NRS 455 Exam 1 V1 | NRS 455 Pathophysiology |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NRS455 Exam 1) |
Grand Canyon University
1. A patient is diagnosed with a decrease in the size of the leg muscles following prolonged
immobilization in a cast. The nurse recognizes this cellular adaptation as:
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size caused by aging, disuse, or lack of blood
supply. When cells atrophy, they reduce their oxygen consumption and organelle function
to survive. This condition is commonly seen in skeletal muscles when a limb is immobilized
in a cast for several weeks.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of cellular injury in clinical practice?
A. Free radical formation
B. Hypoxia
C. Chemical toxicity
,D. Genetic defects
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hypoxia, or lack of sufficient oxygen, is the most common cause of cellular
injury. It typically results from ischemia, which is a reduced blood supply to the tissues.
Without oxygen, the cell cannot produce ATP, leading to failure of the sodium-potassium
pump and cellular swelling.
3. A nurse is evaluating a patient with significant peripheral edema. Which physiological
mechanisms could be responsible for this fluid shift? (Select all that apply)
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary membrane permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
E. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
F. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: Edema is caused by forces that move fluid from the capillaries into the
interstitial space. Increased hydrostatic pressure (as seen in heart failure) and decreased
oncotic pressure (as seen in liver failure) are primary drivers. Additionally, inflammation
, increases membrane permeability, and lymphatic blockages prevent fluid drainage from
the tissues.
4. The nurse is reviewing the lab results for a patient with a pH of 7.30, a PaCO2 of 52 mmHg,
and a HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The pH of 7.30 indicates acidosis because it is below the normal range of 7.35
to 7.45. The elevated PaCO2 of 52 mmHg indicates that the respiratory system is the cause
of the acidosis. The normal bicarbonate level suggests that the body has not yet fully
compensated for the imbalance.
5. Which chromosomal abnormality is characterized by the presence of three copies of
chromosome 21?
A. Turner Syndrome
B. Down Syndrome
C. Klinefelter Syndrome
D. Edward Syndrome
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NRS455 Exam 1) |
Grand Canyon University
1. A patient is diagnosed with a decrease in the size of the leg muscles following prolonged
immobilization in a cast. The nurse recognizes this cellular adaptation as:
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size caused by aging, disuse, or lack of blood
supply. When cells atrophy, they reduce their oxygen consumption and organelle function
to survive. This condition is commonly seen in skeletal muscles when a limb is immobilized
in a cast for several weeks.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of cellular injury in clinical practice?
A. Free radical formation
B. Hypoxia
C. Chemical toxicity
,D. Genetic defects
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hypoxia, or lack of sufficient oxygen, is the most common cause of cellular
injury. It typically results from ischemia, which is a reduced blood supply to the tissues.
Without oxygen, the cell cannot produce ATP, leading to failure of the sodium-potassium
pump and cellular swelling.
3. A nurse is evaluating a patient with significant peripheral edema. Which physiological
mechanisms could be responsible for this fluid shift? (Select all that apply)
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary membrane permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
E. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
F. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: Edema is caused by forces that move fluid from the capillaries into the
interstitial space. Increased hydrostatic pressure (as seen in heart failure) and decreased
oncotic pressure (as seen in liver failure) are primary drivers. Additionally, inflammation
, increases membrane permeability, and lymphatic blockages prevent fluid drainage from
the tissues.
4. The nurse is reviewing the lab results for a patient with a pH of 7.30, a PaCO2 of 52 mmHg,
and a HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The pH of 7.30 indicates acidosis because it is below the normal range of 7.35
to 7.45. The elevated PaCO2 of 52 mmHg indicates that the respiratory system is the cause
of the acidosis. The normal bicarbonate level suggests that the body has not yet fully
compensated for the imbalance.
5. Which chromosomal abnormality is characterized by the presence of three copies of
chromosome 21?
A. Turner Syndrome
B. Down Syndrome
C. Klinefelter Syndrome
D. Edward Syndrome
