NUR 529 ADVANCED HUMAN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM MATERIAL
2026/2027 | MODULES 1–6 | UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA | COMPLETE EXAM
PREP | HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS|
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
1. Polycythemia vera is a(n) _____ with no obvious cause.
increase in lymphocyte production
decrease in lymphocyte production
decrease in RBC production
increase in RBC production
2. If a cell experiences a failure of the Na-K pump due to a toxic substance,
what immediate effect would you expect to observe?
Decreased ATP production affecting energy metabolism.
Decreased permeability of the cell membrane.
Increased intracellular sodium concentration leading to cellular
swelling.
Enhanced protein synthesis due to increased nutrient availability.
3. What condition can lead to urinary urgency and frequency in children?
Kidney stones
Bladder inflammation
Dehydration
Constipation
4. Describe how hydrogen ion secretion into urine affects blood pH levels.
Hydrogen ion secretion into urine has no effect on blood pH.
, Hydrogen ion secretion into urine increases blood carbon dioxide
levels, lowering pH.
Hydrogen ion secretion into urine decreases hydrogen ion
concentration in the blood, which can lead to an increase in blood
pH (alkalosis).
Hydrogen ion secretion into urine directly increases blood oxygen
levels.
5. What testing would be the most beneficial to diagnose asthma
Draw serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophil levels.
Measure expiratory flow rate with spirometry testing
Assess for a parental history of asthma
Give a trial Beta-2 agonist and check for improvement
6. A patient presents with prolonged bleeding after a minor injury and is
diagnosed with hemophilia A. If Factor VIII levels are significantly low, what
treatment would be most appropriate to manage this condition?
Vitamin K supplementation
Factor VIII replacement therapy
Anticoagulant medication
Platelet transfusion
7. Describe the role of Vitamin B12 in the management of pernicious anemia
after gastric bypass surgery.
Vitamin B12 helps in the absorption of iron in the body.
Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell production and neurological
function, and its deficiency leads to pernicious anemia.
, Vitamin B12 is not necessary after gastric bypass surgery.
Vitamin B12 is primarily used to treat infections in the gastrointestinal
tract.
8. Describe how a patient's history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) might indicate an acid-base imbalance.
A history of COPD may suggest respiratory acidosis due to impaired
gas exchange.
A history of COPD indicates metabolic acidosis from kidney failure.
A history of COPD shows no relation to acid-base imbalances.
A history of COPD suggests respiratory alkalosis from
hyperventilation.
9. Describe the significance of pathogen entry in the infection process.
Pathogen entry only affects the immune response, not the infection
itself.
Pathogen entry is the final step before recovery.
Pathogen entry is crucial as it initiates the infection process,
allowing the pathogen to interact with host cells.
Pathogen entry is irrelevant to infection since replication occurs later.
10. Describe the significance of the reticulocyte count in evaluating treatment
efficacy for pernicious anemia.
The reticulocyte count evaluates the immune response to anemia.
The reticulocyte count indicates how well the bone marrow is
producing new red blood cells in response to treatment.
The reticulocyte count assesses the overall blood cell count.
, The reticulocyte count measures the amount of iron in the blood.
11. A pediatric patient has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Which statement would the nurse use as a basis for explaining the etiology of
this disorder?
Melatonin is not being released in sufficient quantity.
This can be related to a sleep position which compromises chest
movement.
Children have a high ratio of REM sleep that can result in frequent
gasping.
This condition is often due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy.
12. A patient presents with symptoms of fatigue and weakness. Blood tests
indicate low levels of vitamin B12. If the underlying cause is autoimmune
gastritis, what treatment would be most appropriate?
Vitamin B12 injections
Iron supplements
Increased dietary iron intake
Antacids to reduce stomach acid
13. Describe how oxidative stress contributes to liver damage in individuals with
chronic alcohol use.
Oxidative stress leads to the production of reactive oxygen species
that damage liver cells.
Oxidative stress prevents apoptosis in liver cells.
Oxidative stress enhances the liver's ability to detoxify alcohol.
Oxidative stress improves oxygen delivery to liver tissues.
2026/2027 | MODULES 1–6 | UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA | COMPLETE EXAM
PREP | HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS|
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
1. Polycythemia vera is a(n) _____ with no obvious cause.
increase in lymphocyte production
decrease in lymphocyte production
decrease in RBC production
increase in RBC production
2. If a cell experiences a failure of the Na-K pump due to a toxic substance,
what immediate effect would you expect to observe?
Decreased ATP production affecting energy metabolism.
Decreased permeability of the cell membrane.
Increased intracellular sodium concentration leading to cellular
swelling.
Enhanced protein synthesis due to increased nutrient availability.
3. What condition can lead to urinary urgency and frequency in children?
Kidney stones
Bladder inflammation
Dehydration
Constipation
4. Describe how hydrogen ion secretion into urine affects blood pH levels.
Hydrogen ion secretion into urine has no effect on blood pH.
, Hydrogen ion secretion into urine increases blood carbon dioxide
levels, lowering pH.
Hydrogen ion secretion into urine decreases hydrogen ion
concentration in the blood, which can lead to an increase in blood
pH (alkalosis).
Hydrogen ion secretion into urine directly increases blood oxygen
levels.
5. What testing would be the most beneficial to diagnose asthma
Draw serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophil levels.
Measure expiratory flow rate with spirometry testing
Assess for a parental history of asthma
Give a trial Beta-2 agonist and check for improvement
6. A patient presents with prolonged bleeding after a minor injury and is
diagnosed with hemophilia A. If Factor VIII levels are significantly low, what
treatment would be most appropriate to manage this condition?
Vitamin K supplementation
Factor VIII replacement therapy
Anticoagulant medication
Platelet transfusion
7. Describe the role of Vitamin B12 in the management of pernicious anemia
after gastric bypass surgery.
Vitamin B12 helps in the absorption of iron in the body.
Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell production and neurological
function, and its deficiency leads to pernicious anemia.
, Vitamin B12 is not necessary after gastric bypass surgery.
Vitamin B12 is primarily used to treat infections in the gastrointestinal
tract.
8. Describe how a patient's history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) might indicate an acid-base imbalance.
A history of COPD may suggest respiratory acidosis due to impaired
gas exchange.
A history of COPD indicates metabolic acidosis from kidney failure.
A history of COPD shows no relation to acid-base imbalances.
A history of COPD suggests respiratory alkalosis from
hyperventilation.
9. Describe the significance of pathogen entry in the infection process.
Pathogen entry only affects the immune response, not the infection
itself.
Pathogen entry is the final step before recovery.
Pathogen entry is crucial as it initiates the infection process,
allowing the pathogen to interact with host cells.
Pathogen entry is irrelevant to infection since replication occurs later.
10. Describe the significance of the reticulocyte count in evaluating treatment
efficacy for pernicious anemia.
The reticulocyte count evaluates the immune response to anemia.
The reticulocyte count indicates how well the bone marrow is
producing new red blood cells in response to treatment.
The reticulocyte count assesses the overall blood cell count.
, The reticulocyte count measures the amount of iron in the blood.
11. A pediatric patient has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Which statement would the nurse use as a basis for explaining the etiology of
this disorder?
Melatonin is not being released in sufficient quantity.
This can be related to a sleep position which compromises chest
movement.
Children have a high ratio of REM sleep that can result in frequent
gasping.
This condition is often due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy.
12. A patient presents with symptoms of fatigue and weakness. Blood tests
indicate low levels of vitamin B12. If the underlying cause is autoimmune
gastritis, what treatment would be most appropriate?
Vitamin B12 injections
Iron supplements
Increased dietary iron intake
Antacids to reduce stomach acid
13. Describe how oxidative stress contributes to liver damage in individuals with
chronic alcohol use.
Oxidative stress leads to the production of reactive oxygen species
that damage liver cells.
Oxidative stress prevents apoptosis in liver cells.
Oxidative stress enhances the liver's ability to detoxify alcohol.
Oxidative stress improves oxygen delivery to liver tissues.
