RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
NUR 2063 - Essentials of Pathophysiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Final Exam Comprehensive Question Bank
Question 1
A patient presents with epigastric pain, heartburn, and nausea. The patient reports
taking NSAIDs daily for arthritis. The nurse suspects gastritis. Which organism is the
most common infectious cause of chronic gastritis?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Helicobacter pylori
C. Clostridium difficile
D. Streptococcus pyogenes
CORRECT ANSWER B. Helicobacter pylori
RATIONALE
H. pylori is the leading cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers. It colonizes the gastric mucosa,
produces urease (neutralizing acid), and triggers inflammation. NSAIDs, alcohol, stress, and
autoimmune conditions are other causes.
,Question 2
A patient with peptic ulcer disease reports epigastric pain that is relieved by eating. This
finding is most characteristic of which type of ulcer?
A. Gastric ulcer
B. Duodenal ulcer
C. Stress ulcer
D. Malignant ulcer
CORRECT ANSWER B. Duodenal ulcer
RATIONALE
Duodenal ulcers are associated with excessive acid or H. pylori. Pain is typically relieved by food
(food buffers acid). Gastric ulcers often have pain that worsens with eating. Stress ulcers often
present with hemorrhage as first sign.
Question 3
A patient with iron deficiency anemia reports craving ice and dirt. The nurse documents
this finding as:
A. Pica
B. Pallor
C. Paresis
D. Petechiae
CORRECT ANSWER A. Pica
RATIONALE
Pica is the craving and consumption of non-food substances (ice, dirt, clay, starch). It is a classic
manifestation of iron deficiency anemia, along with brittle nails, headache, and delayed healing.
, Question 4
A patient with pernicious anemia asks why they need lifelong vitamin B12 injections. The
nurse explains that this type of anemia results from:
A. Iron deficiency from chronic blood loss
B. Lack of intrinsic factor needed for B12 absorption in the stomach
C. Bone marrow failure to produce RBCs
D. Abnormal hemoglobin S causing RBC sickling
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Lack of intrinsic factor needed for B12 absorption in the stomach
RATIONALE
Pernicious anemia is a megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency due to lack of
intrinsic factor (autoimmune destruction of gastric parietal cells). B12 is essential for RBC
maturation and myelin synthesis. Parenteral B12 is required because oral B12 cannot be absorbed
without intrinsic factor.
Question 5
A patient is diagnosed with aplastic anemia. The nurse understands that this condition
involves:
A. Excessive destruction of RBCs
B. Bone marrow failure leading to pancytopenia
C. Iron deficiency from poor nutrition
D. Genetic defect in hemoglobin structure
CORRECT ANSWER B. Bone marrow failure leading to pancytopenia
RATIONALE
Aplastic anemia results from bone marrow failure, causing pancytopenia (decreased RBCs, WBCs,
and platelets). Causes include autoimmune, chemotherapy/radiation, toxins (benzene, pesticides),
and viral infections. Manifestations include anemia, leukopenia (recurrent infections), and
thrombocytopenia (bleeding).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
NUR 2063 - Essentials of Pathophysiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Final Exam Comprehensive Question Bank
Question 1
A patient presents with epigastric pain, heartburn, and nausea. The patient reports
taking NSAIDs daily for arthritis. The nurse suspects gastritis. Which organism is the
most common infectious cause of chronic gastritis?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Helicobacter pylori
C. Clostridium difficile
D. Streptococcus pyogenes
CORRECT ANSWER B. Helicobacter pylori
RATIONALE
H. pylori is the leading cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers. It colonizes the gastric mucosa,
produces urease (neutralizing acid), and triggers inflammation. NSAIDs, alcohol, stress, and
autoimmune conditions are other causes.
,Question 2
A patient with peptic ulcer disease reports epigastric pain that is relieved by eating. This
finding is most characteristic of which type of ulcer?
A. Gastric ulcer
B. Duodenal ulcer
C. Stress ulcer
D. Malignant ulcer
CORRECT ANSWER B. Duodenal ulcer
RATIONALE
Duodenal ulcers are associated with excessive acid or H. pylori. Pain is typically relieved by food
(food buffers acid). Gastric ulcers often have pain that worsens with eating. Stress ulcers often
present with hemorrhage as first sign.
Question 3
A patient with iron deficiency anemia reports craving ice and dirt. The nurse documents
this finding as:
A. Pica
B. Pallor
C. Paresis
D. Petechiae
CORRECT ANSWER A. Pica
RATIONALE
Pica is the craving and consumption of non-food substances (ice, dirt, clay, starch). It is a classic
manifestation of iron deficiency anemia, along with brittle nails, headache, and delayed healing.
, Question 4
A patient with pernicious anemia asks why they need lifelong vitamin B12 injections. The
nurse explains that this type of anemia results from:
A. Iron deficiency from chronic blood loss
B. Lack of intrinsic factor needed for B12 absorption in the stomach
C. Bone marrow failure to produce RBCs
D. Abnormal hemoglobin S causing RBC sickling
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Lack of intrinsic factor needed for B12 absorption in the stomach
RATIONALE
Pernicious anemia is a megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency due to lack of
intrinsic factor (autoimmune destruction of gastric parietal cells). B12 is essential for RBC
maturation and myelin synthesis. Parenteral B12 is required because oral B12 cannot be absorbed
without intrinsic factor.
Question 5
A patient is diagnosed with aplastic anemia. The nurse understands that this condition
involves:
A. Excessive destruction of RBCs
B. Bone marrow failure leading to pancytopenia
C. Iron deficiency from poor nutrition
D. Genetic defect in hemoglobin structure
CORRECT ANSWER B. Bone marrow failure leading to pancytopenia
RATIONALE
Aplastic anemia results from bone marrow failure, causing pancytopenia (decreased RBCs, WBCs,
and platelets). Causes include autoimmune, chemotherapy/radiation, toxins (benzene, pesticides),
and viral infections. Manifestations include anemia, leukopenia (recurrent infections), and
thrombocytopenia (bleeding).
