NUR 376
EXAM 3
(Applied Pathophysiology)
Actual Questions with Correct Answers
Concordia University’s
What’s Included:
• EXAM + STUDY GUIDE
• 50+ verified questions with Correct answers
with Rationales.
• Multiple-choice questions
• select-all-that-apply (SATA) questions
• Matching & Sequencing questions
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,Table of Contents
NUR 376 EXAM 3 .................................................................. 2
NUR 376 EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE ......................................... 29
NUR 376 EXAM 3
1. A patient is worried about her risk of developing a stroke because her mother had a stroke
in her early 60s. Which of the following could the nurse convey as factors that increase a
person’s risk for stroke? Select all that apply.
a. Tobacco usage
b. African American race
c. Active lifestyle
d. Family history of stroke
e. Hypotension
Correct Answers: a, b, d
Rationale:
Nonmodifiable risk factors for stroke include family history, advanced age, African American
race, male sex, and prior stroke/TIA. Modifiable risks include hypertension (not hypotension),
tobacco use, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and physical inactivity. An active lifestyle is
protective, not a risk factor.
2. A nurse is explaining to a patient that her signs and symptoms are due to the degeneration
of the protective sheath of her neurons, the myelin sheath. What disease does the patient
have?
a. Parkinson’s disease
b. Huntington’s disease
,c. Multiple sclerosis
d. Myasthenia gravis
Correct Answer: c
Rationale:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system
characterized by patchy destruction of myelin sheaths. Parkinson’s involves dopaminergic
neuron degeneration; Huntington’s is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder; myasthenia gravis
affects acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.
3. A patient presents with hemiparesis on the left side following a stroke. What is the patient
experiencing?
a. Confusion and disorientation
b. Loss of sensation
c. Muscle weakness
d. Damage to the left side of the brain
Correct Answer: c
Rationale:
Hemiparesis refers to weakness on one side of the body. Because motor pathways decussate,
left-sided hemiparesis indicates right hemisphere brain damage. It is distinct from hemiplegia
(paralysis) and does not inherently imply sensory loss or confusion.
4. A patient has atrial fibrillation. Which stroke type does the patient have an increased risk of
developing?
a. Asymptomatic
b. Hemorrhagic
c. Hypocapnic
d. Ischemic
Correct Answer: d
Rationale:
Atrial fibrillation causes blood stasis in the atria, promoting thrombus formation. Emboli can
dislodge and travel to cerebral arteries, causing ischemic (embolic) stroke. While hemorrhagic
stroke is possible if anticoagulation is used, the primary risk from AFib itself is ischemic.
, 5. A clinician sees signs of increasing intracranial pressure (ICP). Which of the following should
be her priority?
a. Ask the patient to try different movements to see whether pain is lessened
b. Assess vital signs and stabilize blood pressure
c. Begin preparing the patient for surgery
d. Reexamine the patient in 30 minutes to see whether the body has been compensating
effectively
Correct Answer: b
Rationale:
Rising ICP can precipitate cerebral herniation and cardiovascular collapse. The immediate
priority is assessing vital signs (including blood pressure and respiratory pattern) to detect
Cushing’s triad (hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations) and stabilize the patient
before further intervention.
6. Which of the following are common neurotransmitters? Select all that apply.
a. Dopamine
b. Epinephrine
c. GABA
d. Gastrin
e. Norepinephrine
Correct Answers: a, c, e
Rationale:
Dopamine, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and norepinephrine are major CNS
neurotransmitters. Epinephrine functions primarily as a hormone (adrenal medulla) and has
limited CNS neurotransmitter roles. Gastrin is a gastrointestinal hormone, not a
neurotransmitter.
7. A nursing educator is asking students to review the cerebral artery most commonly affected
in strokes. What is the correct response?
a. Anterior cerebral artery
b. Basilar artery
EXAM 3
(Applied Pathophysiology)
Actual Questions with Correct Answers
Concordia University’s
What’s Included:
• EXAM + STUDY GUIDE
• 50+ verified questions with Correct answers
with Rationales.
• Multiple-choice questions
• select-all-that-apply (SATA) questions
• Matching & Sequencing questions
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,Table of Contents
NUR 376 EXAM 3 .................................................................. 2
NUR 376 EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE ......................................... 29
NUR 376 EXAM 3
1. A patient is worried about her risk of developing a stroke because her mother had a stroke
in her early 60s. Which of the following could the nurse convey as factors that increase a
person’s risk for stroke? Select all that apply.
a. Tobacco usage
b. African American race
c. Active lifestyle
d. Family history of stroke
e. Hypotension
Correct Answers: a, b, d
Rationale:
Nonmodifiable risk factors for stroke include family history, advanced age, African American
race, male sex, and prior stroke/TIA. Modifiable risks include hypertension (not hypotension),
tobacco use, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and physical inactivity. An active lifestyle is
protective, not a risk factor.
2. A nurse is explaining to a patient that her signs and symptoms are due to the degeneration
of the protective sheath of her neurons, the myelin sheath. What disease does the patient
have?
a. Parkinson’s disease
b. Huntington’s disease
,c. Multiple sclerosis
d. Myasthenia gravis
Correct Answer: c
Rationale:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system
characterized by patchy destruction of myelin sheaths. Parkinson’s involves dopaminergic
neuron degeneration; Huntington’s is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder; myasthenia gravis
affects acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.
3. A patient presents with hemiparesis on the left side following a stroke. What is the patient
experiencing?
a. Confusion and disorientation
b. Loss of sensation
c. Muscle weakness
d. Damage to the left side of the brain
Correct Answer: c
Rationale:
Hemiparesis refers to weakness on one side of the body. Because motor pathways decussate,
left-sided hemiparesis indicates right hemisphere brain damage. It is distinct from hemiplegia
(paralysis) and does not inherently imply sensory loss or confusion.
4. A patient has atrial fibrillation. Which stroke type does the patient have an increased risk of
developing?
a. Asymptomatic
b. Hemorrhagic
c. Hypocapnic
d. Ischemic
Correct Answer: d
Rationale:
Atrial fibrillation causes blood stasis in the atria, promoting thrombus formation. Emboli can
dislodge and travel to cerebral arteries, causing ischemic (embolic) stroke. While hemorrhagic
stroke is possible if anticoagulation is used, the primary risk from AFib itself is ischemic.
, 5. A clinician sees signs of increasing intracranial pressure (ICP). Which of the following should
be her priority?
a. Ask the patient to try different movements to see whether pain is lessened
b. Assess vital signs and stabilize blood pressure
c. Begin preparing the patient for surgery
d. Reexamine the patient in 30 minutes to see whether the body has been compensating
effectively
Correct Answer: b
Rationale:
Rising ICP can precipitate cerebral herniation and cardiovascular collapse. The immediate
priority is assessing vital signs (including blood pressure and respiratory pattern) to detect
Cushing’s triad (hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations) and stabilize the patient
before further intervention.
6. Which of the following are common neurotransmitters? Select all that apply.
a. Dopamine
b. Epinephrine
c. GABA
d. Gastrin
e. Norepinephrine
Correct Answers: a, c, e
Rationale:
Dopamine, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and norepinephrine are major CNS
neurotransmitters. Epinephrine functions primarily as a hormone (adrenal medulla) and has
limited CNS neurotransmitter roles. Gastrin is a gastrointestinal hormone, not a
neurotransmitter.
7. A nursing educator is asking students to review the cerebral artery most commonly affected
in strokes. What is the correct response?
a. Anterior cerebral artery
b. Basilar artery
