NUR 6121 Exam 2 | Questions and
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct
– WPU|| PLUS RATIONALES
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure most commonly presents with:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to pulmonary edema and crackles.
2. The primary pathophysiologic change in essential hypertension is:
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased systemic vascular resistance
C. Reduced plasma volume
D. Decreased renin release
Answer: B. Increased systemic vascular resistance
Rationale: Essential hypertension is largely driven by increased peripheral vascular resistance
due to vascular remodeling and neurohormonal dysregulation.
3. Stable angina is caused by:
A. Coronary artery rupture
B. Fixed atherosclerotic obstruction
C. Complete thrombosis
D. Coronary vasculitis
Answer: B. Fixed atherosclerotic obstruction
,Rationale: Stable angina results from predictable myocardial ischemia due to fixed plaque
narrowing.
4. Which lab marker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. CK-MB
B. Troponin I
C. Myoglobin
D. LDH
Answer: B. Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific and sensitive for myocardial cell damage.
5. Aortic stenosis classically produces:
A. Wide pulse pressure
B. Bounding pulses
C. Systolic ejection murmur
D. Diastolic rumble
Answer: C. Systolic ejection murmur
Rationale: Turbulent blood flow across narrowed aortic valve during systole causes a systolic
murmur.
RESPIRATORY DISORDERS (6–20)
6. The hallmark of asthma pathophysiology is:
A. Alveolar destruction
B. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
C. Fibrotic lung tissue
D. Pleural inflammation
Answer: B. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
, Rationale: Asthma involves airway inflammation and hyperreactivity leading to
bronchoconstriction.
7. Emphysema primarily affects:
A. Bronchi
B. Alveolar walls
C. Pleura
D. Pulmonary arteries
Answer: B. Alveolar walls
Rationale: Destruction of alveolar walls reduces gas exchange surface area.
8. The most common cause of ARDS is:
A. Asthma
B. Sepsis
C. Hypertension
D. COPD
Answer: B. Sepsis
Rationale: Sepsis triggers inflammatory damage to alveolar-capillary membranes.
9. In respiratory acidosis, the pH is:
A. Elevated
B. Normal
C. Decreased
D. Unchanged
Answer: C. Decreased
Rationale: CO₂ retention increases carbonic acid, lowering pH.
10. Pulmonary embolism most commonly originates from:
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct
– WPU|| PLUS RATIONALES
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure most commonly presents with:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to pulmonary edema and crackles.
2. The primary pathophysiologic change in essential hypertension is:
A. Decreased cardiac output
B. Increased systemic vascular resistance
C. Reduced plasma volume
D. Decreased renin release
Answer: B. Increased systemic vascular resistance
Rationale: Essential hypertension is largely driven by increased peripheral vascular resistance
due to vascular remodeling and neurohormonal dysregulation.
3. Stable angina is caused by:
A. Coronary artery rupture
B. Fixed atherosclerotic obstruction
C. Complete thrombosis
D. Coronary vasculitis
Answer: B. Fixed atherosclerotic obstruction
,Rationale: Stable angina results from predictable myocardial ischemia due to fixed plaque
narrowing.
4. Which lab marker is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. CK-MB
B. Troponin I
C. Myoglobin
D. LDH
Answer: B. Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific and sensitive for myocardial cell damage.
5. Aortic stenosis classically produces:
A. Wide pulse pressure
B. Bounding pulses
C. Systolic ejection murmur
D. Diastolic rumble
Answer: C. Systolic ejection murmur
Rationale: Turbulent blood flow across narrowed aortic valve during systole causes a systolic
murmur.
RESPIRATORY DISORDERS (6–20)
6. The hallmark of asthma pathophysiology is:
A. Alveolar destruction
B. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
C. Fibrotic lung tissue
D. Pleural inflammation
Answer: B. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
, Rationale: Asthma involves airway inflammation and hyperreactivity leading to
bronchoconstriction.
7. Emphysema primarily affects:
A. Bronchi
B. Alveolar walls
C. Pleura
D. Pulmonary arteries
Answer: B. Alveolar walls
Rationale: Destruction of alveolar walls reduces gas exchange surface area.
8. The most common cause of ARDS is:
A. Asthma
B. Sepsis
C. Hypertension
D. COPD
Answer: B. Sepsis
Rationale: Sepsis triggers inflammatory damage to alveolar-capillary membranes.
9. In respiratory acidosis, the pH is:
A. Elevated
B. Normal
C. Decreased
D. Unchanged
Answer: C. Decreased
Rationale: CO₂ retention increases carbonic acid, lowering pH.
10. Pulmonary embolism most commonly originates from:
