NURS 231/NURS231 Module 3 V1 |
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale |
Portage Learning
1. During the vascular stage of acute inflammation, which physiological change is responsible
for the heat (calor) and redness (rubor) at the site of injury?
A. Margination of leukocytes to the vessel wall
B. Constriction of the venous return vessels
C. Decreased vascular permeability
D. Vasodilation of the arterioles and capillary beds
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The vascular stage begins with a brief period of vasoconstriction followed
rapidly by vasodilation. Vasodilation increases blood flow to the area, which causes the
clinical manifestations of redness and warmth. This process is primarily mediated by
histamine and nitric oxide release from mast cells and endothelium.
2. A patient presents with an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that is rich in protein
and cellular debris. How should the nurse classify this type of exudate?
A. Serous exudate
B. Purulent exudate
C. Membranous exudate
,D. Fibrinous exudate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Fibrinous exudates contain large amounts of fibrinogen and form a thick, sticky
meshwork like a blood clot. They are indicative of more severe inflammation than serous
exudates. This type of exudate is often seen in the pleural or pericardial spaces during
inflammatory processes.
3. Which cellular process involves the movement of leukocytes toward the site of injury along
a chemical gradient?
A. Margination
B. Phagocytosis
C. Opsonization
D. Chemotaxis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Chemotaxis is the dynamic process where white blood cells are directed to the
site of injury by chemoattractants. These chemoattractants include bacterial products,
cytokines, and complement fragments. This ensures that the immune response is localized
precisely where the pathogens or damaged tissues are located.
4. Which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for the sensation of pain during the
inflammatory response?
A. Histamine
, B. Leukotrienes
C. Prostaglandins
D. Nitric Oxide
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Prostaglandins are produced via the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway and
contribute to inflammation by inducing vasodilation and fever. Crucially, they sensitize
pain receptors to the action of other mediators like bradykinin. This makes the area of
inflammation tender and painful to touch.
5. In the context of tissue repair, which cell type is categorized as ‘stable,’ meaning they only
multiply when stimulated by injury?
A. Epithelial cells of the skin
B. Cardiac muscle cells
C. Hepatocytes (liver cells)
D. Nerve cells
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stable cells typically stop regenerating when growth ceases but are capable of
undergoing regeneration when confronted with an appropriate stimulus. Examples include
the parenchyma of the liver and kidneys, as well as smooth muscle cells. In contrast,
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale |
Portage Learning
1. During the vascular stage of acute inflammation, which physiological change is responsible
for the heat (calor) and redness (rubor) at the site of injury?
A. Margination of leukocytes to the vessel wall
B. Constriction of the venous return vessels
C. Decreased vascular permeability
D. Vasodilation of the arterioles and capillary beds
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The vascular stage begins with a brief period of vasoconstriction followed
rapidly by vasodilation. Vasodilation increases blood flow to the area, which causes the
clinical manifestations of redness and warmth. This process is primarily mediated by
histamine and nitric oxide release from mast cells and endothelium.
2. A patient presents with an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that is rich in protein
and cellular debris. How should the nurse classify this type of exudate?
A. Serous exudate
B. Purulent exudate
C. Membranous exudate
,D. Fibrinous exudate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Fibrinous exudates contain large amounts of fibrinogen and form a thick, sticky
meshwork like a blood clot. They are indicative of more severe inflammation than serous
exudates. This type of exudate is often seen in the pleural or pericardial spaces during
inflammatory processes.
3. Which cellular process involves the movement of leukocytes toward the site of injury along
a chemical gradient?
A. Margination
B. Phagocytosis
C. Opsonization
D. Chemotaxis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Chemotaxis is the dynamic process where white blood cells are directed to the
site of injury by chemoattractants. These chemoattractants include bacterial products,
cytokines, and complement fragments. This ensures that the immune response is localized
precisely where the pathogens or damaged tissues are located.
4. Which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for the sensation of pain during the
inflammatory response?
A. Histamine
, B. Leukotrienes
C. Prostaglandins
D. Nitric Oxide
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Prostaglandins are produced via the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway and
contribute to inflammation by inducing vasodilation and fever. Crucially, they sensitize
pain receptors to the action of other mediators like bradykinin. This makes the area of
inflammation tender and painful to touch.
5. In the context of tissue repair, which cell type is categorized as ‘stable,’ meaning they only
multiply when stimulated by injury?
A. Epithelial cells of the skin
B. Cardiac muscle cells
C. Hepatocytes (liver cells)
D. Nerve cells
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stable cells typically stop regenerating when growth ceases but are capable of
undergoing regeneration when confronted with an appropriate stimulus. Examples include
the parenchyma of the liver and kidneys, as well as smooth muscle cells. In contrast,
