Essentials of Pathophysiology Final Exam
(NUR2063): Updated 2024/2025 Review Guide
with Verified Grade A Answers – Rasmussen
NUR2063 ADVANCED PRACTICE (SET 2) —
QUESTIONS + ANSWERS + RATIONALES
Here are full rationales for all 100 NUR2063 questions, grouped for readability. Each includes
the correct answer + why it is correct.
NUR2063 FINAL EXAM — ANSWERS
+ FULL RATIONALES
1–10 Cellular Adaptation & Injury
1. B. Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, commonly seen in muscle cells under increased
workload (e.g., cardiac hypertrophy in hypertension).
2. B. Ischemia
Ischemia is reduced blood flow causing oxygen deprivation and nutrient loss, leading to
potential tissue damage.
3. A. Oxidative stress
Free radicals damage cell membranes, DNA, and proteins, leading to oxidative stress
injury.
4. B. Apoptosis
Apoptosis is programmed, controlled cell death used for normal tissue turnover and
development.
5. B. Metaplasia
Metaplasia is a reversible change where one mature cell type is replaced by another to
better resist stress.
, 6. C. Necrosis
Necrosis is uncontrolled, irreversible cell death resulting in inflammation and tissue
damage.
7. A. Cellular edema
Failure of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump causes sodium and water to enter the cell, leading to
swelling.
8. B. Alcohol abuse
Alcohol disrupts fat metabolism, causing fatty infiltration of liver cells.
9. B. Disorganized cell growth
Dysplasia involves abnormal size, shape, and organization of cells, often pre-cancerous.
10. A. ATP production
Hypoxia reduces oxygen needed for aerobic metabolism, decreasing ATP and impairing
cell function.
11–20 Fluids, Electrolytes, Acid-Base
11. B. 135–145
Normal sodium range maintains fluid balance and neuromuscular function.
12. B. Hyponatremia
SIADH causes excess ADH, leading to water retention and diluted sodium levels.
13. C. Polyuria
Diabetes insipidus involves ADH deficiency or resistance, causing excessive urination.
14. B. CO₂ retention
Respiratory acidosis results from hypoventilation and accumulation of carbon dioxide.
15. A. Vomiting
Loss of gastric acid increases bicarbonate, causing metabolic alkalosis.
16. B. 7.35–7.45
Normal blood pH is tightly regulated to maintain enzymatic and metabolic function.
17. A. Muscle weakness
Low potassium impairs neuromuscular function leading to weakness and arrhythmias.
18. B. Bone pain
High calcium leads to bone resorption and neuromuscular slowing.
19. B. Hyperventilation
The body blows off CO₂ to compensate for metabolic acidosis.
20. B. Kidneys
The kidneys regulate potassium by excretion and reabsorption.
21–30 Cardiovascular
21. B. Pulmonary congestion
Left-sided heart failure causes blood backing into lungs, leading to pulmonary edema.
, 22. B. JVD
Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion, seen as jugular vein
distention.
23. B. Plaque buildup
Atherosclerosis is lipid plaque accumulation in arterial walls reducing blood flow.
24. B. Coronary artery blockage
MI occurs when a coronary artery is occluded, causing myocardial ischemia and necrosis.
25. B. Temporary ischemia
Angina is chest pain due to transient reduced oxygen to heart muscle.
26. A. Stroke
Hypertension damages blood vessels and increases risk of cerebrovascular accidents.
27. B. Tissue hypoxia
Shock results in inadequate perfusion and oxygen delivery to tissues.
28. B. Pump failure
Cardiogenic shock is caused by failure of the heart to pump effectively.
29. B. 60–100
Normal adult resting heart rate ensures adequate cardiac output.
30. B. Fluid backup
Heart failure causes fluid retention due to poor circulation and RAAS activation.
31–40 Respiratory
31. B. Reversible airway narrowing
Asthma involves bronchoconstriction that improves with treatment.
32. B. Smoking
Smoking causes chronic airway inflammation and destruction in COPD.
33. B. Alveoli
Emphysema destroys alveolar walls, reducing gas exchange surface area.
34. B. Lungs
Pneumonia is infection/inflammation of lung tissue and alveoli.
35. B. Severe hypoxemia
ARDS causes fluid-filled alveoli and impaired oxygen diffusion.
36. B. Respiratory alkalosis
Hyperventilation removes CO₂, increasing blood pH.
37. B. Lungs
CO₂ is eliminated through pulmonary ventilation.
38. B. Productive cough
Chronic bronchitis is defined by excessive mucus production and cough.
39. B. Fluid in pleural space
Pleural effusion impairs lung expansion.
40. B. Low oxygen
Cyanosis indicates decreased oxygen saturation in blood.
(NUR2063): Updated 2024/2025 Review Guide
with Verified Grade A Answers – Rasmussen
NUR2063 ADVANCED PRACTICE (SET 2) —
QUESTIONS + ANSWERS + RATIONALES
Here are full rationales for all 100 NUR2063 questions, grouped for readability. Each includes
the correct answer + why it is correct.
NUR2063 FINAL EXAM — ANSWERS
+ FULL RATIONALES
1–10 Cellular Adaptation & Injury
1. B. Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, commonly seen in muscle cells under increased
workload (e.g., cardiac hypertrophy in hypertension).
2. B. Ischemia
Ischemia is reduced blood flow causing oxygen deprivation and nutrient loss, leading to
potential tissue damage.
3. A. Oxidative stress
Free radicals damage cell membranes, DNA, and proteins, leading to oxidative stress
injury.
4. B. Apoptosis
Apoptosis is programmed, controlled cell death used for normal tissue turnover and
development.
5. B. Metaplasia
Metaplasia is a reversible change where one mature cell type is replaced by another to
better resist stress.
, 6. C. Necrosis
Necrosis is uncontrolled, irreversible cell death resulting in inflammation and tissue
damage.
7. A. Cellular edema
Failure of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump causes sodium and water to enter the cell, leading to
swelling.
8. B. Alcohol abuse
Alcohol disrupts fat metabolism, causing fatty infiltration of liver cells.
9. B. Disorganized cell growth
Dysplasia involves abnormal size, shape, and organization of cells, often pre-cancerous.
10. A. ATP production
Hypoxia reduces oxygen needed for aerobic metabolism, decreasing ATP and impairing
cell function.
11–20 Fluids, Electrolytes, Acid-Base
11. B. 135–145
Normal sodium range maintains fluid balance and neuromuscular function.
12. B. Hyponatremia
SIADH causes excess ADH, leading to water retention and diluted sodium levels.
13. C. Polyuria
Diabetes insipidus involves ADH deficiency or resistance, causing excessive urination.
14. B. CO₂ retention
Respiratory acidosis results from hypoventilation and accumulation of carbon dioxide.
15. A. Vomiting
Loss of gastric acid increases bicarbonate, causing metabolic alkalosis.
16. B. 7.35–7.45
Normal blood pH is tightly regulated to maintain enzymatic and metabolic function.
17. A. Muscle weakness
Low potassium impairs neuromuscular function leading to weakness and arrhythmias.
18. B. Bone pain
High calcium leads to bone resorption and neuromuscular slowing.
19. B. Hyperventilation
The body blows off CO₂ to compensate for metabolic acidosis.
20. B. Kidneys
The kidneys regulate potassium by excretion and reabsorption.
21–30 Cardiovascular
21. B. Pulmonary congestion
Left-sided heart failure causes blood backing into lungs, leading to pulmonary edema.
, 22. B. JVD
Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion, seen as jugular vein
distention.
23. B. Plaque buildup
Atherosclerosis is lipid plaque accumulation in arterial walls reducing blood flow.
24. B. Coronary artery blockage
MI occurs when a coronary artery is occluded, causing myocardial ischemia and necrosis.
25. B. Temporary ischemia
Angina is chest pain due to transient reduced oxygen to heart muscle.
26. A. Stroke
Hypertension damages blood vessels and increases risk of cerebrovascular accidents.
27. B. Tissue hypoxia
Shock results in inadequate perfusion and oxygen delivery to tissues.
28. B. Pump failure
Cardiogenic shock is caused by failure of the heart to pump effectively.
29. B. 60–100
Normal adult resting heart rate ensures adequate cardiac output.
30. B. Fluid backup
Heart failure causes fluid retention due to poor circulation and RAAS activation.
31–40 Respiratory
31. B. Reversible airway narrowing
Asthma involves bronchoconstriction that improves with treatment.
32. B. Smoking
Smoking causes chronic airway inflammation and destruction in COPD.
33. B. Alveoli
Emphysema destroys alveolar walls, reducing gas exchange surface area.
34. B. Lungs
Pneumonia is infection/inflammation of lung tissue and alveoli.
35. B. Severe hypoxemia
ARDS causes fluid-filled alveoli and impaired oxygen diffusion.
36. B. Respiratory alkalosis
Hyperventilation removes CO₂, increasing blood pH.
37. B. Lungs
CO₂ is eliminated through pulmonary ventilation.
38. B. Productive cough
Chronic bronchitis is defined by excessive mucus production and cough.
39. B. Fluid in pleural space
Pleural effusion impairs lung expansion.
40. B. Low oxygen
Cyanosis indicates decreased oxygen saturation in blood.
