NURS 5315 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 1 | Comprehensive Practice Exam Questions, Verified Correct Answers & Rationales | University of Texas at Arlington | Latest 2026/2027 Edition

NURS 5315 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 1 |
Comprehensive Practice Exam Questions, Verified
Correct Answers & Rationales | University of Texas at
Arlington | Latest 2026/2027 Edition

Question 1
Pre-invasive epithelial malignant tumors of glandular or squamous origin. Sites
including cervix, skin, oral cavity, esophagus, and bronchus:
A. Reperfusion injury
B. Osmotic pressure
C. Hyperplasia examples
D. Carcinoma in situ
Answer: D
Rationale: Carcinoma in situ is a pre-invasive epithelial malignant tumor of glandular
or squamous origin. It is confined to the epithelial layer and has not crossed the
basement membrane.


Question 2
Which cancer produces carcinoembryonic antigen?
A. Thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, pineal, parathyroid
B. Brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, ganglia
C. Bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, thymus
D. GI, pancreas, lung, breast, large intestine, colon, rectal
Answer: D
Rationale: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is produced by cancers of the
gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, lung, breast, large intestine, colon, and rectum. It is a
tumor marker used for monitoring treatment response and detecting recurrence.


Question 3
How does a hypertonic solution alter osmolality?
A. Increases solute concentration, causing INCREASED osmolality. Causes cells to
SHRINK.
B. Increases solute concentration, causing DECREASED osmolality. Causes cells to
SWELL.
C. Decreases solute concentration, causing INCREASED osmolality. Causes cells to

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,SHRINK.
D. Decreases solute concentration, causing DECREASED osmolality. Causes cells to
SWELL.
Answer: A
Rationale: A hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration than the
intracellular fluid, causing water to move out of cells by osmosis, leading to cell
shrinkage (crenation).


Question 4
Hyperosmolar state causes K+ to shift out of cells → hyperkalemia. Hypoosmolar state
causes K+ to shift into cells → hypokalemia. This describes:
A. Acid base balance effects on potassium
B. Exercise and effects on potassium
C. Osmolality and effects on potassium
D. Hypocalcemia effect on action potential
Answer: C
Rationale: Osmolality directly affects potassium distribution. Hyperosmolar states
cause potassium to shift out of cells (hyperkalemia), while hypoosmolar states cause
potassium to shift into cells (hypokalemia).


Question 5
Movement of water from low concentration to high concentration:
A. Diffusion
B. Filtration
C. Osmosis
D. Absorption
Answer: C
Rationale: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from
an area of lower solute concentration (higher water concentration) to an area of higher
solute concentration (lower water concentration).


Question 6
Edema is an accumulation of fluid where?
A. Intravascular space
B. Interstitial space
C. Intracellular space

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,D. Transcellular space
Answer: B
Rationale: Edema is the accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space (between cells).
It occurs when fluid moves from the vascular space into the interstitial space.


Question 7
Uncommon, but most common cause is administration of hypertonic sodium salts.
Infants: erroneous preparation of dietary formula. Outpatient adults: ingestion of salts.
Inpatient adults: iatrogenic (hypertonic IV solutions). This describes:
A. Euvolemic hyponatremia
B. Hypovolemic/euvolemic hypernatremia
C. Isovolemic (euvolemic) hyponatremia
D. Hypervolemic hypernatremia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypervolemic hypernatremia is caused by excessive sodium intake with
water retention. This can occur from hypertonic IV solutions, salt ingestion, or formula
preparation errors in infants.


Question 8
Increased permeability to Na+. More excitable. Tetany, hyperreflexia, circumferential
paresthesia, seizures, dysrhythmias. This describes:
A. Hyperkalemia and action potentials
B. Hypercalcemia and action potentials
C. Hypokalemia and action potentials
D. Hypocalcemia and action potentials
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases cell membrane permeability to sodium, making the
cell more excitable. This leads to tetany, hyperreflexia, paresthesia, seizures, and
dysrhythmias.


Question 9
Force within a fluid compartment. PUSHES fluid outside of compartment (OPPOSES
OSMOSIS). Ex. blood pressure:
A. Transmural pressure
B. Pulse pressure
C. Diffusion pressure

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, D. Hydrostatic pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: Hydrostatic pressure is the force exerted by a fluid within a compartment.
It pushes fluid out of the compartment and opposes osmotic pressure. Blood pressure is
an example of hydrostatic pressure.


Question 10
Increases risk for developing ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer:
A. BRCA gene
B. Philadelphia chromosome
C. TSH gene
D. DES
Answer: A
Rationale: BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations increase the risk of developing ovarian,
breast, and prostate cancer. These are tumor suppressor genes involved in DNA repair.


Question 11
Triggered by cancer but aren't caused directly from a tumor/mass. Commonly caused by
hormones released by a tumor or an immune response triggered by a tumor. May be
earliest S/S of unknown cancer:
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Supraneoplasmic syndromes
C. Paraneoplastic syndromes
D. Tumor lysis syndrome
Answer: C
Rationale: Paraneoplastic syndromes are clinical manifestations triggered by cancer
but not caused directly by the tumor mass. They result from hormones released by the
tumor or immune responses, and may be the earliest signs of an unknown cancer.


Question 12
Head and neck cancer site of metastasis?
A. Lymphatics, lung, liver, brain, GI
B. Liver, lungs
C. Bones, lung, liver, brain
D. Lymphatics, liver, bones
Answer: A

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