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NUR 3125: Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice – Final
Exam, Questions and correct answers 2025.
The exam covers common topics such as inflammation, immunity, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, and neurological systems.
1. What is the primary function of inflammation in the body? a. To prevent fever b. To localize and remove injurious agents c. To inhibit clotting d. To suppress the immune response Inflammation is a protective response aimed at eliminating the initial cause of cell injury, clearing out necrotic cells and tissues, and initiating tissue repair. 2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with renal failure? a. Hypokalemia b. Hypercalcemia c. Hyperkalemia d. Hypophosphatemia The kidneys excrete potassium; in renal failure, potassium builds up in the blood, leading to hyperkalemia. 3. A client with COPD is at risk for which acid-base imbalance? a. Metabolic alkalosis b. Respiratory acidosis c. Respiratory alkalosis
d. Metabolic acidosis Chronic CO₂ retention in COPD leads to respiratory acidosis.
4. What is the most common cause of myocardial infarction? a. Coronary artery spasm b. Atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombus formation c. Myocarditis d. Aortic stenosis Most MIs are caused by the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque that triggers thrombus formation and blocks blood flow. 5. Which hormone is deficient in diabetes insipidus? a. Insulin b. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) c. Cortisol d. Aldosterone ADH deficiency impairs the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine, leading to polyuria and polydipsia. 6. Which condition is characterized by widespread clotting and bleeding? a. Hemophilia b. Thrombocytopenia c. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) d. von Willebrand disease DIC is a pathological process involving both clot formation and consumption of clotting factors, causing bleeding.
d. Bradykinin Histamine is released by mast cells and causes the symptoms seen in allergic reactions.
11. Which is the earliest sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)? a. Bradycardia b. Vomiting c. Change in level of consciousness d. Dilated pupils A decrease in alertness or responsiveness is often the first sign of ICP. 12. What causes the edema in nephrotic syndrome? a. Sodium retention b. Hyperglycemia c. Loss of albumin in urine d. Increased hydrostatic pressure Protein loss reduces oncotic pressure, allowing fluid to leak into tissues. 13. Which process describes cancer spread to distant sites? a. Angiogenesis b. Hyperplasia c. Metastasis d. Dysplasia Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells beyond their original site. 14. What is the hallmark sign of Parkinson's disease? a. Muscle flaccidity
b. Resting tremor c. Hyperreflexia d. Seizures Resting tremor, along with rigidity and bradykinesia, is classic in Parkinson’s.
15. What is the main cause of anemia in chronic kidney disease? a. Iron loss b. Decreased erythropoietin production c. Blood loss d. Hemolysis The kidneys produce erythropoietin; failure leads to reduced RBC production. 16. Which immune cells are primarily involved in humoral immunity? a. T cells b. B cells c. Macrophages d. NK cells B cells produce antibodies, which mediate humoral immunity. 17. What is the most common cause of peptic ulcers? a. NSAIDs b. Smoking c. H. pylori infection d. Alcohol H. pylori disrupts mucosal defense, leading to ulcer formation.
d. Myasthenia gravis MS is a chronic disease characterized by CNS demyelination.
22. Which term best describes increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine? a. Hematuria b. Azotemia c. Proteinuria d. Ketonuria Azotemia refers to elevated BUN and creatinine, indicating renal impairment. 23. In diabetic ketoacidosis, which lab value is most abnormal? a. Elevated pH b. Low bicarbonate c. High sodium d. High CO₂ Bicarbonate is low due to metabolic acidosis in DKA. 24. What is the function of the parathyroid hormone? a. Lowers blood calcium b. Increases blood calcium c. Regulates sodium d. Stimulates insulin release PTH raises blood calcium by stimulating bone resorption. 25. Which condition causes vasoconstriction and cold extremities in stress? a. Parasympathetic activation b. Sympathetic nervous system activation c. Hypovolemia
d. Bradycardia Sympathetic activation causes vasoconstriction as part of the fight-or-flight response.
26. What is the primary defect in cystic fibrosis? a. Excessive immune response b. Defective chloride transport across epithelial cells c. Decreased insulin sensitivity d. Overproduction of red blood cells CF is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, leading to thick mucus due to defective chloride transport. 27. Which compensatory mechanism is triggered in hypovolemic shock? a. Parasympathetic stimulation b. Decreased heart rate c. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) d. Increased urine output The RAAS helps retain fluid and constrict blood vessels to maintain blood pressure. 28. A classic symptom of Graves’ disease is: a. Weight gain b. Bradycardia c. Exophthalmos d. Cold intolerance Graves’ disease is a form of hyperthyroidism characterized by bulging eyes (exophthalmos).
32. Which of the following would you expect in a patient with SIADH? a. Polyuria b. Hyponatremia c. Hypernatremia d. Dehydration SIADH causes water retention, diluting serum sodium and leading to hyponatremia. 33. A patient with pernicious anemia is deficient in: a. Iron b. Vitamin B c. Folate d. Erythropoietin Pernicious anemia is due to lack of intrinsic factor, impairing vitamin B absorption. 34. What is the cause of pain in angina pectoris? a. Pericardial inflammation b. Aortic dissection c. Myocardial ischemia d. Pulmonary embolism Angina occurs when myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply, leading to ischemia. 35. What complication is most associated with untreated hypertension? a. Hypercalcemia b. Asthma
c. Left ventricular hypertrophy d. Hypokalemia Chronic hypertension increases cardiac workload, causing the left ventricle to enlarge.
36. In hyperthyroidism, metabolism is: a. Slowed down b. Increased c. Normal d. Independent of thyroid hormone Thyroid hormone increases cellular metabolism, so hyperthyroidism speeds up body processes. 37. Which enzyme is released from damaged pancreas cells? a. Creatinine b. Amylase c. Aldolase d. Troponin Amylase and lipase are key enzymes elevated in pancreatitis. 38. The primary cause of edema in right-sided heart failure is: a. Pulmonary congestion b. Decreased oncotic pressure c. Increased venous pressure d. Arterial vasodilation Right-sided heart failure causes venous congestion, leading to peripheral edema.
d. Kidney stone formation Glomerulonephritis is an immune-mediated inflammation of the glomeruli.
43. Which electrolyte abnormality is most dangerous for cardiac function? a. Hyponatremia b. Hypercalcemia c. Hyperkalemia d. Hypomagnesemia Potassium is crucial for cardiac conduction, and high levels can cause arrhythmias. 44. What is a key feature of anemia of chronic disease? a. Low ferritin b. Normal or high ferritin, low serum iron c. Macrocytosis d. High reticulocyte count Chronic inflammation traps iron in storage, reducing serum iron but keeping ferritin normal or high. 45. What causes the symptoms in myasthenia gravis? a. Demyelination b. Autoantibodies blocking acetylcholine receptors c. Muscle fibrosis d. Dopamine deficiency Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease affecting neuromuscular transmission.
46. Which hormone regulates water reabsorption in the kidney? a. Aldosterone b. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) c. Cortisol d. PTH ADH increases water reabsorption in the collecting ducts. 47. In pulmonary embolism, what is the primary issue? a. Bronchoconstriction b. Obstruction of pulmonary arteries c. Decreased lung compliance d. Infection of alveoli A pulmonary embolism blocks blood flow in the lungs, impairing oxygen exchange. 48. Which finding is expected in metabolic acidosis? a. High pH b. Low bicarbonate c. Decreased hydrogen ion concentration d. Respiratory alkalosis Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a primary decrease in bicarbonate. 49. Which disorder is associated with insulin resistance? a. Type 1 diabetes b. Addison’s disease c. Type 2 diabetes mellitus d. SIADH Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to respond to insulin effectively.
