NURS 611 Exam 1 V1 | NURS 611
Advanced Pathophysiology | Maryville
University of St. Louis | 2026 Q&A with
Rationale (Maryville NURS611 Exam 1
2026)
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which
cellular adaptation is the clinician observing?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an increase in the
size of the organ. In the heart, this is a response to increased workload such as systemic
hypertension. It is distinct from hyperplasia, which involves an increase in the number of
cells.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen in hypoxic injury?
A. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Increased protein synthesis
,C. Increased aerobic metabolism
D. Decrease in intracellular osmotic pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to a reduction in ATP production, which causes the sodium-
potassium (Na+/K+) pump to fail. As a result, sodium accumulates inside the cell, drawing
water in by osmosis. This leads to acute cellular swelling and is a reversible stage of cell
injury if oxygen is restored.
3. A 20-year-old female presents with a karyotype showing 45,X. Which clinical diagnosis is
associated with this finding?
A. Down Syndrome
B. Turner Syndrome
C. Klinefelter Syndrome
D. Fragile X Syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Turner syndrome is characterized by the presence of a single X chromosome,
denoted as 45,X. Clinical features often include short stature, webbing of the neck, and
underdeveloped ovaries. It is one of the most common sex chromosome aneuploidies in
females.
, 4. In the context of acid-base balance, how does the body compensate for respiratory
acidosis?
A. The lungs increase the rate of CO2 elimination.
B. The kidneys retain bicarbonate and excrete hydrogen ions.
C. The kidneys excrete more bicarbonate.
D. The lungs decrease the depth of respirations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In respiratory acidosis, the primary problem is the retention of CO2, causing a
drop in pH. To compensate, the kidneys increase the reabsorption of bicarbonate (HCO3-)
and increase the secretion of hydrogen (H+) ions into the urine. This process takes 24 to 48
hours to fully engage.
5. Which of the following describes the role of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
class I molecules?
A. Presenting exogenous antigens to CD4+ T cells
B. Presenting endogenous antigens to CD8+ T cells
C. Stimulating the production of IgE by B cells
D. Inhibiting the activity of natural killer cells
Correct Answer: B
Advanced Pathophysiology | Maryville
University of St. Louis | 2026 Q&A with
Rationale (Maryville NURS611 Exam 1
2026)
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which
cellular adaptation is the clinician observing?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an increase in the
size of the organ. In the heart, this is a response to increased workload such as systemic
hypertension. It is distinct from hyperplasia, which involves an increase in the number of
cells.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen in hypoxic injury?
A. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Increased protein synthesis
,C. Increased aerobic metabolism
D. Decrease in intracellular osmotic pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to a reduction in ATP production, which causes the sodium-
potassium (Na+/K+) pump to fail. As a result, sodium accumulates inside the cell, drawing
water in by osmosis. This leads to acute cellular swelling and is a reversible stage of cell
injury if oxygen is restored.
3. A 20-year-old female presents with a karyotype showing 45,X. Which clinical diagnosis is
associated with this finding?
A. Down Syndrome
B. Turner Syndrome
C. Klinefelter Syndrome
D. Fragile X Syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Turner syndrome is characterized by the presence of a single X chromosome,
denoted as 45,X. Clinical features often include short stature, webbing of the neck, and
underdeveloped ovaries. It is one of the most common sex chromosome aneuploidies in
females.
, 4. In the context of acid-base balance, how does the body compensate for respiratory
acidosis?
A. The lungs increase the rate of CO2 elimination.
B. The kidneys retain bicarbonate and excrete hydrogen ions.
C. The kidneys excrete more bicarbonate.
D. The lungs decrease the depth of respirations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In respiratory acidosis, the primary problem is the retention of CO2, causing a
drop in pH. To compensate, the kidneys increase the reabsorption of bicarbonate (HCO3-)
and increase the secretion of hydrogen (H+) ions into the urine. This process takes 24 to 48
hours to fully engage.
5. Which of the following describes the role of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
class I molecules?
A. Presenting exogenous antigens to CD4+ T cells
B. Presenting endogenous antigens to CD8+ T cells
C. Stimulating the production of IgE by B cells
D. Inhibiting the activity of natural killer cells
Correct Answer: B
