NURS 5315 Advanced Pathophysiology Final
Exam 2025: Latest Questions and Verified
Answers
1. Which of the following best describes the mechanism behind
edema formation in heart failure?
• A) Increased capillary oncotic pressure
• B) Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
• C) Decreased capillary permeability
• D) Decreased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B) Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: In heart failure, the heart is unable to pump blood
efficiently, leading to an increase in capillary hydrostatic pressure.
This increased pressure forces fluid out of the capillaries into the
surrounding tissue, causing edema.
2. Which of the following is a key factor in the development of
atherosclerosis?
• A) Increased HDL levels
• B) Endothelial injury
• C) High levels of fibrinogen
• D) Decreased LDL levels
Answer: B) Endothelial injury
Rationale: Endothelial injury is a critical step in the development of
atherosclerosis. It allows lipids, particularly LDL, to enter the arterial
walls, where they can become oxidized and initiate an inflammatory
response that leads to plaque formation.
3. In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which of the following is the
primary cause of metabolic acidosis?
• A) Decreased renal excretion of hydrogen ions
, • B) Increased production of ketone bodies
• C) Decreased bicarbonate production by the kidneys
• D) Increased retention of carbon dioxide
Answer: B) Increased production of ketone bodies
Rationale: In DKA, the body breaks down fat for energy due to a lack
of insulin. This process produces ketone bodies, which are acidic,
leading to metabolic acidosis. The accumulation of ketones
overwhelms the buffering system.
4. What is the most common cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD)?
• A) Excessive alcohol consumption
• B) Obesity and insulin resistance
• C) Chronic viral hepatitis
• D) Genetic mutations in liver metabolism
Answer: B) Obesity and insulin resistance
Rationale: NAFLD is primarily associated with obesity and insulin
resistance. These conditions lead to fat accumulation in the liver,
which can progress to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.
5. In the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS), which of the following plays a major role in the damage to
the alveolar-capillary membrane?
• A) Hypercapnia
• B) Inflammatory cytokines
• C) Pulmonary embolism
• D) Atelectasis
Answer: B) Inflammatory cytokines
Rationale: In ARDS, the inflammatory response to various insults (e.g.,
infection, trauma, aspiration) leads to the release of cytokines. These
, cytokines increase the permeability of the alveolar-capillary
membrane, leading to pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange.
6. Which of the following is most commonly associated with chronic
renal failure?
• A) Hyperkalemia
• B) Hypoglycemia
• C) Hypercalcemia
• D) Hypotension
Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Chronic renal failure impairs the kidneys' ability to excrete
potassium, leading to hyperkalemia. This is a dangerous electrolyte
disturbance that can result in cardiac arrhythmias.
7. In the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, which of the
following is primarily responsible for joint destruction?
• A) Bacterial infection
• B) Autoantibodies and immune complexes
• C) Mechanical wear and tear
• D) Trauma to the joint
Answer: B) Autoantibodies and immune complexes
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the
immune system produces autoantibodies (e.g., rheumatoid factor) that
form immune complexes. These complexes deposit in the joints,
triggering inflammation and eventually joint destruction.
8. In the pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease, which of the
following is the main factor that leads to mucosal injury?
• A) Excessive mucus production
• B) Decreased gastric acid production
Exam 2025: Latest Questions and Verified
Answers
1. Which of the following best describes the mechanism behind
edema formation in heart failure?
• A) Increased capillary oncotic pressure
• B) Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
• C) Decreased capillary permeability
• D) Decreased lymphatic drainage
Answer: B) Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: In heart failure, the heart is unable to pump blood
efficiently, leading to an increase in capillary hydrostatic pressure.
This increased pressure forces fluid out of the capillaries into the
surrounding tissue, causing edema.
2. Which of the following is a key factor in the development of
atherosclerosis?
• A) Increased HDL levels
• B) Endothelial injury
• C) High levels of fibrinogen
• D) Decreased LDL levels
Answer: B) Endothelial injury
Rationale: Endothelial injury is a critical step in the development of
atherosclerosis. It allows lipids, particularly LDL, to enter the arterial
walls, where they can become oxidized and initiate an inflammatory
response that leads to plaque formation.
3. In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which of the following is the
primary cause of metabolic acidosis?
• A) Decreased renal excretion of hydrogen ions
, • B) Increased production of ketone bodies
• C) Decreased bicarbonate production by the kidneys
• D) Increased retention of carbon dioxide
Answer: B) Increased production of ketone bodies
Rationale: In DKA, the body breaks down fat for energy due to a lack
of insulin. This process produces ketone bodies, which are acidic,
leading to metabolic acidosis. The accumulation of ketones
overwhelms the buffering system.
4. What is the most common cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD)?
• A) Excessive alcohol consumption
• B) Obesity and insulin resistance
• C) Chronic viral hepatitis
• D) Genetic mutations in liver metabolism
Answer: B) Obesity and insulin resistance
Rationale: NAFLD is primarily associated with obesity and insulin
resistance. These conditions lead to fat accumulation in the liver,
which can progress to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.
5. In the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS), which of the following plays a major role in the damage to
the alveolar-capillary membrane?
• A) Hypercapnia
• B) Inflammatory cytokines
• C) Pulmonary embolism
• D) Atelectasis
Answer: B) Inflammatory cytokines
Rationale: In ARDS, the inflammatory response to various insults (e.g.,
infection, trauma, aspiration) leads to the release of cytokines. These
, cytokines increase the permeability of the alveolar-capillary
membrane, leading to pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange.
6. Which of the following is most commonly associated with chronic
renal failure?
• A) Hyperkalemia
• B) Hypoglycemia
• C) Hypercalcemia
• D) Hypotension
Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Chronic renal failure impairs the kidneys' ability to excrete
potassium, leading to hyperkalemia. This is a dangerous electrolyte
disturbance that can result in cardiac arrhythmias.
7. In the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, which of the
following is primarily responsible for joint destruction?
• A) Bacterial infection
• B) Autoantibodies and immune complexes
• C) Mechanical wear and tear
• D) Trauma to the joint
Answer: B) Autoantibodies and immune complexes
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the
immune system produces autoantibodies (e.g., rheumatoid factor) that
form immune complexes. These complexes deposit in the joints,
triggering inflammation and eventually joint destruction.
8. In the pathophysiology of peptic ulcer disease, which of the
following is the main factor that leads to mucosal injury?
• A) Excessive mucus production
• B) Decreased gastric acid production
