NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH 100% ACCURATE
ANSWERS
While viewing the electrocardiogram, the nurse recalls the _____ conducts action
potentials down the atrioventricular septum. - Accurate answers Bundle of His
Which of the following patient would be most prone to metabolic acidosis? A patient with: - Accurate
answers Diabetes whose glucoses are uncontrolled
A 76-year-old patient had the following arterial blood gas sample after his stomach surgery in
which his gastric content and fluid were removed: pH 7.55, PCO2 50, HCO3 35. What acidbase
imbalance is most likely in this patient? - Accurate answers Metabolic alkalosis, compensating
A 50-year-old male visits the cardiologist for an EKG. Results indicate that he has no
PR interval and a variable QRS rate with rhythm irregularity. Which of the following is
the most likely diagnosis to be recorded on the chart? - Accurate answers Atrial fibrillation
A 65-year-old male is transported to the ER for chest pain. An electrocardiogram
reveals a prolonged QRS interval. What is the nurse monitoring when the nurse
observes the QRS complex on the electrocardiogram? The QRS complex reflects: - Accurate answers
Ventricular activity
Which is one of the acid/base conditions that would cause the nurse to monitor for hyperkalemia? -
Accurate answers metabolic acidosis
A 20-year-old male is in acute pain with restlessness and anxiety. An arterial blood gas
reveals decreased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. Which of the following does the nurse
suspect is the most likely cause? - Accurate answers hyperventilation
A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding. The physician identified
endometrial changes that are due to hormonal imbalances. These cellular changes would be
referred to as: - Accurate answers Pathologic hyperplasia
A 34-year-old was diagnosed with malignant tumor (cancer). The nurse teaches the patient
about malignant cells. Which of the following is most appropriate explanation when describing
malignant cells? - Accurate answers Malignant cells are dysplastic cells and are irreversible
A characteristic of a malignant tumor includes that it: - Accurate answers can spread far from the
tissue of origin
A 25-year-old male develops cancer of the breast glandular tissue. What type of cancer does he
have? - Accurate answers adenocarcinoma
,When planning care for a cardiac patient, the nurse knows that in response to an increased
workload, cardiac myocardial cells will: - Accurate answers Increase in size
The term apoptosis is appropriately defined as: - Accurate answers programmed cell death
A report comes back indicating that muscular atrophy has occurred. A nurse recalls that
muscular atrophy involves a decrease in muscle cell - Accurate answers size
A nursing student is studying about cancer and the associated risks for cancer. The instructor
knows the student understands cancer when which of the following are associated risks for
cancer? - Accurate answers -Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
-hepatitis C virus (HCV)
-hepatitis B virus (HBV)
-human papillomavirus (HPV)
A primary care provider is attempting to diagnose cancer and is looking for a tumor marker.
Which of the following could be a possible marker? - Accurate answers Enzymes
A 30-year-old homeless was seen in the emergency room with productive cough of bloodtinged
sputum. His chest x-ray showed granulomatous disease. Upon further questioning, he
was found to have had tuberculosis (TB) in distant past. TB infections are likely to result in
which of the following forms of necrosis? - Accurate answers caseous
When discussing body fluid, it is correct to state that: - Accurate answers Two-thirds of the body's
water is intracellular.
Rationale: One-third is extracellular. There are two components of the extracellular compartment:
interstitial and intravascular. Total body water is about 60% of body weight.
Which of the following statements is TRUE? When discussing body fluid movement, it is correct to state
that:
A) Potassium is the most abundant extracellular fluid (ECF) ion.
B) Sodium maintains the osmotic balance of the intracellular fluid (ICF) space.
C) Water moves freely across membranes.
D) Aquaporins block water movement across the membrane. - Accurate answers C) Water moves
freely across the capillary or cell membrane.
Rationale: Aquaporins are a family of water channel proteins that provide permeability to water at the
capillary membrane. Sodium is the major ECF cation, and potassium is the major ICF cation; this is due to
the sodium-potassium pump.
When discussing aldosterone, it is correct to state that: - Accurate answers It is a hormone that is
secreted when sodium levels are depressed.
Rationale: Aldosterone is a minerocorticoid secreted from the adrenal gland that is located on the
kidney. Aldosterone is secreted when potassium is increased or sodium is decreased. Therefore, it
, makes sense that aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption to increase a depleted supply. It also
increases potassium secretion.
When discussing hyperchloremia (elevated serum chlorine), it is correct to state that it: - Accurate
answers Is a result of an underlying disorder.
Rationale: Hyperchloremia is usually related to an underlying disorder, and therefore, treatment is
centered on the underlying disorder. It usually occurs with an increase in sodium and a deficit of
bicarbonate. There are normally no specific symptoms associated with this syndrome.
When discussing hyponatremia (low serum sodium), it is correct to state that it is generally: - Accurate
answers An outcome of serious burns, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Rationale: Hyponatremia occurs when the serum sodium drops below 135 mEq/L. It can occur due to
burns, vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal suctioning. It can also occur with an increase in TBW.
Inadequate sodium intake can cause hyponatremia, but it is uncommon.
Which of the following is a TRUE statement regarding hyperkalemia (elevated serum potassium)? -
Accurate answers It often occurs in acidosis.
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) often occurs with acidosis. During acidosis, hydrogen is taken
up in the cell. When this occurs, it is exchanged for potassium and serum potassium rises. Dietary
excesses are uncommon. An increase in aldosterone would cause hypokalemia, rather than
hyperkalemia, because aldosterone increases Na+ reabsorption while increasing K+ secretion into the
renal tubule.
A patient has deep and rapid respirations. Laboratory tests reveal decreased pH and bicarbonate. This
patient is experiencing: - Accurate answers metabolic acidosis.
Rationale: A decrease in pH and bicarbonate occur with metabolic acidosis. Additionally, metabolic
acidosis causes deep and rapid breathing, as the body tries to compensate by removing carbon dioxide.
Metabolic alkalosis occurs if pH and bicarbonate levels are elevated. Respiratory acidosis occurs when
pH is decreased and carbon dioxide is elevated, whereas respiratory alkalosis occurs when pH is
elevated and carbon dioxide is decreased.
A common cause of the increased filtration of fluid from capillaries and lymph into surrounding tissues
(edema) includes: Select all that apply.
A) Increased hydrostatic pressure.
B) Decreased plasma oncotic pressure.
C) Increased capillary membrane permeability.
D) Lymphatic obstruction.
E) Increased barometric pressure. - Accurate answers A,B,C,&D
Rationale: There are four common causes of increased edema: increased hydrostatic pressure,
decreased plasma oncotic pressure, increased capillary membrane permeability, and lymphatic
obstruction. Barometric pressure (Atmospheric pressure) is the force per unit area exerted against a
surface by the weight of air above that surface in the Earth's atmosphere
REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH 100% ACCURATE
ANSWERS
While viewing the electrocardiogram, the nurse recalls the _____ conducts action
potentials down the atrioventricular septum. - Accurate answers Bundle of His
Which of the following patient would be most prone to metabolic acidosis? A patient with: - Accurate
answers Diabetes whose glucoses are uncontrolled
A 76-year-old patient had the following arterial blood gas sample after his stomach surgery in
which his gastric content and fluid were removed: pH 7.55, PCO2 50, HCO3 35. What acidbase
imbalance is most likely in this patient? - Accurate answers Metabolic alkalosis, compensating
A 50-year-old male visits the cardiologist for an EKG. Results indicate that he has no
PR interval and a variable QRS rate with rhythm irregularity. Which of the following is
the most likely diagnosis to be recorded on the chart? - Accurate answers Atrial fibrillation
A 65-year-old male is transported to the ER for chest pain. An electrocardiogram
reveals a prolonged QRS interval. What is the nurse monitoring when the nurse
observes the QRS complex on the electrocardiogram? The QRS complex reflects: - Accurate answers
Ventricular activity
Which is one of the acid/base conditions that would cause the nurse to monitor for hyperkalemia? -
Accurate answers metabolic acidosis
A 20-year-old male is in acute pain with restlessness and anxiety. An arterial blood gas
reveals decreased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. Which of the following does the nurse
suspect is the most likely cause? - Accurate answers hyperventilation
A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding. The physician identified
endometrial changes that are due to hormonal imbalances. These cellular changes would be
referred to as: - Accurate answers Pathologic hyperplasia
A 34-year-old was diagnosed with malignant tumor (cancer). The nurse teaches the patient
about malignant cells. Which of the following is most appropriate explanation when describing
malignant cells? - Accurate answers Malignant cells are dysplastic cells and are irreversible
A characteristic of a malignant tumor includes that it: - Accurate answers can spread far from the
tissue of origin
A 25-year-old male develops cancer of the breast glandular tissue. What type of cancer does he
have? - Accurate answers adenocarcinoma
,When planning care for a cardiac patient, the nurse knows that in response to an increased
workload, cardiac myocardial cells will: - Accurate answers Increase in size
The term apoptosis is appropriately defined as: - Accurate answers programmed cell death
A report comes back indicating that muscular atrophy has occurred. A nurse recalls that
muscular atrophy involves a decrease in muscle cell - Accurate answers size
A nursing student is studying about cancer and the associated risks for cancer. The instructor
knows the student understands cancer when which of the following are associated risks for
cancer? - Accurate answers -Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
-hepatitis C virus (HCV)
-hepatitis B virus (HBV)
-human papillomavirus (HPV)
A primary care provider is attempting to diagnose cancer and is looking for a tumor marker.
Which of the following could be a possible marker? - Accurate answers Enzymes
A 30-year-old homeless was seen in the emergency room with productive cough of bloodtinged
sputum. His chest x-ray showed granulomatous disease. Upon further questioning, he
was found to have had tuberculosis (TB) in distant past. TB infections are likely to result in
which of the following forms of necrosis? - Accurate answers caseous
When discussing body fluid, it is correct to state that: - Accurate answers Two-thirds of the body's
water is intracellular.
Rationale: One-third is extracellular. There are two components of the extracellular compartment:
interstitial and intravascular. Total body water is about 60% of body weight.
Which of the following statements is TRUE? When discussing body fluid movement, it is correct to state
that:
A) Potassium is the most abundant extracellular fluid (ECF) ion.
B) Sodium maintains the osmotic balance of the intracellular fluid (ICF) space.
C) Water moves freely across membranes.
D) Aquaporins block water movement across the membrane. - Accurate answers C) Water moves
freely across the capillary or cell membrane.
Rationale: Aquaporins are a family of water channel proteins that provide permeability to water at the
capillary membrane. Sodium is the major ECF cation, and potassium is the major ICF cation; this is due to
the sodium-potassium pump.
When discussing aldosterone, it is correct to state that: - Accurate answers It is a hormone that is
secreted when sodium levels are depressed.
Rationale: Aldosterone is a minerocorticoid secreted from the adrenal gland that is located on the
kidney. Aldosterone is secreted when potassium is increased or sodium is decreased. Therefore, it
, makes sense that aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption to increase a depleted supply. It also
increases potassium secretion.
When discussing hyperchloremia (elevated serum chlorine), it is correct to state that it: - Accurate
answers Is a result of an underlying disorder.
Rationale: Hyperchloremia is usually related to an underlying disorder, and therefore, treatment is
centered on the underlying disorder. It usually occurs with an increase in sodium and a deficit of
bicarbonate. There are normally no specific symptoms associated with this syndrome.
When discussing hyponatremia (low serum sodium), it is correct to state that it is generally: - Accurate
answers An outcome of serious burns, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Rationale: Hyponatremia occurs when the serum sodium drops below 135 mEq/L. It can occur due to
burns, vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal suctioning. It can also occur with an increase in TBW.
Inadequate sodium intake can cause hyponatremia, but it is uncommon.
Which of the following is a TRUE statement regarding hyperkalemia (elevated serum potassium)? -
Accurate answers It often occurs in acidosis.
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) often occurs with acidosis. During acidosis, hydrogen is taken
up in the cell. When this occurs, it is exchanged for potassium and serum potassium rises. Dietary
excesses are uncommon. An increase in aldosterone would cause hypokalemia, rather than
hyperkalemia, because aldosterone increases Na+ reabsorption while increasing K+ secretion into the
renal tubule.
A patient has deep and rapid respirations. Laboratory tests reveal decreased pH and bicarbonate. This
patient is experiencing: - Accurate answers metabolic acidosis.
Rationale: A decrease in pH and bicarbonate occur with metabolic acidosis. Additionally, metabolic
acidosis causes deep and rapid breathing, as the body tries to compensate by removing carbon dioxide.
Metabolic alkalosis occurs if pH and bicarbonate levels are elevated. Respiratory acidosis occurs when
pH is decreased and carbon dioxide is elevated, whereas respiratory alkalosis occurs when pH is
elevated and carbon dioxide is decreased.
A common cause of the increased filtration of fluid from capillaries and lymph into surrounding tissues
(edema) includes: Select all that apply.
A) Increased hydrostatic pressure.
B) Decreased plasma oncotic pressure.
C) Increased capillary membrane permeability.
D) Lymphatic obstruction.
E) Increased barometric pressure. - Accurate answers A,B,C,&D
Rationale: There are four common causes of increased edema: increased hydrostatic pressure,
decreased plasma oncotic pressure, increased capillary membrane permeability, and lymphatic
obstruction. Barometric pressure (Atmospheric pressure) is the force per unit area exerted against a
surface by the weight of air above that surface in the Earth's atmosphere
