Chamberlain University NR 283
Pathophysiology Practice Exam | 100 Original
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
1. A patient with severe dehydration is most likely to present with which assessment finding?
A. Bounding pulse and hypertension
B. Dry mucous membranes and tachycardia
C. Generalized edema
D. Bradycardia and weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Dehydration reduces circulating volume, causing tachycardia, dry mucous
membranes, and poor skin turgor.
2. Which electrolyte is the primary intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Chloride
C. Potassium
D. Calcium
Answer: C
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular cation and is essential for nerve conduction and
muscle contraction.
3. A patient has pH 7.28 and HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L. Which acid-base disorder is present?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
,Rationale: A low pH with a decreased bicarbonate level indicates metabolic acidosis.
4. Which hormone is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Aldosterone
Answer: B
Rationale: Pancreatic beta cells produce insulin, which lowers blood glucose.
5. A patient with bacterial pneumonia develops hypoxemia primarily because:
A. Oxygen cannot effectively diffuse across inflamed alveoli
B. Cardiac output is increased
C. Blood glucose decreases
D. Kidney function improves
Answer: A
Rationale: Alveolar inflammation and fluid impair oxygen diffusion.
6. Which patient is at greatest risk for hyperkalemia?
A. A patient with advanced chronic kidney disease
B. A patient with prolonged diarrhea
C. A patient taking a loop diuretic only
D. A patient with hyperthyroidism
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced renal excretion of potassium increases the risk of hyperkalemia.
7. During an allergic reaction, histamine causes:
A. Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
B. Increased erythropoietin production
, C. Platelet aggregation
D. Bone resorption
Answer: A
Rationale: Histamine contributes to redness, swelling, and other inflammatory responses.
8. Which assessment finding is most consistent with left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Pulmonary crackles and orthopnea
C. Splenomegaly
D. Peripheral cyanosis only
Answer: B
Rationale: Left ventricular dysfunction causes pulmonary congestion, leading to crackles and
difficulty breathing when lying flat.
9. Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating long-term diabetes control?
A. Random blood glucose
B. Fasting insulin
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Serum sodium
Answer: C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2–3 months.
10. Which condition commonly causes metabolic alkalosis?
A. Persistent vomiting
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis
C. Severe diarrhea
D. Renal failure
Answer: A
Rationale: Vomiting causes loss of gastric acid, increasing blood pH.
Pathophysiology Practice Exam | 100 Original
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
1. A patient with severe dehydration is most likely to present with which assessment finding?
A. Bounding pulse and hypertension
B. Dry mucous membranes and tachycardia
C. Generalized edema
D. Bradycardia and weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Dehydration reduces circulating volume, causing tachycardia, dry mucous
membranes, and poor skin turgor.
2. Which electrolyte is the primary intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Chloride
C. Potassium
D. Calcium
Answer: C
Rationale: Potassium is the major intracellular cation and is essential for nerve conduction and
muscle contraction.
3. A patient has pH 7.28 and HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L. Which acid-base disorder is present?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
,Rationale: A low pH with a decreased bicarbonate level indicates metabolic acidosis.
4. Which hormone is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas?
A. Glucagon
B. Insulin
C. Cortisol
D. Aldosterone
Answer: B
Rationale: Pancreatic beta cells produce insulin, which lowers blood glucose.
5. A patient with bacterial pneumonia develops hypoxemia primarily because:
A. Oxygen cannot effectively diffuse across inflamed alveoli
B. Cardiac output is increased
C. Blood glucose decreases
D. Kidney function improves
Answer: A
Rationale: Alveolar inflammation and fluid impair oxygen diffusion.
6. Which patient is at greatest risk for hyperkalemia?
A. A patient with advanced chronic kidney disease
B. A patient with prolonged diarrhea
C. A patient taking a loop diuretic only
D. A patient with hyperthyroidism
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced renal excretion of potassium increases the risk of hyperkalemia.
7. During an allergic reaction, histamine causes:
A. Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
B. Increased erythropoietin production
, C. Platelet aggregation
D. Bone resorption
Answer: A
Rationale: Histamine contributes to redness, swelling, and other inflammatory responses.
8. Which assessment finding is most consistent with left-sided heart failure?
A. Ascites
B. Pulmonary crackles and orthopnea
C. Splenomegaly
D. Peripheral cyanosis only
Answer: B
Rationale: Left ventricular dysfunction causes pulmonary congestion, leading to crackles and
difficulty breathing when lying flat.
9. Which laboratory value is most useful for evaluating long-term diabetes control?
A. Random blood glucose
B. Fasting insulin
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Serum sodium
Answer: C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects average blood glucose over the previous 2–3 months.
10. Which condition commonly causes metabolic alkalosis?
A. Persistent vomiting
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis
C. Severe diarrhea
D. Renal failure
Answer: A
Rationale: Vomiting causes loss of gastric acid, increasing blood pH.
