NURS 611 Week 7: Renal and Reproductive Pathophysiology Study
Guide 2026 |Maryville
1. Which of the following is the primary mechanism responsible for the
development of edema in patients with nephrotic syndrome?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia
C. Increased capillary permeability due to systemic inflammation
D. Obstruction of lymphatic drainage by protein casts
Answer: B
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by heavy proteinuria. The loss of albumin
leads to hypoalbuminemia, which lowers the plasma oncotic pressure, allowing fluid to
move from the vascular space into the interstitium.
2. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents with a low hemoglobin
level. What is the most likely cause of this anemia?
A. Iron deficiency from frequent blood draws
B. Inadequate production of erythropoietin by the kidneys
C. Shortened lifespan of red blood cells due to uremic toxins
D. Vitamin B12 deficiency from restricted renal diets
Answer: B
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin in response to hypoxia. In CKD, the
peritubular fibroblasts are damaged, leading to decreased erythropoietin production and
subsequent normocytic, normochromic anemia.
,3. In the context of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which of the following is a classic
clinical finding indicative of prerenal azotemia?
A. A BUN-to-creatinine ratio greater than 20:1
B. Presence of muddy brown granular casts in the urine
C. A Fractional Excretion of Sodium (FeNa) greater than 2%
D. Fixed urine specific gravity of 1.010
Answer: A
Rationale: Prerenal azotemia is caused by hypoperfusion. The kidneys increase urea
reabsorption to maintain osmotic pressure, while creatinine is still filtered, resulting in a
widened BUN:Creatinine ratio (>20:1).
4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is primarily characterized by which
underlying hormonal imbalance?
A. Primary adrenal insufficiency
B. Hypoprolactinemia and estrogen deficiency
C. Elevated progesterone and decreased LH
D. Hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism
Answer: D
Rationale: PCOS involves insulin resistance, which stimulates the ovaries to produce
excess androgens, interfering with normal follicular development and ovulation.
5. What is the primary pathophysiological trigger for the formation of calcium
oxalate kidney stones?
A. Urine alkalinity
B. Supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming salts
C. Chronic urinary tract infections with Proteus species
D. Deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Answer: B
, Rationale: The most important factor in stone formation is the supersaturation of urine
with minerals (like calcium oxalate), combined with a lack of stone inhibitors like citrate.
6. A 24-year-old female presents with severe pelvic pain that worsens during
menstruation and painful intercourse. Laparoscopy reveals endometrial tissue
outside the uterus. This condition is known as:
A. Endometriosis
B. Endometritis
C. Adenomyosis
D. Leiomyoma
Answer: A
Rationale: Endometriosis is the presence of functioning endometrial tissue outside the
uterine cavity, which responds to hormonal changes, causing inflammation and pain.
7. Which organism is the most common cause of uncomplicated urinary tract
infections (UTIs)?
A. Staphylococcus saprophyticus
B. Escherichia coli
C. Klebsiella pneumoniae
D. Proteus mirabilis
Answer: B
Rationale: E. coli is responsible for approximately 80-85% of uncomplicated UTIs,
typically originating from the patient’s own fecal flora.
Guide 2026 |Maryville
1. Which of the following is the primary mechanism responsible for the
development of edema in patients with nephrotic syndrome?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia
C. Increased capillary permeability due to systemic inflammation
D. Obstruction of lymphatic drainage by protein casts
Answer: B
Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by heavy proteinuria. The loss of albumin
leads to hypoalbuminemia, which lowers the plasma oncotic pressure, allowing fluid to
move from the vascular space into the interstitium.
2. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents with a low hemoglobin
level. What is the most likely cause of this anemia?
A. Iron deficiency from frequent blood draws
B. Inadequate production of erythropoietin by the kidneys
C. Shortened lifespan of red blood cells due to uremic toxins
D. Vitamin B12 deficiency from restricted renal diets
Answer: B
Rationale: The kidneys produce erythropoietin in response to hypoxia. In CKD, the
peritubular fibroblasts are damaged, leading to decreased erythropoietin production and
subsequent normocytic, normochromic anemia.
,3. In the context of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which of the following is a classic
clinical finding indicative of prerenal azotemia?
A. A BUN-to-creatinine ratio greater than 20:1
B. Presence of muddy brown granular casts in the urine
C. A Fractional Excretion of Sodium (FeNa) greater than 2%
D. Fixed urine specific gravity of 1.010
Answer: A
Rationale: Prerenal azotemia is caused by hypoperfusion. The kidneys increase urea
reabsorption to maintain osmotic pressure, while creatinine is still filtered, resulting in a
widened BUN:Creatinine ratio (>20:1).
4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is primarily characterized by which
underlying hormonal imbalance?
A. Primary adrenal insufficiency
B. Hypoprolactinemia and estrogen deficiency
C. Elevated progesterone and decreased LH
D. Hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism
Answer: D
Rationale: PCOS involves insulin resistance, which stimulates the ovaries to produce
excess androgens, interfering with normal follicular development and ovulation.
5. What is the primary pathophysiological trigger for the formation of calcium
oxalate kidney stones?
A. Urine alkalinity
B. Supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming salts
C. Chronic urinary tract infections with Proteus species
D. Deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Answer: B
, Rationale: The most important factor in stone formation is the supersaturation of urine
with minerals (like calcium oxalate), combined with a lack of stone inhibitors like citrate.
6. A 24-year-old female presents with severe pelvic pain that worsens during
menstruation and painful intercourse. Laparoscopy reveals endometrial tissue
outside the uterus. This condition is known as:
A. Endometriosis
B. Endometritis
C. Adenomyosis
D. Leiomyoma
Answer: A
Rationale: Endometriosis is the presence of functioning endometrial tissue outside the
uterine cavity, which responds to hormonal changes, causing inflammation and pain.
7. Which organism is the most common cause of uncomplicated urinary tract
infections (UTIs)?
A. Staphylococcus saprophyticus
B. Escherichia coli
C. Klebsiella pneumoniae
D. Proteus mirabilis
Answer: B
Rationale: E. coli is responsible for approximately 80-85% of uncomplicated UTIs,
typically originating from the patient’s own fecal flora.
