NURS 231 (LATEST 2024/2025)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS|
VERIFIED & GRADED A+
A 22-year-old competitive gymnast has experienced amenorrhea for the past 5 years. Her PCP is suspecting that
she may have premature osteoporosis. Would you expect her RANKL levels to be high, normal, or low? Explain why
her levels would be at this level.
Her RANKL levels would be higher than normal. Amenorrhea results in lower estrogen levels. Estrogen increases the
production of OPG which inhibits RANKL. Lower estrogen levels would lead to lower OPG levels in turn increasing
RANKL and osteoclast activity.
A 68-year-old, white Caucasian female has a DEXA scan at the recommendation of her PCP. Her scan yielded a T-
score of -2.6. Interpret the results of her DEXA scan. Develop a treatment plan giving a pharmacologic
recommendation if applicable (be specific with name of supplement and/or class of drug), and a non-pharmacologic
recommendation.
This T-score indicates osteoporosis. This patient should take a Calcium and Vitamin D supplement. In addition, she
should be prescribed one of the following: Estrogen, SERMs, Bisphosphonates, or Calcitonin. She should also
participate in regular weight bearing and resistive exercise being careful to choose activities that would not put her
at increased risk for falling.
A 72-year-old male is said to be in phase 2 of gout. He is obese and has a history of alcohol abuse. Develop a
treatment plan including specific pharmacologic intervention and a non-pharmacologic recommendation to manage
his disease.
Phase 2 of gout is acute gout arthritis. The goal of treatment in this phase is to control inflammation and pain.
Colchicine is a prescription drug that could be used to treat his acute inflammation. NSAIDS can also be used to
treat inflammation and manage pain. This patient should be encouraged to lose weight and decrease his alcohol
consumption. He should also avoid purine rich foods such as fish, bacon, and liver. (*Note - the student has to
provide 1 pharmacologic intervention and 1 non-pharmacologic recommendation.)
Barrett esophagus
is an example of dysplasia
False
,NURS 231 (LATEST 2024/2025)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS|
VERIFIED & GRADED A+
Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the number of cells
True
Lack of nerve stimulation can cause cells to atrophy
True
Proportion of people with a disease who are positive for the disease
sensitivity
How likely the same result will occur if repeated
reliability
How a tool measures what it is intended to measure
validity
People without the disease who are negative on a given test
specificity
Which is NOT true of the cytoskeleton?
it includes peroxisomes and proteasomes
Which of the following are true of the cell? Select all that apply.
1: Proteins carry out the functions of the cell membrane
,NURS 231 (LATEST 2024/2025)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS|
VERIFIED & GRADED A+
2:Lysosomes are the digestive system of the cell
3:Microfilaments are thin, threadlike cytoplasmic structures
Which are true of the cell membrane? Select all that apply.
1: Controls the transport of materials from the outside fluids to within
2: Helps with the conduction of electrical currents in nerve and muscle cells
3: Aids in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation
Which are false of the mitochondria? Select all that apply.
1: They are found far from the site of energy consumption.
2: They control free radicals.
High blood pressure is an example of which of the following?
pathophysiology
A patient complains of chest pain and an elevated blood pressure. What are these examples of?
signs and symptoms
Which of the following is true of a test's sensitivity?
If negative, it can safely be assumed that the person does not have a disease
Chemical agents (poison, alcohol) are examples of which of the following?
Etiologic factors
, NURS 231 (LATEST 2024/2025)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS|
VERIFIED & GRADED A+
Define tertiary prevention and give an example:
Tertiary prevention occurs after a disease has been diagnosed and clinical intervention is needed to reduce
complications or deterioration. One example is the use of certain medications one must take after a heart attack to
help reduce the risk of a future event or death.
Compare and contrast the two types of gangrenous necrosis.
In dry gangrene the affected tissue becomes dry and shrinks, the skin wrinkles, and its color changes to dark brown
or black. The spread of dry gangrene is slow. It results from a cut off in arterial blood supply and is a form of
coagulation necrosis. In wet gangrene, the affected area is cold, swollen, and pulseless. The skin is moist, black,
and under tension. Blebs form on the surface, liquefaction occurs, and a foul odor is caused by bacterial action. The
spread of tissue damage is rapid.
Explain what necrosis is and give an example and description of one type of necrosis.
necrosis is cell death to an organ or tissue with still being a part of a living person. An example of this would be
liquefactive necrosis. This is when the cells die and the catalytic enzymes do not get destroyed after the cells
death. This could cause necrosis
Sunburn
radiation injury
Obesity
nutritional imbalances
Reactive oxygen species
free radical injury
Low oxygen to tissues
hypoxic cell injury
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS|
VERIFIED & GRADED A+
A 22-year-old competitive gymnast has experienced amenorrhea for the past 5 years. Her PCP is suspecting that
she may have premature osteoporosis. Would you expect her RANKL levels to be high, normal, or low? Explain why
her levels would be at this level.
Her RANKL levels would be higher than normal. Amenorrhea results in lower estrogen levels. Estrogen increases the
production of OPG which inhibits RANKL. Lower estrogen levels would lead to lower OPG levels in turn increasing
RANKL and osteoclast activity.
A 68-year-old, white Caucasian female has a DEXA scan at the recommendation of her PCP. Her scan yielded a T-
score of -2.6. Interpret the results of her DEXA scan. Develop a treatment plan giving a pharmacologic
recommendation if applicable (be specific with name of supplement and/or class of drug), and a non-pharmacologic
recommendation.
This T-score indicates osteoporosis. This patient should take a Calcium and Vitamin D supplement. In addition, she
should be prescribed one of the following: Estrogen, SERMs, Bisphosphonates, or Calcitonin. She should also
participate in regular weight bearing and resistive exercise being careful to choose activities that would not put her
at increased risk for falling.
A 72-year-old male is said to be in phase 2 of gout. He is obese and has a history of alcohol abuse. Develop a
treatment plan including specific pharmacologic intervention and a non-pharmacologic recommendation to manage
his disease.
Phase 2 of gout is acute gout arthritis. The goal of treatment in this phase is to control inflammation and pain.
Colchicine is a prescription drug that could be used to treat his acute inflammation. NSAIDS can also be used to
treat inflammation and manage pain. This patient should be encouraged to lose weight and decrease his alcohol
consumption. He should also avoid purine rich foods such as fish, bacon, and liver. (*Note - the student has to
provide 1 pharmacologic intervention and 1 non-pharmacologic recommendation.)
Barrett esophagus
is an example of dysplasia
False
,NURS 231 (LATEST 2024/2025)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS|
VERIFIED & GRADED A+
Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the number of cells
True
Lack of nerve stimulation can cause cells to atrophy
True
Proportion of people with a disease who are positive for the disease
sensitivity
How likely the same result will occur if repeated
reliability
How a tool measures what it is intended to measure
validity
People without the disease who are negative on a given test
specificity
Which is NOT true of the cytoskeleton?
it includes peroxisomes and proteasomes
Which of the following are true of the cell? Select all that apply.
1: Proteins carry out the functions of the cell membrane
,NURS 231 (LATEST 2024/2025)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS|
VERIFIED & GRADED A+
2:Lysosomes are the digestive system of the cell
3:Microfilaments are thin, threadlike cytoplasmic structures
Which are true of the cell membrane? Select all that apply.
1: Controls the transport of materials from the outside fluids to within
2: Helps with the conduction of electrical currents in nerve and muscle cells
3: Aids in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation
Which are false of the mitochondria? Select all that apply.
1: They are found far from the site of energy consumption.
2: They control free radicals.
High blood pressure is an example of which of the following?
pathophysiology
A patient complains of chest pain and an elevated blood pressure. What are these examples of?
signs and symptoms
Which of the following is true of a test's sensitivity?
If negative, it can safely be assumed that the person does not have a disease
Chemical agents (poison, alcohol) are examples of which of the following?
Etiologic factors
, NURS 231 (LATEST 2024/2025)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS|
VERIFIED & GRADED A+
Define tertiary prevention and give an example:
Tertiary prevention occurs after a disease has been diagnosed and clinical intervention is needed to reduce
complications or deterioration. One example is the use of certain medications one must take after a heart attack to
help reduce the risk of a future event or death.
Compare and contrast the two types of gangrenous necrosis.
In dry gangrene the affected tissue becomes dry and shrinks, the skin wrinkles, and its color changes to dark brown
or black. The spread of dry gangrene is slow. It results from a cut off in arterial blood supply and is a form of
coagulation necrosis. In wet gangrene, the affected area is cold, swollen, and pulseless. The skin is moist, black,
and under tension. Blebs form on the surface, liquefaction occurs, and a foul odor is caused by bacterial action. The
spread of tissue damage is rapid.
Explain what necrosis is and give an example and description of one type of necrosis.
necrosis is cell death to an organ or tissue with still being a part of a living person. An example of this would be
liquefactive necrosis. This is when the cells die and the catalytic enzymes do not get destroyed after the cells
death. This could cause necrosis
Sunburn
radiation injury
Obesity
nutritional imbalances
Reactive oxygen species
free radical injury
Low oxygen to tissues
hypoxic cell injury
