,Geneva College NURS 231 Module 8 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Portage
Learning Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. A nursing instructor is explaining the structure and function of the
nephron. Which statement accurately describes the functional division of
labor within the nephron?**
A) The glomerular (Bowman's) capsule reabsorbs water, while the renal
tubule filters blood.
B) The glomerulus filters the blood, while the tubules reabsorb needed
substances and water.
C) Both the glomerulus and the tubules are primarily involved in the
excretion of metabolic waste.
D) The nephron's sole function is to produce erythropoietin to stimulate red
blood cell production.
Correct Answer: The glomerulus filters the blood, while the tubules reabsorb
needed substances and water.
Rationale: The nephron consists of two main parts: the glomerular capsule
(renal corpuscle), which filters the blood, and the renal tubule, which
selectively reabsorbs essential substances and water back into the
bloodstream. The remaining fluid becomes urine.
**2. A patient is found to have swelling in their lower extremities due to
excess fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces. This clinical manifestation
is best defined as:**
A) Dehydration
B) Water intoxication
C) Edema
D) Third-spacing of fluid
Correct Answer: Edema
,Rationale: Edema is the pathological accumulation of fluid within the
interstitial compartment. It results from an imbalance in the forces that
normally regulate fluid distribution, such as increased hydrostatic pressure or
decreased oncotic pressure, rather than overall fluid overload.
**3. Several students in a nursing class are discussing the regulation of blood
pressure. One student correctly states that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
(RAA) system is activated in response to:**
A) A sustained rise in blood pressure
B) High levels of sodium in the distal tubule
C) A drop in blood pressure or decreased renal perfusion
D) Increased oxygen delivery to the kidney
Correct Answer: A drop in blood pressure or decreased renal perfusion
Rationale: The RAA system is a key hormonal mechanism activated when
blood pressure falls or renal perfusion decreases. It functions to restore blood
pressure and volume by promoting vasoconstriction and sodium and water
reabsorption.
**4. A patient with severe diarrhea is at risk for dehydration. The nurse
knows that the primary hormone responsible for promoting water
reabsorption in the kidneys to prevent further volume loss is:**
A) Aldosterone
B) Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D) Renin
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
, Rationale: ADH, or vasopressin, is released in response to increased plasma
osmolality or decreased blood volume. It acts on the collecting ducts of the
kidneys to increase water reabsorption, thereby producing a small volume of
concentrated urine and helping to restore fluid balance.
**5. A client's laboratory results indicate hyponatremia. Which fluid
imbalance is characterized by abnormally low sodium levels in the
extracellular fluid?**
A) Dehydration
B) Water intoxication
C) Edema
D) Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: Water intoxication
Rationale: Water intoxication, or hyponatremia, occurs when excessive water
intake dilutes the sodium concentration in the plasma and interstitial
compartments. This leads to decreased plasma osmolality and can cause
cellular swelling.
**6. A nurse is reviewing the process of tubular reabsorption in the proximal
convoluted tubule (PCT). Which of the following statements regarding this
process is FALSE?**
A) Sodium and water are reabsorbed in equal proportions to maintain
osmolality.
B) Glucose and amino acids are almost completely reabsorbed.
C) Approximately 65-80% of filtered sodium, chloride, potassium, and
bicarbonate is reabsorbed.
D) Glucose and amino acids are minimally reabsorbed in the PCT.
Learning Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. A nursing instructor is explaining the structure and function of the
nephron. Which statement accurately describes the functional division of
labor within the nephron?**
A) The glomerular (Bowman's) capsule reabsorbs water, while the renal
tubule filters blood.
B) The glomerulus filters the blood, while the tubules reabsorb needed
substances and water.
C) Both the glomerulus and the tubules are primarily involved in the
excretion of metabolic waste.
D) The nephron's sole function is to produce erythropoietin to stimulate red
blood cell production.
Correct Answer: The glomerulus filters the blood, while the tubules reabsorb
needed substances and water.
Rationale: The nephron consists of two main parts: the glomerular capsule
(renal corpuscle), which filters the blood, and the renal tubule, which
selectively reabsorbs essential substances and water back into the
bloodstream. The remaining fluid becomes urine.
**2. A patient is found to have swelling in their lower extremities due to
excess fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces. This clinical manifestation
is best defined as:**
A) Dehydration
B) Water intoxication
C) Edema
D) Third-spacing of fluid
Correct Answer: Edema
,Rationale: Edema is the pathological accumulation of fluid within the
interstitial compartment. It results from an imbalance in the forces that
normally regulate fluid distribution, such as increased hydrostatic pressure or
decreased oncotic pressure, rather than overall fluid overload.
**3. Several students in a nursing class are discussing the regulation of blood
pressure. One student correctly states that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
(RAA) system is activated in response to:**
A) A sustained rise in blood pressure
B) High levels of sodium in the distal tubule
C) A drop in blood pressure or decreased renal perfusion
D) Increased oxygen delivery to the kidney
Correct Answer: A drop in blood pressure or decreased renal perfusion
Rationale: The RAA system is a key hormonal mechanism activated when
blood pressure falls or renal perfusion decreases. It functions to restore blood
pressure and volume by promoting vasoconstriction and sodium and water
reabsorption.
**4. A patient with severe diarrhea is at risk for dehydration. The nurse
knows that the primary hormone responsible for promoting water
reabsorption in the kidneys to prevent further volume loss is:**
A) Aldosterone
B) Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D) Renin
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
, Rationale: ADH, or vasopressin, is released in response to increased plasma
osmolality or decreased blood volume. It acts on the collecting ducts of the
kidneys to increase water reabsorption, thereby producing a small volume of
concentrated urine and helping to restore fluid balance.
**5. A client's laboratory results indicate hyponatremia. Which fluid
imbalance is characterized by abnormally low sodium levels in the
extracellular fluid?**
A) Dehydration
B) Water intoxication
C) Edema
D) Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: Water intoxication
Rationale: Water intoxication, or hyponatremia, occurs when excessive water
intake dilutes the sodium concentration in the plasma and interstitial
compartments. This leads to decreased plasma osmolality and can cause
cellular swelling.
**6. A nurse is reviewing the process of tubular reabsorption in the proximal
convoluted tubule (PCT). Which of the following statements regarding this
process is FALSE?**
A) Sodium and water are reabsorbed in equal proportions to maintain
osmolality.
B) Glucose and amino acids are almost completely reabsorbed.
C) Approximately 65-80% of filtered sodium, chloride, potassium, and
bicarbonate is reabsorbed.
D) Glucose and amino acids are minimally reabsorbed in the PCT.
