1 | Page
NURS 6501 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WALDEN
UNIVERSITY MIDTERM EXAM 2026 ACTUAL EXAM AND
PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK | ACCURATE AND VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS | SURE PASS!!! |
GRADED A+
1. Which cellular adaptation is seen in the uterine lining
during pregnancy?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hyperplasia
Rationale: Estrogen stimulates proliferation of endometrial cells,
increasing cell number (hyperplasia).
2. Which mechanism underlies hypoxemia in pneumonia?
A) Increased tidal volume
B) Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
C) Reduced oxygen demand
D) Increased lung compliance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumonia causes alveolar consolidation, impairing
gas exchange and creating V/Q mismatch.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with
cardiac arrhythmias?
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A) Hypokalemia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low potassium alters cardiac action potentials,
increasing risk of arrhythmias.
4. What is the primary pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus?
A) Insulin resistance in tissues
B) Autoimmune destruction of beta cells
C) Increased hepatic glucose production
D) Excessive glucagon secretion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 DM results from autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, causing absolute insulin deficiency.
5. In left-sided heart failure, which clinical finding is most
expected?
A) Peripheral edema
B) Pulmonary congestion and dyspnea
C) Jugular vein distension
D) Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left heart failure causes backup into pulmonary
circulation, leading to dyspnea, orthopnea, and rales.
6. Which cytokine is most associated with fever
development?
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A) IL-1
B) TNF-alpha
C) IL-10
D) Interferon-gamma
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Interleukin-1 acts on the hypothalamus, raising the
thermoregulatory set point and causing fever.
7. Which condition is characterized by demyelination in
the central nervous system?
A) Guillain-Barré Syndrome
B) Multiple Sclerosis
C) Myasthenia Gravis
D) Parkinson’s Disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Multiple sclerosis causes autoimmune-mediated CNS
demyelination, impairing neuronal conduction.
8. Which lab result is most consistent with chronic kidney
disease?
A) Elevated creatinine and decreased GFR
B) Low BUN and high GFR
C) Increased urine output
D) Elevated hemoglobin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CKD reduces filtration, causing increased creatinine,
uremia, and decreased GFR.
9. Which mechanism causes hypotension in septic shock?
, 4 | Page
A) Increased cardiac contractility
B) Widespread vasodilation
C) Reduced oxygen consumption
D) Increased preload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inflammatory mediators (e.g., nitric oxide) cause
systemic vasodilation and capillary leak.
10. Which genetic pattern describes autosomal dominant
inheritance?
A) Two copies of gene required for expression
B) Only males affected
C) One copy sufficient for expression
D) Carriers always asymptomatic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In autosomal dominant conditions, a single mutated
allele is enough to manifest disease.
11. In asthma, which immune cell plays a major role in
airway inflammation?
A) Neutrophils
B) Eosinophils
C) Monocytes
D) Basophils
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eosinophils release inflammatory mediators causing
airway hyperresponsiveness.
12. Which finding indicates metabolic acidosis
compensation?
NURS 6501 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WALDEN
UNIVERSITY MIDTERM EXAM 2026 ACTUAL EXAM AND
PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK | ACCURATE AND VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS | SURE PASS!!! |
GRADED A+
1. Which cellular adaptation is seen in the uterine lining
during pregnancy?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hyperplasia
Rationale: Estrogen stimulates proliferation of endometrial cells,
increasing cell number (hyperplasia).
2. Which mechanism underlies hypoxemia in pneumonia?
A) Increased tidal volume
B) Ventilation-perfusion mismatch
C) Reduced oxygen demand
D) Increased lung compliance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumonia causes alveolar consolidation, impairing
gas exchange and creating V/Q mismatch.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with
cardiac arrhythmias?
,2 | Page
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low potassium alters cardiac action potentials,
increasing risk of arrhythmias.
4. What is the primary pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus?
A) Insulin resistance in tissues
B) Autoimmune destruction of beta cells
C) Increased hepatic glucose production
D) Excessive glucagon secretion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 DM results from autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, causing absolute insulin deficiency.
5. In left-sided heart failure, which clinical finding is most
expected?
A) Peripheral edema
B) Pulmonary congestion and dyspnea
C) Jugular vein distension
D) Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left heart failure causes backup into pulmonary
circulation, leading to dyspnea, orthopnea, and rales.
6. Which cytokine is most associated with fever
development?
,3 | Page
A) IL-1
B) TNF-alpha
C) IL-10
D) Interferon-gamma
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Interleukin-1 acts on the hypothalamus, raising the
thermoregulatory set point and causing fever.
7. Which condition is characterized by demyelination in
the central nervous system?
A) Guillain-Barré Syndrome
B) Multiple Sclerosis
C) Myasthenia Gravis
D) Parkinson’s Disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Multiple sclerosis causes autoimmune-mediated CNS
demyelination, impairing neuronal conduction.
8. Which lab result is most consistent with chronic kidney
disease?
A) Elevated creatinine and decreased GFR
B) Low BUN and high GFR
C) Increased urine output
D) Elevated hemoglobin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CKD reduces filtration, causing increased creatinine,
uremia, and decreased GFR.
9. Which mechanism causes hypotension in septic shock?
, 4 | Page
A) Increased cardiac contractility
B) Widespread vasodilation
C) Reduced oxygen consumption
D) Increased preload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inflammatory mediators (e.g., nitric oxide) cause
systemic vasodilation and capillary leak.
10. Which genetic pattern describes autosomal dominant
inheritance?
A) Two copies of gene required for expression
B) Only males affected
C) One copy sufficient for expression
D) Carriers always asymptomatic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In autosomal dominant conditions, a single mutated
allele is enough to manifest disease.
11. In asthma, which immune cell plays a major role in
airway inflammation?
A) Neutrophils
B) Eosinophils
C) Monocytes
D) Basophils
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Eosinophils release inflammatory mediators causing
airway hyperresponsiveness.
12. Which finding indicates metabolic acidosis
compensation?
