NUR 3205 Final Exam: Applied
Pathophysiology Verified & Updated
Questions and Answers - Rasmussen
University
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when a specific cell type is replaced by
another cell type that is better able to withstand environmental stress?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation or inflammation.
2. During the inflammatory process, which chemical mediator is primarily
responsible for increasing vascular permeability and causing vasodilation
immediately after injury?
A. Prostaglandins
B. Leukotrienes
C. Cytokines
D. Histamine
Answer: D
Explanation: Histamine is one of the first mediators released from mast cells during an
inflammatory response, leading to rapid vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
,3. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and
involves the release of histamine from mast cells, potentially leading to
anaphylaxis?
B. Type II
A. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A
Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE,
which binds to mast cells and triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals.
4. In a patient with HIV, which laboratory value is the primary indicator of the
progression to AIDS?
A. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count
B. White blood cell count
C. Viral load count
D. Hemoglobin levels
Answer: A
Explanation: The progression to AIDS is clinically defined by a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count
dropping below 200 cells/mm3 or the presence of an AIDS-defining illness.
5. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which
electrocardiogram (EKG) change should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prolonged PR interval
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: B
, Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) is classic for causing tall, peaked T waves on
an EKG due to rapid repolarization of the ventricles.
6. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely to occur in a patient with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is retaining carbon dioxide?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Explanation: COPD causes hypoventilation and CO2 retention; since CO2 acts as an acid in
the blood, its retention leads to respiratory acidosis.
7. What is the compensatory mechanism for a patient in metabolic acidosis?
A. Decreased renal excretion of bicarbonate
B. Increased renal excretion of hydrogen ions
C. Hypoventilation to retain CO2
D. Kussmaul respirations (hyperventilation)
Answer: D
Explanation: The lungs compensate for metabolic acidosis by increasing the rate and
depth of respirations (Kussmaul breathing) to blow off excess CO2 (acid).
8. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to exhibit which of the
following clinical manifestations?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
C. Crackles in the lungs upon auscultation
D. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly
Answer: C
Pathophysiology Verified & Updated
Questions and Answers - Rasmussen
University
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when a specific cell type is replaced by
another cell type that is better able to withstand environmental stress?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation or inflammation.
2. During the inflammatory process, which chemical mediator is primarily
responsible for increasing vascular permeability and causing vasodilation
immediately after injury?
A. Prostaglandins
B. Leukotrienes
C. Cytokines
D. Histamine
Answer: D
Explanation: Histamine is one of the first mediators released from mast cells during an
inflammatory response, leading to rapid vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
,3. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and
involves the release of histamine from mast cells, potentially leading to
anaphylaxis?
B. Type II
A. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A
Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE,
which binds to mast cells and triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals.
4. In a patient with HIV, which laboratory value is the primary indicator of the
progression to AIDS?
A. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count
B. White blood cell count
C. Viral load count
D. Hemoglobin levels
Answer: A
Explanation: The progression to AIDS is clinically defined by a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count
dropping below 200 cells/mm3 or the presence of an AIDS-defining illness.
5. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which
electrocardiogram (EKG) change should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prolonged PR interval
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: B
, Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) is classic for causing tall, peaked T waves on
an EKG due to rapid repolarization of the ventricles.
6. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely to occur in a patient with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is retaining carbon dioxide?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Explanation: COPD causes hypoventilation and CO2 retention; since CO2 acts as an acid in
the blood, its retention leads to respiratory acidosis.
7. What is the compensatory mechanism for a patient in metabolic acidosis?
A. Decreased renal excretion of bicarbonate
B. Increased renal excretion of hydrogen ions
C. Hypoventilation to retain CO2
D. Kussmaul respirations (hyperventilation)
Answer: D
Explanation: The lungs compensate for metabolic acidosis by increasing the rate and
depth of respirations (Kussmaul breathing) to blow off excess CO2 (acid).
8. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to exhibit which of the
following clinical manifestations?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
C. Crackles in the lungs upon auscultation
D. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly
Answer: C
