2026 NU 606 Advanced Pathophysiology
Practice Exam 2 100 Expert Solved
Questions and Answers with Rationales
Advanced Pathophysiology exams commonly emphasize cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal,
endocrine, neurologic, immune, and multisystem disease mechanisms with strong clinical
correlation and application-based questions.
Questions 1–20
1. A patient with crushing chest pain has ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which coronary
artery is most likely occluded?
A. Left anterior descending
B. Left circumflex
C. Right coronary artery
D. Obtuse marginal artery
Answer: C. Right coronary artery
Rationale: Inferior wall myocardial infarctions involve leads II, III, and aVF and are most
commonly caused by right coronary artery occlusion.
2. Which mechanism primarily contributes to edema formation in heart failure?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Heart failure causes venous congestion, elevating hydrostatic pressure and pushing
fluid into interstitial tissues.
, NU 606 Advanced Pathophysiology Practice Exam 2
3. A patient with COPD develops chronic hypercapnia. Which acid-base disorder is expected?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B. Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Retention of carbon dioxide increases carbonic acid, causing respiratory acidosis.
4. Which hormone is primarily responsible for water reabsorption in the collecting ducts?
A. Aldosterone
B. Cortisol
C. ADH
D. Renin
Answer: C. ADH
Rationale: Antidiuretic hormone increases water permeability in the collecting ducts.
5. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis would most likely demonstrate:
A. Hyperinsulinemia
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Ketone production
D. Severe hypoglycemia
Answer: C. Ketone production
Rationale: Insulin deficiency promotes fat breakdown and ketone formation.
6. Which electrolyte abnormality is most associated with peaked T waves?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
, NU 606 Advanced Pathophysiology Practice Exam 2
Rationale: Elevated potassium alters cardiac conduction and produces peaked T waves.
7. In septic shock, systemic vascular resistance is typically:
A. Increased
B. Normal
C. Decreased
D. Unchanged
Answer: C. Decreased
Rationale: Widespread vasodilation reduces systemic vascular resistance.
8. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A. Type I
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity involves IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation.
9. A patient with chronic kidney disease develops anemia primarily because:
A. Iron absorption increases
B. Erythropoietin production decreases
C. Platelet destruction increases
D. Hemoglobin synthesis accelerates
Answer: B. Erythropoietin production decreases
Rationale: Diseased kidneys produce less erythropoietin, reducing RBC production.
10. Which condition is associated with increased intracranial pressure?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension