NR 283 – Pathophysiology Exam 2 — Sample Topics & Verified
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
Cardiovascular System
1. Tachycardia
Definition: Abnormally rapid heart rate (above 100 bpm).
2. Bradycardia
Definition: Abnormally slow heart rate (less than 60 bpm).
3. Preload vs Afterload
• Preload: Volume of blood in ventricles at the end of diastole.
• Afterload: Resistance the left ventricle must overcome to eject blood.
4. Clinical Manifestations of MI (Myocardial Infarction):
• Sudden heavy chest pain/pressure
• Shortness of breath, nausea, diaphoresis
• Anxiety/fear symptoms
Hematologic Disorders
5. Anemia — General Signs:
• Fatigue, pallor, dyspnea, tachycardia.
6. Iron-Deficiency Anemia:
• Cause: low iron intake, chronic blood loss, impaired absorption.
7. Pernicious Anemia:
• Caused by lack of intrinsic factor → B12 deficiency.
, Coagulation & Blood Disorders
8. Hemostasis Steps:
1. Vascular spasm
2. Platelet plug
3. Coagulation cascade
9. Hemophilia A Signs:
• Prolonged bleeding, spontaneous joint bleeding.
Respiratory Pathophysiology
10. Asthma — Key Signs:
• Wheezing, tight chest, labored breathing, thick mucus.
11. Pulmonary Congestion:
• Occurs when blood backs up into lungs (e.g., heart failure).
Neurologic & Seizure Care Basics
12. Seizure First-Aid Basics:
• Remove harmful objects, do NOT restrain, don’t put anything in mouth.
Provide reassurance, check breathing after seizure ends.
Key Concepts Often Tested
13. Circulation Types:
• Arteries → carry blood away from heart
• Veins → carry blood to heart
• Capillaries → microcirculation exchange sites
14. Dysrhythmia Causes:
, • Ischemia, electrolyte imbalances (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+), SNS stimulation.
Study Tips for NR 283 Exam 2 (Pathophysiology)
✔ Focus on etiology, clinical signs, and pathophysiologic mechanisms of major disorders.
✔ Understand lab values & interpretations, especially hematologic and cardiac markers.
✔ Practice NCLEX-style questions to improve application skills (not just memorization).
Important Notes
These are representative questions/answers based on study guides circulating in 2025–2026
and may not exactly match any one official exam.
For full question sets or PDFs you’ll typically need access via your school or purchase those
study materials separately.
Tachycardia - correct answers abnormally rapid heart rate - above 100
Bradycardia - correct answers abnormally slow heart rate - under 60
preload - correct answers volume of blood in ventricles at end of diastole
Afterload - correct answers resistance against which left ventricle pushes blood out
Systole - correct answers contraction of heart .... provides increase in pressure to eject blood
Diastole - correct answers relaxation of heart.... required for filling chambers
Answers (Latest Update 2026)
Cardiovascular System
1. Tachycardia
Definition: Abnormally rapid heart rate (above 100 bpm).
2. Bradycardia
Definition: Abnormally slow heart rate (less than 60 bpm).
3. Preload vs Afterload
• Preload: Volume of blood in ventricles at the end of diastole.
• Afterload: Resistance the left ventricle must overcome to eject blood.
4. Clinical Manifestations of MI (Myocardial Infarction):
• Sudden heavy chest pain/pressure
• Shortness of breath, nausea, diaphoresis
• Anxiety/fear symptoms
Hematologic Disorders
5. Anemia — General Signs:
• Fatigue, pallor, dyspnea, tachycardia.
6. Iron-Deficiency Anemia:
• Cause: low iron intake, chronic blood loss, impaired absorption.
7. Pernicious Anemia:
• Caused by lack of intrinsic factor → B12 deficiency.
, Coagulation & Blood Disorders
8. Hemostasis Steps:
1. Vascular spasm
2. Platelet plug
3. Coagulation cascade
9. Hemophilia A Signs:
• Prolonged bleeding, spontaneous joint bleeding.
Respiratory Pathophysiology
10. Asthma — Key Signs:
• Wheezing, tight chest, labored breathing, thick mucus.
11. Pulmonary Congestion:
• Occurs when blood backs up into lungs (e.g., heart failure).
Neurologic & Seizure Care Basics
12. Seizure First-Aid Basics:
• Remove harmful objects, do NOT restrain, don’t put anything in mouth.
Provide reassurance, check breathing after seizure ends.
Key Concepts Often Tested
13. Circulation Types:
• Arteries → carry blood away from heart
• Veins → carry blood to heart
• Capillaries → microcirculation exchange sites
14. Dysrhythmia Causes:
, • Ischemia, electrolyte imbalances (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+), SNS stimulation.
Study Tips for NR 283 Exam 2 (Pathophysiology)
✔ Focus on etiology, clinical signs, and pathophysiologic mechanisms of major disorders.
✔ Understand lab values & interpretations, especially hematologic and cardiac markers.
✔ Practice NCLEX-style questions to improve application skills (not just memorization).
Important Notes
These are representative questions/answers based on study guides circulating in 2025–2026
and may not exactly match any one official exam.
For full question sets or PDFs you’ll typically need access via your school or purchase those
study materials separately.
Tachycardia - correct answers abnormally rapid heart rate - above 100
Bradycardia - correct answers abnormally slow heart rate - under 60
preload - correct answers volume of blood in ventricles at end of diastole
Afterload - correct answers resistance against which left ventricle pushes blood out
Systole - correct answers contraction of heart .... provides increase in pressure to eject blood
Diastole - correct answers relaxation of heart.... required for filling chambers
