NR283 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2
ADVANCED ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with barrel chest
and a breakdown of alveolar walls. Which specific condition is most likely?
A. Chronic bronchitis
B. Emphysema
C. Extrinsic asthma
D. Bronchiectasis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Emphysema is characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls
and septa, leading to large, permanent inflated alveolar air spaces and a barrel chest
appearance.
2. In the development of a pulmonary embolism, which component of Virchow’s Triad refers
to the damage to the blood vessel wall?
A. Hypercoagulability
B. Venous stasis
C. Endothelial injury
,D. Turbulent blood flow
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Endothelial injury is the damage to the inner lining of the blood
vessel, which is one of the three factors in Virchow’s Triad that predispose a patient to
thrombus formation.
3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of left-sided heart failure resulting from
pulmonary congestion?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distension
C. Orthopnea
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, leading to pulmonary edema and orthopnea (difficulty breathing
when lying flat).
4. A patient is diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). What is the
primary underlying pathophysiological event?
A. Decreased surface tension in the alveoli
B. Increased capillary permeability and alveolar damage
, C. Bronchoconstriction of the lower airways
D. Obstruction of the pulmonary artery
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ARDS involves massive inflammation leading to increased
capillary permeability, which causes the alveoli to fill with fluid and protein, forming a
hyaline membrane.
5. Which mechanism best describes the development of Cor Pulmonale?
A. Pulmonary hypertension causing right ventricular hypertrophy
B. Left ventricular failure causing systemic hypertension
C. Aortic stenosis leading to pulmonary edema
D. Mitral valve prolapse causing arrhythmias
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cor pulmonale is right-sided heart failure that occurs due to
chronic lung disease and the resulting pulmonary hypertension.
6. A patient’s lab results show a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. This
indicates which acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
ADVANCED ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with barrel chest
and a breakdown of alveolar walls. Which specific condition is most likely?
A. Chronic bronchitis
B. Emphysema
C. Extrinsic asthma
D. Bronchiectasis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Emphysema is characterized by the destruction of alveolar walls
and septa, leading to large, permanent inflated alveolar air spaces and a barrel chest
appearance.
2. In the development of a pulmonary embolism, which component of Virchow’s Triad refers
to the damage to the blood vessel wall?
A. Hypercoagulability
B. Venous stasis
C. Endothelial injury
,D. Turbulent blood flow
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Endothelial injury is the damage to the inner lining of the blood
vessel, which is one of the three factors in Virchow’s Triad that predispose a patient to
thrombus formation.
3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of left-sided heart failure resulting from
pulmonary congestion?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distension
C. Orthopnea
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, leading to pulmonary edema and orthopnea (difficulty breathing
when lying flat).
4. A patient is diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). What is the
primary underlying pathophysiological event?
A. Decreased surface tension in the alveoli
B. Increased capillary permeability and alveolar damage
, C. Bronchoconstriction of the lower airways
D. Obstruction of the pulmonary artery
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ARDS involves massive inflammation leading to increased
capillary permeability, which causes the alveoli to fill with fluid and protein, forming a
hyaline membrane.
5. Which mechanism best describes the development of Cor Pulmonale?
A. Pulmonary hypertension causing right ventricular hypertrophy
B. Left ventricular failure causing systemic hypertension
C. Aortic stenosis leading to pulmonary edema
D. Mitral valve prolapse causing arrhythmias
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cor pulmonale is right-sided heart failure that occurs due to
chronic lung disease and the resulting pulmonary hypertension.
6. A patient’s lab results show a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. This
indicates which acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
