NURS 504 MIDTERM PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 500
QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2025
A patient cuts his finger. Which fibers transmit the pain signal? - ANSWER-A-delta
fibers
Where is the gate located that is referred to in the gate control theory of pain? -
ANSWER-Substantia gelatinosa
Massage therapy relieves pain by stimulating the _____ that close the pain gate. -
ANSWER-A-beta fibers
When caring for a person who has had pain for 3 days, what physiologic signs of
pain would a nurse expect to find? - ANSWER-Increased heart rate and respiratory
rate with diaphoresis
Which is a description of Cheyne-Stokes respirations? - ANSWER-A smooth
increase in rate and depth followed by a gradual smooth decrease in rate and
depth
Which is a characteristic of brainstem death? - ANSWER-Apnea
Which description is consistent with a complex partial seizure? - ANSWER-
Consciousness is impaired as well as the ability to respond to exogenous stimuli
,The body compensates to a rise in intracranial pressure by first displacing: -
ANSWER-Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
What pathologic alteration produces tremors at rest, rigidity, akinesia, and
postural abnormalities? - ANSWER-Atrophy of neurons in the substantia nigra that
produce dopamine
Which neurologic disorder is characterized by cortical nerve cell processes that
have become twisted and dilated? - ANSWER-Alzheimer disease
A blunt force injury to the forehead would result in a contrecoup injury to the
_____ region. - ANSWER-Occipital lobe
What damage is most likely to occur to the brain in a classic cerebral concussion
(grade IV)? - ANSWER-Diffuse cerebral disconnection from the reticular activating
system
The signs of thyroid crisis resulting from Graves disease include: - ANSWER-
Hyperthermia and tachycardia.
The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in Graves disease is usually: -
ANSWER-Low
Palpation of the neck of a person with Graves disease would detect a thyroid that
is: - ANSWER-Enlarged diffusely.
What are clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism? - ANSWER-Constipation,
decreased heat rate, and lethargy
,A person with type 1 diabetes experiences hunger, lightheadedness, tachycardia,
pallor, headache, and confusion. The most probable cause of these symptoms is: -
ANSWER-Hypoglycemia caused by increased exercise.
Hyperkalemia develops in the presence of diabetic ketoacidosis because: -
ANSWER-Hydrogen ions shift into the cell in exchange for potassium to
compensate for metabolic acidosis.
Which of the following hormones will not raise blood glucose?
Glucagon
Parathyroid hormone
Epinephrine
Cortisol
Glucocorticoids
Growth hormone - ANSWER-Parathyroid hormone.
The polyuria associated with diabetic nephropathy is caused by - ANSWER-
Increased protein excretion.
Of the following people, who is at highest risk for a cerebrovascular accident
(CVA)? - ANSWER-Black women older than 70 years of age
Atrial fibrillation, rheumatic heart disease, and valvular prosthetics are risk factors
for which type of stroke? - ANSWER-Embolic
, Conditions that adversely influence progression and extent of ischemic injury
include all of the following except:
Hypercoaguable state
Systemic hypertension
Rapid development of ischemic event
Subnormal body temperature - ANSWER-Subnormal body temperature
The true statement in regards to ischemic penumbra (IP) is
a. IP is an area of massive neuronal death that results from a global reduction in
cerebral
blood flow (CBF)
b. CBF in the IP is usually above the 50% of the norm
c. Auto regulatory mechanisms are preserved in the IP
d. IP is a potentially salvageable area of marginal blood flow that surrounds a core
ofischemic brain tissue - ANSWER-IP is a potentially salvageable area of marginal
blood flow that surrounds a core of ischemic brain tissue
MS is an __________ disorder diffusely involving degeneration of _____ myelin
and loss of axons. MS is described as occurring when a previous ______ insult to
the nervous system has occurred in a genetically susceptible individual with a
subsequent abnormal immune response in the CNS. - ANSWER-autoimmune, CNS,
viral
Which of the following are autoimmune disorders?
QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2025
A patient cuts his finger. Which fibers transmit the pain signal? - ANSWER-A-delta
fibers
Where is the gate located that is referred to in the gate control theory of pain? -
ANSWER-Substantia gelatinosa
Massage therapy relieves pain by stimulating the _____ that close the pain gate. -
ANSWER-A-beta fibers
When caring for a person who has had pain for 3 days, what physiologic signs of
pain would a nurse expect to find? - ANSWER-Increased heart rate and respiratory
rate with diaphoresis
Which is a description of Cheyne-Stokes respirations? - ANSWER-A smooth
increase in rate and depth followed by a gradual smooth decrease in rate and
depth
Which is a characteristic of brainstem death? - ANSWER-Apnea
Which description is consistent with a complex partial seizure? - ANSWER-
Consciousness is impaired as well as the ability to respond to exogenous stimuli
,The body compensates to a rise in intracranial pressure by first displacing: -
ANSWER-Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
What pathologic alteration produces tremors at rest, rigidity, akinesia, and
postural abnormalities? - ANSWER-Atrophy of neurons in the substantia nigra that
produce dopamine
Which neurologic disorder is characterized by cortical nerve cell processes that
have become twisted and dilated? - ANSWER-Alzheimer disease
A blunt force injury to the forehead would result in a contrecoup injury to the
_____ region. - ANSWER-Occipital lobe
What damage is most likely to occur to the brain in a classic cerebral concussion
(grade IV)? - ANSWER-Diffuse cerebral disconnection from the reticular activating
system
The signs of thyroid crisis resulting from Graves disease include: - ANSWER-
Hyperthermia and tachycardia.
The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in Graves disease is usually: -
ANSWER-Low
Palpation of the neck of a person with Graves disease would detect a thyroid that
is: - ANSWER-Enlarged diffusely.
What are clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism? - ANSWER-Constipation,
decreased heat rate, and lethargy
,A person with type 1 diabetes experiences hunger, lightheadedness, tachycardia,
pallor, headache, and confusion. The most probable cause of these symptoms is: -
ANSWER-Hypoglycemia caused by increased exercise.
Hyperkalemia develops in the presence of diabetic ketoacidosis because: -
ANSWER-Hydrogen ions shift into the cell in exchange for potassium to
compensate for metabolic acidosis.
Which of the following hormones will not raise blood glucose?
Glucagon
Parathyroid hormone
Epinephrine
Cortisol
Glucocorticoids
Growth hormone - ANSWER-Parathyroid hormone.
The polyuria associated with diabetic nephropathy is caused by - ANSWER-
Increased protein excretion.
Of the following people, who is at highest risk for a cerebrovascular accident
(CVA)? - ANSWER-Black women older than 70 years of age
Atrial fibrillation, rheumatic heart disease, and valvular prosthetics are risk factors
for which type of stroke? - ANSWER-Embolic
, Conditions that adversely influence progression and extent of ischemic injury
include all of the following except:
Hypercoaguable state
Systemic hypertension
Rapid development of ischemic event
Subnormal body temperature - ANSWER-Subnormal body temperature
The true statement in regards to ischemic penumbra (IP) is
a. IP is an area of massive neuronal death that results from a global reduction in
cerebral
blood flow (CBF)
b. CBF in the IP is usually above the 50% of the norm
c. Auto regulatory mechanisms are preserved in the IP
d. IP is a potentially salvageable area of marginal blood flow that surrounds a core
ofischemic brain tissue - ANSWER-IP is a potentially salvageable area of marginal
blood flow that surrounds a core of ischemic brain tissue
MS is an __________ disorder diffusely involving degeneration of _____ myelin
and loss of axons. MS is described as occurring when a previous ______ insult to
the nervous system has occurred in a genetically susceptible individual with a
subsequent abnormal immune response in the CNS. - ANSWER-autoimmune, CNS,
viral
Which of the following are autoimmune disorders?
