NR283 EXAM 3 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient with long-standing GERD is diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus. What cellular
change characterizes this condition?
A. Columnar metaplasia of the squamous epithelium
B. Squamous cell hyperplasia
C. Atrophy of the mucosal lining
D. Dysplasia of the lower esophageal sphincter
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Barrett’s esophagus involves metaplasia, where the normal
stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus is replaced by simple columnar
epithelium to better resist acid stress.
2. Which mechanism primarily contributes to the development of ascites in a patient with
liver cirrhosis?
A. Increased serum albumin levels
B. Increased portal venous pressure and hypoalbuminemia
C. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
,D. Decreased aldosterone secretion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Ascites is caused by portal hypertension (increasing hydrostatic
pressure) and decreased synthesis of albumin by the liver (decreasing oncotic pressure).
3. A patient presents with confusion, asterixis, and elevated serum ammonia levels. What is
the most likely pathophysiology?
A. Acute ischemic stroke
B. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
C. Hepatic encephalopathy
D. Hypoglycemic shock
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hepatic encephalopathy results from the liver’s inability to
detoxify metabolic byproducts like ammonia, which then crosses the blood-brain barrier.
4. In acute pancreatitis, the autodigestion of the organ is primarily initiated by the premature
activation of which enzyme?
A. Amylase
B. Trypsin
C. Lipase
D. Pepsin
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Trypsin is the key enzyme that, when activated prematurely
within the pancreas, triggers the activation of other digestive enzymes, leading to
autodigestion.
5. A patient is diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Which characteristic distinguishes it from
Ulcerative Colitis?
A. It is limited to the mucosal layer
B. It rarely causes fistulas
C. It always involves the rectum
D. It involves skip lesions and transmural inflammation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Crohn’s disease is characterized by skip lesions (discontinuous
inflammation) and affects the entire thickness of the bowel wall (transmural).
6. What is the primary causative factor in the development of most duodenal ulcers?
A. Chronic NSAID use
B. Helicobacter pylori infection
C. Excessive alcohol consumption
D. Psychological stress
Answer: B
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient with long-standing GERD is diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus. What cellular
change characterizes this condition?
A. Columnar metaplasia of the squamous epithelium
B. Squamous cell hyperplasia
C. Atrophy of the mucosal lining
D. Dysplasia of the lower esophageal sphincter
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Barrett’s esophagus involves metaplasia, where the normal
stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus is replaced by simple columnar
epithelium to better resist acid stress.
2. Which mechanism primarily contributes to the development of ascites in a patient with
liver cirrhosis?
A. Increased serum albumin levels
B. Increased portal venous pressure and hypoalbuminemia
C. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
,D. Decreased aldosterone secretion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Ascites is caused by portal hypertension (increasing hydrostatic
pressure) and decreased synthesis of albumin by the liver (decreasing oncotic pressure).
3. A patient presents with confusion, asterixis, and elevated serum ammonia levels. What is
the most likely pathophysiology?
A. Acute ischemic stroke
B. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
C. Hepatic encephalopathy
D. Hypoglycemic shock
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hepatic encephalopathy results from the liver’s inability to
detoxify metabolic byproducts like ammonia, which then crosses the blood-brain barrier.
4. In acute pancreatitis, the autodigestion of the organ is primarily initiated by the premature
activation of which enzyme?
A. Amylase
B. Trypsin
C. Lipase
D. Pepsin
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Trypsin is the key enzyme that, when activated prematurely
within the pancreas, triggers the activation of other digestive enzymes, leading to
autodigestion.
5. A patient is diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Which characteristic distinguishes it from
Ulcerative Colitis?
A. It is limited to the mucosal layer
B. It rarely causes fistulas
C. It always involves the rectum
D. It involves skip lesions and transmural inflammation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Crohn’s disease is characterized by skip lesions (discontinuous
inflammation) and affects the entire thickness of the bowel wall (transmural).
6. What is the primary causative factor in the development of most duodenal ulcers?
A. Chronic NSAID use
B. Helicobacter pylori infection
C. Excessive alcohol consumption
D. Psychological stress
Answer: B
