NR 507: Updated
Pathophysiology Midterm
Exam With Accurate
Solutions 2025/2026
Asthma - Correct Answers-Chronic disease due to bronchoconstriction and an
excessive inflammatory response in the bronchioles
What are 5 s/s of asthma - Correct Answers-coughing
wheezing
shortness of breath
rapid breathing
chest tightness
Pathophysiology of asthma (5) - Correct Answers--airway inflammation,
bronchial hyper-reactivity and smooth muscle spasm
-excess mucus production and accumulation
-hypertrophy of bronchial smooth muscle
-airflow obstruction
-decreased alveolar ventilation
Bronchioles - Correct Answers-smaller passageways that originate from the
bronchi that become the alveoli
3 layers of the bronchioles - Correct Answers-innermost layer
middle layer - lamina propria
outermost layer
lamina propria - Correct Answers-the middle layer of the bronchioles
structure of the lamina propria - Correct Answers-embedded with connective
tissue cells and immune cells
purpose of the lamina propria - Correct Answers-white blood cells are present
to help protect the airways
How does the lamina propria effect the lungs in regards to asthma - Correct
Answers-the WBCs protective feature goes into overdrive causing an
inflammatory response that damages host tissue
,What does the innermost layer of the bronchioles contain - Correct Answers-
columnar epithelial ells and mucus producing goblet cells
What does the outermost layer of the bronchioles contain - Correct Answers-
smooth muscle cells
what does the outermost layer of the bronchioles do - Correct Answers-
control the airways ability to constrict and dilate
alveolar hyperinflation - Correct Answers-When air is unable to move out of
the alveolar like it should due to bronchial walls collapsing around possible
mucus plug thus trapping air inside
how does hyperinflation occur? - Correct Answers-the ongoing inflammatory
process of asthma produces mucus and pus plug that the bronchial walls
collapse around
Effect of hyperinflation of the alveolar - Correct Answers--expanded thorax
and hypercapnia (retention of CO2)
- respiratory acidosis
What are two anticholinergic drugs used for asthma - Correct Answers-
tiotropium and ipratropium
What do anticholinergics do in the lungs? - Correct Answers-These drugs
block the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system
- increasing bronchodilation
MOA of anticholinergic drugs for asthma - Correct Answers-the
parasympathetic system is stimulated by the vagal nerve to release
acetylcholine which binds to the cholinergic receptors of the respiratory tract
to cause bronchial constriction = decreased airflow
- blocking the cholinergic receptors prevents acetylcholine binding
preventing the bronchial constriction
bronchitis - Correct Answers-inflammation of the bronchial tubes
3 characteristics of bronchitis - Correct Answers-bronchial inflammation
hypersecretion of mucus
chronic productive cough for at least 3 consecutive months for at least 2
successive years
, Perfusion - Correct Answers-The supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes
from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through
the capillaries.
results of chronic bronchitis/ low perfusion - Correct Answers-cyanosis
right to left shunting
chronic hypoxemia
Why is there cyanosis with chronic bronchitis - Correct Answers-there is
hypoxia due to unfavorable conditions for gas exchange
Right to left shunting - Correct Answers-when blood passes from the right
ventricle through the lungs and to the left ventricle without perfusion
Causes of bronchitis - Correct Answers--long term exposure to environmental
irritants
-repeated episodes of acute infection (RSV infection in early infancy)
-Factors affecting gestational childhood lung development (preterm birth)
Pathogenesis of bronchitis - Correct Answers--Exposure to airborne irritants
- Irritant activates bronchial smooth muscle constriction and mucus secretion
- Triggers release of inflammatory mediators from immune cells located in
the lamina propria
most common irritant with bronchitis is? - Correct Answers-tobacco product
smoke
what does long term exposure to irritants promote in bronchitis? (5) - Correct
Answers-- smooth muscle hypertrophy
- hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells
- epithelial cell metaplasia
- migration of more WBC to site
- thickening and rigidity of bronchial basement membrane
What does smooth muscle hypertrophy do in lungs? - Correct Answers-
causes increased bronchoconstriction
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells do what in the bronchials -
Correct Answers-promotes hypersecretion of mucus
What are characteristics of epithelial cell metaplasia? - Correct Answers-
squamous cells become nonciliated and are less protective; allow passage of
toxins and WBCs
What does the migration of WBCs to the bronchials do? - Correct Answers-
increases inflammation of the cite and causes fibrosis in the bronchial wall
Pathophysiology Midterm
Exam With Accurate
Solutions 2025/2026
Asthma - Correct Answers-Chronic disease due to bronchoconstriction and an
excessive inflammatory response in the bronchioles
What are 5 s/s of asthma - Correct Answers-coughing
wheezing
shortness of breath
rapid breathing
chest tightness
Pathophysiology of asthma (5) - Correct Answers--airway inflammation,
bronchial hyper-reactivity and smooth muscle spasm
-excess mucus production and accumulation
-hypertrophy of bronchial smooth muscle
-airflow obstruction
-decreased alveolar ventilation
Bronchioles - Correct Answers-smaller passageways that originate from the
bronchi that become the alveoli
3 layers of the bronchioles - Correct Answers-innermost layer
middle layer - lamina propria
outermost layer
lamina propria - Correct Answers-the middle layer of the bronchioles
structure of the lamina propria - Correct Answers-embedded with connective
tissue cells and immune cells
purpose of the lamina propria - Correct Answers-white blood cells are present
to help protect the airways
How does the lamina propria effect the lungs in regards to asthma - Correct
Answers-the WBCs protective feature goes into overdrive causing an
inflammatory response that damages host tissue
,What does the innermost layer of the bronchioles contain - Correct Answers-
columnar epithelial ells and mucus producing goblet cells
What does the outermost layer of the bronchioles contain - Correct Answers-
smooth muscle cells
what does the outermost layer of the bronchioles do - Correct Answers-
control the airways ability to constrict and dilate
alveolar hyperinflation - Correct Answers-When air is unable to move out of
the alveolar like it should due to bronchial walls collapsing around possible
mucus plug thus trapping air inside
how does hyperinflation occur? - Correct Answers-the ongoing inflammatory
process of asthma produces mucus and pus plug that the bronchial walls
collapse around
Effect of hyperinflation of the alveolar - Correct Answers--expanded thorax
and hypercapnia (retention of CO2)
- respiratory acidosis
What are two anticholinergic drugs used for asthma - Correct Answers-
tiotropium and ipratropium
What do anticholinergics do in the lungs? - Correct Answers-These drugs
block the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system
- increasing bronchodilation
MOA of anticholinergic drugs for asthma - Correct Answers-the
parasympathetic system is stimulated by the vagal nerve to release
acetylcholine which binds to the cholinergic receptors of the respiratory tract
to cause bronchial constriction = decreased airflow
- blocking the cholinergic receptors prevents acetylcholine binding
preventing the bronchial constriction
bronchitis - Correct Answers-inflammation of the bronchial tubes
3 characteristics of bronchitis - Correct Answers-bronchial inflammation
hypersecretion of mucus
chronic productive cough for at least 3 consecutive months for at least 2
successive years
, Perfusion - Correct Answers-The supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes
from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through
the capillaries.
results of chronic bronchitis/ low perfusion - Correct Answers-cyanosis
right to left shunting
chronic hypoxemia
Why is there cyanosis with chronic bronchitis - Correct Answers-there is
hypoxia due to unfavorable conditions for gas exchange
Right to left shunting - Correct Answers-when blood passes from the right
ventricle through the lungs and to the left ventricle without perfusion
Causes of bronchitis - Correct Answers--long term exposure to environmental
irritants
-repeated episodes of acute infection (RSV infection in early infancy)
-Factors affecting gestational childhood lung development (preterm birth)
Pathogenesis of bronchitis - Correct Answers--Exposure to airborne irritants
- Irritant activates bronchial smooth muscle constriction and mucus secretion
- Triggers release of inflammatory mediators from immune cells located in
the lamina propria
most common irritant with bronchitis is? - Correct Answers-tobacco product
smoke
what does long term exposure to irritants promote in bronchitis? (5) - Correct
Answers-- smooth muscle hypertrophy
- hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells
- epithelial cell metaplasia
- migration of more WBC to site
- thickening and rigidity of bronchial basement membrane
What does smooth muscle hypertrophy do in lungs? - Correct Answers-
causes increased bronchoconstriction
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells do what in the bronchials -
Correct Answers-promotes hypersecretion of mucus
What are characteristics of epithelial cell metaplasia? - Correct Answers-
squamous cells become nonciliated and are less protective; allow passage of
toxins and WBCs
What does the migration of WBCs to the bronchials do? - Correct Answers-
increases inflammation of the cite and causes fibrosis in the bronchial wall
