1
NUR 231 Pathophysiology Final Exam 2025
Actual Version – Verified Answers | A+
Graded & Fully Updated
1. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of
type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive glucagon production
D. Impaired glucose uptake in the liver
Correct Answer: B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where T-cell-mediated destruction of
pancreatic beta cells leads to absolute insulin deficiency, causing hyperglycemia. Insulin
resistance is characteristic of type 2 diabetes.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated
with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: A. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: In DKA, acidosis causes potassium to shift from intracellular to extracellular spaces,
resulting in hyperkalemia. However, total body potassium is often depleted due to urinary losses,
requiring careful management.
3. What is the hallmark pathophysiological feature of
congestive heart failure?
, 2
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Reduced myocardial contractility
C. Decreased preload
D. Peripheral vasodilation
Correct Answer: B. Reduced myocardial contractility
Rationale: Congestive heart failure is characterized by impaired myocardial contractility,
leading to reduced cardiac output, fluid overload, and symptoms like dyspnea and edema.
4. Which process is primarily responsible for the
development of atherosclerosis?
A. Platelet aggregation
B. Endothelial dysfunction and lipid accumulation
C. Vasospasm of coronary arteries
D. Increased venous pressure
Correct Answer: B. Endothelial dysfunction and lipid accumulation
Rationale: Atherosclerosis begins with endothelial injury, followed by lipid infiltration and
plaque formation, narrowing arteries and increasing the risk of cardiovascular events.
5. What is the primary cause of hypoxia in patients with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A. Increased oxygen diffusion capacity
B. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
C. Excessive surfactant production
D. Reduced airway resistance
Correct Answer: B. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
Rationale: In COPD, obstructed airways and alveolar destruction lead to ventilation-perfusion
mismatch, impairing oxygen exchange and causing hypoxemia.
6. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely in a patient with
severe vomiting?
, 3
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Severe vomiting causes loss of hydrochloric acid, leading to an increase in blood pH
and bicarbonate levels, resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
7. What is the pathophysiological basis of edema in
nephrotic syndrome?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Hypoalbuminemia and decreased oncotic pressure
C. Excessive sodium retention
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Correct Answer: B. Hypoalbuminemia and decreased oncotic pressure
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome causes significant proteinuria, leading to hypoalbuminemia,
which reduces plasma oncotic pressure and promotes fluid leakage into interstitial spaces,
causing edema.
8. Which cell type is primarily involved in the inflammatory
response of asthma?
A. Neutrophils
B. Eosinophils
C. Monocytes
D. Lymphocytes
Correct Answer: B. Eosinophils
Rationale: Eosinophils play a central role in asthma’s allergic inflammation, releasing mediators
that cause bronchoconstriction and airway remodeling.
9. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of
Parkinson’s disease?
NUR 231 Pathophysiology Final Exam 2025
Actual Version – Verified Answers | A+
Graded & Fully Updated
1. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of
type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive glucagon production
D. Impaired glucose uptake in the liver
Correct Answer: B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where T-cell-mediated destruction of
pancreatic beta cells leads to absolute insulin deficiency, causing hyperglycemia. Insulin
resistance is characteristic of type 2 diabetes.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated
with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: A. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: In DKA, acidosis causes potassium to shift from intracellular to extracellular spaces,
resulting in hyperkalemia. However, total body potassium is often depleted due to urinary losses,
requiring careful management.
3. What is the hallmark pathophysiological feature of
congestive heart failure?
, 2
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Reduced myocardial contractility
C. Decreased preload
D. Peripheral vasodilation
Correct Answer: B. Reduced myocardial contractility
Rationale: Congestive heart failure is characterized by impaired myocardial contractility,
leading to reduced cardiac output, fluid overload, and symptoms like dyspnea and edema.
4. Which process is primarily responsible for the
development of atherosclerosis?
A. Platelet aggregation
B. Endothelial dysfunction and lipid accumulation
C. Vasospasm of coronary arteries
D. Increased venous pressure
Correct Answer: B. Endothelial dysfunction and lipid accumulation
Rationale: Atherosclerosis begins with endothelial injury, followed by lipid infiltration and
plaque formation, narrowing arteries and increasing the risk of cardiovascular events.
5. What is the primary cause of hypoxia in patients with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A. Increased oxygen diffusion capacity
B. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
C. Excessive surfactant production
D. Reduced airway resistance
Correct Answer: B. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
Rationale: In COPD, obstructed airways and alveolar destruction lead to ventilation-perfusion
mismatch, impairing oxygen exchange and causing hypoxemia.
6. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely in a patient with
severe vomiting?
, 3
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: Severe vomiting causes loss of hydrochloric acid, leading to an increase in blood pH
and bicarbonate levels, resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
7. What is the pathophysiological basis of edema in
nephrotic syndrome?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Hypoalbuminemia and decreased oncotic pressure
C. Excessive sodium retention
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Correct Answer: B. Hypoalbuminemia and decreased oncotic pressure
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome causes significant proteinuria, leading to hypoalbuminemia,
which reduces plasma oncotic pressure and promotes fluid leakage into interstitial spaces,
causing edema.
8. Which cell type is primarily involved in the inflammatory
response of asthma?
A. Neutrophils
B. Eosinophils
C. Monocytes
D. Lymphocytes
Correct Answer: B. Eosinophils
Rationale: Eosinophils play a central role in asthma’s allergic inflammation, releasing mediators
that cause bronchoconstriction and airway remodeling.
9. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of
Parkinson’s disease?
