NUR 231 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS | ILLINOIS STATE
UNIVERSITY (A+ GUARANTEE)
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents with a serum potassium level of 6.8
mEq/L. Which EKG change is most characteristic of this finding?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Shortened PR interval
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. ST-segment elevation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an EKG
as tall, peaked T waves, widened QRS complexes, and potentially lost P waves as levels rise.
2. Which physiological mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of
cardiogenic shock following an acute myocardial infarction?
A. Systemic vasodilation reducing afterload
B. Increased capillary permeability in the lungs
,C. Decreased cardiac output leading to inadequate tissue perfusion
D. Volemic depletion due to excessive diaphoresis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart’s pumping ability is
severely impaired, usually by an MI, resulting in a low cardiac output and systemic hypoxia
despite adequate intravascular volume.
3. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. How would the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is acidic (< 7.35), the PaCO2 is high (> 45), indicating a
respiratory cause, and the HCO3 is within the normal range (22-26), indicating no
compensation has occurred yet.
4. In the pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the primary cause of
hyperglycemia?
A. Inability of the liver to store glycogen
, B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Insulin resistance at the cellular level
D. Excessive secretion of glucagon by alpha cells
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 DM is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due
to the autoimmune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the Islets of
Langerhans.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of the compensatory stage of shock?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Cool, clammy skin
C. Increased urinary output
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: During the compensatory stage, the body initiates the fight-or-
flight response, shunting blood from non-vital organs (like the skin and GI tract) to vital
organs, causing cool, clammy skin and tachycardia.
6. A patient is diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
What electrolyte abnormality is most expected?
A. Hypernatremia
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS | ILLINOIS STATE
UNIVERSITY (A+ GUARANTEE)
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents with a serum potassium level of 6.8
mEq/L. Which EKG change is most characteristic of this finding?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Shortened PR interval
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. ST-segment elevation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an EKG
as tall, peaked T waves, widened QRS complexes, and potentially lost P waves as levels rise.
2. Which physiological mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of
cardiogenic shock following an acute myocardial infarction?
A. Systemic vasodilation reducing afterload
B. Increased capillary permeability in the lungs
,C. Decreased cardiac output leading to inadequate tissue perfusion
D. Volemic depletion due to excessive diaphoresis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart’s pumping ability is
severely impaired, usually by an MI, resulting in a low cardiac output and systemic hypoxia
despite adequate intravascular volume.
3. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. How would the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is acidic (< 7.35), the PaCO2 is high (> 45), indicating a
respiratory cause, and the HCO3 is within the normal range (22-26), indicating no
compensation has occurred yet.
4. In the pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the primary cause of
hyperglycemia?
A. Inability of the liver to store glycogen
, B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Insulin resistance at the cellular level
D. Excessive secretion of glucagon by alpha cells
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 DM is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due
to the autoimmune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the Islets of
Langerhans.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of the compensatory stage of shock?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Cool, clammy skin
C. Increased urinary output
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: During the compensatory stage, the body initiates the fight-or-
flight response, shunting blood from non-vital organs (like the skin and GI tract) to vital
organs, causing cool, clammy skin and tachycardia.
6. A patient is diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
What electrolyte abnormality is most expected?
A. Hypernatremia
