NURS 231/NURS231 Final Exam V3 |
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale |
Portage Learning
1. Which type of cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one adult cell type
by another adult cell type?
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another cell type better able to withstand the environmental stress. A common example is
the change in the respiratory epithelium of smokers from ciliated columnar cells to
stratified squamous cells. This adaptation is often a precursor to more serious cellular
changes if the irritant is not removed.
2. A patient presents with extreme fatigue and is found to have a deficiency in vitamin B12.
Which type of anemia is this patient likely experiencing?
A. Pernicious anemia
B. Aplastic anemia
,C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pernicious anemia is specifically caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, which is
necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the ileum. This leads to the production of
macrocytic, normochromic red blood cells that are ineffective at carrying oxygen.
Treatment typically requires lifelong B12 injections to bypass the digestive malabsorption.
3. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Orthopnea
C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
D. Peripheral edema
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to backflow into the systemic venous system,
resulting in peripheral edema and jugular venous distention. Unlike left-sided failure,
which causes fluid accumulation in the lungs, right-sided failure manifests in the dependent
areas of the body. This condition is often secondary to chronic lung diseases or left-sided
heart failure.
, 4. Which acid-base imbalance is likely to occur in a patient with an uncontrolled insulin-
dependent diabetes mellitus who is in a state of ketoacidosis?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) results in the accumulation of ketone bodies, which
are acidic, thereby lowering the blood pH. This represents a primary metabolic disturbance
that reduces serum bicarbonate levels. The body typically attempts to compensate through
Kussmaul respirations to blow off carbon dioxide.
5. During an inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for
increasing capillary permeability and vasodilation initially?
A. Histamine
B. Leukotrienes
C. Prostaglandins
D. Cytokines
Correct Answer: A
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale |
Portage Learning
1. Which type of cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one adult cell type
by another adult cell type?
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another cell type better able to withstand the environmental stress. A common example is
the change in the respiratory epithelium of smokers from ciliated columnar cells to
stratified squamous cells. This adaptation is often a precursor to more serious cellular
changes if the irritant is not removed.
2. A patient presents with extreme fatigue and is found to have a deficiency in vitamin B12.
Which type of anemia is this patient likely experiencing?
A. Pernicious anemia
B. Aplastic anemia
,C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pernicious anemia is specifically caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, which is
necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the ileum. This leads to the production of
macrocytic, normochromic red blood cells that are ineffective at carrying oxygen.
Treatment typically requires lifelong B12 injections to bypass the digestive malabsorption.
3. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Orthopnea
C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
D. Peripheral edema
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to backflow into the systemic venous system,
resulting in peripheral edema and jugular venous distention. Unlike left-sided failure,
which causes fluid accumulation in the lungs, right-sided failure manifests in the dependent
areas of the body. This condition is often secondary to chronic lung diseases or left-sided
heart failure.
, 4. Which acid-base imbalance is likely to occur in a patient with an uncontrolled insulin-
dependent diabetes mellitus who is in a state of ketoacidosis?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) results in the accumulation of ketone bodies, which
are acidic, thereby lowering the blood pH. This represents a primary metabolic disturbance
that reduces serum bicarbonate levels. The body typically attempts to compensate through
Kussmaul respirations to blow off carbon dioxide.
5. During an inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for
increasing capillary permeability and vasodilation initially?
A. Histamine
B. Leukotrienes
C. Prostaglandins
D. Cytokines
Correct Answer: A
