BIO 322 Final Exam V1 | BIO 322 Applied
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(BIO322 Final Exam) | Grand Canyon University
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that the normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous epithelial cells. This cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another adult cell type. This often occurs in response to chronic irritation, such as cigarette
smoke in the lungs. While this adaptation provides a more resilient cell surface, it results in
the loss of important functions like mucus secretion and ciliary clearance.
2. Which of the following clinical manifestations are commonly associated with a patient
experiencing hypovolemia? (Select all that apply)
A. Tachycardia
B. Flattened neck veins
,C. Increased urine output
D. Orthostatic hypotension
E. Weight gain
F. Dry mucous membranes
Correct Answer: ABDF
Explanation: Hypovolemia involves a decrease in the volume of blood plasma, leading to
reduced tissue perfusion. Common signs include tachycardia as a compensatory
mechanism and flattened neck veins due to low venous pressure. Patients also typically
present with dry mucous membranes and orthostatic hypotension, whereas weight gain
and increased urine output are associated with fluid volume excess or other conditions.
3. A patient is diagnosed with Right-sided Heart Failure. Which of the following clinical
findings is the nurse most likely to assess?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention
C. Dyspnea and orthopnea
D. Crackles in the lung bases
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Right-sided heart failure leads to a backup of blood into the systemic venous
circulation. This results in clinical manifestations such as peripheral edema, hepatomegaly,
,and jugular venous distention (JVD). In contrast, pulmonary symptoms like crackles and
dyspnea are hallmark signs of left-sided heart failure.
4. A 22-year-old male presents to the emergency department with a severe allergic reaction
to a bee sting. This Type I hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by which antibody?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgE
D. IgA
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies. When an allergen binds to IgE on the surface of mast cells, it triggers the release
of histamine and other inflammatory mediators. This process can lead to symptoms
ranging from mild urticaria to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a patient to exhibit Trousseau’s sign
and Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
, Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular irritability, leading to involuntary
muscle contractions. Chvostek’s sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve, while
Trousseau’s sign is observed as carpal spasm after inflating a blood pressure cuff. Both are
classic indicators of low serum calcium levels and require immediate clinical attention to
prevent seizures or tetany.
6. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is likely to develop which
acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: COPD leads to chronic air trapping and hypoventilation, which causes the
retention of carbon dioxide (CO2). As CO2 levels rise in the blood, the pH drops, resulting in
respiratory acidosis. The kidneys eventually attempt to compensate by retaining
bicarbonate, but the primary insult remains respiratory in nature.
7. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(BIO322 Final Exam) | Grand Canyon University
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that the normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous epithelial cells. This cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another adult cell type. This often occurs in response to chronic irritation, such as cigarette
smoke in the lungs. While this adaptation provides a more resilient cell surface, it results in
the loss of important functions like mucus secretion and ciliary clearance.
2. Which of the following clinical manifestations are commonly associated with a patient
experiencing hypovolemia? (Select all that apply)
A. Tachycardia
B. Flattened neck veins
,C. Increased urine output
D. Orthostatic hypotension
E. Weight gain
F. Dry mucous membranes
Correct Answer: ABDF
Explanation: Hypovolemia involves a decrease in the volume of blood plasma, leading to
reduced tissue perfusion. Common signs include tachycardia as a compensatory
mechanism and flattened neck veins due to low venous pressure. Patients also typically
present with dry mucous membranes and orthostatic hypotension, whereas weight gain
and increased urine output are associated with fluid volume excess or other conditions.
3. A patient is diagnosed with Right-sided Heart Failure. Which of the following clinical
findings is the nurse most likely to assess?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention
C. Dyspnea and orthopnea
D. Crackles in the lung bases
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Right-sided heart failure leads to a backup of blood into the systemic venous
circulation. This results in clinical manifestations such as peripheral edema, hepatomegaly,
,and jugular venous distention (JVD). In contrast, pulmonary symptoms like crackles and
dyspnea are hallmark signs of left-sided heart failure.
4. A 22-year-old male presents to the emergency department with a severe allergic reaction
to a bee sting. This Type I hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by which antibody?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgE
D. IgA
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies. When an allergen binds to IgE on the surface of mast cells, it triggers the release
of histamine and other inflammatory mediators. This process can lead to symptoms
ranging from mild urticaria to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a patient to exhibit Trousseau’s sign
and Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
, Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular irritability, leading to involuntary
muscle contractions. Chvostek’s sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve, while
Trousseau’s sign is observed as carpal spasm after inflating a blood pressure cuff. Both are
classic indicators of low serum calcium levels and require immediate clinical attention to
prevent seizures or tetany.
6. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is likely to develop which
acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: COPD leads to chronic air trapping and hypoventilation, which causes the
retention of carbon dioxide (CO2). As CO2 levels rise in the blood, the pH drops, resulting in
respiratory acidosis. The kidneys eventually attempt to compensate by retaining
bicarbonate, but the primary insult remains respiratory in nature.
7. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
