NUR 3205 Exam 3: Applied Pathophysiology
Verified & Updated Questions and Answers -
Rasmussen University
1. Which pathophysiological mechanism is the primary cause of Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
C. Excessive glucagon secretion by alpha cells
D. Decreased glucose absorption in the small intestine
Answer: A
Explanation: Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by the autoimmune-mediated destruction of
insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of Langerhans, leading to absolute insulin
deficiency.
2. A patient with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) presents with Kussmaul
respirations. What is the physiological purpose of this breathing pattern?
A. To increase oxygen saturation
B. To compensate for metabolic alkalosis
C. To decrease intracranial pressure
D. To blow off CO2 and reduce acidosis
Answer: D
Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that serve as a compensatory
mechanism to eliminate carbon dioxide (an acid) to counteract metabolic acidosis.
,3. Which of the following laboratory findings is most indicative of Hyperosmolar
Hyperglycemic State (HHS)?
A. Blood glucose < 250 mg/dL and metabolic acidosis
B. Blood glucose > 600 mg/dL and absence of significant ketosis
C. Positive urine ketones and low serum pH
D. Serum bicarbonate level less than 15 mEq/L
Answer: B
Explanation: HHS is characterized by extreme hyperglycemia (often >600 mg/dL) and
hyperosmolality without the significant ketoacidosis seen in DKA.
4. In a patient with Grave’s disease, what is the cause of exophthalmos?
A. Increased intracranial pressure
B. Fatty deposits in the eyelid
C. Weakness of the optic nerve
D. Inflammation and accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the extraocular muscles
Answer: D
Explanation: Exophthalmos in Grave’s disease results from an autoimmune-mediated
inflammatory response causing edema and glycosaminoglycan accumulation in the retro-
orbital tissues.
5. What is the primary laboratory finding used to diagnose primary
hypothyroidism?
A. High TSH and low T4
B. Low TSH and high T4
C. Low TSH and low T4
D. High TSH and high T4
Answer: A
Explanation: In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland fails to produce T4, which
causes the pituitary gland to increase TSH production via a negative feedback loop.
, 6. Which condition is characterized by an insufficient production of Antidiuretic
Hormone (ADH)?
A. SIADH
B. Diabetes Mellitus
C. Diabetes Insipidus
D. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Answer: C
Explanation: Diabetes Insipidus involves a deficiency of ADH (central) or a lack of
response to it (nephrogenic), leading to excessive dilute urine output.
7. A patient with SIADH is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Explanation: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes the serum sodium
levels, leading to dilutional hyponatremia.
8. What is the hallmark clinical manifestation of Cushing’s Syndrome?
A. Weight loss and hyperpigmentation
B. Hypotension and bradycardia
C. Central obesity and a ‘buffalo hump’
D. Thinning of the hair and cold intolerance
Answer: C
Explanation: Cushing’s Syndrome, caused by excess cortisol, leads to fat redistribution
resulting in moon face, central obesity, and a cervical fat pad (buffalo hump).
Verified & Updated Questions and Answers -
Rasmussen University
1. Which pathophysiological mechanism is the primary cause of Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
C. Excessive glucagon secretion by alpha cells
D. Decreased glucose absorption in the small intestine
Answer: A
Explanation: Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by the autoimmune-mediated destruction of
insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of Langerhans, leading to absolute insulin
deficiency.
2. A patient with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) presents with Kussmaul
respirations. What is the physiological purpose of this breathing pattern?
A. To increase oxygen saturation
B. To compensate for metabolic alkalosis
C. To decrease intracranial pressure
D. To blow off CO2 and reduce acidosis
Answer: D
Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that serve as a compensatory
mechanism to eliminate carbon dioxide (an acid) to counteract metabolic acidosis.
,3. Which of the following laboratory findings is most indicative of Hyperosmolar
Hyperglycemic State (HHS)?
A. Blood glucose < 250 mg/dL and metabolic acidosis
B. Blood glucose > 600 mg/dL and absence of significant ketosis
C. Positive urine ketones and low serum pH
D. Serum bicarbonate level less than 15 mEq/L
Answer: B
Explanation: HHS is characterized by extreme hyperglycemia (often >600 mg/dL) and
hyperosmolality without the significant ketoacidosis seen in DKA.
4. In a patient with Grave’s disease, what is the cause of exophthalmos?
A. Increased intracranial pressure
B. Fatty deposits in the eyelid
C. Weakness of the optic nerve
D. Inflammation and accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the extraocular muscles
Answer: D
Explanation: Exophthalmos in Grave’s disease results from an autoimmune-mediated
inflammatory response causing edema and glycosaminoglycan accumulation in the retro-
orbital tissues.
5. What is the primary laboratory finding used to diagnose primary
hypothyroidism?
A. High TSH and low T4
B. Low TSH and high T4
C. Low TSH and low T4
D. High TSH and high T4
Answer: A
Explanation: In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland fails to produce T4, which
causes the pituitary gland to increase TSH production via a negative feedback loop.
, 6. Which condition is characterized by an insufficient production of Antidiuretic
Hormone (ADH)?
A. SIADH
B. Diabetes Mellitus
C. Diabetes Insipidus
D. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Answer: C
Explanation: Diabetes Insipidus involves a deficiency of ADH (central) or a lack of
response to it (nephrogenic), leading to excessive dilute urine output.
7. A patient with SIADH is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Explanation: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes the serum sodium
levels, leading to dilutional hyponatremia.
8. What is the hallmark clinical manifestation of Cushing’s Syndrome?
A. Weight loss and hyperpigmentation
B. Hypotension and bradycardia
C. Central obesity and a ‘buffalo hump’
D. Thinning of the hair and cold intolerance
Answer: C
Explanation: Cushing’s Syndrome, caused by excess cortisol, leads to fat redistribution
resulting in moon face, central obesity, and a cervical fat pad (buffalo hump).
