PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM AND FINAL
EXAM PREP TEST BANK 1 WITH 300 EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS/ GCU NUR 631 LATEST EXAM
PREP TEST BANK
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has
elevated PaCO₂. Which compensatory response is most expected?
A) Increased renal bicarbonate reabsorption
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Decreased renal hydrogen ion secretion
D) Increased ventilation rate due to hypoxic drive
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Chronic respiratory acidosis leads to metabolic compensation
via renal retention of bicarbonate.
2. Which immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for the early defense
against viral respiratory infections?
A) IgA
B) IgE
C) IgG
,D) IgM
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IgA is secreted in mucosal linings, providing first-line defense
against inhaled viruses.
3. A patient with heart failure develops hyponatremia. This is most likely
due to:
A) Increased atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
B) Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion
C) Aldosterone deficiency
D) Osmotic diuresis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In heart failure, reduced effective circulating volume
stimulates non-osmotic ADH release, causing water retention and
dilutional hyponatremia.
4. During ischemia, which change in cardiac myocyte metabolism occurs
first?
A) Increased fatty acid oxidation
B) Switch from aerobic to anaerobic glycolysis
C) Increased ketone body utilization
D) Activation of protein synthesis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lack of oxygen shifts metabolism to anaerobic glycolysis,
producing lactate and decreasing intracellular pH.
,5. A patient has a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
(G6PD). Which clinical finding is most likely after exposure to an
oxidizing drug?
A) Hemolytic anemia with Heinz bodies
B) Megaloblastic anemia
C) Thrombocytosis
D) Reticulocytopenia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: G6PD deficiency impairs the pentose phosphate pathway,
leading to oxidative hemolysis and Heinz body formation.
6. In septic shock, the most common early hemodynamic profile is:
A) Low cardiac output, high systemic vascular resistance (SVR)
B) High cardiac output, low SVR
C) Low cardiac output, low SVR
D) High cardiac output, high SVR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early septic shock is hyperdynamic with increased cardiac
output and decreased SVR due to vasodilation from inflammatory
mediators.
7. Which finding is characteristic of primary hyperaldosteronism?
A) Hypernatremia with metabolic acidosis
B) Hypokalemia with metabolic alkalosis
C) Hyperkalemia with metabolic acidosis
D) Hyponatremia with metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption and
potassium/hydrogen excretion, causing hypokalemic metabolic
alkalosis.
8. A 55-year-old with chronic liver disease presents with asterixis and
confusion. The most likely pathophysiological mechanism is:
A) Accumulation of ammonia causing astrocyte swelling
B) Direct neuronal damage by bilirubin
C) Hypoglycemia from impaired gluconeogenesis
D) Cerebral edema from hypoalbuminemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hepatic encephalopathy is primarily linked to
hyperammonemia, which leads to astrocyte dysfunction and cerebral
edema.
9. Which cytokine is primarily responsible for fever in systemic
inflammation?
A) Interleukin-10 (IL-10)
B) Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)
C) Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)
D) Interleukin-4 (IL-4)
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: IL-1β acts on the hypothalamus to produce prostaglandin
E2, resetting the thermostatic set point.*