PASSPOINT PRO | GRADUATE NURSING
NURS 5315
Advanced Pathophysiology
Final Practice Exam
Cumulative mixed-system clinical cases, unifying diagnoses, and paired finding
interpretations covering cellular, hematologic, cardiopulmonary, renal,
neurologic, endocrine, and gastrointestinal mechanisms.
200 A-D 200
Mixed Questions Multiple Choice Explained Answers
Original study and revision material • PassPoint Pro
, NURS 5315 • Final Practice Exam
Final Practice Exam
Focus: Cumulative mixed-system clinical cases, unifying diagnoses, and paired finding interpretations covering
cellular, hematologic, cardiopulmonary, renal, neurologic, endocrine, and gastrointestinal mechanisms.
Instructions: Choose the single best answer from A–D for every question. Complete the questions first, then use
the answer key and detailed explanations at the end.
1. A clinician reviews this case: A patient develops symmetric ascending weakness after a
gastrointestinal illness. Which paired clinical and objective findings best fit the underlying
process?
A. Hyporeflexia or areflexia accompanies progressive weakness; CSF may show high protein with a normal cell
count after the first week
B. Neurologic deficits disseminate in time and space; MRI may show characteristic periventricular demyelinating
plaques
C. Stereotyped unilateral motor manifestations may preserve awareness; EEG can show focal epileptiform activity
D. Bradykinesia with rigidity and resting tremor; reduced dopaminergic signaling in the substantia nigra pathway
2. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient with pneumonia
develops hypotension and altered perfusion despite adequate fluid assessment. The record
also notes: fever or hypothermia may accompany organ dysfunction. Which diagnosis or
pathophysiologic process best unifies this presentation?
A. Cancer cachexia
B. Sepsis-associated immune dysregulation
C. Advanced HIV immunodeficiency
D. Tumor lysis syndrome
3. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient has recurrent
bloody diarrhea and urgency. The record also notes: bloody diarrhea with rectal
involvement is typical. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best unifies this
presentation?
A. Acute appendicitis
B. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
C. Ulcerative colitis
D. Acute pancreatitis
4. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A postmenopausal patient
sustains a low-trauma vertebral compression fracture. The record also notes: fragility
fractures may occur after minimal trauma. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process
best unifies this presentation?
A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Acute compartment syndrome
C. Osteomalacia
D. Osteoporosis
UTA • Advanced Pathophysiology • PassPoint Pro Page 2
, NURS 5315 • Final Practice Exam
5. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient with vitamin D
deficiency has bone pain and proximal muscle weakness. The record also notes: diffuse
bone tenderness and fragility may occur. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best
unifies this presentation?
A. Osteomalacia
B. Osteoporosis
C. Acute gout arthritis
D. Acute compartment syndrome
6. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: An adult develops larger
hands, coarse facial features, and headaches. The record also notes: acral enlargement and
prognathism develop gradually. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best unifies
this presentation?
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Acromegaly
C. Primary hyperparathyroidism
D. Primary adrenal insufficiency
7. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient with cirrhosis
becomes confused and demonstrates asterixis. The record also notes: fluctuating attention
and asterixis are typical. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best unifies this
presentation?
A. Ascending cholangitis
B. Acute cholecystitis
C. Hepatic encephalopathy
D. Cirrhosis with portal hypertension
8. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A young adult has painless
cervical adenopathy and intermittent night sweats. The record also notes: contiguous nodal
spread and systemic B symptoms may appear. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process
best unifies this presentation?
A. Acute myeloid leukemia
B. Multiple myeloma
C. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
D. Hodgkin lymphoma
9. A clinician reviews this case: A hospitalized patient with small-cell lung carcinoma has low
serum sodium and concentrated urine. Which paired clinical and objective findings best fit
the underlying process?
A. Euvolemic hypotonic hyponatremia with inappropriately concentrated urine; low serum osmolality with urine
osmolality not maximally suppressed
B. Paresthesias may follow a rapid decrease in ionized calcium; arterial pH rises as PaCO2 decreases
C. Muscle weakness and characteristic ECG changes may occur; serum potassium rises and ECG may show
peaked T waves
D. Drowsiness can accompany marked hypercapnia; arterial pH falls as PaCO2 increases
UTA • Advanced Pathophysiology • PassPoint Pro Page 3
, NURS 5315 • Final Practice Exam
10. A clinician reviews this case: A patient with a large myocardial infarction is hypotensive
with cool extremities and pulmonary crackles. Which paired clinical and objective findings
best fit the underlying process?
A. Delayed carotid upstroke and a crescendo-decrescendo murmur; echocardiography shows increased
transvalvular velocity and reduced valve area
B. Cold clammy skin and pulmonary congestion indicate low-output failure; low cardiac index with elevated
cardiac filling pressures
C. Warm flushed skin may precede late cool shock; low systemic vascular resistance and elevated lactate may be
present
D. Pulmonary congestion and reduced exercise tolerance may coexist; echocardiography shows a reduced
ejection fraction
11. A clinician reviews this case: A patient has prolonged morning stiffness and symmetric
swollen MCP joints. Which paired clinical and objective findings best fit the underlying
process?
A. Sudden intensely painful monoarthritis is characteristic; joint aspirate shows negatively birefringent
needle-shaped crystals
B. Diffuse bone tenderness and fragility may occur; low vitamin D with elevated alkaline phosphatase is common
C. Symmetric small-joint swelling with prolonged stiffness; anti-CCP antibodies and inflammatory markers may be
elevated
D. Fragility fractures may occur after minimal trauma; bone densitometry can show T-score at or below minus 2.5
12. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient has recurrent
epistaxis and excessive dental-procedure bleeding. The record also notes: mucosal bleeding
and easy bruising are common. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best unifies
this presentation?
A. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
B. Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia
C. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
D. Von Willebrand disease
13. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient has proximal
muscle weakness, easy bruising, and central weight gain. The record also notes: wide
purple striae and thin skin are suggestive. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process
best unifies this presentation?
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Primary hyperparathyroidism
C. Hypoparathyroidism
D. Acromegaly
UTA • Advanced Pathophysiology • PassPoint Pro Page 4
NURS 5315
Advanced Pathophysiology
Final Practice Exam
Cumulative mixed-system clinical cases, unifying diagnoses, and paired finding
interpretations covering cellular, hematologic, cardiopulmonary, renal,
neurologic, endocrine, and gastrointestinal mechanisms.
200 A-D 200
Mixed Questions Multiple Choice Explained Answers
Original study and revision material • PassPoint Pro
, NURS 5315 • Final Practice Exam
Final Practice Exam
Focus: Cumulative mixed-system clinical cases, unifying diagnoses, and paired finding interpretations covering
cellular, hematologic, cardiopulmonary, renal, neurologic, endocrine, and gastrointestinal mechanisms.
Instructions: Choose the single best answer from A–D for every question. Complete the questions first, then use
the answer key and detailed explanations at the end.
1. A clinician reviews this case: A patient develops symmetric ascending weakness after a
gastrointestinal illness. Which paired clinical and objective findings best fit the underlying
process?
A. Hyporeflexia or areflexia accompanies progressive weakness; CSF may show high protein with a normal cell
count after the first week
B. Neurologic deficits disseminate in time and space; MRI may show characteristic periventricular demyelinating
plaques
C. Stereotyped unilateral motor manifestations may preserve awareness; EEG can show focal epileptiform activity
D. Bradykinesia with rigidity and resting tremor; reduced dopaminergic signaling in the substantia nigra pathway
2. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient with pneumonia
develops hypotension and altered perfusion despite adequate fluid assessment. The record
also notes: fever or hypothermia may accompany organ dysfunction. Which diagnosis or
pathophysiologic process best unifies this presentation?
A. Cancer cachexia
B. Sepsis-associated immune dysregulation
C. Advanced HIV immunodeficiency
D. Tumor lysis syndrome
3. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient has recurrent
bloody diarrhea and urgency. The record also notes: bloody diarrhea with rectal
involvement is typical. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best unifies this
presentation?
A. Acute appendicitis
B. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
C. Ulcerative colitis
D. Acute pancreatitis
4. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A postmenopausal patient
sustains a low-trauma vertebral compression fracture. The record also notes: fragility
fractures may occur after minimal trauma. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process
best unifies this presentation?
A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Acute compartment syndrome
C. Osteomalacia
D. Osteoporosis
UTA • Advanced Pathophysiology • PassPoint Pro Page 2
, NURS 5315 • Final Practice Exam
5. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient with vitamin D
deficiency has bone pain and proximal muscle weakness. The record also notes: diffuse
bone tenderness and fragility may occur. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best
unifies this presentation?
A. Osteomalacia
B. Osteoporosis
C. Acute gout arthritis
D. Acute compartment syndrome
6. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: An adult develops larger
hands, coarse facial features, and headaches. The record also notes: acral enlargement and
prognathism develop gradually. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best unifies
this presentation?
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Acromegaly
C. Primary hyperparathyroidism
D. Primary adrenal insufficiency
7. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient with cirrhosis
becomes confused and demonstrates asterixis. The record also notes: fluctuating attention
and asterixis are typical. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best unifies this
presentation?
A. Ascending cholangitis
B. Acute cholecystitis
C. Hepatic encephalopathy
D. Cirrhosis with portal hypertension
8. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A young adult has painless
cervical adenopathy and intermittent night sweats. The record also notes: contiguous nodal
spread and systemic B symptoms may appear. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process
best unifies this presentation?
A. Acute myeloid leukemia
B. Multiple myeloma
C. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
D. Hodgkin lymphoma
9. A clinician reviews this case: A hospitalized patient with small-cell lung carcinoma has low
serum sodium and concentrated urine. Which paired clinical and objective findings best fit
the underlying process?
A. Euvolemic hypotonic hyponatremia with inappropriately concentrated urine; low serum osmolality with urine
osmolality not maximally suppressed
B. Paresthesias may follow a rapid decrease in ionized calcium; arterial pH rises as PaCO2 decreases
C. Muscle weakness and characteristic ECG changes may occur; serum potassium rises and ECG may show
peaked T waves
D. Drowsiness can accompany marked hypercapnia; arterial pH falls as PaCO2 increases
UTA • Advanced Pathophysiology • PassPoint Pro Page 3
, NURS 5315 • Final Practice Exam
10. A clinician reviews this case: A patient with a large myocardial infarction is hypotensive
with cool extremities and pulmonary crackles. Which paired clinical and objective findings
best fit the underlying process?
A. Delayed carotid upstroke and a crescendo-decrescendo murmur; echocardiography shows increased
transvalvular velocity and reduced valve area
B. Cold clammy skin and pulmonary congestion indicate low-output failure; low cardiac index with elevated
cardiac filling pressures
C. Warm flushed skin may precede late cool shock; low systemic vascular resistance and elevated lactate may be
present
D. Pulmonary congestion and reduced exercise tolerance may coexist; echocardiography shows a reduced
ejection fraction
11. A clinician reviews this case: A patient has prolonged morning stiffness and symmetric
swollen MCP joints. Which paired clinical and objective findings best fit the underlying
process?
A. Sudden intensely painful monoarthritis is characteristic; joint aspirate shows negatively birefringent
needle-shaped crystals
B. Diffuse bone tenderness and fragility may occur; low vitamin D with elevated alkaline phosphatase is common
C. Symmetric small-joint swelling with prolonged stiffness; anti-CCP antibodies and inflammatory markers may be
elevated
D. Fragility fractures may occur after minimal trauma; bone densitometry can show T-score at or below minus 2.5
12. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient has recurrent
epistaxis and excessive dental-procedure bleeding. The record also notes: mucosal bleeding
and easy bruising are common. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process best unifies
this presentation?
A. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
B. Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia
C. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
D. Von Willebrand disease
13. An advanced practice nurse synthesizes the following history: A patient has proximal
muscle weakness, easy bruising, and central weight gain. The record also notes: wide
purple striae and thin skin are suggestive. Which diagnosis or pathophysiologic process
best unifies this presentation?
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Primary hyperparathyroidism
C. Hypoparathyroidism
D. Acromegaly
UTA • Advanced Pathophysiology • PassPoint Pro Page 4
