NSG 120 FINAL EXAM (HERZING) NEWEST 2026
ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| NSG120 NURSING
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM REVIEW WITH 300
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A nurse is reading a chart and sees the term "atrophy." The
nurse recalls that atrophy refers to:
A) An increase in cell size
B) A decrease in cell size
C) An increase in cell number
D) Abnormal cell growth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to reduced
functional demand, disuse, or inadequate nutrition. This cellular
adaptation allows the cell to conserve energy but reduces organ
function .
2. Which of the following is the primary cation in the
extracellular fluid?
A) Potassium
B) Sodium
1
,C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium (Na+) is the primary extracellular cation,
responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure, fluid balance, and
nerve impulse transmission. Potassium is the primary intracellular
cation .
3. The process of phagocytosis involves the:
A) Shift of fluid and protein out of capillaries
B) Formation of a fibrin mesh around an infected area
C) Ingestion of foreign material and cell debris by leukocytes
D) Movement of erythrocytes through the capillary wall
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Phagocytosis is the process by which neutrophils and
macrophages engulf and destroy foreign material, bacteria, and
cellular debris. This is a key component of the innate immune
response .
4. A patient has a fasting glucose level of 130 mg/dL. This
finding indicates:
A) Normal glucose level
B) Hypoglycemia
2
,C) Diabetes mellitus
D) Dehydration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A fasting glucose level above 125 mg/dL is
diagnostic for diabetes mellitus. Normal fasting glucose is 70–99
mg/dL; impaired fasting glucose is 100–125 mg/dL .
5. A patient with left-sided heart failure develops pulmonary
edema. The pathophysiologic mechanism is:
A) Decreased oncotic pressure in the alveoli
B) Increased hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary capillaries
C) Increased production of surfactant
D) Decreased perfusion of the lungs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into
the pulmonary circulation, increasing hydrostatic pressure in the
pulmonary capillaries. This forces fluid into the alveoli, resulting
in pulmonary edema .
6. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of reversible
cell injury?
A) Irreversible mitochondrial damage
B) Plasma membrane rupture
3
, C) Cellular swelling and fatty change
D) Necrosis and inflammation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reversible cell injury presents with cellular swelling
(due to water influx from failed sodium-potassium pumps) and
fatty change (lipid accumulation). These changes can be repaired
if the damaging stimulus is removed .
7. A patient has an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
(ESR). This finding suggests:
A) Anemia
B) Inflammation
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Dehydration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ESR is a nonspecific marker of inflammation. It rises
when acute-phase proteins (fibrinogen, globulins) cause red
blood cells to clump and sediment faster. Elevated ESR is seen in
infections, autoimmune diseases, and tissue injury .
8. Which type of cellular adaptation occurs when stratified
squamous epithelial cells replace normal columnar ciliated cells in
the bronchi of a chronic smoker?
4
ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| NSG120 NURSING
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM REVIEW WITH 300
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A nurse is reading a chart and sees the term "atrophy." The
nurse recalls that atrophy refers to:
A) An increase in cell size
B) A decrease in cell size
C) An increase in cell number
D) Abnormal cell growth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to reduced
functional demand, disuse, or inadequate nutrition. This cellular
adaptation allows the cell to conserve energy but reduces organ
function .
2. Which of the following is the primary cation in the
extracellular fluid?
A) Potassium
B) Sodium
1
,C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium (Na+) is the primary extracellular cation,
responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure, fluid balance, and
nerve impulse transmission. Potassium is the primary intracellular
cation .
3. The process of phagocytosis involves the:
A) Shift of fluid and protein out of capillaries
B) Formation of a fibrin mesh around an infected area
C) Ingestion of foreign material and cell debris by leukocytes
D) Movement of erythrocytes through the capillary wall
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Phagocytosis is the process by which neutrophils and
macrophages engulf and destroy foreign material, bacteria, and
cellular debris. This is a key component of the innate immune
response .
4. A patient has a fasting glucose level of 130 mg/dL. This
finding indicates:
A) Normal glucose level
B) Hypoglycemia
2
,C) Diabetes mellitus
D) Dehydration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A fasting glucose level above 125 mg/dL is
diagnostic for diabetes mellitus. Normal fasting glucose is 70–99
mg/dL; impaired fasting glucose is 100–125 mg/dL .
5. A patient with left-sided heart failure develops pulmonary
edema. The pathophysiologic mechanism is:
A) Decreased oncotic pressure in the alveoli
B) Increased hydrostatic pressure in the pulmonary capillaries
C) Increased production of surfactant
D) Decreased perfusion of the lungs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into
the pulmonary circulation, increasing hydrostatic pressure in the
pulmonary capillaries. This forces fluid into the alveoli, resulting
in pulmonary edema .
6. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of reversible
cell injury?
A) Irreversible mitochondrial damage
B) Plasma membrane rupture
3
, C) Cellular swelling and fatty change
D) Necrosis and inflammation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reversible cell injury presents with cellular swelling
(due to water influx from failed sodium-potassium pumps) and
fatty change (lipid accumulation). These changes can be repaired
if the damaging stimulus is removed .
7. A patient has an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
(ESR). This finding suggests:
A) Anemia
B) Inflammation
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Dehydration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ESR is a nonspecific marker of inflammation. It rises
when acute-phase proteins (fibrinogen, globulins) cause red
blood cells to clump and sediment faster. Elevated ESR is seen in
infections, autoimmune diseases, and tissue injury .
8. Which type of cellular adaptation occurs when stratified
squamous epithelial cells replace normal columnar ciliated cells in
the bronchi of a chronic smoker?
4
