,NSG 3850 Exam 2 Pathophysiology for Nurses II Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which change occurs during hypoventilation?
A) Decreased PaCO₂
B) Increased alveolar ventilation
C) Increased PaCO₂ with reduced oxygenation
D) Increased oxygen delivery to tissues
Correct Answer: C) Increased PaCO₂ with reduced oxygenation
Rationale: Hypoventilation reduces alveolar ventilation, limiting carbon
dioxide removal and contributing to CO₂ retention and hypoxemia.
Q2. Which condition is most likely to cause hypoventilation?
A) Opioid-induced respiratory depression
B) Anxiety-related hyperventilation
C) Fever
D) High-altitude exposure
Correct Answer: A) Opioid-induced respiratory depression
Rationale: Opioids can depress the central respiratory drive, reducing the
rate and depth of breathing and causing CO₂ retention.
Q3. Which change is expected during hyperventilation?
A) Increased PaCO₂
B) Decreased PaCO₂
C) Increased bicarbonate production immediately
D) Reduced alveolar ventilation
Correct Answer: B) Decreased PaCO₂
Rationale: Hyperventilation increases alveolar ventilation relative to
metabolic demand, causing excessive elimination of carbon dioxide and
hypocapnia.
Q4. Which term describes abnormally low oxygen levels in arterial
blood?
A) Hypoxia
B) Hypercapnia
C) Hypoxemia
D) Ischemia
, Correct Answer: C) Hypoxemia
Rationale: Hypoxemia specifically refers to reduced oxygen concentration in
arterial blood, whereas hypoxia refers to inadequate oxygen availability at
the tissue level.
Q5. A patient has normal arterial oxygen levels but inadequate
oxygen delivery because cardiac output is severely reduced. Which
type of hypoxia is present?
A) Histotoxic hypoxia
B) Circulatory hypoxia
C) Anemic hypoxia
D) Hypoxic hypoxia
Correct Answer: B) Circulatory hypoxia
Rationale: Circulatory hypoxia occurs when inadequate blood flow prevents
sufficient oxygen from reaching tissues despite adequate oxygen-carrying
capacity.
Q6. Which condition can produce anemic hypoxia?
A) Severe anemia
B) Pneumothorax
C) Pulmonary edema
D) High altitude
Correct Answer: A) Severe anemia
Rationale: Anemic hypoxia results from reduced oxygen-carrying capacity,
usually because hemoglobin concentration is inadequate.
Q7. Which pulmonary function change is most characteristic of
obstructive lung disease?
A) Increased airway resistance
B) Reduced airway resistance
C) Increased lung recoil
D) Increased vital capacity without air trapping
Correct Answer: A) Increased airway resistance
Rationale: Obstructive disorders narrow or collapse the airways, making
expiration difficult and increasing resistance to airflow.
Q8. Which disorder is classified as obstructive?
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which change occurs during hypoventilation?
A) Decreased PaCO₂
B) Increased alveolar ventilation
C) Increased PaCO₂ with reduced oxygenation
D) Increased oxygen delivery to tissues
Correct Answer: C) Increased PaCO₂ with reduced oxygenation
Rationale: Hypoventilation reduces alveolar ventilation, limiting carbon
dioxide removal and contributing to CO₂ retention and hypoxemia.
Q2. Which condition is most likely to cause hypoventilation?
A) Opioid-induced respiratory depression
B) Anxiety-related hyperventilation
C) Fever
D) High-altitude exposure
Correct Answer: A) Opioid-induced respiratory depression
Rationale: Opioids can depress the central respiratory drive, reducing the
rate and depth of breathing and causing CO₂ retention.
Q3. Which change is expected during hyperventilation?
A) Increased PaCO₂
B) Decreased PaCO₂
C) Increased bicarbonate production immediately
D) Reduced alveolar ventilation
Correct Answer: B) Decreased PaCO₂
Rationale: Hyperventilation increases alveolar ventilation relative to
metabolic demand, causing excessive elimination of carbon dioxide and
hypocapnia.
Q4. Which term describes abnormally low oxygen levels in arterial
blood?
A) Hypoxia
B) Hypercapnia
C) Hypoxemia
D) Ischemia
, Correct Answer: C) Hypoxemia
Rationale: Hypoxemia specifically refers to reduced oxygen concentration in
arterial blood, whereas hypoxia refers to inadequate oxygen availability at
the tissue level.
Q5. A patient has normal arterial oxygen levels but inadequate
oxygen delivery because cardiac output is severely reduced. Which
type of hypoxia is present?
A) Histotoxic hypoxia
B) Circulatory hypoxia
C) Anemic hypoxia
D) Hypoxic hypoxia
Correct Answer: B) Circulatory hypoxia
Rationale: Circulatory hypoxia occurs when inadequate blood flow prevents
sufficient oxygen from reaching tissues despite adequate oxygen-carrying
capacity.
Q6. Which condition can produce anemic hypoxia?
A) Severe anemia
B) Pneumothorax
C) Pulmonary edema
D) High altitude
Correct Answer: A) Severe anemia
Rationale: Anemic hypoxia results from reduced oxygen-carrying capacity,
usually because hemoglobin concentration is inadequate.
Q7. Which pulmonary function change is most characteristic of
obstructive lung disease?
A) Increased airway resistance
B) Reduced airway resistance
C) Increased lung recoil
D) Increased vital capacity without air trapping
Correct Answer: A) Increased airway resistance
Rationale: Obstructive disorders narrow or collapse the airways, making
expiration difficult and increasing resistance to airflow.
Q8. Which disorder is classified as obstructive?
