NUR 376 Pathophysiology FINAL Exam 2025-2026 – 100% A+
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correct answers
Immunodeficiency Immune system weakened to extent that it cannot destroy foreign invaders
and antigens can overwhelm the body. CORRECT ANSWER Immunocompetence refers
to an individual's ability to protect oneself from infectious agents due to a strong immune
system. CORRECT ANSWER Immunosuppression indicates that there is a defective
immune system that is putting the pt at risk for infection. CORRECT ANSWER
Opportunistic Infection an infection that was caused by a microorganism that flourished
because of its host's deficient immune system. CORRECT ANSWER Hospital Acquired of
Health-Care acquired infection when a pt's infection is caused by microorganisms that
originated within the clinical environment.
Difficult to tx due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria CORRECT ANSWER Type 1: Immediate
hypersensitivity allergic reaction CORRECT ANSWER Type 2: Cytotoxic
hypersensitivity mediated by Igs that target antigen on cells and cause cell destruction.
Incomplete blood transfusion CORRECT ANSWER Type 3: Immune Complex
hypersensitivity antigen combines with Ig within circulation and complexes are then
deposited into tissues.
SLE, autoimmune disorders CORRECT ANSWER Type 4: Delayed hypersensitivity
initiated by T-cells that have previous exposure to antigen
Dermatitis from exposure to poison ivy CORRECT ANSWER Key lab values in Infections
WBC 4,000-10,000 cells/mcL
Neutrophils: 40%-80% of WBCs / elevation = bacterial infection
Lymphocytes: 20%-40% of WBCs / elevation = viral infection
Eosinophils: 1%-7% of WBCs / elevation = allergic reaction
,Basophils: 0%-2% of WBCs / elevation = Parasite or allergic reaction
Monocytes: 2% - 10% of WBCs / elevation = Inflammation, chronic infections, autoimmune
disease CORRECT ANSWER How can you determine inflammation vs. infection from a
CBC? You would look at the differences in the WBCs on the CBC, which provides info about
the % of different types of white blood cells.
An increase in neutrophils (makeup 40%-80% of WBCs) can be indicative of a bacterial
infection.
An increase in monocytes (macrophages) (2%-10% of WBCs) can be indicative of inflammation
/ autoimmune disease. CORRECT ANSWER Hypervolemia Excess fluid in ISF & ICF
caused by increased hydrostatic pressure causing edema
Can be caused by: High Salt diet, heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. CORRECT
ANSWER Hypernatremia High sodium content of the blood. Raises solute content (more
salt), in turn, raising OSMOTIC PRESSURE. CORRECT ANSWER Osmotic pressure
The pressure exerted by the solutes in solution, causes water to shift from ICF into the
ECF -> Causing cellular dehydration.
ECF gains fluid > Secreted by the kidneys > more dehydration! CORRECT ANSWER
Polyuria excess urine being excreted.
This continues until fluid is replenished appropriately
(Part of hypernatremia) CORRECT ANSWER Hypovolemia Is caused by dehydration; a
diminished level of circulating blood volume that increases the osmolarity of blood. CORRECT
ANSWER Hydrostatic pressure the force exerted by the blood confined within the blood
vessels or heart chamber. CORRECT ANSWER Isotonic No fluid shifts- solutions on
both sides are at equilibrium. Equal osmotic pressure. No "tug of war".
Example- Human blood.
Caution: Too much isotonic fluids can cause fluid volume overload
, Monitor: BP due to HTN crisis. Risk for CVA stroke.
Ex: 0.9 % sodium chloride (NS), lactated ringers (LR)
Use: Rehydrate body, increase low BP, blood transfusions, blood loss, DKA, HHNS(risk for type
2 diabetes patients)- when blood sugar high CORRECT ANSWER Hypertonic HIGH & dry-
Higher osmolarity than body fluids- very thick, very salty, more solutes, less water. Fluid drawn
out of the cell.
Monitor- BP, HTN crisis
Use for- hypovolemia, heat related, peritonitis, peritoneal dialysis*(draw fluid out of the body)-
Need to give slowly
Ex: 3% sodium chloride, 5% sodium chloride, 10% dextrose in water, 5% dextrose in 0.9%
sodium chloride, 5% dextrose in 0.45% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose in lactated ringer's
(Memory trick-very little fluid inside the cell= very little numbers before the words) CORRECT
ANSWER Hypotonic LOW. Lower concentration of solutes or salt then the ICF, lower
osmolarity than body fluids. Fluid drawn into cells causes the body to swell up.
Monitor- headache, mental status changes, seizures, coma
Use for- Cell dehydration- Give slow to prevent cellular edema &cerebral swelling. Not for
clients with ICP- can lead to seizures or death
Ex: 0.45% sodium chloride, 0.225% sodium chloride, 0.33% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose in
0.225% saline, 5% dextrose in water (Memory trick- a lot of fluid in the cell= a lot of numbers)
CORRECT ANSWER Potassium main INTRACELLULAR electrolyte
3.0-5.0 mEq/L
Involved in conduction of nerve impulses (skeletal, cardiac, smooth muscle), acid-base balance,
synthesis of ATP, Osmotic balance & Kidneys ability to concentrate urine.
Kidney; nephron regulates K+ because of aldosterone (which absorbs sodium and water) and
excretes potassium. CORRECT ANSWER Hypokalemia Plasma concentration < 3.5
mEq/L
Success Guaranteed Complete Study Guide &Questions with
correct answers
Immunodeficiency Immune system weakened to extent that it cannot destroy foreign invaders
and antigens can overwhelm the body. CORRECT ANSWER Immunocompetence refers
to an individual's ability to protect oneself from infectious agents due to a strong immune
system. CORRECT ANSWER Immunosuppression indicates that there is a defective
immune system that is putting the pt at risk for infection. CORRECT ANSWER
Opportunistic Infection an infection that was caused by a microorganism that flourished
because of its host's deficient immune system. CORRECT ANSWER Hospital Acquired of
Health-Care acquired infection when a pt's infection is caused by microorganisms that
originated within the clinical environment.
Difficult to tx due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria CORRECT ANSWER Type 1: Immediate
hypersensitivity allergic reaction CORRECT ANSWER Type 2: Cytotoxic
hypersensitivity mediated by Igs that target antigen on cells and cause cell destruction.
Incomplete blood transfusion CORRECT ANSWER Type 3: Immune Complex
hypersensitivity antigen combines with Ig within circulation and complexes are then
deposited into tissues.
SLE, autoimmune disorders CORRECT ANSWER Type 4: Delayed hypersensitivity
initiated by T-cells that have previous exposure to antigen
Dermatitis from exposure to poison ivy CORRECT ANSWER Key lab values in Infections
WBC 4,000-10,000 cells/mcL
Neutrophils: 40%-80% of WBCs / elevation = bacterial infection
Lymphocytes: 20%-40% of WBCs / elevation = viral infection
Eosinophils: 1%-7% of WBCs / elevation = allergic reaction
,Basophils: 0%-2% of WBCs / elevation = Parasite or allergic reaction
Monocytes: 2% - 10% of WBCs / elevation = Inflammation, chronic infections, autoimmune
disease CORRECT ANSWER How can you determine inflammation vs. infection from a
CBC? You would look at the differences in the WBCs on the CBC, which provides info about
the % of different types of white blood cells.
An increase in neutrophils (makeup 40%-80% of WBCs) can be indicative of a bacterial
infection.
An increase in monocytes (macrophages) (2%-10% of WBCs) can be indicative of inflammation
/ autoimmune disease. CORRECT ANSWER Hypervolemia Excess fluid in ISF & ICF
caused by increased hydrostatic pressure causing edema
Can be caused by: High Salt diet, heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. CORRECT
ANSWER Hypernatremia High sodium content of the blood. Raises solute content (more
salt), in turn, raising OSMOTIC PRESSURE. CORRECT ANSWER Osmotic pressure
The pressure exerted by the solutes in solution, causes water to shift from ICF into the
ECF -> Causing cellular dehydration.
ECF gains fluid > Secreted by the kidneys > more dehydration! CORRECT ANSWER
Polyuria excess urine being excreted.
This continues until fluid is replenished appropriately
(Part of hypernatremia) CORRECT ANSWER Hypovolemia Is caused by dehydration; a
diminished level of circulating blood volume that increases the osmolarity of blood. CORRECT
ANSWER Hydrostatic pressure the force exerted by the blood confined within the blood
vessels or heart chamber. CORRECT ANSWER Isotonic No fluid shifts- solutions on
both sides are at equilibrium. Equal osmotic pressure. No "tug of war".
Example- Human blood.
Caution: Too much isotonic fluids can cause fluid volume overload
, Monitor: BP due to HTN crisis. Risk for CVA stroke.
Ex: 0.9 % sodium chloride (NS), lactated ringers (LR)
Use: Rehydrate body, increase low BP, blood transfusions, blood loss, DKA, HHNS(risk for type
2 diabetes patients)- when blood sugar high CORRECT ANSWER Hypertonic HIGH & dry-
Higher osmolarity than body fluids- very thick, very salty, more solutes, less water. Fluid drawn
out of the cell.
Monitor- BP, HTN crisis
Use for- hypovolemia, heat related, peritonitis, peritoneal dialysis*(draw fluid out of the body)-
Need to give slowly
Ex: 3% sodium chloride, 5% sodium chloride, 10% dextrose in water, 5% dextrose in 0.9%
sodium chloride, 5% dextrose in 0.45% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose in lactated ringer's
(Memory trick-very little fluid inside the cell= very little numbers before the words) CORRECT
ANSWER Hypotonic LOW. Lower concentration of solutes or salt then the ICF, lower
osmolarity than body fluids. Fluid drawn into cells causes the body to swell up.
Monitor- headache, mental status changes, seizures, coma
Use for- Cell dehydration- Give slow to prevent cellular edema &cerebral swelling. Not for
clients with ICP- can lead to seizures or death
Ex: 0.45% sodium chloride, 0.225% sodium chloride, 0.33% sodium chloride, 5% dextrose in
0.225% saline, 5% dextrose in water (Memory trick- a lot of fluid in the cell= a lot of numbers)
CORRECT ANSWER Potassium main INTRACELLULAR electrolyte
3.0-5.0 mEq/L
Involved in conduction of nerve impulses (skeletal, cardiac, smooth muscle), acid-base balance,
synthesis of ATP, Osmotic balance & Kidneys ability to concentrate urine.
Kidney; nephron regulates K+ because of aldosterone (which absorbs sodium and water) and
excretes potassium. CORRECT ANSWER Hypokalemia Plasma concentration < 3.5
mEq/L
