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NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 2 |
Verified Q&A with Rationales | A+
Guide | 2026 Edition
Fluid Movement and Osmosis
1: What occurs during osmosis?
Correct Answer: Water moves from an area of lower solute concentration
to an area of higher solute concentration.
Rationale:
1. Osmosis is the passive movement of water across a semipermeable
membrane.
2. Water moves toward the area with more solutes to achieve equilibrium.
3. This is a fundamental principle of fluid balance in the body.
2: What is the difference in osmotic pressure between two bottles of
cola with the same solute concentration?
Correct Answer: The osmotic pressure is the same between both bottles.
Rationale:
1. Osmotic pressure depends on solute concentration.
2. If both bottles have identical solute concentrations, the osmotic
pressure is equal.
3. No net water movement would occur between them.
Fluid Regulation Hormones
3: Which hormones will the body use when there is too much fluid
(fluid overload) or too little fluid (dehydration)?
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone, Atrial natriuretic peptide,
aldosterone.
Rationale:
1. ADH promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys.
2. Aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention.
3. ANP promotes sodium and water excretion when fluid is excessive.
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Fluid Imbalance Definitions
4: What is hypervolemia?
Correct Answer: Too much fluid accumulates and/or organs in the body
are unable to manage or excrete.
Rationale:
1. Hypervolemia is fluid volume excess.
2. It occurs when intake exceeds output or when fluid regulation fails.
3. Causes include heart failure, renal failure, and excessive sodium intake.
5: What is hypovolemia?
Correct Answer: Blood is lost due to hemorrhage and poor fluid intake.
Rationale:
1. Hypovolemia is decreased circulating blood volume.
2. Causes include hemorrhage, dehydration, and third-spacing.
3. It can lead to hypovolemic shock if severe.
6: What is maldistribution of fluid?
Correct Answer: Movement of fluid from one compartment to another
without a loss of fluid.
Rationale:
1. Fluid shifts from one body compartment to another.
2. Total body fluid may be normal, but distribution is abnormal.
3. Example: Third-spacing where fluid moves into interstitial spaces.
Clinical Scenarios - Fluid Imbalance
7: After being out at the beach for hours, an adult suffered from an
extensive sunburn covering their back, arms, and legs. Which fluid
imbalance is this person most likely experiencing?
Correct Answer: Hypovolemic fluid imbalance
Rationale:
1. Extensive burns or sunburn damage the skin barrier.
2. This causes increased capillary permeability and fluid loss.
3. Fluid shifts from the vascular space into tissues and evaporates from
damaged skin.
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8: You suspect someone may have hypervolemia. Which tests would
most accurately support this?
Correct Answer: Daily weight
Rationale:
1. Daily weight is the most accurate measure of fluid balance.
2. One liter of fluid equals approximately one kilogram (2.2 lbs).
3. Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention.
9: Chris, a high school football player, is dizzy and lightheaded after
practice with low BP and elevated pulse. Outside temperature was
105°F and he forgot water. Which type of fluid imbalance could this
be?
Correct Answer: Hypovolemia due to dehydration
Rationale:
1. Excessive sweating in high heat causes fluid and electrolyte loss.
2. Decreased intravascular volume leads to hypotension and reflex
tachycardia.
3. Dizziness results from decreased cerebral perfusion.
10: The intravascular system is depleted through _______ metabolism
and fluid _______ from sweat. This activates baroreceptors, which cause
_______ in order to _______ blood pressure. When fluid levels get _______
enough, blood pressure starts to _______ and pulse rate starts to _______.
The brain _______ blood, causing dizziness and lightheadedness.
Correct Answer: Increased, loss, vasoconstriction, increase, low, decrease,
increase, doesn't get enough.
Rationale:
1. Exercise increases metabolism, generating heat.
2. Sweating causes fluid loss.
3. Baroreceptors detect low volume and trigger vasoconstriction to
maintain BP.
4. When compensation fails, BP drops and HR increases.
5. Cerebral hypoperfusion causes dizziness.
11: Which strategies could have prevented this student's problems?
Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: Taking frequent rest breaks, Offer shaded areas at
NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 2 |
Verified Q&A with Rationales | A+
Guide | 2026 Edition
Fluid Movement and Osmosis
1: What occurs during osmosis?
Correct Answer: Water moves from an area of lower solute concentration
to an area of higher solute concentration.
Rationale:
1. Osmosis is the passive movement of water across a semipermeable
membrane.
2. Water moves toward the area with more solutes to achieve equilibrium.
3. This is a fundamental principle of fluid balance in the body.
2: What is the difference in osmotic pressure between two bottles of
cola with the same solute concentration?
Correct Answer: The osmotic pressure is the same between both bottles.
Rationale:
1. Osmotic pressure depends on solute concentration.
2. If both bottles have identical solute concentrations, the osmotic
pressure is equal.
3. No net water movement would occur between them.
Fluid Regulation Hormones
3: Which hormones will the body use when there is too much fluid
(fluid overload) or too little fluid (dehydration)?
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone, Atrial natriuretic peptide,
aldosterone.
Rationale:
1. ADH promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys.
2. Aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention.
3. ANP promotes sodium and water excretion when fluid is excessive.
, 2|Page
Fluid Imbalance Definitions
4: What is hypervolemia?
Correct Answer: Too much fluid accumulates and/or organs in the body
are unable to manage or excrete.
Rationale:
1. Hypervolemia is fluid volume excess.
2. It occurs when intake exceeds output or when fluid regulation fails.
3. Causes include heart failure, renal failure, and excessive sodium intake.
5: What is hypovolemia?
Correct Answer: Blood is lost due to hemorrhage and poor fluid intake.
Rationale:
1. Hypovolemia is decreased circulating blood volume.
2. Causes include hemorrhage, dehydration, and third-spacing.
3. It can lead to hypovolemic shock if severe.
6: What is maldistribution of fluid?
Correct Answer: Movement of fluid from one compartment to another
without a loss of fluid.
Rationale:
1. Fluid shifts from one body compartment to another.
2. Total body fluid may be normal, but distribution is abnormal.
3. Example: Third-spacing where fluid moves into interstitial spaces.
Clinical Scenarios - Fluid Imbalance
7: After being out at the beach for hours, an adult suffered from an
extensive sunburn covering their back, arms, and legs. Which fluid
imbalance is this person most likely experiencing?
Correct Answer: Hypovolemic fluid imbalance
Rationale:
1. Extensive burns or sunburn damage the skin barrier.
2. This causes increased capillary permeability and fluid loss.
3. Fluid shifts from the vascular space into tissues and evaporates from
damaged skin.
, 3|Page
8: You suspect someone may have hypervolemia. Which tests would
most accurately support this?
Correct Answer: Daily weight
Rationale:
1. Daily weight is the most accurate measure of fluid balance.
2. One liter of fluid equals approximately one kilogram (2.2 lbs).
3. Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention.
9: Chris, a high school football player, is dizzy and lightheaded after
practice with low BP and elevated pulse. Outside temperature was
105°F and he forgot water. Which type of fluid imbalance could this
be?
Correct Answer: Hypovolemia due to dehydration
Rationale:
1. Excessive sweating in high heat causes fluid and electrolyte loss.
2. Decreased intravascular volume leads to hypotension and reflex
tachycardia.
3. Dizziness results from decreased cerebral perfusion.
10: The intravascular system is depleted through _______ metabolism
and fluid _______ from sweat. This activates baroreceptors, which cause
_______ in order to _______ blood pressure. When fluid levels get _______
enough, blood pressure starts to _______ and pulse rate starts to _______.
The brain _______ blood, causing dizziness and lightheadedness.
Correct Answer: Increased, loss, vasoconstriction, increase, low, decrease,
increase, doesn't get enough.
Rationale:
1. Exercise increases metabolism, generating heat.
2. Sweating causes fluid loss.
3. Baroreceptors detect low volume and trigger vasoconstriction to
maintain BP.
4. When compensation fails, BP drops and HR increases.
5. Cerebral hypoperfusion causes dizziness.
11: Which strategies could have prevented this student's problems?
Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: Taking frequent rest breaks, Offer shaded areas at
