NURS 5315 EXAM 3 (UTA) QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF
CORE DOMAINS
• Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis
• Hypertension and Hemodynamics
• Cardiac Function: Preload, Afterload, Contractility
• Valvular Disorders
• Venous and Arterial Insufficiency
• Cardiogenic Shock and Heart Failure
• Dysrhythmias and Conduction Disorders
• Pulmonary Pathophysiology
• Renal and Metabolic Pathophysiology
• Clinical Decision-Making in Cardiovascular Care
Introduction
The NURS 5315 Exam 3 evaluates a graduate nursing student's understanding of cardiovascular and
pulmonary pathophysiology. The exam assesses knowledge of atherosclerosis, hemodynamic principles,
valvular disorders, shock states, dysrhythmias, and pulmonary disease processes. Candidates must
demonstrate competency in analyzing mechanisms of disease, interpreting clinical manifestations, and
applying pathophysiological principles to real-world patient scenarios. The multiple-choice format
includes knowledge-based and scenario-driven questions emphasizing critical thinking and advanced
practice nursing application.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 62-year-old male with a 40-year history of hypertension and smoking presents with intermittent
claudication. Which pathophysiological process best explains his condition?
A. Venous valve incompetence causing blood pooling
B. Arterial narrowing from atherosclerotic plaque formation
C. Lymphatic obstruction causing edema
D. Deep vein thrombosis causing obstruction
, Correct answer: B. Arterial narrowing from atherosclerotic plaque formation
RATIONALE: Intermittent claudication is caused by arterial insufficiency, most commonly from
atherosclerosis. Plaque formation narrows the arterial lumen, reducing blood flow to muscles during
exertion .
2. Which of the following best describes arteriosclerosis?
A. Fatty deposits within the arterial wall
B. Thickening and hardening of arterial walls with loss of elasticity
C. Inflammation of the venous system
D. Ballooning of a weakened arterial wall
Correct answer: B. Thickening and hardening of arterial walls with loss of elasticity
RATIONALE: Arteriosclerosis is characterized by thickened, hardened arteries. The intima is
damaged, walls stiffen, and elasticity and compliance decrease .
3. A patient with atherosclerosis has elevated LDL levels. Which mechanism explains how LDL
contributes to plaque formation?
A. LDL directly causes vasodilation
B. LDL replaces endothelial cells and is engulfed by macrophages forming foam cells
C. LDL increases antithrombotic cytokine production
D. LDL prevents platelet aggregation
Correct answer: B. LDL replaces endothelial cells and is engulfed by macrophages forming foam cells
RATIONALE: LDL replaces endothelial cells in the vessel lining. Macrophages engulf LDL particles,
become foam cells, and accumulate to form fatty streaks, which progress to fibrous plaques .
4. What is preload?
A. The amount of blood ejected from the heart per contraction
B. The volume of blood returning to the heart
C. The resistance against which the heart must pump
D. The force of myocardial contraction
Correct answer: B. The volume of blood returning to the heart
RATIONALE: Preload is the volume of blood returning to the heart (venous return) that stretches the
ventricles before contraction. Normal volume is approximately 4-6 mL .
5. What is afterload?
A. The volume of blood returning to the heart
B. The resistance against which the heart must pump to eject blood
C. The force of myocardial contraction
D. The heart rate multiplied by stroke volume
Correct answer: B. The resistance against which the heart must pump to eject blood
RATIONALE: Afterload is the resistance to forward flow. Elevated afterload occurs with arterial
narrowing and vasoconstriction; reduced afterload occurs with vasodilation .
, 6. Which of the following conditions would increase left ventricular afterload?
A. Sepsis
B. Anaphylaxis
C. Atherosclerosis with systemic vasoconstriction
D. Systemic vasodilation
Correct answer: C. Atherosclerosis with systemic vasoconstriction
RATIONALE: Left ventricular afterload increases when systemic vascular resistance is elevated, such
as in atherosclerosis with narrowed, stiff systemic arteries .
7. A patient in cardiogenic shock has which primary pathophysiological problem?
A. Systemic vasodilation with blood pooling
B. Heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs
C. Excessive blood volume
D. Loss of sympathetic tone
Correct answer: B. Heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs
RATIONALE: Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart suddenly cannot pump enough blood to meet
the body's metabolic demands, often due to myocardial infarction or severe heart failure .
8. Which side of the heart is considered the arterial side?
A. Right side
B. Left side
C. Both sides equally
D. Neither side
Correct answer: B. Left side
RATIONALE: The left side of the heart is the arterial side, pumping oxygenated blood out via the
aorta to all arteries and tissues .
9. Which side of the heart is considered the venous side?
A. Right side
B. Left side
C. Both sides equally
D. Neither side
Correct answer: A. Right side
RATIONALE: The right side of the heart is the venous side, receiving deoxygenated blood from all
veins and tissues .
10. What is contractility?
A. The volume of blood returning to the heart
B. The resistance against which the heart pumps
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
CORE DOMAINS
• Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis
• Hypertension and Hemodynamics
• Cardiac Function: Preload, Afterload, Contractility
• Valvular Disorders
• Venous and Arterial Insufficiency
• Cardiogenic Shock and Heart Failure
• Dysrhythmias and Conduction Disorders
• Pulmonary Pathophysiology
• Renal and Metabolic Pathophysiology
• Clinical Decision-Making in Cardiovascular Care
Introduction
The NURS 5315 Exam 3 evaluates a graduate nursing student's understanding of cardiovascular and
pulmonary pathophysiology. The exam assesses knowledge of atherosclerosis, hemodynamic principles,
valvular disorders, shock states, dysrhythmias, and pulmonary disease processes. Candidates must
demonstrate competency in analyzing mechanisms of disease, interpreting clinical manifestations, and
applying pathophysiological principles to real-world patient scenarios. The multiple-choice format
includes knowledge-based and scenario-driven questions emphasizing critical thinking and advanced
practice nursing application.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 62-year-old male with a 40-year history of hypertension and smoking presents with intermittent
claudication. Which pathophysiological process best explains his condition?
A. Venous valve incompetence causing blood pooling
B. Arterial narrowing from atherosclerotic plaque formation
C. Lymphatic obstruction causing edema
D. Deep vein thrombosis causing obstruction
, Correct answer: B. Arterial narrowing from atherosclerotic plaque formation
RATIONALE: Intermittent claudication is caused by arterial insufficiency, most commonly from
atherosclerosis. Plaque formation narrows the arterial lumen, reducing blood flow to muscles during
exertion .
2. Which of the following best describes arteriosclerosis?
A. Fatty deposits within the arterial wall
B. Thickening and hardening of arterial walls with loss of elasticity
C. Inflammation of the venous system
D. Ballooning of a weakened arterial wall
Correct answer: B. Thickening and hardening of arterial walls with loss of elasticity
RATIONALE: Arteriosclerosis is characterized by thickened, hardened arteries. The intima is
damaged, walls stiffen, and elasticity and compliance decrease .
3. A patient with atherosclerosis has elevated LDL levels. Which mechanism explains how LDL
contributes to plaque formation?
A. LDL directly causes vasodilation
B. LDL replaces endothelial cells and is engulfed by macrophages forming foam cells
C. LDL increases antithrombotic cytokine production
D. LDL prevents platelet aggregation
Correct answer: B. LDL replaces endothelial cells and is engulfed by macrophages forming foam cells
RATIONALE: LDL replaces endothelial cells in the vessel lining. Macrophages engulf LDL particles,
become foam cells, and accumulate to form fatty streaks, which progress to fibrous plaques .
4. What is preload?
A. The amount of blood ejected from the heart per contraction
B. The volume of blood returning to the heart
C. The resistance against which the heart must pump
D. The force of myocardial contraction
Correct answer: B. The volume of blood returning to the heart
RATIONALE: Preload is the volume of blood returning to the heart (venous return) that stretches the
ventricles before contraction. Normal volume is approximately 4-6 mL .
5. What is afterload?
A. The volume of blood returning to the heart
B. The resistance against which the heart must pump to eject blood
C. The force of myocardial contraction
D. The heart rate multiplied by stroke volume
Correct answer: B. The resistance against which the heart must pump to eject blood
RATIONALE: Afterload is the resistance to forward flow. Elevated afterload occurs with arterial
narrowing and vasoconstriction; reduced afterload occurs with vasodilation .
, 6. Which of the following conditions would increase left ventricular afterload?
A. Sepsis
B. Anaphylaxis
C. Atherosclerosis with systemic vasoconstriction
D. Systemic vasodilation
Correct answer: C. Atherosclerosis with systemic vasoconstriction
RATIONALE: Left ventricular afterload increases when systemic vascular resistance is elevated, such
as in atherosclerosis with narrowed, stiff systemic arteries .
7. A patient in cardiogenic shock has which primary pathophysiological problem?
A. Systemic vasodilation with blood pooling
B. Heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs
C. Excessive blood volume
D. Loss of sympathetic tone
Correct answer: B. Heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs
RATIONALE: Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart suddenly cannot pump enough blood to meet
the body's metabolic demands, often due to myocardial infarction or severe heart failure .
8. Which side of the heart is considered the arterial side?
A. Right side
B. Left side
C. Both sides equally
D. Neither side
Correct answer: B. Left side
RATIONALE: The left side of the heart is the arterial side, pumping oxygenated blood out via the
aorta to all arteries and tissues .
9. Which side of the heart is considered the venous side?
A. Right side
B. Left side
C. Both sides equally
D. Neither side
Correct answer: A. Right side
RATIONALE: The right side of the heart is the venous side, receiving deoxygenated blood from all
veins and tissues .
10. What is contractility?
A. The volume of blood returning to the heart
B. The resistance against which the heart pumps
