NURS 215
Post Licensure Pathophysiology
Midterms Exam Review (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. What is the underlying pathophysiological mechanism in
congestive heart failure (CHF)?
A. Increased systemic vascular resistance
B. Impaired myocardial contractility leading to inadequate
cardiac output
C. Excessive stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system
D. Hyperplasia of cardiac muscle cells
- ANS: B. Impaired myocardial contractility leading to
inadequate cardiac output
©2025
, - Rationale: CHF occurs when the heart cannot pump
effectively to meet the body’s metabolic demands due to
weakened myocardial contraction.
2. Which enzyme is most associated with ischemic myocardial
injury?
A. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
B. Alanine transaminase (ALT)
C. Alkaline phosphatase
D. Amylase
- ANS : A. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
- Rationale: CK-MB is a cardiac enzyme released during
myocardial damage and is a specific marker of ischemia.
3. Which physiological change is typical of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A. Decreased airway resistance
B. Loss of alveolar elasticity and hyperinflation
C. Excess production of surfactant in the lungs
D. Increased alveolar capillary surface area
- ANS : B. Loss of alveolar elasticity and hyperinflation
©2025
, - Rationale: COPD is characterized by damaged alveoli, loss of
elasticity, and air trapping.
4. What is a key pathophysiological feature of type 1 diabetes
mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Overproduction of insulin by the pancreas
D. Increased glucose uptake in adipose tissue
- ANS : B. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells
- Rationale: Autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the
pancreas leads to absolute insulin deficiency.
5. Which condition is associated with the pathophysiological
development of ascites in liver cirrhosis?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
D. Hyperactive lymphatic drainage
- ANS : C. Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
- Rationale: Portal hypertension and low albumin levels
contribute to fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity.
©2025
, ---
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
6. __________ is the primary hormone responsible for water
reabsorption in the renal tubules.
- ANS : Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- Rationale: ADH promotes water reabsorption in the distal
tubules and collecting ducts, regulating fluid balance.
7. Increased __________ pressure is the driving force behind the
formation of edema.
- ANS : Hydrostatic
- Rationale: Elevated hydrostatic pressure pushes fluid from
capillaries into interstitial spaces, leading to edema.
8. The __________ nervous system is primarily activated in the
fight-or-flight response.
- ANS : Sympathetic
- Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system triggers
physiological changes to prepare the body for stress responses.
©2025
Post Licensure Pathophysiology
Midterms Exam Review (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. What is the underlying pathophysiological mechanism in
congestive heart failure (CHF)?
A. Increased systemic vascular resistance
B. Impaired myocardial contractility leading to inadequate
cardiac output
C. Excessive stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system
D. Hyperplasia of cardiac muscle cells
- ANS: B. Impaired myocardial contractility leading to
inadequate cardiac output
©2025
, - Rationale: CHF occurs when the heart cannot pump
effectively to meet the body’s metabolic demands due to
weakened myocardial contraction.
2. Which enzyme is most associated with ischemic myocardial
injury?
A. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
B. Alanine transaminase (ALT)
C. Alkaline phosphatase
D. Amylase
- ANS : A. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
- Rationale: CK-MB is a cardiac enzyme released during
myocardial damage and is a specific marker of ischemia.
3. Which physiological change is typical of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A. Decreased airway resistance
B. Loss of alveolar elasticity and hyperinflation
C. Excess production of surfactant in the lungs
D. Increased alveolar capillary surface area
- ANS : B. Loss of alveolar elasticity and hyperinflation
©2025
, - Rationale: COPD is characterized by damaged alveoli, loss of
elasticity, and air trapping.
4. What is a key pathophysiological feature of type 1 diabetes
mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Overproduction of insulin by the pancreas
D. Increased glucose uptake in adipose tissue
- ANS : B. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells
- Rationale: Autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the
pancreas leads to absolute insulin deficiency.
5. Which condition is associated with the pathophysiological
development of ascites in liver cirrhosis?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
D. Hyperactive lymphatic drainage
- ANS : C. Portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia
- Rationale: Portal hypertension and low albumin levels
contribute to fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity.
©2025
, ---
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
6. __________ is the primary hormone responsible for water
reabsorption in the renal tubules.
- ANS : Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- Rationale: ADH promotes water reabsorption in the distal
tubules and collecting ducts, regulating fluid balance.
7. Increased __________ pressure is the driving force behind the
formation of edema.
- ANS : Hydrostatic
- Rationale: Elevated hydrostatic pressure pushes fluid from
capillaries into interstitial spaces, leading to edema.
8. The __________ nervous system is primarily activated in the
fight-or-flight response.
- ANS : Sympathetic
- Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system triggers
physiological changes to prepare the body for stress responses.
©2025
