NSG 3850 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES II EXAM 2
REVIEW OF 200 LATEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
Section Obstructive Pulmonary 60 Page 1
1 Disorders
Section Restrictive & Vascular 50 Page 5
2 Pulmonary Disorders
Section Pulmonary Infections & 50 Page 9
3 Neoplasms
Section Gas Exchange & Acid-Base 40 Page 13
4 Homeostasis
Section 1: Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders
1. Allergic (extrinsic) asthma is mediated by which type of
hypersensitivity reaction?
A. Type I (IgE-mediated)
B. Type II (Cytotoxic)
C. Type III (Immune complex)
D. Type IV (Delayed)
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Extrinsic asthma is a Type I hypersensitivity reaction
mediated by IgE antibodies in response to specific allergens.
2. Which of the following is a primary pathophysiologic feature of
emphysema?
A. Reversible bronchospasm
B. Destruction of alveolar walls and capillaries
C. Excessive mucus production
D. Fibrotic changes in the lung interstitium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by the destruction of alveolar
walls and capillaries, leading to loss of elastic recoil and air trapping.
3. Copious amounts of foul-smelling sputum are generally associated
with which condition?
A. Emphysema
B. Epiglottitis
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Bronchiectasis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Copious, foul-smelling respiratory secretions are a hallmark
of bronchiectasis due to the pooling of mucus and bacterial overgrowth
in dilated airways.
4. Emphysema results from destruction of alveolar walls and
capillaries, which is primarily due to:
A. Release of proteolytic enzymes from immune cells
B. Air trapping with resultant excessive alveolar pressure
C. Excessive 1-antitrypsin
D. Autoantibodies against pulmonary basement membrane
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Emphysema results from the release of proteolytic enzymes
(such as elastase) from immune cells, which destroy alveolar walls,
especially when antiprotease (alpha-1 antitrypsin) activity is insufficient.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic finding in a patient with
chronic bronchitis?
A. Barrel chest
B. Pink complexion
C. Productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years
D. Decreased mucus production
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is clinically defined as a productive cough
lasting at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years.
6. The primary trigger for intrinsic asthma is:
A. Seasonal pollen
B. Animal dander
C. Respiratory infections
D. Food allergies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intrinsic asthma is triggered by non-allergic factors such as
respiratory infections, cold air, stress, or exercise, rather than external
allergens.
7. Which pathophysiologic change occurs during an acute asthma
attack?
A. Bronchodilation
B. Decreased mucus secretion
C. Bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation
, D. Destruction of alveolar sacs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acute asthma attacks involve bronchoconstriction, airway
edema, and increased mucus secretion, leading to airflow obstruction.
8. A patient with COPD presents with a barrel chest. This is primarily
caused by:
A. Chronic air trapping and hyperinflation
B. Excessive chest wall fat
C. Fibrotic changes in the lungs
D. Muscle wasting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, common in
emphysema, lead to an increased anterior-posterior chest diameter,
known as a barrel chest.
9. Which enzyme deficiency is associated with early-onset
emphysema?
A. Angiotensin-converting enzyme
B. Alpha-1 antitrypsin
C. Carbonic anhydrase
D. Superoxide dismutase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic condition that
leads to uninhibited proteolytic destruction of lung tissue, causing early-
onset emphysema.
10. Status asthmaticus is defined as:
A. Mild asthma controlled with PRN inhalers
B. A severe, life-threatening asthma attack that does not respond to
REVIEW OF 200 LATEST EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Table of Contents
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
Section Obstructive Pulmonary 60 Page 1
1 Disorders
Section Restrictive & Vascular 50 Page 5
2 Pulmonary Disorders
Section Pulmonary Infections & 50 Page 9
3 Neoplasms
Section Gas Exchange & Acid-Base 40 Page 13
4 Homeostasis
Section 1: Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders
1. Allergic (extrinsic) asthma is mediated by which type of
hypersensitivity reaction?
A. Type I (IgE-mediated)
B. Type II (Cytotoxic)
C. Type III (Immune complex)
D. Type IV (Delayed)
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Extrinsic asthma is a Type I hypersensitivity reaction
mediated by IgE antibodies in response to specific allergens.
2. Which of the following is a primary pathophysiologic feature of
emphysema?
A. Reversible bronchospasm
B. Destruction of alveolar walls and capillaries
C. Excessive mucus production
D. Fibrotic changes in the lung interstitium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by the destruction of alveolar
walls and capillaries, leading to loss of elastic recoil and air trapping.
3. Copious amounts of foul-smelling sputum are generally associated
with which condition?
A. Emphysema
B. Epiglottitis
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Bronchiectasis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Copious, foul-smelling respiratory secretions are a hallmark
of bronchiectasis due to the pooling of mucus and bacterial overgrowth
in dilated airways.
4. Emphysema results from destruction of alveolar walls and
capillaries, which is primarily due to:
A. Release of proteolytic enzymes from immune cells
B. Air trapping with resultant excessive alveolar pressure
C. Excessive 1-antitrypsin
D. Autoantibodies against pulmonary basement membrane
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Emphysema results from the release of proteolytic enzymes
(such as elastase) from immune cells, which destroy alveolar walls,
especially when antiprotease (alpha-1 antitrypsin) activity is insufficient.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic finding in a patient with
chronic bronchitis?
A. Barrel chest
B. Pink complexion
C. Productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years
D. Decreased mucus production
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic bronchitis is clinically defined as a productive cough
lasting at least 3 months in 2 consecutive years.
6. The primary trigger for intrinsic asthma is:
A. Seasonal pollen
B. Animal dander
C. Respiratory infections
D. Food allergies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Intrinsic asthma is triggered by non-allergic factors such as
respiratory infections, cold air, stress, or exercise, rather than external
allergens.
7. Which pathophysiologic change occurs during an acute asthma
attack?
A. Bronchodilation
B. Decreased mucus secretion
C. Bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation
, D. Destruction of alveolar sacs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acute asthma attacks involve bronchoconstriction, airway
edema, and increased mucus secretion, leading to airflow obstruction.
8. A patient with COPD presents with a barrel chest. This is primarily
caused by:
A. Chronic air trapping and hyperinflation
B. Excessive chest wall fat
C. Fibrotic changes in the lungs
D. Muscle wasting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, common in
emphysema, lead to an increased anterior-posterior chest diameter,
known as a barrel chest.
9. Which enzyme deficiency is associated with early-onset
emphysema?
A. Angiotensin-converting enzyme
B. Alpha-1 antitrypsin
C. Carbonic anhydrase
D. Superoxide dismutase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic condition that
leads to uninhibited proteolytic destruction of lung tissue, causing early-
onset emphysema.
10. Status asthmaticus is defined as:
A. Mild asthma controlled with PRN inhalers
B. A severe, life-threatening asthma attack that does not respond to
