NR507 FINAL EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
– COMPREHENSIVE ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW WITH
ANSWERS (CHAMBERLAIN 2026)
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease develops anemia
primarily due to:
A. Iron loss in urine
B. Bone marrow suppression
C. Decreased erythropoietin production
D. Increased hemolysis
Answer: C
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin. In CKD, reduced
erythropoietin leads to decreased RBC production and anemia.
2. Which immune cell is primarily responsible for antibody
production?
A. T helper cells
B. Cytotoxic T cells
C. Plasma cells
D. Macrophages
Answer: C
Rationale: Plasma cells are differentiated B lymphocytes that
secrete antibodies.
,3. Left-sided heart failure most commonly results in:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: C
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes blood to back up into
the pulmonary circulation, leading to pulmonary congestion and
dyspnea.
4. Which acid–base imbalance is expected with prolonged
hypoventilation?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypoventilation causes CO₂ retention, increasing
carbonic acid and leading to respiratory acidosis.
5. A patient with iron deficiency anemia is most likely to
have:
A. Elevated ferritin
B. Macrocytic RBCs
C. Microcytic hypochromic RBCs
D. Increased hemoglobin
Answer: C
Rationale: Iron deficiency results in small, pale RBCs due to
impaired hemoglobin synthesis.
,6. Which mechanism best explains edema in heart failure?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Increased hydrostatic pressure
D. Reduced sodium retention
Answer: C
Rationale: Poor cardiac output increases venous pressure,
forcing fluid out of capillaries into interstitial spaces.
7. Type IV hypersensitivity reactions are mediated by:
A. IgE
B. Immune complexes
C. Complement
D. T lymphocytes
Answer: D
Rationale: Type IV reactions are delayed and T-cell mediated
(e.g., contact dermatitis).
8. Which condition is most associated with elevated B-type
natriuretic peptide (BNP)?
A. Liver failure
B. Renal stones
C. Heart failure
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: C
Rationale: BNP is released by ventricular stretch due to volume
overload in heart failure.
, 9. In asthma, airway obstruction is primarily caused by:
A. Loss of surfactant
B. Alveolar collapse
C. Bronchial smooth muscle constriction
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible
bronchoconstriction due to airway hyperresponsiveness.
10. Which lab finding is most consistent with acute
inflammation?
A. Decreased CRP
B. Elevated C-reactive protein
C. Low fibrinogen
D. Reduced ESR
Answer: B
Rationale: CRP is an acute-phase reactant that rises rapidly in
inflammation.
11. Which hormone directly increases sodium and water
reabsorption in the kidneys?
A. Aldosterone
B. Insulin
C. Parathyroid hormone
D. Calcitonin
Answer: A
– COMPREHENSIVE ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW WITH
ANSWERS (CHAMBERLAIN 2026)
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease develops anemia
primarily due to:
A. Iron loss in urine
B. Bone marrow suppression
C. Decreased erythropoietin production
D. Increased hemolysis
Answer: C
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin. In CKD, reduced
erythropoietin leads to decreased RBC production and anemia.
2. Which immune cell is primarily responsible for antibody
production?
A. T helper cells
B. Cytotoxic T cells
C. Plasma cells
D. Macrophages
Answer: C
Rationale: Plasma cells are differentiated B lymphocytes that
secrete antibodies.
,3. Left-sided heart failure most commonly results in:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: C
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes blood to back up into
the pulmonary circulation, leading to pulmonary congestion and
dyspnea.
4. Which acid–base imbalance is expected with prolonged
hypoventilation?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypoventilation causes CO₂ retention, increasing
carbonic acid and leading to respiratory acidosis.
5. A patient with iron deficiency anemia is most likely to
have:
A. Elevated ferritin
B. Macrocytic RBCs
C. Microcytic hypochromic RBCs
D. Increased hemoglobin
Answer: C
Rationale: Iron deficiency results in small, pale RBCs due to
impaired hemoglobin synthesis.
,6. Which mechanism best explains edema in heart failure?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Increased hydrostatic pressure
D. Reduced sodium retention
Answer: C
Rationale: Poor cardiac output increases venous pressure,
forcing fluid out of capillaries into interstitial spaces.
7. Type IV hypersensitivity reactions are mediated by:
A. IgE
B. Immune complexes
C. Complement
D. T lymphocytes
Answer: D
Rationale: Type IV reactions are delayed and T-cell mediated
(e.g., contact dermatitis).
8. Which condition is most associated with elevated B-type
natriuretic peptide (BNP)?
A. Liver failure
B. Renal stones
C. Heart failure
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: C
Rationale: BNP is released by ventricular stretch due to volume
overload in heart failure.
, 9. In asthma, airway obstruction is primarily caused by:
A. Loss of surfactant
B. Alveolar collapse
C. Bronchial smooth muscle constriction
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible
bronchoconstriction due to airway hyperresponsiveness.
10. Which lab finding is most consistent with acute
inflammation?
A. Decreased CRP
B. Elevated C-reactive protein
C. Low fibrinogen
D. Reduced ESR
Answer: B
Rationale: CRP is an acute-phase reactant that rises rapidly in
inflammation.
11. Which hormone directly increases sodium and water
reabsorption in the kidneys?
A. Aldosterone
B. Insulin
C. Parathyroid hormone
D. Calcitonin
Answer: A
