, NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology
Midterm & Final Exam: Walden
University NP Study Guide 2026 – 400+
Verified Questions, Answers & Rationales
| 4 Exam Versions | Instant Download
1. A runner has depleted all the oxygen available for muscle energy. Which of the
following will facilitate continued muscle performance in the absence of oxygen?
A) Aerobic glycolysis
B) Oxidative phosphorylation
C) Anaerobic glycolysis
D) Gluconeogenesis
Correct Answer: C) Anaerobic glycolysis
Rationale: Without oxygen, cells rely on anaerobic glycolysis to produce ATP. This
process generates lactic acid and is much less efficient than aerobic metabolism, but it
allows short bursts of continued muscle activity.
2. A patient has a genetic defect that causes the sodium-potassium pump to
function at only 20% efficiency. What expected finding would the healthcare
professional relate to this defect?
A) Cellular dehydration
B) Cellular swelling
C) Hyperpolarization of the cell membrane
D) Increased protein synthesis
Correct Answer: B) Cellular swelling
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump maintains osmotic balance by pumping 3 sodium
,ions out and 2 potassium ions into the cell. If it fails, sodium accumulates inside the cell,
drawing water in via osmosis, leading to cellular swelling (hydropic degeneration).
3. What causes the rapid change in the resting membrane potential that initiates
an action potential?
A) Potassium gates open and potassium rushes out of the cell
B) Sodium gates open and sodium rushes into the cell
C) Calcium gates open and calcium enters the cell
D) Chloride gates open and chloride leaves the cell
Correct Answer: B) Sodium gates open and sodium rushes into the cell
Rationale: The rapid depolarization phase of an action potential is caused by the
opening of voltage-gated sodium channels, allowing sodium ions to rush into the cell
and change the membrane potential from negative to positive.
4. Sodium and water accumulation in an injured cell are a direct result of:
A) Increased ATP production
B) Decreased ATP production
C) Increased protein synthesis
D) Decreased membrane permeability
Correct Answer: B) Decreased ATP production
Rationale: Decreased ATP production impairs the function of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump, causing
sodium to accumulate inside the cell. Water follows sodium by osmosis, leading to
cellular swelling.
5. Which principle should the nurse remember when trying to distinguish aging
from diseases?
A) Aging is a result of lifestyle choices only
B) It is difficult to tell the difference because both processes are believed to result from
cell injury
C) Aging is reversible, while disease is not
D) Disease only occurs due to genetic mutations
, Correct Answer: B) It is difficult to tell the difference because both processes are
believed to result from cell injury
Rationale: Many theories of aging suggest accumulated cellular damage over time. It is
often hard to distinguish "normal" age-related decline from pathological changes
because both stem from cellular injury and adaptation.
6. The early dilation (swelling) of the cell's endoplasmic reticulum results in:
A) Increased protein synthesis
B) Reduced protein synthesis
C) Enhanced ATP production
D) Cellular proliferation
Correct Answer: B) Reduced protein synthesis
Rationale: Endoplasmic reticulum swelling interferes with protein synthesis, as the ER is
the site of protein production. This is an early sign of reversible cell injury.
7. A nurse is reading a chart and sees the term oncotic pressure. The nurse recalls
that oncotic pressure (colloid osmotic pressure) is determined by:
A) Sodium concentration
B) Plasma proteins
C) Blood pressure
D) Urine output
Correct Answer: B) Plasma proteins
Rationale: Oncotic pressure is determined by plasma proteins, primarily albumin. This
pressure draws water into the vascular compartment from the interstitial space.
8. The ion transporter that moves Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ simultaneously in the same
direction is an example of which type of transport?
A) Antiport
B) Symport
C) Uniport
D) Facilitated diffusion
Midterm & Final Exam: Walden
University NP Study Guide 2026 – 400+
Verified Questions, Answers & Rationales
| 4 Exam Versions | Instant Download
1. A runner has depleted all the oxygen available for muscle energy. Which of the
following will facilitate continued muscle performance in the absence of oxygen?
A) Aerobic glycolysis
B) Oxidative phosphorylation
C) Anaerobic glycolysis
D) Gluconeogenesis
Correct Answer: C) Anaerobic glycolysis
Rationale: Without oxygen, cells rely on anaerobic glycolysis to produce ATP. This
process generates lactic acid and is much less efficient than aerobic metabolism, but it
allows short bursts of continued muscle activity.
2. A patient has a genetic defect that causes the sodium-potassium pump to
function at only 20% efficiency. What expected finding would the healthcare
professional relate to this defect?
A) Cellular dehydration
B) Cellular swelling
C) Hyperpolarization of the cell membrane
D) Increased protein synthesis
Correct Answer: B) Cellular swelling
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump maintains osmotic balance by pumping 3 sodium
,ions out and 2 potassium ions into the cell. If it fails, sodium accumulates inside the cell,
drawing water in via osmosis, leading to cellular swelling (hydropic degeneration).
3. What causes the rapid change in the resting membrane potential that initiates
an action potential?
A) Potassium gates open and potassium rushes out of the cell
B) Sodium gates open and sodium rushes into the cell
C) Calcium gates open and calcium enters the cell
D) Chloride gates open and chloride leaves the cell
Correct Answer: B) Sodium gates open and sodium rushes into the cell
Rationale: The rapid depolarization phase of an action potential is caused by the
opening of voltage-gated sodium channels, allowing sodium ions to rush into the cell
and change the membrane potential from negative to positive.
4. Sodium and water accumulation in an injured cell are a direct result of:
A) Increased ATP production
B) Decreased ATP production
C) Increased protein synthesis
D) Decreased membrane permeability
Correct Answer: B) Decreased ATP production
Rationale: Decreased ATP production impairs the function of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump, causing
sodium to accumulate inside the cell. Water follows sodium by osmosis, leading to
cellular swelling.
5. Which principle should the nurse remember when trying to distinguish aging
from diseases?
A) Aging is a result of lifestyle choices only
B) It is difficult to tell the difference because both processes are believed to result from
cell injury
C) Aging is reversible, while disease is not
D) Disease only occurs due to genetic mutations
, Correct Answer: B) It is difficult to tell the difference because both processes are
believed to result from cell injury
Rationale: Many theories of aging suggest accumulated cellular damage over time. It is
often hard to distinguish "normal" age-related decline from pathological changes
because both stem from cellular injury and adaptation.
6. The early dilation (swelling) of the cell's endoplasmic reticulum results in:
A) Increased protein synthesis
B) Reduced protein synthesis
C) Enhanced ATP production
D) Cellular proliferation
Correct Answer: B) Reduced protein synthesis
Rationale: Endoplasmic reticulum swelling interferes with protein synthesis, as the ER is
the site of protein production. This is an early sign of reversible cell injury.
7. A nurse is reading a chart and sees the term oncotic pressure. The nurse recalls
that oncotic pressure (colloid osmotic pressure) is determined by:
A) Sodium concentration
B) Plasma proteins
C) Blood pressure
D) Urine output
Correct Answer: B) Plasma proteins
Rationale: Oncotic pressure is determined by plasma proteins, primarily albumin. This
pressure draws water into the vascular compartment from the interstitial space.
8. The ion transporter that moves Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ simultaneously in the same
direction is an example of which type of transport?
A) Antiport
B) Symport
C) Uniport
D) Facilitated diffusion
