NUR 3125 Pathophysiology for Nursing
Practice Midterm Exam 1 Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
1. A patient presents with edema. Which physiological mechanism is most
likely responsible?
A. Increased oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Decreased interstitial oncotic pressure
Increased capillary permeability allows proteins and fluids to move into the
interstitial space, leading to edema.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient with chronic renal
failure?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Renal failure leads to impaired potassium excretion, causing hyperkalemia.
, 3. Which respiratory pattern is commonly seen in metabolic acidosis?
A. Apnea
B. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Biot's respirations
Kussmaul respirations are deep and rapid, seen in compensation for metabolic
acidosis.
4. What is the main function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
(RAAS)?
A. Increase blood glucose
B. Regulate blood pressure and fluid balance
C. Promote diuresis
D. Decrease systemic vascular resistance
RAAS increases blood pressure and volume via vasoconstriction and
sodium/water retention.
5. Which of the following conditions is associated with elevated serum
troponin?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Congestive heart failure
D. Aortic stenosis
Troponin is a specific marker for myocardial injury, especially in myocardial
infarction.
Practice Midterm Exam 1 Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
1. A patient presents with edema. Which physiological mechanism is most
likely responsible?
A. Increased oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Decreased interstitial oncotic pressure
Increased capillary permeability allows proteins and fluids to move into the
interstitial space, leading to edema.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient with chronic renal
failure?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Renal failure leads to impaired potassium excretion, causing hyperkalemia.
, 3. Which respiratory pattern is commonly seen in metabolic acidosis?
A. Apnea
B. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Biot's respirations
Kussmaul respirations are deep and rapid, seen in compensation for metabolic
acidosis.
4. What is the main function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
(RAAS)?
A. Increase blood glucose
B. Regulate blood pressure and fluid balance
C. Promote diuresis
D. Decrease systemic vascular resistance
RAAS increases blood pressure and volume via vasoconstriction and
sodium/water retention.
5. Which of the following conditions is associated with elevated serum
troponin?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Congestive heart failure
D. Aortic stenosis
Troponin is a specific marker for myocardial injury, especially in myocardial
infarction.
