NURS 231 PATHOPHYS FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS |2026/2027 UPDATE | A+ GRADED
Schwann cells produce myelin in the CNS. - Answer -False, Schwann cells produce myelin in the
PNS.
Alterations in the HPA axis have been linked to PTSD. - Answer -True
Vital signs increase during stage 1 of NREM sleep. - Answer -False, vital signs decrease during
stage 1 of NREM sleep.
Someone in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease requires assistance for their activities of
daily living. - Answer -False, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, individuals are still
independent with their ADLs.
Explain how a chemical synapse produces an excitatory or inhibitory signal. - Answer -The
presynaptic neuron will secrete neurotransmitters which diffuse into the synaptic cleft and bind
to excitatory or inhibitory receptors on the postsynaptic membrane eliciting an excitatory or
inhibitory signal in one direction.
You are babysitting a 7-year-old child with a known history of seizure activity. You notice they
appear flushed and seem unresponsive. You ask if they are feeling alright and they stare at you
blankly. After a few seconds they act as if nothing happened and return to play. Is this a
1|Page
,generalized or focal seizure? Based upon this description, what specific type of seizure did this
individual experience? - Answer -Generalized, Absence seizure
Compare and Contrast breathing patterns between NREM and REM sleep (include a discussion
on the specific stages of NREM sleep.) - Answer -In stages 1 and 2 NREM sleep as well as in REM
sleep, breathing is irregular, and brief periods of apnea are often observed (approximately 5-15
seconds.) During stages 3 and 4 of deep sleep, breathing becomes regular.
A patient reports to the emergency department where you are working at 10 pm. They report
that earlier in the day beginning at approximately 9 am they began to experience tingling in
their right arm. They decided to ignore it thinking it was probably a result of all the gardening
they did the day before. As the day went on, the tingling sensation got worse, and they started
to have difficulty speaking. The patient's spouse reported that they were slurring their words.
Past medical history includes a diagnosis of diabetes and hypercholesteremia. By the time they
are evaluated, their symptoms start to subside. The tingling disappears and their speech returns
to normal. What do you suspect this patient has experienced? What evidence is there to
support that diagnosis? - Answer -This patient has experienced a TIA. They have experienced
symptoms consistent with oxygen deprivation to the brain, however their symptoms subsided
within 24 hours of their onset.
A 75-year-old male is brought to the emergency department by their spouse at 8 pm. The
spouse reports that they were cleaning up after dinner at approximately 6:30 pm, and she
noticed that her husband's speech was very unclear. When she asked him what was going on,
he said that he didn't know and that the entire right side of his face felt numb. She reports that
he is very active, but he has a past medical history of atrial fibrillation. Based upon these
symptoms and past medical history, what do you suspect this patient is experiencing? How
would you confirm this diagnosis? What treatment should be administered? Explain why you
chose that treatment. - Answer -This patient is more than likely experiencing an ischemic stroke.
A CT scan and MRI would be needed to determine if a clot was blocking blood flow to the brain
tissue and to rule out a hemorrhagic stroke. If a clot is found, this patient should receive tPA
drugs as they are within the 3-4.5 hour treatment window.
2|Page
,You are seeing a patient in your office with a primary complaint of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Their spouse reports that they snore loudly and often wake up gasping for air. What type of
sleep disorder do you suspect they are experiencing (be specific)? What type of diagnostic work
up needs to be done? Name one treatment option to address this patient's symptoms. - Answer
-This pt is experiencing Moderate/ borderline severe Obstructive Sleep apnea, we need to see if
he has any of the potential risk factors like large neck girth, obseity, male, etc. the pt needs to go
under extensive sleep studies to confirm their OSA diagnosis. depending on the severity, life
style changes can help with this apnea but a NCPAP machine or a mouth peice can be given to
open the airways and help them not to collapse during the pts sleep.
The liver is responsible for each of the following EXCEPT: - Answer -Helps with digestion of lipids
Complications of gallstones include each of the following EXCEPT: - Answer -Cirrhosis
Treatments for gastroesophageal reflux include each of the following EXCEPT: - Answer -
Caffeinated beverages
Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome includes each of the following EXCEPT: - Answer -Anti-
diarrheal medication
Each of the following factors are associated with increased incidence of peptic ulcer EXCEPT: -
Answer -Dietary history
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, The most common complication of peptic ulcers is _____. - Answer -Gastrointestinal bleeding
Each of the following are characteristics of ulcerative colitis EXCEPT: - Answer -Granulomatous
lesions
Each of the following are characteristics of Crohn disease EXCEPT: - Answer -Bloody diarrhea
The process of digestion begins in the stomach and finishes in the large intestine. - Answer -
False
is the process of moving nutrients and other materials from the external environment of the GI
tract into the internal environment. - Answer -absorption
The double layer of peritoneum that holds the organs in place and stores fat is called what? -
Answer -mesentery
What type of cell secretes gastrin? - Answer -G cells
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VERIFIED ANSWERS |2026/2027 UPDATE | A+ GRADED
Schwann cells produce myelin in the CNS. - Answer -False, Schwann cells produce myelin in the
PNS.
Alterations in the HPA axis have been linked to PTSD. - Answer -True
Vital signs increase during stage 1 of NREM sleep. - Answer -False, vital signs decrease during
stage 1 of NREM sleep.
Someone in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease requires assistance for their activities of
daily living. - Answer -False, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, individuals are still
independent with their ADLs.
Explain how a chemical synapse produces an excitatory or inhibitory signal. - Answer -The
presynaptic neuron will secrete neurotransmitters which diffuse into the synaptic cleft and bind
to excitatory or inhibitory receptors on the postsynaptic membrane eliciting an excitatory or
inhibitory signal in one direction.
You are babysitting a 7-year-old child with a known history of seizure activity. You notice they
appear flushed and seem unresponsive. You ask if they are feeling alright and they stare at you
blankly. After a few seconds they act as if nothing happened and return to play. Is this a
1|Page
,generalized or focal seizure? Based upon this description, what specific type of seizure did this
individual experience? - Answer -Generalized, Absence seizure
Compare and Contrast breathing patterns between NREM and REM sleep (include a discussion
on the specific stages of NREM sleep.) - Answer -In stages 1 and 2 NREM sleep as well as in REM
sleep, breathing is irregular, and brief periods of apnea are often observed (approximately 5-15
seconds.) During stages 3 and 4 of deep sleep, breathing becomes regular.
A patient reports to the emergency department where you are working at 10 pm. They report
that earlier in the day beginning at approximately 9 am they began to experience tingling in
their right arm. They decided to ignore it thinking it was probably a result of all the gardening
they did the day before. As the day went on, the tingling sensation got worse, and they started
to have difficulty speaking. The patient's spouse reported that they were slurring their words.
Past medical history includes a diagnosis of diabetes and hypercholesteremia. By the time they
are evaluated, their symptoms start to subside. The tingling disappears and their speech returns
to normal. What do you suspect this patient has experienced? What evidence is there to
support that diagnosis? - Answer -This patient has experienced a TIA. They have experienced
symptoms consistent with oxygen deprivation to the brain, however their symptoms subsided
within 24 hours of their onset.
A 75-year-old male is brought to the emergency department by their spouse at 8 pm. The
spouse reports that they were cleaning up after dinner at approximately 6:30 pm, and she
noticed that her husband's speech was very unclear. When she asked him what was going on,
he said that he didn't know and that the entire right side of his face felt numb. She reports that
he is very active, but he has a past medical history of atrial fibrillation. Based upon these
symptoms and past medical history, what do you suspect this patient is experiencing? How
would you confirm this diagnosis? What treatment should be administered? Explain why you
chose that treatment. - Answer -This patient is more than likely experiencing an ischemic stroke.
A CT scan and MRI would be needed to determine if a clot was blocking blood flow to the brain
tissue and to rule out a hemorrhagic stroke. If a clot is found, this patient should receive tPA
drugs as they are within the 3-4.5 hour treatment window.
2|Page
,You are seeing a patient in your office with a primary complaint of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Their spouse reports that they snore loudly and often wake up gasping for air. What type of
sleep disorder do you suspect they are experiencing (be specific)? What type of diagnostic work
up needs to be done? Name one treatment option to address this patient's symptoms. - Answer
-This pt is experiencing Moderate/ borderline severe Obstructive Sleep apnea, we need to see if
he has any of the potential risk factors like large neck girth, obseity, male, etc. the pt needs to go
under extensive sleep studies to confirm their OSA diagnosis. depending on the severity, life
style changes can help with this apnea but a NCPAP machine or a mouth peice can be given to
open the airways and help them not to collapse during the pts sleep.
The liver is responsible for each of the following EXCEPT: - Answer -Helps with digestion of lipids
Complications of gallstones include each of the following EXCEPT: - Answer -Cirrhosis
Treatments for gastroesophageal reflux include each of the following EXCEPT: - Answer -
Caffeinated beverages
Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome includes each of the following EXCEPT: - Answer -Anti-
diarrheal medication
Each of the following factors are associated with increased incidence of peptic ulcer EXCEPT: -
Answer -Dietary history
3|Page
, The most common complication of peptic ulcers is _____. - Answer -Gastrointestinal bleeding
Each of the following are characteristics of ulcerative colitis EXCEPT: - Answer -Granulomatous
lesions
Each of the following are characteristics of Crohn disease EXCEPT: - Answer -Bloody diarrhea
The process of digestion begins in the stomach and finishes in the large intestine. - Answer -
False
is the process of moving nutrients and other materials from the external environment of the GI
tract into the internal environment. - Answer -absorption
The double layer of peritoneum that holds the organs in place and stores fat is called what? -
Answer -mesentery
What type of cell secretes gastrin? - Answer -G cells
4|Page
