NURS 5315 Exam 3 V3 | NURS 5315
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS5315 Exam 3) | The
University of Texas at Arlington
1. A patient is diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
Which physiological change would the nurse expect to find in the laboratory results?
A. Hypernatremia and high serum osmolality
B. Hyponatremia and low serum osmolality
C. Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis
D. Hyperglycemia and increased urine specific gravity
Answer: B
Rationale: SIADH involves the excessive release of antidiuretic hormone, which leads to
significant water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. The increased water reabsorption
in the renal tubules results in a concentrated urine but a dilute serum. Consequently, the
clinician will observe a decrease in serum sodium levels and overall serum osmolality.
2. A 45-year-old male presents with sudden onset of severe epigastric pain radiating to the
back, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory tests show significantly elevated serum lipase. What
is the most likely pathophysiological process occurring?
A. Chronic obstruction of the common bile duct
,B. Autodigestion of the pancreas by activated digestive enzymes
C. Autoimmune destruction of the gastric mucosa
D. Hypoperfusion of the small intestine leading to ischemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by the premature activation of pancreatic
enzymes such as trypsin and lipase within the gland itself. This process leads to
autodigestion, inflammation, and potential necrosis of the pancreatic tissue. The elevation
of serum lipase is a highly specific marker for this inflammatory response in clinical
practice.
3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of Cushing syndrome resulting from excessive
cortisol levels?
A. Weight loss and hyperkalemia
B. Postural hypotension and skin hyperpigmentation
C. Truncal obesity, moon face, and buffalo hump
D. Exophthalmos and heat intolerance
Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing syndrome is caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of
glucocorticoids, which alters fat distribution in the body. This results in the characteristic
appearance of central obesity, a rounded face, and a fat pad on the upper back. Additionally,
, patients often suffer from glucose intolerance and protein wasting due to the catabolic
effects of cortisol.
4. During the assessment of a patient with suspected Graves disease, which mechanism
explains the development of hyperthyroidism?
A. Production of antibodies that mimic thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
B. Deficiency of dietary iodine leading to goiter
C. Destruction of thyroid follicles by cytotoxic T cells
D. A pituitary tumor secreting excessive amounts of TSH
Answer: A
Rationale: Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder where thyroid-stimulating
immunoglobulins (TSI) bind to and activate TSH receptors on the thyroid gland. This
stimulation causes the gland to overproduce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) independent of
normal feedback mechanisms. The resulting thyrotoxicosis manifests as an increased
metabolic rate, tachycardia, and often exophthalmos.
5. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) develops secondary hyperparathyroidism.
What is the primary cause of this compensatory response?
A. Hypocalcemia due to decreased vitamin D activation
B. Excessive magnesium retention by the kidneys
C. Direct stimulation of the parathyroid gland by urea
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS5315 Exam 3) | The
University of Texas at Arlington
1. A patient is diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH).
Which physiological change would the nurse expect to find in the laboratory results?
A. Hypernatremia and high serum osmolality
B. Hyponatremia and low serum osmolality
C. Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis
D. Hyperglycemia and increased urine specific gravity
Answer: B
Rationale: SIADH involves the excessive release of antidiuretic hormone, which leads to
significant water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. The increased water reabsorption
in the renal tubules results in a concentrated urine but a dilute serum. Consequently, the
clinician will observe a decrease in serum sodium levels and overall serum osmolality.
2. A 45-year-old male presents with sudden onset of severe epigastric pain radiating to the
back, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory tests show significantly elevated serum lipase. What
is the most likely pathophysiological process occurring?
A. Chronic obstruction of the common bile duct
,B. Autodigestion of the pancreas by activated digestive enzymes
C. Autoimmune destruction of the gastric mucosa
D. Hypoperfusion of the small intestine leading to ischemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by the premature activation of pancreatic
enzymes such as trypsin and lipase within the gland itself. This process leads to
autodigestion, inflammation, and potential necrosis of the pancreatic tissue. The elevation
of serum lipase is a highly specific marker for this inflammatory response in clinical
practice.
3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of Cushing syndrome resulting from excessive
cortisol levels?
A. Weight loss and hyperkalemia
B. Postural hypotension and skin hyperpigmentation
C. Truncal obesity, moon face, and buffalo hump
D. Exophthalmos and heat intolerance
Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing syndrome is caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of
glucocorticoids, which alters fat distribution in the body. This results in the characteristic
appearance of central obesity, a rounded face, and a fat pad on the upper back. Additionally,
, patients often suffer from glucose intolerance and protein wasting due to the catabolic
effects of cortisol.
4. During the assessment of a patient with suspected Graves disease, which mechanism
explains the development of hyperthyroidism?
A. Production of antibodies that mimic thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
B. Deficiency of dietary iodine leading to goiter
C. Destruction of thyroid follicles by cytotoxic T cells
D. A pituitary tumor secreting excessive amounts of TSH
Answer: A
Rationale: Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder where thyroid-stimulating
immunoglobulins (TSI) bind to and activate TSH receptors on the thyroid gland. This
stimulation causes the gland to overproduce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) independent of
normal feedback mechanisms. The resulting thyrotoxicosis manifests as an increased
metabolic rate, tachycardia, and often exophthalmos.
5. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) develops secondary hyperparathyroidism.
What is the primary cause of this compensatory response?
A. Hypocalcemia due to decreased vitamin D activation
B. Excessive magnesium retention by the kidneys
C. Direct stimulation of the parathyroid gland by urea
