports severe
flank pain radiating to the groin. What is the likely cause of
the pain?
A. Infection
B. Ureteral obstruction and spasm
C. Bladder distention
D. Glomerular inflammation
Answer: B
Rationale: Renal colic is caused by the stone obstructing
the ureter, leading to ureteral spasm and stretching,
producing severe, intermittent flank pain that radiates to
the groin.
8. Which finding is most characteristic of acute
pyelonephritis?
A. Painless hematuria
B. Fever, chills, and costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness
C. Polyuria
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Pyelonephritis (kidney infection) causes
systemic signs of infection—fever, chills—and localized
