NR283 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2
MASTER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
JUST RELEASED
1. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of Left-Sided Heart Failure?
A. Jugular Venous Distention (JVD)
B. Peripheral dependent edema
C. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly
D. Orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because
the left ventricle cannot pump blood into systemic circulation, causing backflow into the
lungs.
2. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
,C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause), while the bicarbonate is within normal limits, indicating uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
3. Which compensatory mechanism is activated by the kidneys in response to decreased renal
perfusion in heart failure?
A. Inhibition of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
B. Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)
C. Release of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
D. Increased excretion of sodium and water
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: When renal perfusion drops, the kidneys release renin,
triggering the RAAS to increase blood pressure and volume via vasoconstriction and
sodium/water retention.
4. In the pathophysiology of Emphysema, what is the primary cause of air trapping?
A. Loss of alveolar elastic recoil and destruction of alveolar walls
B. Excessive mucus production in the bronchioles
, C. Bronchospasm caused by hyperreactivity
D. Fluid accumulation in the pleural space
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Emphysema involves the destruction of elastin in the alveolar
walls, leading to permanent enlargement of air spaces and collapse of small airways during
expiration, resulting in air trapping.
5. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus presents with Kussmaul respirations. What is the
physiological purpose of this breathing pattern?
A. To reduce carbon dioxide levels to compensate for metabolic acidosis
B. To increase oxygen saturation in the blood
C. To decrease the metabolic rate of the liver
D. To stimulate insulin production from the pancreas
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that serve as a
compensatory mechanism to blow off CO2 (an acid) to raise the pH during Diabetic
Ketoacidosis (DKA).
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek’s sign and
Trousseau’s sign?
A. Hypocalcemia
MASTER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
JUST RELEASED
1. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of Left-Sided Heart Failure?
A. Jugular Venous Distention (JVD)
B. Peripheral dependent edema
C. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly
D. Orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion because
the left ventricle cannot pump blood into systemic circulation, causing backflow into the
lungs.
2. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
,C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause), while the bicarbonate is within normal limits, indicating uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
3. Which compensatory mechanism is activated by the kidneys in response to decreased renal
perfusion in heart failure?
A. Inhibition of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
B. Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)
C. Release of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
D. Increased excretion of sodium and water
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: When renal perfusion drops, the kidneys release renin,
triggering the RAAS to increase blood pressure and volume via vasoconstriction and
sodium/water retention.
4. In the pathophysiology of Emphysema, what is the primary cause of air trapping?
A. Loss of alveolar elastic recoil and destruction of alveolar walls
B. Excessive mucus production in the bronchioles
, C. Bronchospasm caused by hyperreactivity
D. Fluid accumulation in the pleural space
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Emphysema involves the destruction of elastin in the alveolar
walls, leading to permanent enlargement of air spaces and collapse of small airways during
expiration, resulting in air trapping.
5. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus presents with Kussmaul respirations. What is the
physiological purpose of this breathing pattern?
A. To reduce carbon dioxide levels to compensate for metabolic acidosis
B. To increase oxygen saturation in the blood
C. To decrease the metabolic rate of the liver
D. To stimulate insulin production from the pancreas
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that serve as a
compensatory mechanism to blow off CO2 (an acid) to raise the pH during Diabetic
Ketoacidosis (DKA).
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek’s sign and
Trousseau’s sign?
A. Hypocalcemia
