NUR 3205 Exam 2: Applied Pathophysiology
Verified & Updated Questions and Answers -
Rasmussen University
1. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism behind an asthma attack?
A. Permanent destruction of the alveolar walls
B. Airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness to stimuli
C. Chronic thickening of the pulmonary arterial walls
D. Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space
Answer: B
Explanation: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction caused by
bronchial inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and bronchoconstriction in response to
various triggers.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
C. Hepatosplenomegaly
D. Pulmonary crackles and dyspnea
Answer: D
Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to backflow into the pulmonary circulation,
causing pulmonary congestion and edema, which manifests as crackles and shortness of
breath.
,3. In patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), why does anemia frequently
occur?
A. Decreased production of erythropoietin by the kidneys
B. Inadequate intake of dietary iron
C. Chronic loss of blood in the urine
D. Premature destruction of red blood cells in the spleen
Answer: A
Explanation: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood
cell production; in CKD, damaged kidneys produce less of this hormone.
4. Which condition is a common cause of prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI)?
A. Obstruction by kidney stones
B. Nephrotoxic medication use
C. Hypovolemia due to severe dehydration
D. Acute glomerulonephritis
Answer: C
Explanation: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that reduce renal blood flow, such as
hypovolemia, hemorrhage, or heart failure, before blood even reaches the kidney tissue.
5. What is the initial step in the development of atherosclerosis?
A. Formation of a fibrous plaque
B. Endothelial cell injury and inflammation
C. Rupture of the lipid core
D. Calcification of the vessel wall
Answer: B
Explanation: Atherosclerosis begins with injury to the endothelial lining of the arterial
wall, which triggers an inflammatory response and lipid accumulation.
, 6. A patient presents with peripheral edema, ascites, and jugular venous
distention. These are signs of:
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Acute myocardial infarction
D. Hypovolemic shock
Answer: B
Explanation: Right-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the systemic venous
circulation, leading to systemic congestion symptoms like JVD and edema.
7. Which statement best describes the pathophysiology of emphysema?
A. Hypertrophy of mucus-secreting glands in the large airways
B. Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of elastic recoil
C. Infection and consolidation of lung parenchyma
D. Fluid accumulation in the alveoli due to high pressure
Answer: B
Explanation: Emphysema involves the destruction of alveolar septa and loss of elasticity,
leading to permanent enlargement of air spaces and air trapping.
8. What occurs during the ‘consolidation’ phase of bacterial pneumonia?
A. Alveoli fill with exudate, neutrophils, and bacteria
B. The lungs become hyperinflated with air
C. Bronchial smooth muscle undergoes severe spasm
D. Fluid shifts from the capillaries into the pleural space
Answer: A
Explanation: In pneumonia, consolidation refers to the alveoli becoming filled with
inflammatory fluid and debris, which impairs gas exchange.
Verified & Updated Questions and Answers -
Rasmussen University
1. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism behind an asthma attack?
A. Permanent destruction of the alveolar walls
B. Airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness to stimuli
C. Chronic thickening of the pulmonary arterial walls
D. Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space
Answer: B
Explanation: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction caused by
bronchial inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and bronchoconstriction in response to
various triggers.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
C. Hepatosplenomegaly
D. Pulmonary crackles and dyspnea
Answer: D
Explanation: Left-sided heart failure leads to backflow into the pulmonary circulation,
causing pulmonary congestion and edema, which manifests as crackles and shortness of
breath.
,3. In patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), why does anemia frequently
occur?
A. Decreased production of erythropoietin by the kidneys
B. Inadequate intake of dietary iron
C. Chronic loss of blood in the urine
D. Premature destruction of red blood cells in the spleen
Answer: A
Explanation: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood
cell production; in CKD, damaged kidneys produce less of this hormone.
4. Which condition is a common cause of prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI)?
A. Obstruction by kidney stones
B. Nephrotoxic medication use
C. Hypovolemia due to severe dehydration
D. Acute glomerulonephritis
Answer: C
Explanation: Prerenal AKI is caused by factors that reduce renal blood flow, such as
hypovolemia, hemorrhage, or heart failure, before blood even reaches the kidney tissue.
5. What is the initial step in the development of atherosclerosis?
A. Formation of a fibrous plaque
B. Endothelial cell injury and inflammation
C. Rupture of the lipid core
D. Calcification of the vessel wall
Answer: B
Explanation: Atherosclerosis begins with injury to the endothelial lining of the arterial
wall, which triggers an inflammatory response and lipid accumulation.
, 6. A patient presents with peripheral edema, ascites, and jugular venous
distention. These are signs of:
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Acute myocardial infarction
D. Hypovolemic shock
Answer: B
Explanation: Right-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the systemic venous
circulation, leading to systemic congestion symptoms like JVD and edema.
7. Which statement best describes the pathophysiology of emphysema?
A. Hypertrophy of mucus-secreting glands in the large airways
B. Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of elastic recoil
C. Infection and consolidation of lung parenchyma
D. Fluid accumulation in the alveoli due to high pressure
Answer: B
Explanation: Emphysema involves the destruction of alveolar septa and loss of elasticity,
leading to permanent enlargement of air spaces and air trapping.
8. What occurs during the ‘consolidation’ phase of bacterial pneumonia?
A. Alveoli fill with exudate, neutrophils, and bacteria
B. The lungs become hyperinflated with air
C. Bronchial smooth muscle undergoes severe spasm
D. Fluid shifts from the capillaries into the pleural space
Answer: A
Explanation: In pneumonia, consolidation refers to the alveoli becoming filled with
inflammatory fluid and debris, which impairs gas exchange.
