Rasmussen Univ NUR 2063 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Essentials
Patho Q&A | Pathophysiology
**1. A nurse is assessing a patient with acute kidney injury (AKI). Which
phase of AKI is characterized by a sudden decrease in urine output, typically
less than 400 mL per day?**
A) Prodromal phase
B) Oliguric phase
C) Diuretic phase
D) Recovery phase
Correct Answer: B) Oliguric phase
Rationale: The oliguric phase of acute kidney injury is defined by a significant
reduction in urine output, typically less than 400 mL per day. This phase
reflects a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the kidney's
inability to excrete metabolic wastes. The prodromal phase precedes this,
while the diuretic and recovery phases follow as kidney function begins to
improve.
**2. Which of the following is a common cause of intrarenal (intrinsic) acute
kidney injury?**
A) Severe dehydration
B) Urinary tract obstruction
C) Prolonged use of NSAIDs
D) Heart failure
Correct Answer: C) Prolonged use of NSAIDs
Rationale: Intrarenal (or intrinsic) AKI results from direct damage to the
kidney structures themselves, including the tubules, interstitium, or
,glomeruli. Causes include toxic injury from medications such as NSAIDs and
contrast media, as well as renal inflammation. Prerenal causes (A and D)
involve decreased blood flow to the kidneys, and postrenal causes (B)
involve obstruction of urine outflow.
**3. What are the three stages of acute kidney injury (AKI) presentation?**
A) Initiation, Oliguria, Polyuria
B) Prodromal, Oliguric, Post-oliguric
C) Anuria, Diuresis, Recovery
D) Pre-renal, Intra-renal, Post-renal
Correct Answer: B) Prodromal, Oliguric, Post-oliguric
Rationale: The three stages of acute kidney injury (AKI) presentation are the
prodromal (or initiation) phase, the oliguric phase, and the post-oliguric (or
diuretic) phase. The prodromal phase is characterized by normal or near-
normal urine output, the oliguric phase by decreased urine output, and the
post-oliguric phase by a gradual increase in urine output as the kidneys
recover.
**4. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops anemia. What is
the most likely underlying cause of this anemia?**
A) Iron deficiency due to poor diet
B) Vitamin B12 malabsorption
C) Lack of erythropoietin production by the kidneys
D) Bone marrow suppression
Correct Answer: C) Lack of erythropoietin production by the kidneys
,Rationale: Anemia in chronic kidney disease is primarily caused by a
deficiency of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone produced by the kidneys that
stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. As kidney function
declines, EPO production decreases, leading to anemia. This is a key
complication of CKD.
**5. A patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is at risk for bone and
mineral disorders due to altered metabolism. Which of the following best
describes this pathophysiological process?**
A) Decreased phosphorus and increased calcium levels
B) Elevated phosphorus and PTH, causing altered bone/mineral metabolism
C) Increased calcium absorption and decreased PTH
D) Normal phosphorus levels and low calcium levels
Correct Answer: B) Elevated phosphorus and PTH, causing altered
bone/mineral metabolism
Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys are unable to excrete
phosphorus, leading to hyperphosphatemia. The resulting hypocalcemia
stimulates the parathyroid glands to produce more PTH (secondary
hyperparathyroidism). The kidneys also fail to activate vitamin D, which
further contributes to calcium imbalance. This combined effect leads to bone
and mineral disorders, including renal osteodystrophy.
**6. Which of the following is a risk factor for the development of chronic
kidney disease?**
A) Regular exercise
B) Low-protein diet
C) Diabetes mellitus
D) High potassium intake
, Correct Answer: C) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are the two leading causes of
chronic kidney disease. Diabetes can cause damage to the glomeruli
(diabetic nephropathy), leading to progressive loss of kidney function. Other
risk factors include recurrent pyelonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and
age over 65.
**7. Which type of incontinence is characterized by a sudden, intense urge to
void, followed by an involuntary leakage of urine?**
A) Stress incontinence
B) Urge incontinence
C) Overflow incontinence
D) Functional incontinence
Correct Answer: B) Urge incontinence
Rationale: Urge incontinence is defined by a sudden and intense need to
void, accompanied by an involuntary loss of urine. If this occurs at night, it is
called nocturia and is often a symptom of an overactive bladder. Stress
incontinence (A) occurs with increased intra-abdominal pressure, overflow
incontinence (C) results from bladder distension due to obstruction, and
functional incontinence (D) is caused by physical or environmental barriers.
**8. A woman reports leaking small amounts of urine when she coughs,
sneezes, or lifts heavy objects. This is most consistent with which type of
incontinence?**
A) Urge incontinence
B) Overflow incontinence
C) Stress incontinence
D) Functional incontinence
Patho Q&A | Pathophysiology
**1. A nurse is assessing a patient with acute kidney injury (AKI). Which
phase of AKI is characterized by a sudden decrease in urine output, typically
less than 400 mL per day?**
A) Prodromal phase
B) Oliguric phase
C) Diuretic phase
D) Recovery phase
Correct Answer: B) Oliguric phase
Rationale: The oliguric phase of acute kidney injury is defined by a significant
reduction in urine output, typically less than 400 mL per day. This phase
reflects a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the kidney's
inability to excrete metabolic wastes. The prodromal phase precedes this,
while the diuretic and recovery phases follow as kidney function begins to
improve.
**2. Which of the following is a common cause of intrarenal (intrinsic) acute
kidney injury?**
A) Severe dehydration
B) Urinary tract obstruction
C) Prolonged use of NSAIDs
D) Heart failure
Correct Answer: C) Prolonged use of NSAIDs
Rationale: Intrarenal (or intrinsic) AKI results from direct damage to the
kidney structures themselves, including the tubules, interstitium, or
,glomeruli. Causes include toxic injury from medications such as NSAIDs and
contrast media, as well as renal inflammation. Prerenal causes (A and D)
involve decreased blood flow to the kidneys, and postrenal causes (B)
involve obstruction of urine outflow.
**3. What are the three stages of acute kidney injury (AKI) presentation?**
A) Initiation, Oliguria, Polyuria
B) Prodromal, Oliguric, Post-oliguric
C) Anuria, Diuresis, Recovery
D) Pre-renal, Intra-renal, Post-renal
Correct Answer: B) Prodromal, Oliguric, Post-oliguric
Rationale: The three stages of acute kidney injury (AKI) presentation are the
prodromal (or initiation) phase, the oliguric phase, and the post-oliguric (or
diuretic) phase. The prodromal phase is characterized by normal or near-
normal urine output, the oliguric phase by decreased urine output, and the
post-oliguric phase by a gradual increase in urine output as the kidneys
recover.
**4. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops anemia. What is
the most likely underlying cause of this anemia?**
A) Iron deficiency due to poor diet
B) Vitamin B12 malabsorption
C) Lack of erythropoietin production by the kidneys
D) Bone marrow suppression
Correct Answer: C) Lack of erythropoietin production by the kidneys
,Rationale: Anemia in chronic kidney disease is primarily caused by a
deficiency of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone produced by the kidneys that
stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. As kidney function
declines, EPO production decreases, leading to anemia. This is a key
complication of CKD.
**5. A patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is at risk for bone and
mineral disorders due to altered metabolism. Which of the following best
describes this pathophysiological process?**
A) Decreased phosphorus and increased calcium levels
B) Elevated phosphorus and PTH, causing altered bone/mineral metabolism
C) Increased calcium absorption and decreased PTH
D) Normal phosphorus levels and low calcium levels
Correct Answer: B) Elevated phosphorus and PTH, causing altered
bone/mineral metabolism
Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys are unable to excrete
phosphorus, leading to hyperphosphatemia. The resulting hypocalcemia
stimulates the parathyroid glands to produce more PTH (secondary
hyperparathyroidism). The kidneys also fail to activate vitamin D, which
further contributes to calcium imbalance. This combined effect leads to bone
and mineral disorders, including renal osteodystrophy.
**6. Which of the following is a risk factor for the development of chronic
kidney disease?**
A) Regular exercise
B) Low-protein diet
C) Diabetes mellitus
D) High potassium intake
, Correct Answer: C) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are the two leading causes of
chronic kidney disease. Diabetes can cause damage to the glomeruli
(diabetic nephropathy), leading to progressive loss of kidney function. Other
risk factors include recurrent pyelonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and
age over 65.
**7. Which type of incontinence is characterized by a sudden, intense urge to
void, followed by an involuntary leakage of urine?**
A) Stress incontinence
B) Urge incontinence
C) Overflow incontinence
D) Functional incontinence
Correct Answer: B) Urge incontinence
Rationale: Urge incontinence is defined by a sudden and intense need to
void, accompanied by an involuntary loss of urine. If this occurs at night, it is
called nocturia and is often a symptom of an overactive bladder. Stress
incontinence (A) occurs with increased intra-abdominal pressure, overflow
incontinence (C) results from bladder distension due to obstruction, and
functional incontinence (D) is caused by physical or environmental barriers.
**8. A woman reports leaking small amounts of urine when she coughs,
sneezes, or lifts heavy objects. This is most consistent with which type of
incontinence?**
A) Urge incontinence
B) Overflow incontinence
C) Stress incontinence
D) Functional incontinence
