NUR 2063 / NUR2063: Essentials of
Pathophysiology Exam 2 (Latest 2025 /
2026) Rasmussen
1. A patient sustains a deep laceration. Which cell is the first to arrive at
the site of injury to begin the inflammatory response?
A. Macrophage
B. Neutrophil
C. Lymphocyte
D. Eosinophil
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first leukocytes to arrive at an inflammatory
site (within 6–12 hours). They phagocytize bacteria and debris.
Macrophages arrive later (24–48 hours). Lymphocytes are involved in
adaptive immunity; eosinophils in allergic reactions and parasites.
2. Which chemical mediator causes increased vascular permeability and
vasodilation during inflammation?
A. Histamine
B. Bradykinin
C. Prostaglandin E2
D. Leukotriene B4
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: A
Rationale: Histamine, released from mast cells and basophils, causes
arteriolar vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, leading to
,redness, heat, and edema. Bradykinin causes pain; prostaglandins cause
fever and pain; leukotrienes cause bronchoconstriction and chemotaxis.
3. A patient has a chronic pressure ulcer. Which phase of wound healing
is prolonged in this type of wound?
A. Hemostasis
B. Inflammatory
C. Proliferative
D. Remodeling
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Chronic wounds (e.g., pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers) are
stalled in the inflammatory phase due to persistent infection, necrotic
tissue, or ischemia. This prevents progression to proliferation and
remodeling.
4. Which systemic manifestation of inflammation is caused by pyrogens
acting on the hypothalamus?
A. Leukocytosis
B. Fever
C. Malaise
D. Hypotension
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Pyrogens (exogenous from bacteria or endogenous like IL-1,
TNF) act on the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center to raise the body’s
set point, causing fever. Leukocytosis is from bone marrow stimulation;
malaise from cytokines; hypotension from vasodilation in severe
inflammation (e.g., sepsis).
5. A patient’s wound is healing by secondary intention. Which
characteristic is expected?
A. Wound edges are surgically approximated with sutures.
,B. A large, open wound fills with granulation tissue from the base up.
C. Healing is faster than primary intention.
D. There is minimal scar formation.
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Secondary intention occurs when wound edges cannot be
brought together (e.g., large, infected, or pressure ulcers). Healing occurs
by granulation tissue filling the defect from the bottom, then
epithelialization. Healing is slower and scar is larger.
6. Which of the following is a function of macrophages in inflammation?
A. Release histamine
B. Present antigens to T lymphocytes
C. Produce antibodies
D. Cause vasoconstriction
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Macrophages are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs).
They phagocytize pathogens, process antigens, and present them on MHC
class II molecules to helper T cells, linking innate and adaptive immunity.
Histamine comes from mast cells; antibodies from plasma cells.
7. A patient with rheumatoid arthritis has chronic joint inflammation.
Which outcome is most likely if inflammation persists unchecked?
A. Increased joint mobility
B. Pannus formation and joint destruction
C. Resolution without scarring
D. Decreased pain sensation
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: In chronic inflammatory diseases like RA, persistent
inflammation leads to formation of pannus (proliferative synovial tissue)
, that erodes cartilage and bone, causing joint destruction and deformity. It
does not resolve spontaneously.
8. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with an acute inflammatory
response?
A. Decreased C-reactive protein (CRP)
B. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
C. Low white blood cell count
D. Normal fibrinogen
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Acute inflammation causes the liver to produce acute-phase
proteins, including CRP and fibrinogen, which increase ESR. Elevated CRP
and ESR are markers of inflammation. WBC count typically increases
(leukocytosis), not decreases.
9. A surgical incision heals with a raised, red scar that extends beyond the
original wound borders. This is most consistent with:
A. Atrophic scar
B. Contracture
C. Keloid
D. Hypertrophic scar
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that extends beyond the
boundaries of the original wound and does not regress. A hypertrophic
scar stays within wound borders. Contracture involves shortening of scar
tissue; atrophic scar is depressed.
10. Which cell type is primarily responsible for collagen deposition during
the proliferative phase of wound healing?
A. Fibroblast
B. Myofibroblast
Pathophysiology Exam 2 (Latest 2025 /
2026) Rasmussen
1. A patient sustains a deep laceration. Which cell is the first to arrive at
the site of injury to begin the inflammatory response?
A. Macrophage
B. Neutrophil
C. Lymphocyte
D. Eosinophil
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first leukocytes to arrive at an inflammatory
site (within 6–12 hours). They phagocytize bacteria and debris.
Macrophages arrive later (24–48 hours). Lymphocytes are involved in
adaptive immunity; eosinophils in allergic reactions and parasites.
2. Which chemical mediator causes increased vascular permeability and
vasodilation during inflammation?
A. Histamine
B. Bradykinin
C. Prostaglandin E2
D. Leukotriene B4
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: A
Rationale: Histamine, released from mast cells and basophils, causes
arteriolar vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, leading to
,redness, heat, and edema. Bradykinin causes pain; prostaglandins cause
fever and pain; leukotrienes cause bronchoconstriction and chemotaxis.
3. A patient has a chronic pressure ulcer. Which phase of wound healing
is prolonged in this type of wound?
A. Hemostasis
B. Inflammatory
C. Proliferative
D. Remodeling
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Chronic wounds (e.g., pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers) are
stalled in the inflammatory phase due to persistent infection, necrotic
tissue, or ischemia. This prevents progression to proliferation and
remodeling.
4. Which systemic manifestation of inflammation is caused by pyrogens
acting on the hypothalamus?
A. Leukocytosis
B. Fever
C. Malaise
D. Hypotension
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Pyrogens (exogenous from bacteria or endogenous like IL-1,
TNF) act on the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center to raise the body’s
set point, causing fever. Leukocytosis is from bone marrow stimulation;
malaise from cytokines; hypotension from vasodilation in severe
inflammation (e.g., sepsis).
5. A patient’s wound is healing by secondary intention. Which
characteristic is expected?
A. Wound edges are surgically approximated with sutures.
,B. A large, open wound fills with granulation tissue from the base up.
C. Healing is faster than primary intention.
D. There is minimal scar formation.
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Secondary intention occurs when wound edges cannot be
brought together (e.g., large, infected, or pressure ulcers). Healing occurs
by granulation tissue filling the defect from the bottom, then
epithelialization. Healing is slower and scar is larger.
6. Which of the following is a function of macrophages in inflammation?
A. Release histamine
B. Present antigens to T lymphocytes
C. Produce antibodies
D. Cause vasoconstriction
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Macrophages are professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs).
They phagocytize pathogens, process antigens, and present them on MHC
class II molecules to helper T cells, linking innate and adaptive immunity.
Histamine comes from mast cells; antibodies from plasma cells.
7. A patient with rheumatoid arthritis has chronic joint inflammation.
Which outcome is most likely if inflammation persists unchecked?
A. Increased joint mobility
B. Pannus formation and joint destruction
C. Resolution without scarring
D. Decreased pain sensation
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: In chronic inflammatory diseases like RA, persistent
inflammation leads to formation of pannus (proliferative synovial tissue)
, that erodes cartilage and bone, causing joint destruction and deformity. It
does not resolve spontaneously.
8. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with an acute inflammatory
response?
A. Decreased C-reactive protein (CRP)
B. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
C. Low white blood cell count
D. Normal fibrinogen
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B
Rationale: Acute inflammation causes the liver to produce acute-phase
proteins, including CRP and fibrinogen, which increase ESR. Elevated CRP
and ESR are markers of inflammation. WBC count typically increases
(leukocytosis), not decreases.
9. A surgical incision heals with a raised, red scar that extends beyond the
original wound borders. This is most consistent with:
A. Atrophic scar
B. Contracture
C. Keloid
D. Hypertrophic scar
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C
Rationale: A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that extends beyond the
boundaries of the original wound and does not regress. A hypertrophic
scar stays within wound borders. Contracture involves shortening of scar
tissue; atrophic scar is depressed.
10. Which cell type is primarily responsible for collagen deposition during
the proliferative phase of wound healing?
A. Fibroblast
B. Myofibroblast
