NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology 2025/2026 200
questions and answers
NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology 2025/2026 200
questions and answers
**1.** The nurse is assessing a client with possible Cushing’s syndrome. In a client with
Cushing’s syndrome, the nurse would expect to find:
1. Hypotension
2. Thick, coarse skin
3. Deposits of adipose tissue in the trunk and dorsocervical area
4. Weight gain in arms and legs
**Rationale:** (3) Because of changes in fat distribution, adipose tissue accumulates in the
trunk, face (moonface), and dorsocervical areas (buffalo hump). Hypertension is caused by fluid
retention. Skin becomes thin and bruises easily because of a loss of collagen. Muscle wasting
causes muscle atrophy and thin extremities.
**2.** The nurse is planning care for a 52-year-old male client in acute Addisonian crisis. Which
nursing diagnosis should receive the highest priority?
1. Risk for Infection
2. Decreased cardiac output
3. Impaired physical mobility
4. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirement
**RATIONALES:** (2) An acute Addisonian crisis is life-threatening, caused by cortisol and
aldosterone deficiency. Glucocorticoid insufficiency decreases vascular tone and cardiac output,
,leading to hypovolemia, tachycardia, and hypotension. Reducing infection risk, mobility, or
nutrition takes secondary priority during a crisis.
**3.** During the first 24 hours after a client is diagnosed with Addisonian crisis, which
intervention should the nurse perform frequently?
1. Weigh the client
2. Test urine for ketones
3. Assess vital signs
4. Administer oral hydrocortisone
**RATIONALES:** (3) Because the client is unstable, vital signs and fluid/electrolyte balance
should be assessed every 30 minutes until stable. Weighing daily is sufficient later. Urine ketones
are not relevant here. Oral hydrocortisone isn’t used immediately in severe crisis.
**4.** A client is admitted for evaluation of Addison’s disease. Which lab result best supports
this diagnosis?
1. BUN of 12 mg/dl
2. Blood glucose of 90 mg/dl
3. Serum sodium of 134 mEq/L
4. Serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L
**RATIONALES:** (4) Addison’s decreases aldosterone, causing sodium loss and potassium
retention, leading to hyperkalemia. Elevated potassium supports Addison’s diagnosis. Normal
BUN and glucose are within normal limits; sodium would be lower than normal.
,**5.** A client with Addison’s disease is scheduled for discharge. Which statements indicate
effective teaching?
1. “I have to take my steroids for 10 days.”
2. “I need to weigh myself daily to ensure I don’t eat too many calories.”
3. “I need to call my doctor before dental work to discuss steroid needs.”
4. “I will call the doctor if I suddenly feel weak or dizzy.”
5. “If I have the flu, I’ll carry on as usual.”
6. “I need to wear a Medic Alert bracelet.”
**RATIONALES:** (3, 4, 6) Dental procedures and stress increase the need for steroid dose
adjustments; the client should notify the doctor. Weakness or dizziness could indicate inadequate
steroid coverage. Medic Alert jewelry is critical. The client shouldn’t just “carry on as usual”
during stress; increased doses are needed.
**6.** When teaching a client with Cushing’s syndrome about dietary changes, the nurse should
instruct to increase intake of:
1. Fresh fruits
2. Dairy products
3. Processed meats
4. Cereals and grains
**RATIONALES:** (1) Cushing’s causes sodium retention and potassium loss; potassium-rich
foods like fruits are recommended. Processed meats, cereals, and dairy are high in sodium, which
should be limited.
, **7.** In a 28-year-old treated for Cushing’s syndrome, the nurse expects a decline in:
1. Serum glucose level
2. Hair loss
3. Bone mineralization
4. Menstrual flow
**RATIONALES:** (1) Hyperglycemia improves with treatment. Excess hair and osteoporosis
are also improved. Menstrual flow, often absent in Cushing’s, tends to return.
**8.** The nurse is caring for a client in acute Addisonian crisis. Which lab data would be
expected?
1. Hyperkalemia
2. Reduced BUN
3. Hypernatremia
4. Hyperglycemia
**RATIONALES:** (1) Hyperkalemia results from aldosterone deficiency. BUN increases,
sodium decreases, and hypoglycemia occurs due to cortisol deficiency.
**9.** A client with Addison’s disease presents for follow-up. The nurse should monitor for:
1. Calcium and phosphorus abnormalities
questions and answers
NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology 2025/2026 200
questions and answers
**1.** The nurse is assessing a client with possible Cushing’s syndrome. In a client with
Cushing’s syndrome, the nurse would expect to find:
1. Hypotension
2. Thick, coarse skin
3. Deposits of adipose tissue in the trunk and dorsocervical area
4. Weight gain in arms and legs
**Rationale:** (3) Because of changes in fat distribution, adipose tissue accumulates in the
trunk, face (moonface), and dorsocervical areas (buffalo hump). Hypertension is caused by fluid
retention. Skin becomes thin and bruises easily because of a loss of collagen. Muscle wasting
causes muscle atrophy and thin extremities.
**2.** The nurse is planning care for a 52-year-old male client in acute Addisonian crisis. Which
nursing diagnosis should receive the highest priority?
1. Risk for Infection
2. Decreased cardiac output
3. Impaired physical mobility
4. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirement
**RATIONALES:** (2) An acute Addisonian crisis is life-threatening, caused by cortisol and
aldosterone deficiency. Glucocorticoid insufficiency decreases vascular tone and cardiac output,
,leading to hypovolemia, tachycardia, and hypotension. Reducing infection risk, mobility, or
nutrition takes secondary priority during a crisis.
**3.** During the first 24 hours after a client is diagnosed with Addisonian crisis, which
intervention should the nurse perform frequently?
1. Weigh the client
2. Test urine for ketones
3. Assess vital signs
4. Administer oral hydrocortisone
**RATIONALES:** (3) Because the client is unstable, vital signs and fluid/electrolyte balance
should be assessed every 30 minutes until stable. Weighing daily is sufficient later. Urine ketones
are not relevant here. Oral hydrocortisone isn’t used immediately in severe crisis.
**4.** A client is admitted for evaluation of Addison’s disease. Which lab result best supports
this diagnosis?
1. BUN of 12 mg/dl
2. Blood glucose of 90 mg/dl
3. Serum sodium of 134 mEq/L
4. Serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L
**RATIONALES:** (4) Addison’s decreases aldosterone, causing sodium loss and potassium
retention, leading to hyperkalemia. Elevated potassium supports Addison’s diagnosis. Normal
BUN and glucose are within normal limits; sodium would be lower than normal.
,**5.** A client with Addison’s disease is scheduled for discharge. Which statements indicate
effective teaching?
1. “I have to take my steroids for 10 days.”
2. “I need to weigh myself daily to ensure I don’t eat too many calories.”
3. “I need to call my doctor before dental work to discuss steroid needs.”
4. “I will call the doctor if I suddenly feel weak or dizzy.”
5. “If I have the flu, I’ll carry on as usual.”
6. “I need to wear a Medic Alert bracelet.”
**RATIONALES:** (3, 4, 6) Dental procedures and stress increase the need for steroid dose
adjustments; the client should notify the doctor. Weakness or dizziness could indicate inadequate
steroid coverage. Medic Alert jewelry is critical. The client shouldn’t just “carry on as usual”
during stress; increased doses are needed.
**6.** When teaching a client with Cushing’s syndrome about dietary changes, the nurse should
instruct to increase intake of:
1. Fresh fruits
2. Dairy products
3. Processed meats
4. Cereals and grains
**RATIONALES:** (1) Cushing’s causes sodium retention and potassium loss; potassium-rich
foods like fruits are recommended. Processed meats, cereals, and dairy are high in sodium, which
should be limited.
, **7.** In a 28-year-old treated for Cushing’s syndrome, the nurse expects a decline in:
1. Serum glucose level
2. Hair loss
3. Bone mineralization
4. Menstrual flow
**RATIONALES:** (1) Hyperglycemia improves with treatment. Excess hair and osteoporosis
are also improved. Menstrual flow, often absent in Cushing’s, tends to return.
**8.** The nurse is caring for a client in acute Addisonian crisis. Which lab data would be
expected?
1. Hyperkalemia
2. Reduced BUN
3. Hypernatremia
4. Hyperglycemia
**RATIONALES:** (1) Hyperkalemia results from aldosterone deficiency. BUN increases,
sodium decreases, and hypoglycemia occurs due to cortisol deficiency.
**9.** A client with Addison’s disease presents for follow-up. The nurse should monitor for:
1. Calcium and phosphorus abnormalities
