NURS 370 | PATH370 Final Exam: Pathophysiology
- WCU Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale
1. A patient with a cast on their leg for six weeks notices the muscle has decreased in size.
This is an example of which cellular adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is defined as a decrease in cellular size caused by aging or disuse. In
this clinical scenario, the immobilization of the limb leads to disuse atrophy of the skeletal
muscle. The reduced workload causes the muscle cells to shrink to a more metabolically
efficient size. This process is generally reversible once normal physical activity is resumed.
It is distinct from hypertrophy, which involves an increase in cell size due to increased
demand.
2. A patient presents with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and Kussmaul respirations. Which
acid-base imbalance is most likely occurring?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Uncontrolled diabetes leads to the accumulation of ketoacids, which triggers
metabolic acidosis. The body attempts to compensate for this low pH by increasing the rate
and depth of breathing. These Kussmaul respirations help the body blow off excess carbon
dioxide to raise the blood pH. The primary defect in this condition is a significant decrease
in serum bicarbonate levels. Recognizing this compensatory pattern is vital for the
emergency management of diabetic ketoacidosis.
3. A patient experiences bronchospasm and urticaria immediately after a bee sting. Which
immunoglobulin mediates this type of hypersensitivity reaction?
A. IgE
B. IgM
,C. IgA
D. IgG
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity reactions are primarily mediated by IgE antibodies
bound to mast cells. When an allergen like bee venom cross-links these antibodies, it
triggers the immediate release of histamine. This release causes physiological effects such
as vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and smooth muscle contraction.
Bronchospasm represents a severe and potentially life-threatening manifestation of this
systemic allergic response. Immediate treatment with epinephrine is often necessary to
reverse these acute symptoms.
4. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Orthopnea
D. Crackles in the lungs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood
efficiently into the pulmonary circulation. This failure causes blood to back up into the
systemic venous system. Consequently, patients develop peripheral edema, hepatomegaly,
and jugular venous distention due to increased hydrostatic pressure. Unlike left-sided
failure, it does not primarily cause pulmonary congestion or crackles. Monitoring weight
gain and swelling is essential for managing patients with this condition.
5. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is activated in response to which
physiological stimulus?
A. Increased blood pressure
B. Decreased renal perfusion
C. Hypernatremia
D. Fluid volume overload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The RAAS is a critical regulatory mechanism that responds to decreased renal
blood flow or low blood pressure. When renal perfusion drops, the juxtaglomerular cells in
the kidneys release the enzyme renin. Renin eventually leads to the production of
Angiotensin II, which is a powerful vasoconstrictor. Angiotensin II also stimulates the
adrenal cortex to release aldosterone, promoting sodium and water retention. This entire
cascade serves to increase blood volume and restore systemic blood pressure.
, 6. A patient with a long history of smoking is diagnosed with emphysema. What is the
primary underlying pathophysiology of this condition?
A. Excessive mucus production in the bronchi
B. Infection of the lower respiratory tract
C. Reversible airway inflammation
D. Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of elastic recoil
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by the permanent enlargement of gas-exchange
airways and the destruction of alveolar walls. This destruction is often caused by an
imbalance between proteases and antiproteases, frequently triggered by smoking. The loss
of elastic recoil leads to air trapping and difficulty with expiration. Patients typically
present with a barrel chest and prolonged expiratory phases. Unlike chronic bronchitis, the
primary issue is structural damage rather than mucus hypersecretion.
7. A patient develops acute kidney injury after experiencing severe hemorrhaging. This type
of renal failure is classified as:
A. Prerenal
B. Postrenal
C. Intrarenal
D. Intrinsic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Prerenal acute kidney injury is caused by conditions that impair blood flow to
the kidneys. In this case, severe hemorrhage leads to hypovolemia and decreased renal
perfusion pressure. The kidneys are structurally intact, but they cannot filter blood
effectively without adequate pressure. If the underlying cause of hypoperfusion is
corrected quickly, the renal failure is usually reversible. Prolonged ischemia, however, can
progress to intrinsic damage like acute tubular necrosis.
8. What is the primary cause of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
C. Excessive intake of dietary carbohydrates
D. Overproduction of glucagon by alpha cells
Correct Answer: A
- WCU Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale
1. A patient with a cast on their leg for six weeks notices the muscle has decreased in size.
This is an example of which cellular adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is defined as a decrease in cellular size caused by aging or disuse. In
this clinical scenario, the immobilization of the limb leads to disuse atrophy of the skeletal
muscle. The reduced workload causes the muscle cells to shrink to a more metabolically
efficient size. This process is generally reversible once normal physical activity is resumed.
It is distinct from hypertrophy, which involves an increase in cell size due to increased
demand.
2. A patient presents with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and Kussmaul respirations. Which
acid-base imbalance is most likely occurring?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Uncontrolled diabetes leads to the accumulation of ketoacids, which triggers
metabolic acidosis. The body attempts to compensate for this low pH by increasing the rate
and depth of breathing. These Kussmaul respirations help the body blow off excess carbon
dioxide to raise the blood pH. The primary defect in this condition is a significant decrease
in serum bicarbonate levels. Recognizing this compensatory pattern is vital for the
emergency management of diabetic ketoacidosis.
3. A patient experiences bronchospasm and urticaria immediately after a bee sting. Which
immunoglobulin mediates this type of hypersensitivity reaction?
A. IgE
B. IgM
,C. IgA
D. IgG
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity reactions are primarily mediated by IgE antibodies
bound to mast cells. When an allergen like bee venom cross-links these antibodies, it
triggers the immediate release of histamine. This release causes physiological effects such
as vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and smooth muscle contraction.
Bronchospasm represents a severe and potentially life-threatening manifestation of this
systemic allergic response. Immediate treatment with epinephrine is often necessary to
reverse these acute symptoms.
4. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema and jugular venous distention
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Orthopnea
D. Crackles in the lungs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood
efficiently into the pulmonary circulation. This failure causes blood to back up into the
systemic venous system. Consequently, patients develop peripheral edema, hepatomegaly,
and jugular venous distention due to increased hydrostatic pressure. Unlike left-sided
failure, it does not primarily cause pulmonary congestion or crackles. Monitoring weight
gain and swelling is essential for managing patients with this condition.
5. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is activated in response to which
physiological stimulus?
A. Increased blood pressure
B. Decreased renal perfusion
C. Hypernatremia
D. Fluid volume overload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The RAAS is a critical regulatory mechanism that responds to decreased renal
blood flow or low blood pressure. When renal perfusion drops, the juxtaglomerular cells in
the kidneys release the enzyme renin. Renin eventually leads to the production of
Angiotensin II, which is a powerful vasoconstrictor. Angiotensin II also stimulates the
adrenal cortex to release aldosterone, promoting sodium and water retention. This entire
cascade serves to increase blood volume and restore systemic blood pressure.
, 6. A patient with a long history of smoking is diagnosed with emphysema. What is the
primary underlying pathophysiology of this condition?
A. Excessive mucus production in the bronchi
B. Infection of the lower respiratory tract
C. Reversible airway inflammation
D. Destruction of alveolar walls and loss of elastic recoil
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by the permanent enlargement of gas-exchange
airways and the destruction of alveolar walls. This destruction is often caused by an
imbalance between proteases and antiproteases, frequently triggered by smoking. The loss
of elastic recoil leads to air trapping and difficulty with expiration. Patients typically
present with a barrel chest and prolonged expiratory phases. Unlike chronic bronchitis, the
primary issue is structural damage rather than mucus hypersecretion.
7. A patient develops acute kidney injury after experiencing severe hemorrhaging. This type
of renal failure is classified as:
A. Prerenal
B. Postrenal
C. Intrarenal
D. Intrinsic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Prerenal acute kidney injury is caused by conditions that impair blood flow to
the kidneys. In this case, severe hemorrhage leads to hypovolemia and decreased renal
perfusion pressure. The kidneys are structurally intact, but they cannot filter blood
effectively without adequate pressure. If the underlying cause of hypoperfusion is
corrected quickly, the renal failure is usually reversible. Prolonged ischemia, however, can
progress to intrinsic damage like acute tubular necrosis.
8. What is the primary cause of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
C. Excessive intake of dietary carbohydrates
D. Overproduction of glucagon by alpha cells
Correct Answer: A
