NR-283 Pathophysiology Complete Study Guide : Real Exam Questions & Verified Answers – Chamberlain Nursing – Homeostasis, Cell Injury, Genetics, Fluids, Immunity

Pass NR-283 Pathophysiology at Chamberlain University with this complete study guide for the academic year. This document covers all essential pathophysiology concepts with real exam-style questions and verified answers with detailed rationales. What’s Included – Complete Content Coverage: Foundations of Pathophysiology: Homeostasis (relative balance in body functions), pathophysiology defined (changes that result from disease), examples of pathophysiology at organ (ischemia), tissue (gangrene), and cell (dysplasia) levels. Three levels of prevention – primary (vaccines), secondary (screenings), tertiary (rehabilitation). Causes of cellular damage – genetics, nutritional, infectious, environmental. Cellular Adaptation & Injury: Atrophy (reduced tissue size/mass – malnutrition, lack of exercise), hypertrophy (increased tissue size/mass – increased size of individual cells), hyperplasia (increased number of cells – pregnancy/enlargement of uterine wall), dysplasia (cells varying in size and shape – HPV/abnormal Pap), anaplasia (undifferentiated cells – variable nuclear structures), neoplasia (new growth – tumor, benign or malignant), metaplasia (mature cell type replaced by different mature cell type – smoking: ciliated columnar epithelium replaced by stratified squamous epithelium in respiratory tract). Apoptosis (programmed cell death – normal occurrence). Ischemia (circulatory obstruction – decreased O2 supply). Hypoxia (reduced oxygen in tissues – COPD, pneumonia). Gangrene (DM, atherosclerosis). Necrosis (bacterial infections, TB, MI). Inflammation (trauma). Etiology (cause of disease). Pathogenesis (story of how disease develops). Genetic Disorders: Autosomal recessive (two recessive genes needed for disease, one recessive gene makes carrier) – cystic fibrosis (thick mucous secretions), PKU (inability to metabolize phenylalanine – strict very low protein diet), Tay-Sachs (enzyme deficiency causing fatty protein buildup destroying nerve cells). Autosomal dominant (one gene needed, no carriers) – Marfan syndrome (long extremities, congenital heart defects), Huntington's disease (nerve cells break down over time, involuntary movements), familial hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol). X-linked disorders (carried on X chromosome) – recessive X-linked disorders (color blindness, more prominent in males). Chromosomal disorders (not inherited, problem on chromosome) – Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Turner syndrome (females – short stature, infertility, XO), Klinefelter syndrome (males – develop breasts, small testes, extra X chromosome, XXY). Fluid & Electrolyte Balance: Intracellular fluid (fluid inside cell – 2/3 of body water). Extracellular fluid (fluid outside cell – IVF/blood plasma, ISF/interstitial fluid, CSF, transcellular fluid including synovial, pericardial cavities). Hydrostatic pressure (push – arterial level). Osmotic pressure (pull – venous level). Isotonic solutions (completely balanced – normal saline). Hypotonic solutions (less solute, less concentrated – 0.45% NaCl/1/2 NS for dehydrated patient). Hypertonic solutions (more solute, more concentrated – 3.0-5.0% NaCl for cerebral edema patient). Normal lab ranges: Na+ 135-145 mEq/L, K+ 3.5-5.0 mEq/L, Cl- 98-106 mEq/L, Ca2+ 8.5-10.5 mEq/L, Mg2+ 1.4-2.1 mEq/L. Electrolyte Imbalances: Hyponatremia (low sodium – rapid dehydration). Hypernatremia (high sodium – slower dehydration, e.g., elderly unable to drink frequently). Hypokalemia (low potassium – cardiac arrhythmia, leg cramping, decreased bowel sounds). Hyperkalemia (high potassium – cardiac arrest, muscle weakness, hyperactive bowel sounds). Hypocalcemia (low calcium – weak bones/teeth, severe muscle cramping, Trousseau and Chvostek signs – from insufficient calcium or vitamin D). Hypercalcemia (high calcium – lethargy, bone pain, indicative of bone cancer/immobility). Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium – tremors, tachycardia, confusion). Hypermagnesemia (high magnesium – vasodilation, nausea, vomiting, hypotension, cardiac arrest). Acid-Base Balance: Normal blood pH 7.35-7.45. CO2 normal range 35-45. HCO3- normal range 22-26. Blood pH 7.35 – metabolic or respiratory acidosis. Blood pH 7.45 – metabolic or respiratory alkalosis. Respiratory acidosis (CO2 45 – caused by pneumonia, COPD, narcotic OD, chest injuries). Respiratory alkalosis (CO2 35 – caused by panic attacks, hyperventilation). Metabolic acidosis (HCO3- 22 – DKA). Metabolic alkalosis (HCO3- 26 – GI secretions over-suctioned, NG tubes, OD on antacids, prolonged emesis). Immunity & Inflammation: Nonspecific/innate immunity – 1st and 2nd lines of defense. Specific/adaptive immunity – 3rd line of defense. 1st line of defense – barriers: skin, mucous membranes, gastric juices, normal flora, cilia. 2nd line of defense – inflammation and phagocytosis. 3rd line of defense – B-cells and T-cells. Cycle of infection – pathogens, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, host. B-cells – produce antibodies, clone themselves to tag antigens, become memory B-cells. T-cells – born in bone marrow, mature in thymus gland (cell-mediated response). T-killer cells – phagocytosis of infected human cells. Helper T-cells – direct adaptive immunity response. Immunoglobulins: IgG (most common, in blood), IgM (first at the scene, immediate response), IgA (spread mother to child in colostrum, breast milk, saliva, tears), IgE (allergies, allergic response, histamine release), IgD (attached to B-cells – function unknown). Active immunity (activates immune system) – active natural (natural exposure to antigen), active artificial (immunizations). Passive immunity – passive natural (mother to fetus), passive artificial (adult antibody injected into another adult). Perfect for NR-283 Pathophysiology, Chamberlain University nursing, pathophysiology exams, and nursing school fundamentals