NR-283 Pathophysiology Exam 3
Chamberlain university
Verified Questions, Answers & Rationales
Guaranteed Pass
2026/2027 | Newly Released
Q1: Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of the syndrome of
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)?
A. Increased aldosterone secretion from the adrenal cortex
B. Excessive release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) despite normal or low plasma
osmolality [CORRECT]
C. Decreased renin release leading to low angiotensin II levels
D. Overproduction of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) due to atrial stretch
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SIADH is characterized by the uncontrolled secretion of ADH, leading to water
retention, dilutional hyponatremia, and decreased plasma osmolality without physiological
stimuli.
,Q2: A patient with a history of head trauma presents with extreme polyuria and a urine specific
gravity of 1.002. The patient's serum sodium is 152 mEq/L. Which condition best explains these
findings?
A. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
B. Diabetes insipidus [CORRECT]
C. Primary hyperaldosteronism
D. Cushing syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus results from a deficiency of ADH or kidney insensitivity to ADH,
causing massive water loss through dilute urine (low specific gravity) and subsequent
hypernatremia.
Q3: A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with Kussmaul respirations, a fruity breath odor, and
a blood glucose of 450 mg/dL. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) finding is most expected in this
patient?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 35 mm Hg, HCO3- 18 mEq/L [CORRECT]
C. pH 7.38, PaCO2 42 mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.25, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient is in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which presents with metabolic acidosis
(low pH, low HCO3-). Kussmaul respirations act as a compensatory mechanism to blow off
CO2, resulting in a low PaCO2.
.
, Q4: A 65-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes is brought to the emergency department
unconscious. Blood glucose is 750 mg/dL, and serum osmolality is 320 mOsm/kg. Why is this
patient typically less likely to present with Kussmaul respirations compared to a patient in DKA?
A. The pancreas still produces enough insulin to completely prevent lipolysis [CORRECT]
B. The kidneys excrete ketones too rapidly for them to accumulate in the blood
C. The severe dehydration prevents the respiratory center from functioning
D. The high serum osmolality directly suppresses the brainstem respiratory drive
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) patients have enough residual insulin to
prevent lipolysis and subsequent ketone body formation, avoiding the metabolic acidosis that
triggers Kussmaul respirations in DKA.
Q5: A patient with a 20-year history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes reports experiencing
chest pain that worsens with exertion. Which pathophysiological mechanism is the primary cause
of this patient's symptoms?
A. Microangiopathy leading to decreased oxygen delivery to the myocardium
B. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) causing stiffening of the cardiac valves
C. Accelerated atherosclerosis due to chronic hyperglycemia and endothelial dysfunction
[CORRECT]
D. Autonomic neuropathy causing an inability to regulate heart rate during stress
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic hyperglycemia promotes endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and
dyslipidemia, which dramatically accelerate macrovascular atherosclerosis, leading to coronary
artery disease and angina.
Q6: In Graves disease, what is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism causing
hyperthyroidism?
A. Autoantibodies that block thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors
B. A pituitary adenoma secreting excessive TSH
C. Autoantibodies that stimulate TSH receptors, mimicking TSH action [CORRECT]
.
Chamberlain university
Verified Questions, Answers & Rationales
Guaranteed Pass
2026/2027 | Newly Released
Q1: Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of the syndrome of
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)?
A. Increased aldosterone secretion from the adrenal cortex
B. Excessive release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) despite normal or low plasma
osmolality [CORRECT]
C. Decreased renin release leading to low angiotensin II levels
D. Overproduction of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) due to atrial stretch
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SIADH is characterized by the uncontrolled secretion of ADH, leading to water
retention, dilutional hyponatremia, and decreased plasma osmolality without physiological
stimuli.
,Q2: A patient with a history of head trauma presents with extreme polyuria and a urine specific
gravity of 1.002. The patient's serum sodium is 152 mEq/L. Which condition best explains these
findings?
A. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
B. Diabetes insipidus [CORRECT]
C. Primary hyperaldosteronism
D. Cushing syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus results from a deficiency of ADH or kidney insensitivity to ADH,
causing massive water loss through dilute urine (low specific gravity) and subsequent
hypernatremia.
Q3: A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with Kussmaul respirations, a fruity breath odor, and
a blood glucose of 450 mg/dL. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) finding is most expected in this
patient?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 35 mm Hg, HCO3- 18 mEq/L [CORRECT]
C. pH 7.38, PaCO2 42 mm Hg, HCO3- 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.25, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, HCO3- 22 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient is in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which presents with metabolic acidosis
(low pH, low HCO3-). Kussmaul respirations act as a compensatory mechanism to blow off
CO2, resulting in a low PaCO2.
.
, Q4: A 65-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes is brought to the emergency department
unconscious. Blood glucose is 750 mg/dL, and serum osmolality is 320 mOsm/kg. Why is this
patient typically less likely to present with Kussmaul respirations compared to a patient in DKA?
A. The pancreas still produces enough insulin to completely prevent lipolysis [CORRECT]
B. The kidneys excrete ketones too rapidly for them to accumulate in the blood
C. The severe dehydration prevents the respiratory center from functioning
D. The high serum osmolality directly suppresses the brainstem respiratory drive
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) patients have enough residual insulin to
prevent lipolysis and subsequent ketone body formation, avoiding the metabolic acidosis that
triggers Kussmaul respirations in DKA.
Q5: A patient with a 20-year history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes reports experiencing
chest pain that worsens with exertion. Which pathophysiological mechanism is the primary cause
of this patient's symptoms?
A. Microangiopathy leading to decreased oxygen delivery to the myocardium
B. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) causing stiffening of the cardiac valves
C. Accelerated atherosclerosis due to chronic hyperglycemia and endothelial dysfunction
[CORRECT]
D. Autonomic neuropathy causing an inability to regulate heart rate during stress
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic hyperglycemia promotes endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and
dyslipidemia, which dramatically accelerate macrovascular atherosclerosis, leading to coronary
artery disease and angina.
Q6: In Graves disease, what is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism causing
hyperthyroidism?
A. Autoantibodies that block thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors
B. A pituitary adenoma secreting excessive TSH
C. Autoantibodies that stimulate TSH receptors, mimicking TSH action [CORRECT]
.
