NURS 5315 Exam 2 V3 | NURS 5315
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS5315 Exam 2) | The
University of Texas at Arlington
1. A patient is diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn syndrome). Which of the
following clinical manifestations is the nurse practitioner most likely to observe?
A. Hyperkalemia and hypotension
B. Metabolic acidosis and hypernatremia
C. Hypertension and hypokalemia
D. Hypoglycemia and fluid volume deficit
Answer: C
Rationale: Primary hyperaldosteronism is characterized by the excessive secretion of
aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. This hormone promotes sodium and water
reabsorption in the distal tubules, leading to hypertension and fluid expansion.
Concurrently, it causes excessive potassium excretion in the urine, resulting in
hypokalemia.
2. Which pathophysiological process is responsible for the development of Graves’ disease?
A. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) mimicking TSH
B. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter
,C. Pituitary adenoma secreting excess TSH
D. Viral destruction of thyroid follicles
Answer: A
Rationale: Graves’ disease is an autoimmune type II hypersensitivity disorder. It involves
the production of autoantibodies known as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins that bind
to TSH receptors on the thyroid gland. This stimulation results in thyroid hyperplasia and
the overproduction of T3 and T4, bypassing the normal negative feedback loop.
3. In the pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the primary cause of insulin
resistance at the cellular level?
A. Downregulation of insulin receptors and post-receptor signaling defects
B. Complete destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive glucagon secretion from alpha cells
D. Increased renal threshold for glucose reabsorption
Answer: A
Rationale: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus involves a combination of insulin resistance and
relative insulin deficiency. Chronic overnutrition and obesity lead to increased levels of free
fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines, which impair insulin signaling. Consequently, cells
fail to respond effectively to insulin, leading to persistent hyperglycemia.
, 4. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of Primary Hypothyroidism?
A. High TSH and Low T4
B. High TSH and High T4
C. Low TSH and Low T4
D. Low TSH and High T4
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland itself is unable to
produce sufficient thyroid hormone. Due to the lack of negative feedback, the anterior
pituitary increases the secretion of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Therefore, a high
TSH coupled with a low free T4 is diagnostic of the primary form of the disease.
5. A 50-year-old female presents with a ‘moon face,’ central obesity, and thin skin with striae.
Which condition is most likely based on these clinical features?
A. Addison Disease
B. Cushing Syndrome
C. Hashimoto Disease
D. Pheochromocytoma
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing syndrome results from chronic exposure to excessive levels of cortisol,
regardless of the cause. The physical manifestations include redistribution of fat to the
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS5315 Exam 2) | The
University of Texas at Arlington
1. A patient is diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn syndrome). Which of the
following clinical manifestations is the nurse practitioner most likely to observe?
A. Hyperkalemia and hypotension
B. Metabolic acidosis and hypernatremia
C. Hypertension and hypokalemia
D. Hypoglycemia and fluid volume deficit
Answer: C
Rationale: Primary hyperaldosteronism is characterized by the excessive secretion of
aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. This hormone promotes sodium and water
reabsorption in the distal tubules, leading to hypertension and fluid expansion.
Concurrently, it causes excessive potassium excretion in the urine, resulting in
hypokalemia.
2. Which pathophysiological process is responsible for the development of Graves’ disease?
A. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) mimicking TSH
B. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter
,C. Pituitary adenoma secreting excess TSH
D. Viral destruction of thyroid follicles
Answer: A
Rationale: Graves’ disease is an autoimmune type II hypersensitivity disorder. It involves
the production of autoantibodies known as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins that bind
to TSH receptors on the thyroid gland. This stimulation results in thyroid hyperplasia and
the overproduction of T3 and T4, bypassing the normal negative feedback loop.
3. In the pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the primary cause of insulin
resistance at the cellular level?
A. Downregulation of insulin receptors and post-receptor signaling defects
B. Complete destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive glucagon secretion from alpha cells
D. Increased renal threshold for glucose reabsorption
Answer: A
Rationale: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus involves a combination of insulin resistance and
relative insulin deficiency. Chronic overnutrition and obesity lead to increased levels of free
fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines, which impair insulin signaling. Consequently, cells
fail to respond effectively to insulin, leading to persistent hyperglycemia.
, 4. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of Primary Hypothyroidism?
A. High TSH and Low T4
B. High TSH and High T4
C. Low TSH and Low T4
D. Low TSH and High T4
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland itself is unable to
produce sufficient thyroid hormone. Due to the lack of negative feedback, the anterior
pituitary increases the secretion of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Therefore, a high
TSH coupled with a low free T4 is diagnostic of the primary form of the disease.
5. A 50-year-old female presents with a ‘moon face,’ central obesity, and thin skin with striae.
Which condition is most likely based on these clinical features?
A. Addison Disease
B. Cushing Syndrome
C. Hashimoto Disease
D. Pheochromocytoma
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing syndrome results from chronic exposure to excessive levels of cortisol,
regardless of the cause. The physical manifestations include redistribution of fat to the
