NSG 530 EXAM 2 – ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of pulmonary edema in a
patient with left-sided heart failure?
A. Increased pulmonary capillary oncotic pressure
B. Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Decreased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
D. Decreased alveolar surface tension
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In left-sided heart failure, the left ventricle fails to pump
efficiently, leading to a backup of blood into the left atrium and pulmonary veins, which
increases pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure and forces fluid into the alveoli.
2. A patient presents with a blood pressure of 190/120 mmHg and evidence of acute retinal
hemorrhages. Which classification best describes this presentation?
A. Hypertensive Emergency
,B. Hypertensive Urgency
C. Primary Hypertension
D. Isolated Systolic Hypertension
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertensive emergency is defined by severely elevated blood
pressure (>180/120) accompanied by evidence of acute target organ damage, such as
retinal hemorrhages, encephalopathy, or renal failure.
3. What is the hallmark physiological finding in patients with Distributive Shock, specifically
Septic Shock?
A. Increased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
B. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. Decreased Cardiac Output
D. Increased Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Septic shock is characterized by massive vasodilation due to
inflammatory mediators, resulting in a significant drop in SVR, often with a compensatory
increase in cardiac output initially.
, 4. Which valvular disorder is characterized by a loud mid-diastolic murmur, left atrial
enlargement, and is most commonly caused by rheumatic heart disease?
A. Mitral Stenosis
B. Aortic Stenosis
C. Mitral Regurgitation
D. Aortic Regurgitation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral stenosis impairs blood flow from the left atrium to the left
ventricle during diastole, causing a diastolic murmur and atrial hypertrophy. Rheumatic
fever is the leading cause globally.
5. Which process contributes to the airway remodeling seen in chronic bronchial asthma?
A. Thinning of the epithelial basement membrane
B. Hypertrophy of goblet cells and subepithelial fibrosis
C. Atrophy of smooth muscle cells
D. Increased alveolar elastic recoil
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Airway remodeling in asthma involves structural changes
including subepithelial fibrosis, smooth muscle hypertrophy, and goblet cell hyperplasia,
leading to permanent narrowing of the airways.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of pulmonary edema in a
patient with left-sided heart failure?
A. Increased pulmonary capillary oncotic pressure
B. Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Decreased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
D. Decreased alveolar surface tension
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In left-sided heart failure, the left ventricle fails to pump
efficiently, leading to a backup of blood into the left atrium and pulmonary veins, which
increases pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure and forces fluid into the alveoli.
2. A patient presents with a blood pressure of 190/120 mmHg and evidence of acute retinal
hemorrhages. Which classification best describes this presentation?
A. Hypertensive Emergency
,B. Hypertensive Urgency
C. Primary Hypertension
D. Isolated Systolic Hypertension
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertensive emergency is defined by severely elevated blood
pressure (>180/120) accompanied by evidence of acute target organ damage, such as
retinal hemorrhages, encephalopathy, or renal failure.
3. What is the hallmark physiological finding in patients with Distributive Shock, specifically
Septic Shock?
A. Increased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
B. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. Decreased Cardiac Output
D. Increased Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Septic shock is characterized by massive vasodilation due to
inflammatory mediators, resulting in a significant drop in SVR, often with a compensatory
increase in cardiac output initially.
, 4. Which valvular disorder is characterized by a loud mid-diastolic murmur, left atrial
enlargement, and is most commonly caused by rheumatic heart disease?
A. Mitral Stenosis
B. Aortic Stenosis
C. Mitral Regurgitation
D. Aortic Regurgitation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral stenosis impairs blood flow from the left atrium to the left
ventricle during diastole, causing a diastolic murmur and atrial hypertrophy. Rheumatic
fever is the leading cause globally.
5. Which process contributes to the airway remodeling seen in chronic bronchial asthma?
A. Thinning of the epithelial basement membrane
B. Hypertrophy of goblet cells and subepithelial fibrosis
C. Atrophy of smooth muscle cells
D. Increased alveolar elastic recoil
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Airway remodeling in asthma involves structural changes
including subepithelial fibrosis, smooth muscle hypertrophy, and goblet cell hyperplasia,
leading to permanent narrowing of the airways.
