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NURS 618 – ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – EXAM 2
(NCLEX-STYLE) 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Prepare for NURS 618 Exam 2 with this focused study resource designed to reinforce
key nursing concepts and essential course material. Use it to review important topics,
strengthen your understanding, and identify areas that may require additional study.
This resource provides a structured supplement to your coursework and can help
improve your exam readiness. It is a convenient tool for organizing your preparation
and approaching Exam 2 with greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Autonomic Nervous System & Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
(Q1–Q35)
1. The autonomic nervous system controls cardiovascular function
through modulation of which functions?
A. Only heart rate
B. Cardiac (HR & contractility) and vascular (PVR) functions
C. Only vascular resistance
D. Skeletal muscle contraction
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANS modulates both cardiac function (heart rate and
contractility) and vascular function (peripheral vascular resistance) to
regulate blood pressure and blood flow.
2. Where are the neural control centers for regulation of cardiac function
and blood pressure located?
A. Cerebellum
B. Lower pons and medulla of the brain stem
C. Cerebral cortex
D. Spinal cord
, Page 2 of 36
Answer: B
Rationale: The lower pons and medulla of the brain stem contain the
neural control centers that regulate cardiac function and blood pressure.
3. Acetylcholine is the postganglionic neurotransmitter for which type of
neurons?
A. Sympathetic
B. Parasympathetic
C. Somatic
D. Sensory
Answer: B
Rationale: Acetylcholine is the postganglionic neurotransmitter for
parasympathetic neurons.
4. Norepinephrine is the main neurotransmitter for postganglionic
_______________ neurons.
A. Parasympathetic
B. Sympathetic
C. Somatic
D. Sensory
Answer: B
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the main neurotransmitter for
postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Sympathetic neurotransmitters
include norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine.
5. The parasympathetic nervous system functions in regulating the heart
rate through which mechanism?
A. Increasing sympathetic outflow
B. The vagus nerve (increased vagal activity = slowing of HR)
C. Direct stimulation of the SA node
D. Release of norepinephrine
Answer: B
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system regulates heart rate
through the vagus nerve. Increased vagal activity slows the heart rate.
, Page 3 of 36
6. A 44-year-old woman developed calf pain during a transatlantic flight
followed by acute shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with a
pulmonary embolism. Which statement best characterizes the underlying
problem?
A. She was short of breath because ventilation was occurring but perfusion
was inadequate.
B. She had a blocked airway.
C. She had decreased oxygen-carrying capacity.
D. She had respiratory muscle weakness.
Answer: A
Rationale: Pulmonary embolism creates a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q)
mismatch—ventilation continues in the affected lung area, but perfusion
is blocked by the embolus.
7. A patient with unstable angina is being treated with antithrombotic
medications. Which statement best describes why this medication is
being used?
A. It dissolves existing clots immediately.
B. It targets the coagulation pathway and slows or stops the formation of the
fibrin clot.
C. It increases blood pressure.
D. It reduces inflammation.
Answer: B
Rationale: Anticoagulation therapy targets the coagulation pathway to
slow or stop fibrin clot formation, preventing further thrombus
development.
8. An 81-year-old female client has a history of congestive heart failure.
Why is jugular venous distention a useful indicator for assessment?
A. Blood backs up into the jugular vein because there are no valves at the
point of entry into the heart.
B. It indicates dehydration.
C. It indicates low blood pressure.
D. It is a normal finding in older adults.
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Answer: A
Rationale: There are no valves at the point where the jugular vein enters
the heart, so blood backs up into the jugular vein when the right side of
the heart fails.
9. A nurse is providing care for a client who has a history of severe
atherosclerosis. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse anticipate?
A. Aneurysm formation due to weakening of blood vessel walls
B. Improved circulation
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Reduced risk of clot formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe atherosclerosis weakens blood vessel walls, creating a
risk for aneurysm formation.
10. Which of the following is a frequent modifiable contributor to
aneurysms?
A. Age
B. Hypertension
C. Genetics
D. Gender
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertension is a frequent modifiable contributor to the
development of aneurysms.
11. Aortic valve stenosis is characterized by:
A. Increased resistance to ejection of blood from the LV into the aorta
B. Decreased resistance to ejection of blood from the LV into the aorta
C. Regurgitation of blood into the left atrium
D. Narrowing of the mitral valve
Answer: A
Rationale: Aortic valve stenosis increases resistance to ejection of blood
from the left ventricle into the aorta, leading to left ventricular
hypertrophy.
NURS 618 – ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – EXAM 2
(NCLEX-STYLE) 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Prepare for NURS 618 Exam 2 with this focused study resource designed to reinforce
key nursing concepts and essential course material. Use it to review important topics,
strengthen your understanding, and identify areas that may require additional study.
This resource provides a structured supplement to your coursework and can help
improve your exam readiness. It is a convenient tool for organizing your preparation
and approaching Exam 2 with greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Autonomic Nervous System & Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
(Q1–Q35)
1. The autonomic nervous system controls cardiovascular function
through modulation of which functions?
A. Only heart rate
B. Cardiac (HR & contractility) and vascular (PVR) functions
C. Only vascular resistance
D. Skeletal muscle contraction
Answer: B
Rationale: The ANS modulates both cardiac function (heart rate and
contractility) and vascular function (peripheral vascular resistance) to
regulate blood pressure and blood flow.
2. Where are the neural control centers for regulation of cardiac function
and blood pressure located?
A. Cerebellum
B. Lower pons and medulla of the brain stem
C. Cerebral cortex
D. Spinal cord
, Page 2 of 36
Answer: B
Rationale: The lower pons and medulla of the brain stem contain the
neural control centers that regulate cardiac function and blood pressure.
3. Acetylcholine is the postganglionic neurotransmitter for which type of
neurons?
A. Sympathetic
B. Parasympathetic
C. Somatic
D. Sensory
Answer: B
Rationale: Acetylcholine is the postganglionic neurotransmitter for
parasympathetic neurons.
4. Norepinephrine is the main neurotransmitter for postganglionic
_______________ neurons.
A. Parasympathetic
B. Sympathetic
C. Somatic
D. Sensory
Answer: B
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the main neurotransmitter for
postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Sympathetic neurotransmitters
include norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine.
5. The parasympathetic nervous system functions in regulating the heart
rate through which mechanism?
A. Increasing sympathetic outflow
B. The vagus nerve (increased vagal activity = slowing of HR)
C. Direct stimulation of the SA node
D. Release of norepinephrine
Answer: B
Rationale: The parasympathetic nervous system regulates heart rate
through the vagus nerve. Increased vagal activity slows the heart rate.
, Page 3 of 36
6. A 44-year-old woman developed calf pain during a transatlantic flight
followed by acute shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with a
pulmonary embolism. Which statement best characterizes the underlying
problem?
A. She was short of breath because ventilation was occurring but perfusion
was inadequate.
B. She had a blocked airway.
C. She had decreased oxygen-carrying capacity.
D. She had respiratory muscle weakness.
Answer: A
Rationale: Pulmonary embolism creates a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q)
mismatch—ventilation continues in the affected lung area, but perfusion
is blocked by the embolus.
7. A patient with unstable angina is being treated with antithrombotic
medications. Which statement best describes why this medication is
being used?
A. It dissolves existing clots immediately.
B. It targets the coagulation pathway and slows or stops the formation of the
fibrin clot.
C. It increases blood pressure.
D. It reduces inflammation.
Answer: B
Rationale: Anticoagulation therapy targets the coagulation pathway to
slow or stop fibrin clot formation, preventing further thrombus
development.
8. An 81-year-old female client has a history of congestive heart failure.
Why is jugular venous distention a useful indicator for assessment?
A. Blood backs up into the jugular vein because there are no valves at the
point of entry into the heart.
B. It indicates dehydration.
C. It indicates low blood pressure.
D. It is a normal finding in older adults.
, Page 4 of 36
Answer: A
Rationale: There are no valves at the point where the jugular vein enters
the heart, so blood backs up into the jugular vein when the right side of
the heart fails.
9. A nurse is providing care for a client who has a history of severe
atherosclerosis. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse anticipate?
A. Aneurysm formation due to weakening of blood vessel walls
B. Improved circulation
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Reduced risk of clot formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe atherosclerosis weakens blood vessel walls, creating a
risk for aneurysm formation.
10. Which of the following is a frequent modifiable contributor to
aneurysms?
A. Age
B. Hypertension
C. Genetics
D. Gender
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertension is a frequent modifiable contributor to the
development of aneurysms.
11. Aortic valve stenosis is characterized by:
A. Increased resistance to ejection of blood from the LV into the aorta
B. Decreased resistance to ejection of blood from the LV into the aorta
C. Regurgitation of blood into the left atrium
D. Narrowing of the mitral valve
Answer: A
Rationale: Aortic valve stenosis increases resistance to ejection of blood
from the left ventricle into the aorta, leading to left ventricular
hypertrophy.
