NUR 2063 NUR2063 ESSENTIALS OF
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES 2025 RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY
1. Which of the following best describes the term "homeostasis"?
A. A state of disease
B. A dynamic process to maintain internal stability
C. A response to infection
D. A genetic mutation
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal
environment despite changes.
2. What is the main function of the mitochondria?
A. Protein synthesis
B. DNA replication
C. Energy (ATP) production
D. Waste removal
Rationale: Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell,
generating ATP through cellular respiration.
,3. A patient has a pH of 7.25, PaCO₂ of 50 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 24 mEq/L.
What is the acid-base disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Low pH and high PaCO₂ indicate respiratory acidosis.
4. Which immune cells are primarily responsible for humoral immunity?
A. B lymphocytes
B. T lymphocytes
C. Macrophages
D. Neutrophils
Rationale: B lymphocytes produce antibodies involved in humoral
immunity.
5. What is the hallmark of acute inflammation?
A. Loss of function only
B. Redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function
C. Fever and fatigue
D. Anemia and leukopenia
Rationale: These are the classic signs of inflammation due to increased
blood flow and capillary permeability.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with cardiac arrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
, C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: High potassium levels can alter the cardiac conduction system
and cause arrhythmias.
7. Which condition results from a deficiency of ADH?
A. Syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH)
B. Diabetes insipidus
C. Cushing’s disease
D. Addison’s disease
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is caused by low or ineffective ADH.
8. Which of the following is a common cause of peptic ulcer disease?
A. High-fiber diet
B. Helicobacter pylori infection
C. Lack of exercise
D. Low acid production
Rationale: H. pylori disrupts the mucosal lining and leads to ulcer
formation.
9. What is the main pathophysiologic change in asthma?
A. Alveolar destruction
B. Loss of surfactant
C. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway inflammation and
bronchoconstriction.
, 10.Which lab value would be elevated in a patient with liver failure?
A. Ammonia
B. Hemoglobin
C. Creatinine
D. Glucose
Rationale: The liver normally converts ammonia to urea; failure leads to
increased ammonia levels.
11.Which type of shock is caused by loss of blood volume?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Distributive shock
D. Neurogenic shock
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock results from fluid or blood loss, reducing
preload and cardiac output.
12.Which hormone increases blood glucose by promoting glycogen
breakdown?
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Aldosterone
D. Cortisol
Rationale: Glucagon raises blood sugar by promoting glycogenolysis in
the liver.
13.A patient with COPD is at risk of which acid-base imbalance?
A. Metabolic acidosis
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES 2025 RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY
1. Which of the following best describes the term "homeostasis"?
A. A state of disease
B. A dynamic process to maintain internal stability
C. A response to infection
D. A genetic mutation
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal
environment despite changes.
2. What is the main function of the mitochondria?
A. Protein synthesis
B. DNA replication
C. Energy (ATP) production
D. Waste removal
Rationale: Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell,
generating ATP through cellular respiration.
,3. A patient has a pH of 7.25, PaCO₂ of 50 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 24 mEq/L.
What is the acid-base disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale: Low pH and high PaCO₂ indicate respiratory acidosis.
4. Which immune cells are primarily responsible for humoral immunity?
A. B lymphocytes
B. T lymphocytes
C. Macrophages
D. Neutrophils
Rationale: B lymphocytes produce antibodies involved in humoral
immunity.
5. What is the hallmark of acute inflammation?
A. Loss of function only
B. Redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function
C. Fever and fatigue
D. Anemia and leukopenia
Rationale: These are the classic signs of inflammation due to increased
blood flow and capillary permeability.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with cardiac arrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
, C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: High potassium levels can alter the cardiac conduction system
and cause arrhythmias.
7. Which condition results from a deficiency of ADH?
A. Syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH)
B. Diabetes insipidus
C. Cushing’s disease
D. Addison’s disease
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is caused by low or ineffective ADH.
8. Which of the following is a common cause of peptic ulcer disease?
A. High-fiber diet
B. Helicobacter pylori infection
C. Lack of exercise
D. Low acid production
Rationale: H. pylori disrupts the mucosal lining and leads to ulcer
formation.
9. What is the main pathophysiologic change in asthma?
A. Alveolar destruction
B. Loss of surfactant
C. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway inflammation and
bronchoconstriction.
, 10.Which lab value would be elevated in a patient with liver failure?
A. Ammonia
B. Hemoglobin
C. Creatinine
D. Glucose
Rationale: The liver normally converts ammonia to urea; failure leads to
increased ammonia levels.
11.Which type of shock is caused by loss of blood volume?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Distributive shock
D. Neurogenic shock
Rationale: Hypovolemic shock results from fluid or blood loss, reducing
preload and cardiac output.
12.Which hormone increases blood glucose by promoting glycogen
breakdown?
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Aldosterone
D. Cortisol
Rationale: Glucagon raises blood sugar by promoting glycogenolysis in
the liver.
13.A patient with COPD is at risk of which acid-base imbalance?
A. Metabolic acidosis
