NR507/NR 507 Midterm Exam
(Latest 2025/2026 Update) –
Advanced Pathophysiology |
Questions and Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Grade A –
Chamberlain
Introduction
This document provides verified and 100% correct questions and answers from the NR507/NR
507 Midterm Exam at Chamberlain University, fully updated for the 2025/2026 academic
year. Designed for APRN, MSN, and NP students enrolled in Advanced Pathophysiol-
ogy, it includes detailed rationales to support deeper clinical understanding and ensure
success in mastering complex pathophysiological concepts.
Exam Questions and Answers
1. [Cardiovascular and Hematologic] What is the primary mechanism of atheroscle-
rosis?
A. Endothelial injury and plaque formation
B. Smooth muscle hypertrophy
C. Vasospasm
D. Thrombocytopenia
Rationale: Endothelial injury triggers inflammation and lipid accumulation, forming
atherosclerotic plaques, which narrow arteries and impair blood flow.
2. [Pulmonary and Renal] What is the primary cause of pulmonary edema in heart
failure?
A. Increased pulmonary capillary pressure
B. Decreased surfactant production
C. Bronchial constriction
D. Alveolar macrophage activation
Rationale: Left heart failure elevates pulmonary capillary pressure, forcing fluid into
alveoli, causing pulmonary edema and dyspnea.
3. [Neurological and Endocrine] What is the primary cause of diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA)?
NR507 Midterm | Chamberlain University | 100% Verified with Rationales | 2025/2026
, A. Insulin deficiency
B. Glucagon deficiency
C. Cortisol excess
D. Thyroxine excess
Rationale: Insulin deficiency leads to uncontrolled lipolysis and ketogenesis, resulting in
acidosis and ketone accumulation in DKA.
4. [Immune and Inflammatory] What is the hallmark of systemic lupus erythe-
matosus (SLE)?
A. Autoantibody production against nuclear antigens
B. Elevated C-reactive protein
C. Monoclonal gammopathy
D. Neutrophil extracellular traps
Rationale: SLE is characterized by autoantibodies, particularly anti-nuclear antibodies,
causing widespread tissue damage and inflammation.
5. [Gastrointestinal and Hepatic] What is the primary mechanism of hepatic en-
cephalopathy in cirrhosis?
A. Ammonia accumulation in the brain
B. Bile acid deficiency
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Portal vein thrombosis
Rationale: Cirrhosis impairs ammonia detoxification, leading to its accumulation, which
disrupts neurological function.
6. [Cardiovascular and Hematologic] What is the primary cause of myocardial
infarction?
A. Coronary artery occlusion
B. Aortic dissection
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Pericardial effusion
Rationale: Coronary artery occlusion, typically by a thrombus, causes myocardial is-
chemia and infarction.
7. [Pulmonary and Renal] Which electrolyte imbalance is most common in acute
kidney injury (AKI)?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
NR507 Midterm | Chamberlain University | 100% Verified with Rationales | 2025/2026
, Rationale: AKI impairs potassium excretion, leading to hyperkalemia, which can cause
cardiac arrhythmias.
8. [Neurological and Endocrine] What is the primary pathophysiological feature
of Parkinson’s disease?
A. Dopamine depletion in the substantia nigra
B. Amyloid plaque formation
C. Myelin sheath destruction
D. Glutamate excitotoxicity
Rationale: Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra reduces dopamine,
causing motor symptoms in Parkinson’s.
9. [Immune and Inflammatory] What is the primary mechanism of type I hyper-
sensitivity reactions?
A. IgE-mediated mast cell activation
B. Immune complex deposition
C. T-cell cytotoxicity
D. Complement-mediated lysis
Rationale: IgE binds allergens, triggering mast cell degranulation and histamine release
in type I reactions like anaphylaxis.
10. [Gastrointestinal and Hepatic] What is the primary cause of peptic ulcer dis-
ease?
A. Helicobacter pylori infection
B. Stress-induced acid production
C. Bile reflux
D. Pancreatic enzyme deficiency
Rationale: H. pylori disrupts the gastric mucosa, increasing acid damage and ulcer
formation.
11. [Cardiovascular and Hematologic] What is the primary cause of cardiogenic
shock?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Hypovolemia
C. Sepsis
D. Anaphylaxis
Rationale: Impaired heart function reduces cardiac output, leading to systemic hypop-
erfusion in cardiogenic shock.
12. [Pulmonary and Renal] What is the primary cause of acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS)?
NR507 Midterm | Chamberlain University | 100% Verified with Rationales | 2025/2026
(Latest 2025/2026 Update) –
Advanced Pathophysiology |
Questions and Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Grade A –
Chamberlain
Introduction
This document provides verified and 100% correct questions and answers from the NR507/NR
507 Midterm Exam at Chamberlain University, fully updated for the 2025/2026 academic
year. Designed for APRN, MSN, and NP students enrolled in Advanced Pathophysiol-
ogy, it includes detailed rationales to support deeper clinical understanding and ensure
success in mastering complex pathophysiological concepts.
Exam Questions and Answers
1. [Cardiovascular and Hematologic] What is the primary mechanism of atheroscle-
rosis?
A. Endothelial injury and plaque formation
B. Smooth muscle hypertrophy
C. Vasospasm
D. Thrombocytopenia
Rationale: Endothelial injury triggers inflammation and lipid accumulation, forming
atherosclerotic plaques, which narrow arteries and impair blood flow.
2. [Pulmonary and Renal] What is the primary cause of pulmonary edema in heart
failure?
A. Increased pulmonary capillary pressure
B. Decreased surfactant production
C. Bronchial constriction
D. Alveolar macrophage activation
Rationale: Left heart failure elevates pulmonary capillary pressure, forcing fluid into
alveoli, causing pulmonary edema and dyspnea.
3. [Neurological and Endocrine] What is the primary cause of diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA)?
NR507 Midterm | Chamberlain University | 100% Verified with Rationales | 2025/2026
, A. Insulin deficiency
B. Glucagon deficiency
C. Cortisol excess
D. Thyroxine excess
Rationale: Insulin deficiency leads to uncontrolled lipolysis and ketogenesis, resulting in
acidosis and ketone accumulation in DKA.
4. [Immune and Inflammatory] What is the hallmark of systemic lupus erythe-
matosus (SLE)?
A. Autoantibody production against nuclear antigens
B. Elevated C-reactive protein
C. Monoclonal gammopathy
D. Neutrophil extracellular traps
Rationale: SLE is characterized by autoantibodies, particularly anti-nuclear antibodies,
causing widespread tissue damage and inflammation.
5. [Gastrointestinal and Hepatic] What is the primary mechanism of hepatic en-
cephalopathy in cirrhosis?
A. Ammonia accumulation in the brain
B. Bile acid deficiency
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Portal vein thrombosis
Rationale: Cirrhosis impairs ammonia detoxification, leading to its accumulation, which
disrupts neurological function.
6. [Cardiovascular and Hematologic] What is the primary cause of myocardial
infarction?
A. Coronary artery occlusion
B. Aortic dissection
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Pericardial effusion
Rationale: Coronary artery occlusion, typically by a thrombus, causes myocardial is-
chemia and infarction.
7. [Pulmonary and Renal] Which electrolyte imbalance is most common in acute
kidney injury (AKI)?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
NR507 Midterm | Chamberlain University | 100% Verified with Rationales | 2025/2026
, Rationale: AKI impairs potassium excretion, leading to hyperkalemia, which can cause
cardiac arrhythmias.
8. [Neurological and Endocrine] What is the primary pathophysiological feature
of Parkinson’s disease?
A. Dopamine depletion in the substantia nigra
B. Amyloid plaque formation
C. Myelin sheath destruction
D. Glutamate excitotoxicity
Rationale: Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra reduces dopamine,
causing motor symptoms in Parkinson’s.
9. [Immune and Inflammatory] What is the primary mechanism of type I hyper-
sensitivity reactions?
A. IgE-mediated mast cell activation
B. Immune complex deposition
C. T-cell cytotoxicity
D. Complement-mediated lysis
Rationale: IgE binds allergens, triggering mast cell degranulation and histamine release
in type I reactions like anaphylaxis.
10. [Gastrointestinal and Hepatic] What is the primary cause of peptic ulcer dis-
ease?
A. Helicobacter pylori infection
B. Stress-induced acid production
C. Bile reflux
D. Pancreatic enzyme deficiency
Rationale: H. pylori disrupts the gastric mucosa, increasing acid damage and ulcer
formation.
11. [Cardiovascular and Hematologic] What is the primary cause of cardiogenic
shock?
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Hypovolemia
C. Sepsis
D. Anaphylaxis
Rationale: Impaired heart function reduces cardiac output, leading to systemic hypop-
erfusion in cardiogenic shock.
12. [Pulmonary and Renal] What is the primary cause of acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS)?
NR507 Midterm | Chamberlain University | 100% Verified with Rationales | 2025/2026
