NR283 Pathophysiology Final
Exam 2025 – Actual Test with
Verified Questions and 100%
Correct Answers |
Chamberlain College
1. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of type 1 diabetes mellitus?
a. Insulin resistance
b. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
c. Excessive insulin production
d. Glucagon deficiency
b. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of beta cells, leading to
absolute insulin deficiency, per Chamberlain’s pathophysiology curriculum.
2. Which process contributes to edema in congestive heart failure?
a. Increased capillary permeability
b. Decreased oncotic pressure
c. Increased hydrostatic pressure
d. Lymphatic obstruction
c. Increased hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Heart failure increases hydrostatic pressure due to fluid backup, causing
edema, per Chamberlain’s cardiovascular pathophysiology.
3. What is the hallmark feature of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)?
a. Hypercapnia
b. Diffuse alveolar damage
c. Bronchial constriction
d. Pleural effusion
b. Diffuse alveolar damage
Rationale: ARDS is characterized by diffuse alveolar damage leading to impaired gas
exchange, per Chamberlain’s respiratory pathophysiology.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient with prolonged vomiting?
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Hypokalemia
c. Hypernatremia
d. Hypermagnesemia
b. Hypokalemia
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Rationale: Prolonged vomiting causes potassium loss through gastric secretions, per
Chamberlain’s electrolyte pathophysiology.
5. What is the primary cause of metabolic acidosis in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
a. Bicarbonate loss
b. Lactic acid accumulation
c. Ketone production
d. Hyperventilation
c. Ketone production
Rationale: DKA results in metabolic acidosis due to excessive ketone production, per
Chamberlain’s endocrine pathophysiology.
6. Which process underlies the development of atherosclerosis?
a. Endothelial injury and inflammation
b. Smooth muscle atrophy
c. Decreased lipid deposition
d. Increased vasodilation
a. Endothelial injury and inflammation
Rationale: Atherosclerosis begins with endothelial injury, leading to inflammation and
plaque formation, per Chamberlain’s cardiovascular pathophysiology.
7. What is the primary pathophysiological feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)?
a. Airway inflammation and obstruction
b. Alveolar hyperinflation
c. Pleural effusion
d. Pulmonary hypertension
a. Airway inflammation and obstruction
Rationale: COPD is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and obstruction, per
Chamberlain’s respiratory pathophysiology.
8. Which condition is associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia?
a. Sickle cell anemia
b. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
c. Iron deficiency anemia
d. Vitamin B12 deficiency
b. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Rationale: DIC causes microangiopathic hemolytic anemia due to red blood cell
destruction in small vessels, per Chamberlain’s hematology pathophysiology.
9. What is the primary cause of hypercalcemia in malignancy?
a. Bone resorption
b. Decreased renal excretion
c. Increased intestinal absorption
d. Hypoparathyroidism
a. Bone resorption
Rationale: Malignancies, such as multiple myeloma, cause hypercalcemia through bone
resorption, per Chamberlain’s pathophysiology curriculum.
10. Which mechanism contributes to hypertension in renal artery stenosis?
a. Decreased renin production
b. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
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c. Increased vasodilation
d. Reduced sodium retention
b. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Rationale: Renal artery stenosis activates RAAS, increasing blood pressure, per
Chamberlain’s renal pathophysiology.
11. What is the primary pathophysiological feature of acute kidney injury?
a. Glomerular hypertrophy
b. Tubular necrosis
c. Chronic interstitial fibrosis
d. Increased glomerular filtration
b. Tubular necrosis
Rationale: Acute kidney injury often involves tubular necrosis due to ischemia or toxins,
per Chamberlain’s renal pathophysiology.
12. Which process is responsible for the cyanosis in tetralogy of Fallot?
a. Left-to-right shunt
b. Right-to-left shunt
c. Pulmonary edema
d. Aortic regurgitation
b. Right-to-left shunt
Rationale: Tetralogy of Fallot causes cyanosis due to a right-to-left shunt, per
Chamberlain’s cardiovascular pathophysiology.
13. What is the primary cause of metabolic alkalosis in a patient with prolonged
nasogastric suction?
a. Loss of bicarbonate
b. Loss of gastric acid
c. Hyperventilation
d. Lactic acid accumulation
b. Loss of gastric acid
Rationale: Loss of hydrochloric acid via nasogastric suction causes metabolic alkalosis,
per Chamberlain’s acid-base pathophysiology.
14. Which condition is characterized by widespread microvascular thrombosis?
a. Hemophilia
b. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
c. Thrombophilia
d. Von Willebrand disease
b. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Rationale: DIC involves widespread microvascular thrombosis and bleeding, per
Chamberlain’s hematology pathophysiology.
15. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of anaphylactic shock?
a. Vasoconstriction
b. Massive histamine release
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Hyperkalemia
b. Massive histamine release
Rationale: Anaphylactic shock results from histamine release causing vasodilation and
capillary leak, per Chamberlain’s immunology pathophysiology.