NSG 530 Exam 4 Advanced Pathophysiology
– Wilkes Questions & Answers
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Multiple-Choice (A-D), For Each Question.
Each Question Includes the Correct Answer
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1. It is TRUE that the specificity theory of pain:
A. focuses on the attention of pain.
B. focuses on the previous experience of pain.
C. relates the amount of pain to the amount of soft tissue injury.
D. relates to the emotions exhibited toward pain.
,Answer: C. relates the amount of pain to the amount of soft tissue injury.
Explanation: The specificity theory is one of the oldest theories of pain, proposing that
pain is a specific sensation with its own dedicated sensory receptors and pathways. It
directly correlates the intensity of pain felt with the degree of tissue injury.
2. Which pair of structures regulates the complex emotional responses to pain?
A. Frontal and cerebellar lobes
B. Limbic and reticular system
C. Thalamus and brainstem
D. Midbrain and nuclei of the thalamus
Answer: B. Limbic and reticular system
Explanation: The limbic system is central to processing emotions, and the reticular
system is involved in arousal and alertness. Together, they modulate the affective-
motivational dimension of pain, which encompasses the emotional and subjective
experience (e.g., suffering, fear).
3. Which activity has been documented to increase the levels of circulating
endogenous endorphins?
A. Cough
B. Stress
C. Sleep
D. Pain
Answer: B. Stress
Explanation: Endogenous endorphins are natural opioids produced by the body. Their
release is a well-documented response to stress, serving to inhibit pain signals and produce
analgesia and a sense of well-being as part of the body's stress-coping mechanism.
4. The appropriate definition of perceptual dominance is:
A. the duration of time or intensity of pain before overt pain responses are initiated.
B. pain at one location that may cause an increase in threshold at another location.
C. repeated exposure to a pain stimulus.
D. the point at which pain is perceived.
Answer: B. pain at one location that may cause an increase in threshold at
another location.
Explanation: Perceptual dominance describes the phenomenon where a strong pain in
one part of the body can suppress or inhibit the perception of a less intense pain
elsewhere. This is related to the gate control theory of pain.
5. The appropriate term for pain that is present in an area distant from its point
of origin is:
A. acute pain.
B. chronic pain.
C. referred pain.
D. somatic pain.
Answer: C. referred pain.
Explanation: Referred pain is perceived in a location away from the actual site of the
painful stimulus. This occurs because pain signals from visceral organs and somatic
structures converge on the same spinal neurons, and the brain misinterprets the source
(e.g., heart attack pain referred to the left arm and jaw).
6. Which mechanism does not result in heat loss?
A. Increased respiration
B. Conduction
, C. Convection
D. Vasoconstriction
Answer: D. Vasoconstriction
Explanation: Vasoconstriction is a heat-conservation mechanism. It reduces blood flow to
the skin's surface, minimizing heat loss to the environment. Conduction (direct transfer),
convection (transfer via air/water movement), and increased respiration (evaporative loss)
all promote heat loss.
7. A benefit of fever to human blood includes:
A. decreased lymphocytic transformation.
B. diminished phagocytosis.
C. increased iron concentration.
D. a switch to lipolysis and proteolysis.
Answer: D. a switch to lipolysis and proteolysis.
Explanation: Fever creates a less favorable environment for pathogens. One key benefit
is that it reduces plasma iron levels (which bacteria need) and shifts the body's metabolism
to break down fats (lipolysis) and proteins (proteolysis) for energy instead of
carbohydrates.
8. A patient who was outside on a summer day and is now experiencing
increased sweating and thirst, weakness, and dizziness is exhibiting signs of:
A. heat cramps.
B. heat exhaustion.
C. hyperthermic stroke.
D. malignant hyperthermia.
Answer: B. heat exhaustion.
Explanation: Heat exhaustion is a result of water and electrolyte depletion from
prolonged heat exposure. Symptoms include profuse sweating, thirst, weakness, dizziness,
nausea, and a normal or slightly elevated body temperature. It is a precursor to life-
threatening heatstroke.
9. An obese male presents to a sleep clinic complaining of difficulty sleeping. He
reports that he wakes gasping for air. Which is the most likely diagnosis for this
patient?
A. Primary hypersomnia
B. Parasomnia
C. Somnambulism
D. Obstructive sleep apnea
Answer: D. Obstructive sleep apnea
Explanation: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repeated episodes of
upper airway collapse during sleep, leading to apnea (cessation of breathing) and
subsequent arousal (gasping for air). Obesity is a major risk factor due to increased soft
tissue in the airway.
10. Involuntary unilateral or bilateral rhythmic movement of the eyes is referred
to as:
A. nystagmus.
B. amblyopia.
C. glaucoma.
D. strabismus.
Answer: A. nystagmus.
Explanation: Nystagmus is defined as a repetitive, involuntary, rhythmic movement of the