BNKN602 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)
A heart attack that providers can detect with blood tests but not with an EKG. The
coronary arteries aren't fully blocked or were blocked for a short amount of time
ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
A severe heart attack that providers can detect with blood tests and EKG. It occurs
when blood flow to your heart is fully blocked for a long time, affecting a large part of
your heart.
Cardiac arrest
occurs when rapid and abnormal impulses change the natural electrical rhythm of the
heart
What is right-sided heart failure?
It affects the right side of the heart and is most commonly caused by left-sided heart
failure, lung problems, or issues in other organs.
What are the symptoms of right-sided heart failure?
Symptoms include fluid backup in the abdomen, legs, and feet, leading to swelling in
those areas.
What is left-sided heart failure?
This type of heart failure affects the left side of the heart.
What are examples of left-sided heart failure?
Examples include diastolic heart failure and systolic heart failure.
,What symptoms may occur in left-sided heart failure?
Fluids may back up in the lungs, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath.
Autonomic Dysreflexia
An abnormal, overreaction of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system to stimulation.
Possible causes of autonomic dysreflexia
Ingrown toenails, constipation, intense pain, kinked catheter, distended bladder, urinary
tract infection, pressure injury
What triggers autonomic dysreflexia?
Strong pain/discomfort signals sent into the spinal cord via intact peripheral nerves
How does the CNS respond to the signals in autonomic dysreflexia?
Senses the input, evoking a massive peripheral sympathetic response
What happens when vessels constrict in autonomic dysreflexia?
They try to send signals to the brain, leading to continued constriction
How does the brain detect hypertensive crisis in autonomic dysreflexia?
Through baroreceptors in the carotid and aortic arch
What is the brain's response to the hypertensive crisis in autonomic dysreflexia?
Attempts to send signals to relax vessels and decrease blood pressure
How does the brain try to shut down the sympathetic surge in autonomic
dysreflexia?
By sending descending inhibitory impulses, which are blocked due to spinal cord
severance
What is a common cause of autonomic dysreflexia?
Spinal cord injury above T6
,What are the signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia?
Hypertension, bradycardia, sweating, flushing, pupil constriction, nasal congestion,
pale/cool skin, goosebumps
What is Coronary Heart Disease (Ischaemic Heart Disease)
CAD is the most common type of heart disease.
The narrowing of the coronary arteries can be due to the buildup of cholesterol and
other material, called plaque, on their inner walls. This buildup is called atherosclerosis.
As it grows, less blood can flow through the arteries. As a result, the heart muscle can't
get the blood or O2 it needs. This can lead to angina (chest pain) or a heart attack.
Signs and Symptoms of CAD
↑ myocardial oxygen demand and ↓ myocardial oxygen delivery results in ineffective
myocardial oxygen perfusion.
Pathophysiology of CAD
1) Atherosclerosis leads to heart damage and necrosis of the myocardium.
2) Heart damage leads to cardiac arrest/arrhythmias.
Atherosclerosis
The build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls.
Signs and symptoms of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis often has no symptoms until a plaque ruptures or the build-up is severe
enough to block blood flow.
, Chest pain.
-SOB.
-Fatigue.
-Tightness of chest.
1) What is the initial irritant present in atherosclerosis?
Lipids (LDL, cholesterol), high blood pressure (HTN), toxins (cigarette smoke), diabetes
2) What happens to the endothelium in atherosclerosis?
Damage occurs, forming a crack or fissure
3) What is the initial deposit in the artery wall in atherosclerosis?
LDL cholesterol deposits known as fatty streaks
4) What do monocytes do in atherosclerosis?
Convert to macrophages, consume cholesterol, and form foam cells
5) What is the role of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis?
Migrate into the plaque, form a lipid cap, and deposit calcium
6) What leads to plaque rupture in atherosclerosis?
Ongoing inflammation leading to thrombus formation
7) What is the consequence of a thrombus in atherosclerosis?
Artery occlusion causing ischaemia or infarction
Aetiology of Atherosclerosis
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in your blood
- Smoking and other sources of tobacco
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)
A heart attack that providers can detect with blood tests but not with an EKG. The
coronary arteries aren't fully blocked or were blocked for a short amount of time
ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
A severe heart attack that providers can detect with blood tests and EKG. It occurs
when blood flow to your heart is fully blocked for a long time, affecting a large part of
your heart.
Cardiac arrest
occurs when rapid and abnormal impulses change the natural electrical rhythm of the
heart
What is right-sided heart failure?
It affects the right side of the heart and is most commonly caused by left-sided heart
failure, lung problems, or issues in other organs.
What are the symptoms of right-sided heart failure?
Symptoms include fluid backup in the abdomen, legs, and feet, leading to swelling in
those areas.
What is left-sided heart failure?
This type of heart failure affects the left side of the heart.
What are examples of left-sided heart failure?
Examples include diastolic heart failure and systolic heart failure.
,What symptoms may occur in left-sided heart failure?
Fluids may back up in the lungs, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath.
Autonomic Dysreflexia
An abnormal, overreaction of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system to stimulation.
Possible causes of autonomic dysreflexia
Ingrown toenails, constipation, intense pain, kinked catheter, distended bladder, urinary
tract infection, pressure injury
What triggers autonomic dysreflexia?
Strong pain/discomfort signals sent into the spinal cord via intact peripheral nerves
How does the CNS respond to the signals in autonomic dysreflexia?
Senses the input, evoking a massive peripheral sympathetic response
What happens when vessels constrict in autonomic dysreflexia?
They try to send signals to the brain, leading to continued constriction
How does the brain detect hypertensive crisis in autonomic dysreflexia?
Through baroreceptors in the carotid and aortic arch
What is the brain's response to the hypertensive crisis in autonomic dysreflexia?
Attempts to send signals to relax vessels and decrease blood pressure
How does the brain try to shut down the sympathetic surge in autonomic
dysreflexia?
By sending descending inhibitory impulses, which are blocked due to spinal cord
severance
What is a common cause of autonomic dysreflexia?
Spinal cord injury above T6
,What are the signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia?
Hypertension, bradycardia, sweating, flushing, pupil constriction, nasal congestion,
pale/cool skin, goosebumps
What is Coronary Heart Disease (Ischaemic Heart Disease)
CAD is the most common type of heart disease.
The narrowing of the coronary arteries can be due to the buildup of cholesterol and
other material, called plaque, on their inner walls. This buildup is called atherosclerosis.
As it grows, less blood can flow through the arteries. As a result, the heart muscle can't
get the blood or O2 it needs. This can lead to angina (chest pain) or a heart attack.
Signs and Symptoms of CAD
↑ myocardial oxygen demand and ↓ myocardial oxygen delivery results in ineffective
myocardial oxygen perfusion.
Pathophysiology of CAD
1) Atherosclerosis leads to heart damage and necrosis of the myocardium.
2) Heart damage leads to cardiac arrest/arrhythmias.
Atherosclerosis
The build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls.
Signs and symptoms of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis often has no symptoms until a plaque ruptures or the build-up is severe
enough to block blood flow.
, Chest pain.
-SOB.
-Fatigue.
-Tightness of chest.
1) What is the initial irritant present in atherosclerosis?
Lipids (LDL, cholesterol), high blood pressure (HTN), toxins (cigarette smoke), diabetes
2) What happens to the endothelium in atherosclerosis?
Damage occurs, forming a crack or fissure
3) What is the initial deposit in the artery wall in atherosclerosis?
LDL cholesterol deposits known as fatty streaks
4) What do monocytes do in atherosclerosis?
Convert to macrophages, consume cholesterol, and form foam cells
5) What is the role of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis?
Migrate into the plaque, form a lipid cap, and deposit calcium
6) What leads to plaque rupture in atherosclerosis?
Ongoing inflammation leading to thrombus formation
7) What is the consequence of a thrombus in atherosclerosis?
Artery occlusion causing ischaemia or infarction
Aetiology of Atherosclerosis
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in your blood
- Smoking and other sources of tobacco
