NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology Exam 2
| 50 Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops left
ventricular hypertrophy. What is the primary
pathophysiological mechanism behind this adaptation?
A. Decreased afterload leading to reduced myocardial workload
B. Increased pressure overload causing myocardial muscle thickening
C. Reduced preload causing ventricular dilation
D. Increased oxygen supply leading to muscle atrophy
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Chronic hypertension increases afterload, forcing the left ventricle to work harder,
resulting in hypertrophy.
2. A patient with heart failure presents with fluid
accumulation in the lungs. Which mechanism is responsible
for pulmonary edema in this condition?
A. Increased oncotic pressure in pulmonary capillaries
B. Decreased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary circulation
C. Increased hydrostatic pressure due to left ventricular failure
D. Decreased capillary permeability
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood backup into pulmonary circulation,
increasing hydrostatic pressure and pushing fluid into alveoli.
3. A patient experiencing an acute asthma attack has
difficulty exhaling air. What is the underlying
pathophysiology?
,A. Alveolar collapse due to surfactant deficiency
B. Bronchial smooth muscle constriction and airway inflammation
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Reduced mucus production
✅ Answer: B
4. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), what
structural change contributes most to impaired gas
exchange?
A. Thickening of alveolar walls
B. Destruction of alveolar septa and reduced surface area
C. Increased surfactant production
D. Narrowing of pulmonary arteries
✅ Answer: B
5. A patient with dehydration presents with increased serum
sodium levels. What is the primary cause of hypernatremia
in this case?
A. Excess sodium intake
B. Loss of free water without sodium loss
C. Increased aldosterone secretion
D. Decreased renal excretion of sodium
✅ Answer: B
6. A patient with kidney failure has elevated potassium
levels. What is the primary reason for hyperkalemia in renal
failure?
A. Increased potassium intake
B. Decreased renal excretion of potassium
, C. Increased intracellular potassium shift
D. Excess aldosterone production
✅ Answer: B
7. A patient with metabolic acidosis is compensating through
respiratory mechanisms. What change would you expect?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Increased respiratory rate to eliminate CO₂
C. Increased bicarbonate retention
D. Decreased oxygen saturation
✅ Answer: B
8. A patient with type 1 diabetes develops diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA). What is the primary cause of acidosis?
A. Excess insulin production
B. Increased glucose uptake into cells
C. Breakdown of fats producing ketone bodies
D. Decreased respiratory rate
✅ Answer: C
9. A patient with hypothyroidism reports fatigue and weight
gain. What is the underlying pathophysiological process?
A. Increased metabolic rate
B. Decreased thyroid hormone leading to slowed metabolism
C. Increased insulin production
D. Increased sympathetic activity
✅ Answer: B
| 50 Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops left
ventricular hypertrophy. What is the primary
pathophysiological mechanism behind this adaptation?
A. Decreased afterload leading to reduced myocardial workload
B. Increased pressure overload causing myocardial muscle thickening
C. Reduced preload causing ventricular dilation
D. Increased oxygen supply leading to muscle atrophy
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Chronic hypertension increases afterload, forcing the left ventricle to work harder,
resulting in hypertrophy.
2. A patient with heart failure presents with fluid
accumulation in the lungs. Which mechanism is responsible
for pulmonary edema in this condition?
A. Increased oncotic pressure in pulmonary capillaries
B. Decreased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary circulation
C. Increased hydrostatic pressure due to left ventricular failure
D. Decreased capillary permeability
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood backup into pulmonary circulation,
increasing hydrostatic pressure and pushing fluid into alveoli.
3. A patient experiencing an acute asthma attack has
difficulty exhaling air. What is the underlying
pathophysiology?
,A. Alveolar collapse due to surfactant deficiency
B. Bronchial smooth muscle constriction and airway inflammation
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Reduced mucus production
✅ Answer: B
4. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), what
structural change contributes most to impaired gas
exchange?
A. Thickening of alveolar walls
B. Destruction of alveolar septa and reduced surface area
C. Increased surfactant production
D. Narrowing of pulmonary arteries
✅ Answer: B
5. A patient with dehydration presents with increased serum
sodium levels. What is the primary cause of hypernatremia
in this case?
A. Excess sodium intake
B. Loss of free water without sodium loss
C. Increased aldosterone secretion
D. Decreased renal excretion of sodium
✅ Answer: B
6. A patient with kidney failure has elevated potassium
levels. What is the primary reason for hyperkalemia in renal
failure?
A. Increased potassium intake
B. Decreased renal excretion of potassium
, C. Increased intracellular potassium shift
D. Excess aldosterone production
✅ Answer: B
7. A patient with metabolic acidosis is compensating through
respiratory mechanisms. What change would you expect?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Increased respiratory rate to eliminate CO₂
C. Increased bicarbonate retention
D. Decreased oxygen saturation
✅ Answer: B
8. A patient with type 1 diabetes develops diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA). What is the primary cause of acidosis?
A. Excess insulin production
B. Increased glucose uptake into cells
C. Breakdown of fats producing ketone bodies
D. Decreased respiratory rate
✅ Answer: C
9. A patient with hypothyroidism reports fatigue and weight
gain. What is the underlying pathophysiological process?
A. Increased metabolic rate
B. Decreased thyroid hormone leading to slowed metabolism
C. Increased insulin production
D. Increased sympathetic activity
✅ Answer: B
