NSG 3850 Exam 2 Patho 2 Comprehensive Pathophysiology
Examination AND WELL VERIFIED ANSWERS ACTUAL!!!! 2026
RESPIRATORY DISORDERS SECTION
Question 1: The nurse is caring for a child who has circulatory hypoxia. Which of the following
should the nurse identify as a potential cause of this condition?
a. Cyanide poisoning
b. Brain injury
c. Anemia
d. Cardiac arrest
ANSWER✨✔-: D
Rationale:
Option A: Cyanide poisoning causes histotoxic hypoxia, not circulatory hypoxia. Cyanide
prevents cells from using oxygen effectively at the cellular level by interfering with cytochrome
oxidase enzymes.
Option B: Brain injury can cause hypoventilation or hyperventilation depending on the area
affected, but it does not directly cause circulatory hypoxia. It may lead to other types of
respiratory compromise.
Option C: Anemia causes anemic hypoxia due to decreased hemoglobin available to carry
oxygen, not circulatory hypoxia. The circulation is adequate, but oxygen-carrying capacity is
reduced.
Option D: Cardiac arrest is correct because circulatory hypoxia occurs when blood flow to
tissues is inadequate to deliver sufficient oxygen. Cardiac arrest stops circulation entirely,
making it a direct cause of circulatory hypoxia.
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Question 2: The nurse has attended a continuing education conference regarding care of clients
who have alterations in pulmonary function. Which of the following statements by the nurse
would indicate a correct understanding of the conference?
a. Restrictive lung disease is a common cause of hypoventilation
,b. Hypoventilation is increased air in the alveoli leading to hypocapnia
c. Hyperventilation is a normal compensatory response to high altitude
d. Opioid analgesics can cause a client to hyperventilate
ANSWER✨✔-: C
Rationale:
Option A: While restrictive lung disease can affect ventilation, it is not the most common cause
of hypoventilation. Obstructive diseases and neuromuscular disorders are more common
causes.
Option B: This is incorrect. Hypoventilation is decreased air movement into and out of the
alveoli, leading to hypercapnia (increased CO2), not hypocapnia.
Option C: This is correct. At high altitude, the partial pressure of oxygen is lower, and the body
compensates by increasing respiratory rate and depth (hyperventilation) to maintain adequate
oxygenation.
Option D: Opioid analgesics depress the respiratory center in the brainstem, causing
hypoventilation, not hyperventilation. This is a dangerous side effect of opioids.
Quizlet
Question 3: The nurse is caring for a client who is suspected of having acute bronchitis. Which
of the following diagnostic findings would confirm the diagnosis?
a. Thick, copious amounts of purulent sputum
b. Recent onset of cough
c. Pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph
d. Increased white blood cell count
ANSWER✨✔-: B
Rationale:
Option A: While sputum production can occur in acute bronchitis, thick copious purulent
sputum is more characteristic of pneumonia or chronic bronchitis exacerbation.
Option B: This is correct. Acute bronchitis is characterized by recent onset of cough (typically
lasting 1-3 weeks) that may be productive or nonproductive. The acute onset is a key diagnostic
feature.
Option C: Pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph indicate pneumonia, not bronchitis. Acute
bronchitis typically shows a normal chest x-ray, which helps differentiate it from pneumonia.
,Option D: While WBC count may be elevated in bacterial infections, acute bronchitis is most
commonly viral, and WBC count is not a reliable diagnostic indicator for this condition.
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Question 4: The nurse is caring for the following assigned clients. The nurse identifies the
greatest risk for development of chronic bronchitis in the client who is:
a. 62 years old, who takes allergy medication, and recently traveled internationally
b. 44 years old, is overweight, and has been treated for multiple airway infections over the last
year
c. 32 years old who has worked in a coal mine for 12 years and has an alpha-1 antitrypsin
deficiency
d. 55 years old who lives in a nursing home and whose mother has pulmonary fibrosis
ANSWER✨✔-: C
Rationale:
Option A: Allergy medication use and international travel do not significantly increase the risk
for chronic bronchitis. These are not established risk factors.
Option B: While being overweight and having multiple airway infections may indicate
respiratory issues, these factors alone do not represent the highest risk for developing chronic
bronchitis.
Option C: This is correct. The client has two major risk factors: occupational exposure to coal
dust (a significant irritant) and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which predisposes to lung tissue
destruction and chronic respiratory diseases. The combination creates extremely high risk.
Option D: Living in a nursing home and family history of pulmonary fibrosis do not significantly
increase chronic bronchitis risk. Pulmonary fibrosis is a different disease process than chronic
bronchitis.
www.studocu.com
Question 5: A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing an
exacerbation. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect to note?
a. Decreased residual volume
b. Increased forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)
c. Prolonged expiratory phase
d. Increased forced vital capacity (FVC)
, ANSWER✨✔-: C
Rationale:
Option A: In COPD, residual volume is increased, not decreased, due to air trapping caused by
airway collapse during exhalation.
Option B: FEV1 is decreased in COPD due to airflow obstruction. An increased FEV1 would
indicate improvement, not exacerbation.
Option C: This is correct. Clients with COPD have a prolonged expiratory phase because of
difficulty exhaling due to airway obstruction and loss of elastic recoil. The expiratory phase may
be 2-3 times longer than the inspiratory phase.
Option D: FVC is typically decreased in COPD due to air trapping and inability to fully exhale.
nurseslabs.com
Question 6: The nurse is assessing a client with pneumonia. Which finding would indicate the
client is developing hypoxemia?
a. Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
b. Restlessness and anxiety
c. Temperature of 101.2°F (38.4°C)
d. Productive cough with green sputum
ANSWER✨✔-: B
Rationale:
Option A: Elevated blood pressure may indicate pain, anxiety, or other conditions but is not a
specific indicator of hypoxemia.
Option B: This is correct. Restlessness and anxiety are early signs of hypoxemia. The brain is
very sensitive to decreased oxygen levels, and mental status changes are often the first
indication of inadequate oxygenation.
Option C: Fever is expected in pneumonia due to the infection but does not specifically indicate
hypoxemia.
Option D: Productive cough with purulent sputum is a typical finding in bacterial pneumonia
but does not indicate hypoxemia specifically.
emedicine.medscape.com
Question 7: A client is diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Which pathophysiological process
should the nurse understand is occurring?
Examination AND WELL VERIFIED ANSWERS ACTUAL!!!! 2026
RESPIRATORY DISORDERS SECTION
Question 1: The nurse is caring for a child who has circulatory hypoxia. Which of the following
should the nurse identify as a potential cause of this condition?
a. Cyanide poisoning
b. Brain injury
c. Anemia
d. Cardiac arrest
ANSWER✨✔-: D
Rationale:
Option A: Cyanide poisoning causes histotoxic hypoxia, not circulatory hypoxia. Cyanide
prevents cells from using oxygen effectively at the cellular level by interfering with cytochrome
oxidase enzymes.
Option B: Brain injury can cause hypoventilation or hyperventilation depending on the area
affected, but it does not directly cause circulatory hypoxia. It may lead to other types of
respiratory compromise.
Option C: Anemia causes anemic hypoxia due to decreased hemoglobin available to carry
oxygen, not circulatory hypoxia. The circulation is adequate, but oxygen-carrying capacity is
reduced.
Option D: Cardiac arrest is correct because circulatory hypoxia occurs when blood flow to
tissues is inadequate to deliver sufficient oxygen. Cardiac arrest stops circulation entirely,
making it a direct cause of circulatory hypoxia.
www.coursehero.com
Question 2: The nurse has attended a continuing education conference regarding care of clients
who have alterations in pulmonary function. Which of the following statements by the nurse
would indicate a correct understanding of the conference?
a. Restrictive lung disease is a common cause of hypoventilation
,b. Hypoventilation is increased air in the alveoli leading to hypocapnia
c. Hyperventilation is a normal compensatory response to high altitude
d. Opioid analgesics can cause a client to hyperventilate
ANSWER✨✔-: C
Rationale:
Option A: While restrictive lung disease can affect ventilation, it is not the most common cause
of hypoventilation. Obstructive diseases and neuromuscular disorders are more common
causes.
Option B: This is incorrect. Hypoventilation is decreased air movement into and out of the
alveoli, leading to hypercapnia (increased CO2), not hypocapnia.
Option C: This is correct. At high altitude, the partial pressure of oxygen is lower, and the body
compensates by increasing respiratory rate and depth (hyperventilation) to maintain adequate
oxygenation.
Option D: Opioid analgesics depress the respiratory center in the brainstem, causing
hypoventilation, not hyperventilation. This is a dangerous side effect of opioids.
Quizlet
Question 3: The nurse is caring for a client who is suspected of having acute bronchitis. Which
of the following diagnostic findings would confirm the diagnosis?
a. Thick, copious amounts of purulent sputum
b. Recent onset of cough
c. Pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph
d. Increased white blood cell count
ANSWER✨✔-: B
Rationale:
Option A: While sputum production can occur in acute bronchitis, thick copious purulent
sputum is more characteristic of pneumonia or chronic bronchitis exacerbation.
Option B: This is correct. Acute bronchitis is characterized by recent onset of cough (typically
lasting 1-3 weeks) that may be productive or nonproductive. The acute onset is a key diagnostic
feature.
Option C: Pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph indicate pneumonia, not bronchitis. Acute
bronchitis typically shows a normal chest x-ray, which helps differentiate it from pneumonia.
,Option D: While WBC count may be elevated in bacterial infections, acute bronchitis is most
commonly viral, and WBC count is not a reliable diagnostic indicator for this condition.
www.studocu.com
Question 4: The nurse is caring for the following assigned clients. The nurse identifies the
greatest risk for development of chronic bronchitis in the client who is:
a. 62 years old, who takes allergy medication, and recently traveled internationally
b. 44 years old, is overweight, and has been treated for multiple airway infections over the last
year
c. 32 years old who has worked in a coal mine for 12 years and has an alpha-1 antitrypsin
deficiency
d. 55 years old who lives in a nursing home and whose mother has pulmonary fibrosis
ANSWER✨✔-: C
Rationale:
Option A: Allergy medication use and international travel do not significantly increase the risk
for chronic bronchitis. These are not established risk factors.
Option B: While being overweight and having multiple airway infections may indicate
respiratory issues, these factors alone do not represent the highest risk for developing chronic
bronchitis.
Option C: This is correct. The client has two major risk factors: occupational exposure to coal
dust (a significant irritant) and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which predisposes to lung tissue
destruction and chronic respiratory diseases. The combination creates extremely high risk.
Option D: Living in a nursing home and family history of pulmonary fibrosis do not significantly
increase chronic bronchitis risk. Pulmonary fibrosis is a different disease process than chronic
bronchitis.
www.studocu.com
Question 5: A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing an
exacerbation. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect to note?
a. Decreased residual volume
b. Increased forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)
c. Prolonged expiratory phase
d. Increased forced vital capacity (FVC)
, ANSWER✨✔-: C
Rationale:
Option A: In COPD, residual volume is increased, not decreased, due to air trapping caused by
airway collapse during exhalation.
Option B: FEV1 is decreased in COPD due to airflow obstruction. An increased FEV1 would
indicate improvement, not exacerbation.
Option C: This is correct. Clients with COPD have a prolonged expiratory phase because of
difficulty exhaling due to airway obstruction and loss of elastic recoil. The expiratory phase may
be 2-3 times longer than the inspiratory phase.
Option D: FVC is typically decreased in COPD due to air trapping and inability to fully exhale.
nurseslabs.com
Question 6: The nurse is assessing a client with pneumonia. Which finding would indicate the
client is developing hypoxemia?
a. Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
b. Restlessness and anxiety
c. Temperature of 101.2°F (38.4°C)
d. Productive cough with green sputum
ANSWER✨✔-: B
Rationale:
Option A: Elevated blood pressure may indicate pain, anxiety, or other conditions but is not a
specific indicator of hypoxemia.
Option B: This is correct. Restlessness and anxiety are early signs of hypoxemia. The brain is
very sensitive to decreased oxygen levels, and mental status changes are often the first
indication of inadequate oxygenation.
Option C: Fever is expected in pneumonia due to the infection but does not specifically indicate
hypoxemia.
Option D: Productive cough with purulent sputum is a typical finding in bacterial pneumonia
but does not indicate hypoxemia specifically.
emedicine.medscape.com
Question 7: A client is diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Which pathophysiological process
should the nurse understand is occurring?
