ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY NURS 5350 – NURS 5350 – 2026
Complete Practice Evaluation Question and Solution Set for
Units 5–8
Introduction:
This document contains a comprehensive collection of advanced
pathophysiology practice questions and verified solutions for NURS 5350
Exam 2, covering Units 5–8. Topics include cardiovascular disorders,
respiratory pathophysiology, renal and fluid balance, acid-base disorders,
hematologic conditions, congenital abnormalities, and shock syndromes.
The material is designed to support exam preparation through detailed
question-and-answer review and includes both adult and pediatric
pathophysiology concepts frequently tested in nursing evaluations. The
document also incorporates multiple-choice review items and clinical
application scenarios aligned with advanced nursing coursework.
Exam Questions and Answers
What is the nurse monitoring when observing the QRS complex on
the electrocardiogram? --- correct precise answer --- Ventricular
activity
What term is used to identify the period that follows depolarization
of the myocardium and represents a period during which no new
cardiac potential can be propagated? --- correct precise answer ---
Absolute refractory
,The PR interval viewed on a normal electrocardiogram represents: -
-- correct precise answer --- onset of atrial activation to onset of
ventricular activity.
What represents the sum of all ventricular muscle cell
depolarization? --- correct precise answer --- QRS complex
A 13-year-old took a weight loss drug that activated the sympathetic
nervous system. Which of the following assessment findings would
the nurse expect? --- correct precise answer --- Increased cardiac
conduction
A 50-year-old received trauma to the chest that caused severe
impairment of the primary pacemaker cells of the heart. Which of
the following areas received the greatest damage? --- correct
precise answer --- Sinoatrial (SA) node
A 28-year-old with seizure disorder has a vagus nerve stimulator
implanted to help control seizure activity. Which result will the
nurse expect to occur? --- correct precise answer --- Decreased
cardiac conduction
A nurse assesses the heart after acetylcholine because the effect of
acetylcholine on the heart is to: --- correct precise answer ---
decrease the heart rate.
,One difference between cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle is that:
--- correct precise answer --- cardiac muscle cells are arranged in
branching networks.
What are the thickened areas of the sarcolemma of myocardial cells
that enable electrical impulses to travel in a continuous cell-to-cell
fashion called? --- correct precise answer --- Intercalated disks
Muscle contractions occur when there is a decreased: --- correct
precise answer --- distance between Z lines.
The process by which an action potential in the plasma membrane
of a myocardial cell triggers the events that directly cause
contraction of the myocardial cells is referred to as: --- correct
precise answer --- excitation-contraction coupling.
The molecule that aids in bonding of the troponin complex to actin
and tropomyosin is troponin: --- correct precise answer --- T
A nurse is discussing the pressure generated at the end of diastole.
Which term is the nurse describing? --- correct precise answer ---
Preload
, As stated by the Frank-Starling law, there is a direct relationship
between the _____ of the blood in the heart at the end of diastole
and the _____ of contraction during the next systole. --- correct
precise answer --- volume; force
Within a normal physiologic range, an increase in left ventricular
end-diastolic volume would lead the nurse to monitor for: ---
correct precise answer --- an increased force of contraction.
A 50-year-old was prescribed a drug that acts as a negative
inotrope. Which endogenous substances would be most similar? ---
correct precise answer --- Acetylcholine
The primary cardiovascular control center is located in the: ---
correct precise answer --- medulla
After activation of the Bainbridge reflex in a patient, the nurse
assesses for: --- correct precise answer --- increased heart rate.
A nurse observes a cardiologist multiplying the heart rate by stroke
volume. What is the cardiologist measuring? --- correct precise
answer --- Cardiac output
Baroreceptors are located in the: --- correct precise answer ---
carotid artery
Complete Practice Evaluation Question and Solution Set for
Units 5–8
Introduction:
This document contains a comprehensive collection of advanced
pathophysiology practice questions and verified solutions for NURS 5350
Exam 2, covering Units 5–8. Topics include cardiovascular disorders,
respiratory pathophysiology, renal and fluid balance, acid-base disorders,
hematologic conditions, congenital abnormalities, and shock syndromes.
The material is designed to support exam preparation through detailed
question-and-answer review and includes both adult and pediatric
pathophysiology concepts frequently tested in nursing evaluations. The
document also incorporates multiple-choice review items and clinical
application scenarios aligned with advanced nursing coursework.
Exam Questions and Answers
What is the nurse monitoring when observing the QRS complex on
the electrocardiogram? --- correct precise answer --- Ventricular
activity
What term is used to identify the period that follows depolarization
of the myocardium and represents a period during which no new
cardiac potential can be propagated? --- correct precise answer ---
Absolute refractory
,The PR interval viewed on a normal electrocardiogram represents: -
-- correct precise answer --- onset of atrial activation to onset of
ventricular activity.
What represents the sum of all ventricular muscle cell
depolarization? --- correct precise answer --- QRS complex
A 13-year-old took a weight loss drug that activated the sympathetic
nervous system. Which of the following assessment findings would
the nurse expect? --- correct precise answer --- Increased cardiac
conduction
A 50-year-old received trauma to the chest that caused severe
impairment of the primary pacemaker cells of the heart. Which of
the following areas received the greatest damage? --- correct
precise answer --- Sinoatrial (SA) node
A 28-year-old with seizure disorder has a vagus nerve stimulator
implanted to help control seizure activity. Which result will the
nurse expect to occur? --- correct precise answer --- Decreased
cardiac conduction
A nurse assesses the heart after acetylcholine because the effect of
acetylcholine on the heart is to: --- correct precise answer ---
decrease the heart rate.
,One difference between cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle is that:
--- correct precise answer --- cardiac muscle cells are arranged in
branching networks.
What are the thickened areas of the sarcolemma of myocardial cells
that enable electrical impulses to travel in a continuous cell-to-cell
fashion called? --- correct precise answer --- Intercalated disks
Muscle contractions occur when there is a decreased: --- correct
precise answer --- distance between Z lines.
The process by which an action potential in the plasma membrane
of a myocardial cell triggers the events that directly cause
contraction of the myocardial cells is referred to as: --- correct
precise answer --- excitation-contraction coupling.
The molecule that aids in bonding of the troponin complex to actin
and tropomyosin is troponin: --- correct precise answer --- T
A nurse is discussing the pressure generated at the end of diastole.
Which term is the nurse describing? --- correct precise answer ---
Preload
, As stated by the Frank-Starling law, there is a direct relationship
between the _____ of the blood in the heart at the end of diastole
and the _____ of contraction during the next systole. --- correct
precise answer --- volume; force
Within a normal physiologic range, an increase in left ventricular
end-diastolic volume would lead the nurse to monitor for: ---
correct precise answer --- an increased force of contraction.
A 50-year-old was prescribed a drug that acts as a negative
inotrope. Which endogenous substances would be most similar? ---
correct precise answer --- Acetylcholine
The primary cardiovascular control center is located in the: ---
correct precise answer --- medulla
After activation of the Bainbridge reflex in a patient, the nurse
assesses for: --- correct precise answer --- increased heart rate.
A nurse observes a cardiologist multiplying the heart rate by stroke
volume. What is the cardiologist measuring? --- correct precise
answer --- Cardiac output
Baroreceptors are located in the: --- correct precise answer ---
carotid artery
