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NBME-STYLE PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS, Exams of Nursing

Texas CollegeNursing

NBME-STYLE PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025

Typology: Exams

2024/2025

Available from 06/23/2025

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NBME-STYLE PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025
format, covering core systems: CV, respiratory, renal, endocrine, GI, and neurophysiology
1. A patient develops a sudden increase in blood pressure. Which of the
following changes is expected in baroreceptor firing rate?
A. Decrease
B. Increase
C. No change
D. Biphasic response
Baroreceptors respond to stretch. An acute rise in blood pressure increases
stretch, leading to increased baroreceptor firing.
2. Which part of the nephron is primarily responsible for reabsorbing the
majority of filtered sodium?
A. Proximal tubule
B. Loop of Henle
C. Distal convoluted tubule
D. Collecting duct
About 65–70% of filtered sodium is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule,
making it the major site of sodium reabsorption.
3. During skeletal muscle contraction, calcium binds to:
A. Tropomyosin
B. Troponin C
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Partial preview of the text

Download NBME-STYLE PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity!

NBME-STYLE PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM

QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS

(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025

format, covering core systems: CV, respiratory, renal, endocrine, GI, and neurophysiology

  1. A patient develops a sudden increase in blood pressure. Which of the following changes is expected in baroreceptor firing rate? A. Decrease B. Increase C. No change D. Biphasic response

Baroreceptors respond to stretch. An acute rise in blood pressure increases

stretch, leading to increased baroreceptor firing.

  1. Which part of the nephron is primarily responsible for reabsorbing the majority of filtered sodium? A. Proximal tubule B. Loop of Henle C. Distal convoluted tubule D. Collecting duct

About 65–70% of filtered sodium is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule,

making it the major site of sodium reabsorption.

  1. During skeletal muscle contraction, calcium binds to: A. Tropomyosin B. Troponin C

C. Myosin D. Actin

Calcium binds to troponin C, initiating a conformational change that moves

tropomyosin and exposes actin binding sites.

  1. Which of the following best describes the major function of aldosterone? A. Increase glucose uptake B. Increase sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion C. Decrease water reabsorption D. Stimulate renin release Aldosterone acts on the distal tubules and collecting ducts to increase Na ⁺ reabsorption and K ⁺ secretion.
  2. Which of the following is increased during sympathetic stimulation of the heart? A. End-diastolic volume B. Afterload C. Contractility D. Vagal tone

Sympathetic stimulation increases myocardial contractility via β 1 - receptor

activation.

  1. A decrease in arterial pCO₂ will cause cerebral blood flow to: A. Increase B. Decrease C. Remain the same D. Oscillate

A. Gastrin B. Secretin C. Somatostatin D. Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Gastrin stimulates parietal cells to secrete HCl and supports gastric mucosal

growth.

  1. What is the effect of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) on water permeability in the collecting duct? A. Decrease B. Increase C. No effect D. Inhibits sodium channels

ADH inserts aquaporins into the collecting duct membrane, increasing water

reabsorption.

  1. The SA node is the normal pacemaker of the heart because: A. It has the fastest rate of spontaneous depolarization B. It is closest to the AV node C. It receives parasympathetic input D. It’s electrically isolated

The SA node depolarizes faster than other conduction system components,

setting the pace of the heartbeat.

  1. An increase in intracellular cAMP in cardiac myocytes would cause: A. Decreased heart rate B. Increased calcium influx and contractility

C. Decreased conduction velocity D. Potassium channel inhibition

cAMP enhances calcium entry into cardiac cells via PKA activation, boosting

contractility.

  1. The resting membrane potential of most cells is closest to the equilibrium potential of: A. Potassium (K ⁺ ) B. Sodium (Na⁺) C. Chloride (Cl⁻) D. Calcium (Ca²⁺) The high resting permeability to K ⁺ drives the resting potential close to the K ⁺ equilibrium potential.
  2. Which of the following is the major buffering system in the blood? A. Ammonia B. Bicarbonate C. Phosphate D. Hemoglobin

The bicarbonate system buffers changes in pH and works closely with

respiratory regulation.

  1. Which hormone increases insulin sensitivity and is secreted by adipocytes? A. Adiponectin B. Leptin

Although osmolality affects ADH, hypovolemia is a stronger stimulus via

baroreceptors.

  1. Which of the following increases during exercise? A. TPR B. Oxygen extraction by tissues C. Arterial PO₂ D. Venous PO₂ Working tissues extract more O ₂ during exercise, lowering venous O ₂ and

increasing the A-V difference.

  1. What initiates smooth muscle contraction? A. Troponin binding B. Myosin light chain phosphorylation C. ATP hydrolysis D. Calcium binding to tropomyosin

In smooth muscle, calcium binds calmodulin → activates MLCK →

phosphorylates myosin light chains.

  1. Which of the following best describes the function of ANP? A. Increase aldosterone B. Promote natriuresis and vasodilation C. Stimulate ADH D. Constrict afferent arteriole

ANP opposes the renin-angiotensin system, promoting sodium excretion and

vasodilation.

  1. A 30-year-old man is running a marathon. Which cardiovascular parameter is most likely decreased? A. Heart rate B. Cardiac output C. Venous return D. Total peripheral resistance

During exercise, widespread vasodilation in muscles lowers overall TPR.

  1. Which factor stimulates gastric emptying? A. Gastrin B. Secretin C. CCK D. GIP

Gastrin promotes gastric motility and acid secretion, aiding gastric

emptying.

  1. Which of the following is secreted in response to acid in the duodenum? A. Gastrin B. Motilin C. Secretin D. Ghrelin

Secretin is released from the duodenum in response to acid and promotes

bicarbonate secretion.

  1. What best describes the Frank-Starling mechanism?

C. Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase D. GLUT- 4

SGLT2 cotransports glucose with sodium in the early proximal tubule.

  1. What is the effect of β-blockers on renin release? A. Increase B. Decrease C. No effect D. Increase angiotensinogen

β1 stimulation increases renin; β-blockers inhibit this, reducing renin release.

  1. Which gastrointestinal hormone is responsible for stimulating gallbladder contraction? A. Gastrin B. Cholecystokinin (CCK) C. Secretin D. GIP

CCK is released by I cells in response to fats and stimulates gallbladder

contraction and pancreatic enzyme secretion.

  1. In response to hemorrhage, which change would you expect? A. Decreased renin B. Increased sympathetic tone C. Decreased ADH D. Increased atrial pressure

Hemorrhage activates the sympathetic nervous system to maintain blood

pressure via vasoconstriction and increased heart rate.

  1. What enzyme is activated by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to produce its effects? A. Phospholipase C B. Adenylate cyclase C. Guanylate cyclase D. Protein kinase A

ANP activates guanylate cyclase, increasing cGMP, which leads to

vasodilation and natriuresis.

  1. Which part of the nephron is impermeable to water? A. Proximal tubule B. Thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle C. Collecting duct D. Thin descending limb The thick ascending limb actively reabsorbs Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , and Cl ⁻ but is

impermeable to water, creating a dilute filtrate.

  1. The most significant stimulus for increased ventilation during exercise is: A. Arterial pO₂ B. Arterial pCO₂ C. Neural input from motor cortex and proprioceptors D. Increased blood pH

Ventilation during exercise is primarily driven by feedforward signals from

the motor cortex and muscle receptors.

C. Thromboxane A D. Angiotensin II

Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator produced by endothelial cells.

  1. What is the primary function of the colon? A. Protein digestion B. Fat absorption C. Water and electrolyte absorption D. Bicarbonate secretion

The colon primarily reabsorbs water and electrolytes and forms stool.

  1. Which phase of the cardiac action potential is due to sodium influx? A. Phase 0 B. Phase 1 C. Phase 2 D. Phase 3 Phase 0 is the rapid depolarization caused by voltage-gated Na ⁺ channels

opening.

  1. Which gastrointestinal hormone inhibits gastric emptying and acid secretion? A. Gastrin B. CCK C. Somatostatin D. Motilin

Somatostatin is a universal inhibitor: it inhibits gastric acid secretion,

motility, and hormone release.

  1. What is the effect of PTH on serum calcium and phosphate? A. Increases both B. Decreases both C. Increases calcium, decreases phosphate D. Decreases calcium, increases phosphate

PTH increases serum calcium via bone resorption and renal reabsorption,

and decreases phosphate by promoting its excretion.

  1. A rightward shift in the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve means: A. Increased oxygen affinity B. Decreased oxygen affinity C. Increased saturation at low pO₂ D. Alkalosis A right shift reflects decreased affinity, facilitating O ₂ unloading (seen in acidosis, high CO ₂ , or increased 2,3-BPG).
  2. The renal clearance of inulin is equal to: A. Renal plasma flow B. Tubular secretion rate C. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) D. Total body water

Inulin is freely filtered, not reabsorbed or secreted, making it ideal for

measuring GFR.

A. Secretin B. Vagal stimulation via acetylcholine C. Somatostatin D. GIP

Vagal stimulation activates parietal cells via ACh and M3 receptors,

increasing HCl production.

  1. What is the primary determinant of myocardial oxygen consumption? A. Heart rate B. Arterial oxygen content C. Blood pressure D. Hemoglobin concentration Myocardial O ₂ demand is most strongly related to heart rate and

contractility.

  1. Which segment of the nephron is primarily responsible for establishing the corticomedullary osmotic gradient? A. Proximal tubule B. Loop of Henle C. Distal convoluted tubule D. Collecting duct

The loop of Henle, especially the thick ascending limb, is key in generating

the medullary concentration gradient via countercurrent multiplication.

  1. Which ion’s movement is most responsible for the repolarization phase (Phase 3) in cardiac muscle?

A. Sodium influx B. Calcium influx C. Potassium efflux D. Chloride influx Phase 3 of the cardiac action potential is due to K ⁺ efflux, restoring the

resting membrane potential.

  1. Which of the following changes occurs with increased sympathetic tone? A. Increased insulin secretion B. Increased heart rate and contractility C. Bronchoconstriction D. Decreased blood glucose

Sympathetic stimulation increases HR, contractility, bronchodilation, and

glucose availability.

  1. What causes the closure of the aortic valve during the cardiac cycle? A. Onset of ventricular contraction B. Opening of the mitral valve C. Fall in left ventricular pressure below aortic pressure D. Rise in atrial pressure

When LV pressure drops below aortic pressure, the aortic valve closes —

marking the start of diastole.

  1. The primary stimulus for central chemoreceptors to increase ventilation is: A. Hypoxemia B. Increased CO ₂ (hypercapnia)

Epinephrine is a catecholamine with a short half-life due to rapid enzymatic

degradation.

  1. Which change would most likely occur during dehydration? A. Increased plasma volume B. Decreased ADH C. Increased renin secretion D. Increased atrial pressure

Dehydration leads to hypovolemia, which triggers renin release to restore

blood volume and pressure.

  1. What is the primary site of iron absorption? A. Colon B. Duodenum C. Jejunum D. Ileum

Iron is absorbed primarily in the duodenum via DMT1 transporters.

  1. What is the effect of aldosterone on potassium? A. Decreases urinary potassium excretion B. Increases potassium secretion in the distal nephron C. Inhibits potassium reabsorption D. Decreases serum potassium Aldosterone promotes K ⁺ secretion into the urine, which helps regulate

serum potassium levels.

  1. Which of the following is a function of surfactant in the lungs?

A. Increases surface tension B. Reduces surface tension to prevent alveolar collapse C. Promotes fluid accumulation D. Stimulates mucociliary clearance

Surfactant reduces surface tension, stabilizing alveoli and improving

compliance.

  1. Which brain region is primarily responsible for regulating circadian rhythms? A. Suprachiasmatic nucleus B. Hippocampus C. Prefrontal cortex D. Subthalamic nucleus

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus regulates the

circadian clock using light cues.

  1. Which hormone promotes gluconeogenesis and inhibits insulin sensitivity? A. Cortisol B. Insulin C. Epinephrine D. Aldosterone

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid that stimulates glucose production and decreases

insulin sensitivity.

  1. Which variable is most directly responsible for triggering insulin release from pancreatic β-cells?