NUR 231 NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED
(2026/2027) | ILLINOIS STATE
UNIVERSITY
1. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents with a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L.
Which ECG change is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Presence of U-waves
B. Shortened PR interval
C. ST-segment depression
D. Tall, peaked T-waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) causes peaked T-waves,
widening of the QRS complex, and loss of P-waves due to altered myocardial repolarization.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving Spironolactone. Which dietary instruction is most
important?
A. Increase intake of bananas and spinach.
,B. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
D. Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Using salt
substitutes, which often contain potassium chloride, can lead to life-threatening
hyperkalemia.
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates partially compensated respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.25, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 20
C. pH 7.35, PaCO2 48, HCO3 28
D. pH 7.32, PaCO2 50, HCO3 29
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is defined by low pH and high PaCO2.
Partial compensation is indicated when the HCO3 rises above normal (26) to buffer the
acid, but the pH remains outside the normal range.
4. A patient with heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance increases
the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypercalcemia
, B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia enhances the action of digoxin on the myocardial
cells, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity (visual changes, arrhythmias).
5. What is the primary physiological mechanism of Type II Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency due to beta-cell destruction.
B. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.
C. Overproduction of glucagon by alpha cells.
D. Increased glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubules.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type 2 DM is characterized by the body’s inability to use insulin
effectively (resistance) and eventually the pancreas’s inability to produce enough insulin to
overcome this resistance.
6. A patient is diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
Which laboratory finding is expected?
A. Hematocrit 55%
B. Serum osmolality 310 mOsm/kg
AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED
(2026/2027) | ILLINOIS STATE
UNIVERSITY
1. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents with a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L.
Which ECG change is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Presence of U-waves
B. Shortened PR interval
C. ST-segment depression
D. Tall, peaked T-waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) causes peaked T-waves,
widening of the QRS complex, and loss of P-waves due to altered myocardial repolarization.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving Spironolactone. Which dietary instruction is most
important?
A. Increase intake of bananas and spinach.
,B. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
D. Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Using salt
substitutes, which often contain potassium chloride, can lead to life-threatening
hyperkalemia.
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates partially compensated respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.25, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 20
C. pH 7.35, PaCO2 48, HCO3 28
D. pH 7.32, PaCO2 50, HCO3 29
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is defined by low pH and high PaCO2.
Partial compensation is indicated when the HCO3 rises above normal (26) to buffer the
acid, but the pH remains outside the normal range.
4. A patient with heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance increases
the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypercalcemia
, B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia enhances the action of digoxin on the myocardial
cells, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity (visual changes, arrhythmias).
5. What is the primary physiological mechanism of Type II Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency due to beta-cell destruction.
B. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.
C. Overproduction of glucagon by alpha cells.
D. Increased glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubules.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type 2 DM is characterized by the body’s inability to use insulin
effectively (resistance) and eventually the pancreas’s inability to produce enough insulin to
overcome this resistance.
6. A patient is diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
Which laboratory finding is expected?
A. Hematocrit 55%
B. Serum osmolality 310 mOsm/kg
