Pathophysiology and Clinical Nursing Examination on Inflammation, Infection,
Sepsis, Ventilation-Perfusion Mismatch, Atelectasis, Pneumothorax, Pleural
Effusion, Anemia, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease, Cor Pulmonale, Respiratory Failure, Immune Response,
Leukocyte Migration, Cytokine Release, Bronchoconstriction, Airway
Inflammation, Mucus Hypersecretion, Gas Exchange Impairment, Pulmonary
Hypertension, Hypoxemia, Hypercapnia, Antibiotic Therapy, Infection Control,
Sepsis Management, Oxygen Therapy, Bronchodilator Pharmacology,
Corticosteroid Treatment, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Respiratory Diagnostics,
and Clinical Patient Assessment Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What happens during the vascular response of inflammation?
1. Dilutes the area products
2. Histamines and other mediators are released t
What is caused by histamines being released during the vascular response of inflammation?
1. Vasodilation - heat and redness
2. Increased vascular permeability - edema and pain
What are symptoms of the vascular response of inflammation?
1. redness
2. heat
3. pain
,4. edema
5. loss of function
What happens during the cellular response of inflammation?
1. Migration of WBC (leukocytes) to the site by chemotaxis
During the cellular response of inflammation what leukocyte reaches the site first?
Neutrophils (within hours)
What do neutrophils do?
engulf and destroy particles
During the cellular response of inflammation, what leukocyte arrives second?
monocytes (within a few days)
What do monocytes do?
Clean up debris
During the cellular response of inflammation, what leukocytes arrive last?
lymphocytes
,What is the role of lymphocytes?
create immunity
What are signs and symptoms of the cellular response of inflammation?
1. Increased WBC count with shift to the left
2. Malaise
3. Nausea/anorexia
4. Increased pulse and respiratory rate
5. Fever (from cytokines and prostaglandins)
What are risk factors for infection?
1. elderly: decreased immune function and comorbidities
2. Patients with reduced immune function (disease or meds)
3. Patients with major or frequent invasive procedures
What is V/Q mismatch?
a discrepancy in the ratio of lung ventilation and perfusion caused by disrupted ventilation or
pulmonary perfusion
What is Ventilatory failure?
, insufficient CO2 removal caused by problems of the airway/alveoli, CNS, chest wall or
neuromuscular function
What is atelectasis?
collapsed, airless alveoli caused by hypoventilation due to sedation or pain or lack of surfactant
(ARDS)
What is a pneumothorax?
Collapsed lung caused by chest trauma, complication of disease or procedure
What is pleural effusion?
excess fluid in the pleural space caused by heart failure, cancer, infection
What is Anemia?
deficient number of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or the quantity or quality of hemoglobin
What is pneumonia?
acute infection of the lung parenchyma
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis
Sepsis, Ventilation-Perfusion Mismatch, Atelectasis, Pneumothorax, Pleural
Effusion, Anemia, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease, Cor Pulmonale, Respiratory Failure, Immune Response,
Leukocyte Migration, Cytokine Release, Bronchoconstriction, Airway
Inflammation, Mucus Hypersecretion, Gas Exchange Impairment, Pulmonary
Hypertension, Hypoxemia, Hypercapnia, Antibiotic Therapy, Infection Control,
Sepsis Management, Oxygen Therapy, Bronchodilator Pharmacology,
Corticosteroid Treatment, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Respiratory Diagnostics,
and Clinical Patient Assessment Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What happens during the vascular response of inflammation?
1. Dilutes the area products
2. Histamines and other mediators are released t
What is caused by histamines being released during the vascular response of inflammation?
1. Vasodilation - heat and redness
2. Increased vascular permeability - edema and pain
What are symptoms of the vascular response of inflammation?
1. redness
2. heat
3. pain
,4. edema
5. loss of function
What happens during the cellular response of inflammation?
1. Migration of WBC (leukocytes) to the site by chemotaxis
During the cellular response of inflammation what leukocyte reaches the site first?
Neutrophils (within hours)
What do neutrophils do?
engulf and destroy particles
During the cellular response of inflammation, what leukocyte arrives second?
monocytes (within a few days)
What do monocytes do?
Clean up debris
During the cellular response of inflammation, what leukocytes arrive last?
lymphocytes
,What is the role of lymphocytes?
create immunity
What are signs and symptoms of the cellular response of inflammation?
1. Increased WBC count with shift to the left
2. Malaise
3. Nausea/anorexia
4. Increased pulse and respiratory rate
5. Fever (from cytokines and prostaglandins)
What are risk factors for infection?
1. elderly: decreased immune function and comorbidities
2. Patients with reduced immune function (disease or meds)
3. Patients with major or frequent invasive procedures
What is V/Q mismatch?
a discrepancy in the ratio of lung ventilation and perfusion caused by disrupted ventilation or
pulmonary perfusion
What is Ventilatory failure?
, insufficient CO2 removal caused by problems of the airway/alveoli, CNS, chest wall or
neuromuscular function
What is atelectasis?
collapsed, airless alveoli caused by hypoventilation due to sedation or pain or lack of surfactant
(ARDS)
What is a pneumothorax?
Collapsed lung caused by chest trauma, complication of disease or procedure
What is pleural effusion?
excess fluid in the pleural space caused by heart failure, cancer, infection
What is Anemia?
deficient number of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or the quantity or quality of hemoglobin
What is pneumonia?
acute infection of the lung parenchyma
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis
