Chamberlain University NR 283
Pathophysiology Practice Exam Set 2 | 100
Original NCLEX-Style Practice Questions
with Detailed Rationales
1. A patient with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is most
likely to present with:
A. Hypernatremia
B. Polyuria
C. Hyponatremia and confusion
D. Severe dehydration
Answer: C
Rationale: Excess ADH causes water retention, diluting serum sodium and potentially leading to
confusion.
2. Which electrolyte is most important for normal neuromuscular transmission?
A. Chloride
B. Calcium
C. Phosphate
D. Bicarbonate
Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium is essential for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and blood
clotting.
3. A patient with acute blood loss is most likely to develop which type of shock?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Septic
C. Hypovolemic
D. Neurogenic
,Answer: C
Rationale: Significant blood loss reduces circulating volume and tissue perfusion.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with hypercalcemia?
A. Tetany
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Muscle weakness and constipation
D. Positive Chvostek sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypercalcemia decreases neuromuscular excitability, often causing weakness and
constipation.
5. During the inflammatory response, which mediator is primarily responsible for increasing
vascular permeability?
A. Insulin
B. Histamine
C. Aldosterone
D. Erythropoietin
Answer: B
Rationale: Histamine promotes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
6. A patient with emphysema develops shortness of breath because of:
A. Increased alveolar surface area
B. Destruction of alveolar walls reducing gas exchange
C. Increased mucus production only
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of alveolar walls reduces the surface area available for oxygen and carbon
dioxide exchange.
, 7. Which hormone is secreted by pancreatic beta cells?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Growth hormone
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta cells synthesize and release insulin to lower blood glucose.
8. Which laboratory finding is expected in dehydration?
A. Decreased hematocrit
B. Increased hematocrit
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Low serum sodium in all cases
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluid loss concentrates blood components, increasing hematocrit.
9. A patient with bacterial pneumonia develops fever. The elevated body temperature is
primarily caused by:
A. Increased insulin secretion
B. Pyrogens resetting the hypothalamic temperature set point
C. Decreased metabolic activity
D. Reduced cerebral blood flow
Answer: B
Rationale: Endogenous and exogenous pyrogens stimulate the hypothalamus to raise the body's
temperature set point.
10. Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Serum sodium
B. Troponin
C. Albumin
D. Bilirubin
Pathophysiology Practice Exam Set 2 | 100
Original NCLEX-Style Practice Questions
with Detailed Rationales
1. A patient with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is most
likely to present with:
A. Hypernatremia
B. Polyuria
C. Hyponatremia and confusion
D. Severe dehydration
Answer: C
Rationale: Excess ADH causes water retention, diluting serum sodium and potentially leading to
confusion.
2. Which electrolyte is most important for normal neuromuscular transmission?
A. Chloride
B. Calcium
C. Phosphate
D. Bicarbonate
Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium is essential for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and blood
clotting.
3. A patient with acute blood loss is most likely to develop which type of shock?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Septic
C. Hypovolemic
D. Neurogenic
,Answer: C
Rationale: Significant blood loss reduces circulating volume and tissue perfusion.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with hypercalcemia?
A. Tetany
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Muscle weakness and constipation
D. Positive Chvostek sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypercalcemia decreases neuromuscular excitability, often causing weakness and
constipation.
5. During the inflammatory response, which mediator is primarily responsible for increasing
vascular permeability?
A. Insulin
B. Histamine
C. Aldosterone
D. Erythropoietin
Answer: B
Rationale: Histamine promotes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
6. A patient with emphysema develops shortness of breath because of:
A. Increased alveolar surface area
B. Destruction of alveolar walls reducing gas exchange
C. Increased mucus production only
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of alveolar walls reduces the surface area available for oxygen and carbon
dioxide exchange.
, 7. Which hormone is secreted by pancreatic beta cells?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Growth hormone
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta cells synthesize and release insulin to lower blood glucose.
8. Which laboratory finding is expected in dehydration?
A. Decreased hematocrit
B. Increased hematocrit
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Low serum sodium in all cases
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluid loss concentrates blood components, increasing hematocrit.
9. A patient with bacterial pneumonia develops fever. The elevated body temperature is
primarily caused by:
A. Increased insulin secretion
B. Pyrogens resetting the hypothalamic temperature set point
C. Decreased metabolic activity
D. Reduced cerebral blood flow
Answer: B
Rationale: Endogenous and exogenous pyrogens stimulate the hypothalamus to raise the body's
temperature set point.
10. Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. Serum sodium
B. Troponin
C. Albumin
D. Bilirubin
