NURS 5220 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS.
JUST RELEASED
1. Which of the following describes the mechanism by which Angiotensin II increases blood
pressure?
A. Inhibiting the release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex
B. Causing systemic vasodilation and increased glomerular filtration
C. Stimulating the release of Antidiuretic Hormone and causing potent vasoconstriction
D. Decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor and also stimulates the
release of ADH and aldosterone, all of which contribute to increased blood pressure.
2. In the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, what is the primary composition of
neurofibrillary tangles?
A. Amyloid-beta plaques
B. Prion proteins
,C. Alpha-synuclein aggregates
D. Hyperphosphorylated tau proteins
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Neurofibrillary tangles are intracellular accumulations of
hyperphosphorylated tau protein, whereas amyloid-beta forms extracellular plaques.
3. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L. This is
indicative of:
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is acidic (<7.35) and the PaCO2 is high (>45), indicating
a respiratory cause for the acidosis.
4. What is the primary pathophysiological defect in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Hypersecretion of glucagon by alpha cells
C. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
, D. Decreased glucose absorption in the GI tract
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 DM is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due
to the T-cell mediated autoimmune destruction of beta cells.
5. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one adult cell type is
replaced by another to better withstand environmental stress.
6. In Right-sided Heart Failure, which symptom is most likely to be observed?
A. Pulmonary edema and crackles
B. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention
C. Orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
D. Pink frothy sputum
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS.
JUST RELEASED
1. Which of the following describes the mechanism by which Angiotensin II increases blood
pressure?
A. Inhibiting the release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex
B. Causing systemic vasodilation and increased glomerular filtration
C. Stimulating the release of Antidiuretic Hormone and causing potent vasoconstriction
D. Decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor and also stimulates the
release of ADH and aldosterone, all of which contribute to increased blood pressure.
2. In the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, what is the primary composition of
neurofibrillary tangles?
A. Amyloid-beta plaques
B. Prion proteins
,C. Alpha-synuclein aggregates
D. Hyperphosphorylated tau proteins
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Neurofibrillary tangles are intracellular accumulations of
hyperphosphorylated tau protein, whereas amyloid-beta forms extracellular plaques.
3. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L. This is
indicative of:
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is acidic (<7.35) and the PaCO2 is high (>45), indicating
a respiratory cause for the acidosis.
4. What is the primary pathophysiological defect in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Hypersecretion of glucagon by alpha cells
C. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
, D. Decreased glucose absorption in the GI tract
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 DM is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due
to the T-cell mediated autoimmune destruction of beta cells.
5. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one adult cell type is
replaced by another to better withstand environmental stress.
6. In Right-sided Heart Failure, which symptom is most likely to be observed?
A. Pulmonary edema and crackles
B. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention
C. Orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
D. Pink frothy sputum
