D115 MASTER SET ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is caring for a patient
who experienced a 20% total body surface area (TBSA) burn injury.
Current assessment findings include massive evaporative water losses, a
flux of large amounts of fluid and electrolytes in the tissues, generalized
edema, and circulatory hypovolemia. The APRN needs to take
immediate action to prevent irreversible hypovolemic shock and death.
Which priority action should be taken by the APRN? Answer:
Administer up to 30 L of lactated ringer solution over 24 hours
◉An adult patient has experienced a third-degree burn. An advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN) is attempting to calculate the total
body surface area affected using the rule of nines. The areas involved
include the anterior and posterior right arm and leg and the groin.
What is the estimated total body surface area that will be assigned by the
APRN? Answer: 28%
◉An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) assesses a school-aged
child with sepsis who is experiencing new symptoms of hyperthermia,
tachycardia, and tachypnea.
,Which additional diagnosis should the APRN consider? Answer:
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome
◉A female patient presents with abnormal hair growth on the face and
body and reports that the hair on her head is receding. An advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN) determines that the patient has
hirsutism.
Which other diagnosis associated with this condition should be
considered by the APRN? Answer: Polycystic ovarian syndrome
◉When discussing sun protection with an older patient, an advanced
practice registered nurse recommends the importance of using sunblock
to protect aging skin from ultraviolet exposure when the patient will be
in the sun.
Which pathologic changes due to aging of the integumentary system is
this recommendation based on? Answer: Decreased melanocytes and
clearance of oxidative substances from the dermis
◉An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is working with a
bedbound patient who has an area of skin tissue obscured by slough or
eschar over the left greater trochanter.
Which way should this pressure injury be staged by the APRN for
treatment? Answer: Unstageable
◉A five-year-old child presents to a clinic with right inner thigh and
groin pain that radiates to the knee. The parents report to an advanced
, practice registered nurse (APRN) that activity aggravates the pain, but
rest relieves it. The APRN notes the child's Trendelenburg gait.
Radiographic examination confirms a diagnosis of Legg-Calvé-Perthes
disease (LCPD).
What is the pathologic cause of this disorder? Answer: Recurrent
interruption of the blood supply to the femoral head
◉A patient is discussing symptoms of fibromyalgia with an advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN) and is worried about the effect of the
condition on life. The APRN suggests treatment to help control
symptoms.
Which treatment should be recommended to this patient? Answer:
Antidepressants and acupuncture
◉A small-framed, older adult patient is having problems with mobility.
The patient is treated at a hospital after a recent fall. During a follow-up
visit, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) diagnoses the
patient with a fragility fracture of the femur and would like to assess for
additional problems.
Which disease process should the APRN suspect in this patient?
Answer: Osteoporosis
◉An obese, middle-aged patient presents to an advanced practice
registered nurse (APRN) with complaints of heartburn, chronic cough,
frequent wheezing, laryngitis, and sinusitis.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is caring for a patient
who experienced a 20% total body surface area (TBSA) burn injury.
Current assessment findings include massive evaporative water losses, a
flux of large amounts of fluid and electrolytes in the tissues, generalized
edema, and circulatory hypovolemia. The APRN needs to take
immediate action to prevent irreversible hypovolemic shock and death.
Which priority action should be taken by the APRN? Answer:
Administer up to 30 L of lactated ringer solution over 24 hours
◉An adult patient has experienced a third-degree burn. An advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN) is attempting to calculate the total
body surface area affected using the rule of nines. The areas involved
include the anterior and posterior right arm and leg and the groin.
What is the estimated total body surface area that will be assigned by the
APRN? Answer: 28%
◉An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) assesses a school-aged
child with sepsis who is experiencing new symptoms of hyperthermia,
tachycardia, and tachypnea.
,Which additional diagnosis should the APRN consider? Answer:
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome
◉A female patient presents with abnormal hair growth on the face and
body and reports that the hair on her head is receding. An advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN) determines that the patient has
hirsutism.
Which other diagnosis associated with this condition should be
considered by the APRN? Answer: Polycystic ovarian syndrome
◉When discussing sun protection with an older patient, an advanced
practice registered nurse recommends the importance of using sunblock
to protect aging skin from ultraviolet exposure when the patient will be
in the sun.
Which pathologic changes due to aging of the integumentary system is
this recommendation based on? Answer: Decreased melanocytes and
clearance of oxidative substances from the dermis
◉An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is working with a
bedbound patient who has an area of skin tissue obscured by slough or
eschar over the left greater trochanter.
Which way should this pressure injury be staged by the APRN for
treatment? Answer: Unstageable
◉A five-year-old child presents to a clinic with right inner thigh and
groin pain that radiates to the knee. The parents report to an advanced
, practice registered nurse (APRN) that activity aggravates the pain, but
rest relieves it. The APRN notes the child's Trendelenburg gait.
Radiographic examination confirms a diagnosis of Legg-Calvé-Perthes
disease (LCPD).
What is the pathologic cause of this disorder? Answer: Recurrent
interruption of the blood supply to the femoral head
◉A patient is discussing symptoms of fibromyalgia with an advanced
practice registered nurse (APRN) and is worried about the effect of the
condition on life. The APRN suggests treatment to help control
symptoms.
Which treatment should be recommended to this patient? Answer:
Antidepressants and acupuncture
◉A small-framed, older adult patient is having problems with mobility.
The patient is treated at a hospital after a recent fall. During a follow-up
visit, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) diagnoses the
patient with a fragility fracture of the femur and would like to assess for
additional problems.
Which disease process should the APRN suspect in this patient?
Answer: Osteoporosis
◉An obese, middle-aged patient presents to an advanced practice
registered nurse (APRN) with complaints of heartburn, chronic cough,
frequent wheezing, laryngitis, and sinusitis.
