NURS 230 (2026/2027) Pathophysiology Exam I
(Units 1–4) Q&A Workbook
Question 1 | Domain: Pathophysiology
What is the normal reference range for arterial blood pH?
A. 7.25–7.35
B. 7.35–7.45
C. 7.45–7.55
D. 7.30–7.50
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
The normal arterial pH range is 7.35–7.45, reflecting the body's tight regulation of
hydrogen ion concentration. Values below 7.35 indicate acidosis, while values above
7.45 indicate alkalosis. This range is foundational to interpreting all acid-base disorders.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
,Question 2 | Domain: Pathophysiology
A patient with severe COPD develops hypoventilation. Which acid-base disorder is
most likely to result?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Hypoventilation causes retention of carbon dioxide, increasing PaCO₂ and lowering pH,
producing respiratory acidosis. COPD impairs gas exchange and ventilation, making
CO₂ retention common. The kidneys will attempt to compensate by retaining
bicarbonate over time.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
Question 3 | Domain: Pathophysiology
A disorder that appears in every generation and affects males and females with equal
frequency most likely follows which inheritance pattern?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked recessive
D. Mitochondrial
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Autosomal dominant disorders typically appear in every generation because only one
copy of the mutated gene is needed for expression. Males and females are equally
affected since the gene is not located on a sex chromosome. Recessive and X-linked
patterns typically skip generations or show sex-based differences.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
,Question 4 | Domain: Pathophysiology
Which combination represents the cardinal local signs of acute inflammation?
A. Fever, leukocytosis, malaise
B. Redness, heat, swelling, pain, loss of function
C. Elevated ESR, elevated CRP, fatigue
D. Pallor, diaphoresis, tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
The five cardinal local signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss
of function, resulting from vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and chemical
mediator release. Fever and elevated ESR/CRP are systemic, not local, manifestations.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
Question 5 | Domain: Pathophysiology
Maternal antibodies transferred to a newborn through the placenta are an example of
which type of immunity?
A. Active natural immunity
B. Active artificial immunity
C. Passive natural immunity
D. Passive artificial immunity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Passive natural immunity occurs when preformed antibodies are transferred from one
person to another, such as from mother to fetus across the placenta. This protection is
temporary because the recipient's own immune system did not produce the antibodies.
Active immunity requires the individual's own immune response and memory cell
formation.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
, Question 6 | Domain: Pathophysiology
Which organelle is primarily responsible for generating ATP through aerobic
metabolism?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Mitochondria contain the enzymes necessary for oxidative phosphorylation and the
citric acid cycle, making them the primary site of cellular ATP production. Cellular injury
that damages mitochondria rapidly impairs energy-dependent processes. The other
organelles listed serve roles in protein synthesis and transport rather than energy
production.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
Question 7 | Domain: Pathophysiology
Caseous necrosis is most characteristically associated with which condition?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Tuberculosis
C. Pancreatitis
D. Cerebral infarction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Caseous necrosis produces a cheese-like, friable tissue appearance and is classically
associated with tuberculosis infection due to the combination of cellular and tissue
destruction with incomplete digestion of dead cells. Liquefactive necrosis is typical of
cerebral infarction, fat necrosis with pancreatitis, and coagulative necrosis with
myocardial infarction.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
(Units 1–4) Q&A Workbook
Question 1 | Domain: Pathophysiology
What is the normal reference range for arterial blood pH?
A. 7.25–7.35
B. 7.35–7.45
C. 7.45–7.55
D. 7.30–7.50
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
The normal arterial pH range is 7.35–7.45, reflecting the body's tight regulation of
hydrogen ion concentration. Values below 7.35 indicate acidosis, while values above
7.45 indicate alkalosis. This range is foundational to interpreting all acid-base disorders.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
,Question 2 | Domain: Pathophysiology
A patient with severe COPD develops hypoventilation. Which acid-base disorder is
most likely to result?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Hypoventilation causes retention of carbon dioxide, increasing PaCO₂ and lowering pH,
producing respiratory acidosis. COPD impairs gas exchange and ventilation, making
CO₂ retention common. The kidneys will attempt to compensate by retaining
bicarbonate over time.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
Question 3 | Domain: Pathophysiology
A disorder that appears in every generation and affects males and females with equal
frequency most likely follows which inheritance pattern?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked recessive
D. Mitochondrial
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Autosomal dominant disorders typically appear in every generation because only one
copy of the mutated gene is needed for expression. Males and females are equally
affected since the gene is not located on a sex chromosome. Recessive and X-linked
patterns typically skip generations or show sex-based differences.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
,Question 4 | Domain: Pathophysiology
Which combination represents the cardinal local signs of acute inflammation?
A. Fever, leukocytosis, malaise
B. Redness, heat, swelling, pain, loss of function
C. Elevated ESR, elevated CRP, fatigue
D. Pallor, diaphoresis, tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
The five cardinal local signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss
of function, resulting from vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and chemical
mediator release. Fever and elevated ESR/CRP are systemic, not local, manifestations.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
Question 5 | Domain: Pathophysiology
Maternal antibodies transferred to a newborn through the placenta are an example of
which type of immunity?
A. Active natural immunity
B. Active artificial immunity
C. Passive natural immunity
D. Passive artificial immunity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Passive natural immunity occurs when preformed antibodies are transferred from one
person to another, such as from mother to fetus across the placenta. This protection is
temporary because the recipient's own immune system did not produce the antibodies.
Active immunity requires the individual's own immune response and memory cell
formation.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
, Question 6 | Domain: Pathophysiology
Which organelle is primarily responsible for generating ATP through aerobic
metabolism?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Mitochondria contain the enzymes necessary for oxidative phosphorylation and the
citric acid cycle, making them the primary site of cellular ATP production. Cellular injury
that damages mitochondria rapidly impairs energy-dependent processes. The other
organelles listed serve roles in protein synthesis and transport rather than energy
production.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
Question 7 | Domain: Pathophysiology
Caseous necrosis is most characteristically associated with which condition?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Tuberculosis
C. Pancreatitis
D. Cerebral infarction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Caseous necrosis produces a cheese-like, friable tissue appearance and is classically
associated with tuberculosis infection due to the combination of cellular and tissue
destruction with incomplete digestion of dead cells. Liquefactive necrosis is typical of
cerebral infarction, fat necrosis with pancreatitis, and coagulative necrosis with
myocardial infarction.
Distractor Analysis
Review why the remaining options are less appropriate based on the rationale and core
pathophysiology concepts.
