Pathophysiology Exam 1 Rasmussen
University Questions With Answers
2025.
Stages of general adaptation syndrome - ANSWER- 1. Alarm
Initial reaction
Sympathetic nervous system
2. Resistance
Adaptation
Limit stressor
3. Exhaustion
Adaptation failing
Disease develops
Edema - ANSWER- Excess fluid in the interstitial space
Dehydration (ECF volume deficit) - ANSWER- Can occur independently without
electrolyte defects
Decrease in fluid level leads to increase in level of blood solutes
Cell shrinkage
Hypotension
Hypovolemia or fluid volume deficit - ANSWER- Decreased fluid in the intravascular
space
Hypotonic Hydration - ANSWER- (fluid overload)
Causes of Fluid Deficit - ANSWER- Inadequate fluid intake
Poor oral intake
Inadequate IV fluid replacement
Excessive fluid or sodium losses:
Gastrointestinal losses Excessive diaphoresis Prolonged hyperventilation Hemorrhage
Nephrosis Diabetes mellitus Diabetes insipidus Burns Open wounds Ascites Effusions
Excessive use of diuretics Osmotic diuresis
,Deydration Manisfestations - ANSWER- thirst, altered level of consciousness,
hypotension, tachycardia, weak and thready pulse, flat jugular veins, dry mucous
membranes, decreased skin turgor, oliguria, weight loss, and sunken fontanelles
Cancer Benign - ANSWER- Slow, progressive, localized, well defined, resembles host
(more differentiated), grows by expansion, does not usually cause death
Cancer Malignant - ANSWER- Rapid growing, spreads (metastasis) quickly, fatal, highly
undifferentiated
Sodium - ANSWER- Normal range: 135-145 mEq/L.
• Most significant cation and prevalent electrolyte of extracellular fluid.
• Controls serum osmolality and water balance. Plays a role in acid-base balance.
• Facilitates muscles and nerve impulses.
• Main source is dietary intake.
• Excreted through the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.
Hypernatremia - ANSWER- Sodium > 145 mEq/L
Serum osmolarity increases
• Results in fluid shifts
Causes of Hypernatremia - ANSWER- Excessive sodium ingestion Hypertonic IV saline
(3% saline) administration
Cushing's syndrome
Corticosteroid use
Diarrhea
Excessive sweating
Prolonged episode of hyperventilation
Diuretic use Diabetes insipidus
Decreased water ingestion
Loss of thirst sensation
Inability to drink water
Third spacing
Vomiting
Hypernatremia Manifestations: - ANSWER- increased temperature, warm and flushed
skin, dry and sticky mucous membranes, dysphagia, increased thirst, irritability,
agitation, weakness, headache, seizures, lethargy, coma, blood pressure changes,
tachycardia, weak and thready pulse, edema, and decreased urine output
Hyponatremia - ANSWER- Sodium < 135 mEq/L
Serum osmolarity decreases
Causes of Hyponatremia - ANSWER- Deficient sodium
Diuretic use
Gastrointestinal losses
, Excessive sweating
Insufficient aldosterone levels
Adrenal insufficiency
Dietary sodium restrictions
Excessive water
Hypotonic intravenous saline (0.45% saline) Hyperglycemia
Excessive water ingestion
Renal failure
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone Heart failure
Hyponatremia Manifestations: - ANSWER- anorexia, gastrointestinal upset, poor skin
turgor, dry mucous membranes, blood pressure changes, pulse changes, edema,
headache, lethargy, confusion, diminished deep tendon reflexes, muscle weakness
seizures, and coma
Hyponatremia Treatment: - ANSWER- limit fluids and increase dietary sodium
Chloride - ANSWER- Normal range: 98-108 mEq/L
Mineral electrolyte
Major extracellular anion
Found in gastric secretions, pancreatic juices, bile, and cerebrospinal fluid
Plays a role in acid-base balance
Main source is dietary intake
Excreted through the kidneys
Hyperchloremia - ANSWER- Chloride > 108 mEq/L
Hyperchloremia Causes - ANSWER- Increased chloride intake or exchange:
hypernatremia, hypertonic intravenous solution, metabolic acidosis, and hyperkalemia
Decreased chloride excretion:
hyperparathyroidism, hyperaldosteronism, and renal failure
Hypochloremia - ANSWER- Chloride < 98 mEq/L
Hypochloremia Causes - ANSWER- Decreased chloride intake or exchange:
hyponatremia, administration of 5% dextrose in water intravenous solution, water
intoxication, and hypokalemia Increased chloride excretion: diuretics, vomiting,
metabolic alkalosis, and other gastrointestinal losses
Hypochloremia Treatment: - ANSWER- identify and manage underlying cause, sodium
replacement (oral or intravenous), ammonium chloride, and saline irrigation of gastric
tubes
Potassium - ANSWER- Normal range: 3.5-5 mEq/L.
The primary intracellular cation.
Plays a role in electrical conduction, acid-base balance, and metabolism.
University Questions With Answers
2025.
Stages of general adaptation syndrome - ANSWER- 1. Alarm
Initial reaction
Sympathetic nervous system
2. Resistance
Adaptation
Limit stressor
3. Exhaustion
Adaptation failing
Disease develops
Edema - ANSWER- Excess fluid in the interstitial space
Dehydration (ECF volume deficit) - ANSWER- Can occur independently without
electrolyte defects
Decrease in fluid level leads to increase in level of blood solutes
Cell shrinkage
Hypotension
Hypovolemia or fluid volume deficit - ANSWER- Decreased fluid in the intravascular
space
Hypotonic Hydration - ANSWER- (fluid overload)
Causes of Fluid Deficit - ANSWER- Inadequate fluid intake
Poor oral intake
Inadequate IV fluid replacement
Excessive fluid or sodium losses:
Gastrointestinal losses Excessive diaphoresis Prolonged hyperventilation Hemorrhage
Nephrosis Diabetes mellitus Diabetes insipidus Burns Open wounds Ascites Effusions
Excessive use of diuretics Osmotic diuresis
,Deydration Manisfestations - ANSWER- thirst, altered level of consciousness,
hypotension, tachycardia, weak and thready pulse, flat jugular veins, dry mucous
membranes, decreased skin turgor, oliguria, weight loss, and sunken fontanelles
Cancer Benign - ANSWER- Slow, progressive, localized, well defined, resembles host
(more differentiated), grows by expansion, does not usually cause death
Cancer Malignant - ANSWER- Rapid growing, spreads (metastasis) quickly, fatal, highly
undifferentiated
Sodium - ANSWER- Normal range: 135-145 mEq/L.
• Most significant cation and prevalent electrolyte of extracellular fluid.
• Controls serum osmolality and water balance. Plays a role in acid-base balance.
• Facilitates muscles and nerve impulses.
• Main source is dietary intake.
• Excreted through the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.
Hypernatremia - ANSWER- Sodium > 145 mEq/L
Serum osmolarity increases
• Results in fluid shifts
Causes of Hypernatremia - ANSWER- Excessive sodium ingestion Hypertonic IV saline
(3% saline) administration
Cushing's syndrome
Corticosteroid use
Diarrhea
Excessive sweating
Prolonged episode of hyperventilation
Diuretic use Diabetes insipidus
Decreased water ingestion
Loss of thirst sensation
Inability to drink water
Third spacing
Vomiting
Hypernatremia Manifestations: - ANSWER- increased temperature, warm and flushed
skin, dry and sticky mucous membranes, dysphagia, increased thirst, irritability,
agitation, weakness, headache, seizures, lethargy, coma, blood pressure changes,
tachycardia, weak and thready pulse, edema, and decreased urine output
Hyponatremia - ANSWER- Sodium < 135 mEq/L
Serum osmolarity decreases
Causes of Hyponatremia - ANSWER- Deficient sodium
Diuretic use
Gastrointestinal losses
, Excessive sweating
Insufficient aldosterone levels
Adrenal insufficiency
Dietary sodium restrictions
Excessive water
Hypotonic intravenous saline (0.45% saline) Hyperglycemia
Excessive water ingestion
Renal failure
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone Heart failure
Hyponatremia Manifestations: - ANSWER- anorexia, gastrointestinal upset, poor skin
turgor, dry mucous membranes, blood pressure changes, pulse changes, edema,
headache, lethargy, confusion, diminished deep tendon reflexes, muscle weakness
seizures, and coma
Hyponatremia Treatment: - ANSWER- limit fluids and increase dietary sodium
Chloride - ANSWER- Normal range: 98-108 mEq/L
Mineral electrolyte
Major extracellular anion
Found in gastric secretions, pancreatic juices, bile, and cerebrospinal fluid
Plays a role in acid-base balance
Main source is dietary intake
Excreted through the kidneys
Hyperchloremia - ANSWER- Chloride > 108 mEq/L
Hyperchloremia Causes - ANSWER- Increased chloride intake or exchange:
hypernatremia, hypertonic intravenous solution, metabolic acidosis, and hyperkalemia
Decreased chloride excretion:
hyperparathyroidism, hyperaldosteronism, and renal failure
Hypochloremia - ANSWER- Chloride < 98 mEq/L
Hypochloremia Causes - ANSWER- Decreased chloride intake or exchange:
hyponatremia, administration of 5% dextrose in water intravenous solution, water
intoxication, and hypokalemia Increased chloride excretion: diuretics, vomiting,
metabolic alkalosis, and other gastrointestinal losses
Hypochloremia Treatment: - ANSWER- identify and manage underlying cause, sodium
replacement (oral or intravenous), ammonium chloride, and saline irrigation of gastric
tubes
Potassium - ANSWER- Normal range: 3.5-5 mEq/L.
The primary intracellular cation.
Plays a role in electrical conduction, acid-base balance, and metabolism.
