Final Exam - NUR2063 / NUR2063 (Latest 2025 /
2026) : Essentials of Pathophysiology -
Rasmussen
Section 1: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology (Questions 1–15)
1. What is a primary cause of left-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary hypertension
B. Chronic hypertension
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Renal failure
Answer: Chronic hypertension
Rationale: Chronic hypertension increases afterload, causing the left ventricle to work
harder, leading to left-sided heart failure.
2. Which clinical manifestations are associated with right-sided heart failure? (Select
all that apply)
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distension
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Hepatomegaly
E. Dyspnea
Answer: Peripheral edema, Jugular vein distension, Hepatomegaly
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion, leading to peripheral
edema, jugular vein distension, and hepatomegaly. Pulmonary edema and dyspnea are
associated with left-sided heart failure.
3. A patient with myocardial infarction is at risk for which complication?
A. Stroke
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Pneumonia
D. Osteoporosis
Answer: Cardiogenic shock
Rationale: Myocardial infarction reduces cardiac output, potentially leading to
cardiogenic shock due to inadequate tissue perfusion.
4. What is the primary function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in heart
failure?
A. Decrease blood pressure
, B. Increase fluid retention
C. Enhance insulin secretion
D. Reduce inflammation
Answer: Increase fluid retention
Rationale: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system promotes fluid retention to increase
blood volume, compensating for reduced cardiac output in heart failure.
5. Which diagnostic test is used to assess heart failure?
A. Complete blood count
B. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
C. Thyroid function test
D. Blood glucose level
Answer: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Rationale: BNP levels rise in heart failure, indicating ventricular stress and fluid
overload.
6. A patient with atherosclerosis is at risk for which condition? (Select all that apply)
A. Coronary artery disease
B. Peripheral artery disease
C. Stroke
D. Hypothyroidism
E. Renal artery stenosis
Answer: Coronary artery disease, Peripheral artery disease, Stroke, Renal artery
stenosis
Rationale: Atherosclerosis narrows arteries, increasing risk for coronary artery disease,
peripheral artery disease, stroke, and renal artery stenosis. Hypothyroidism is unrelated.
7. What is a hallmark symptom of angina pectoris?
A. Chest pain relieved by rest
B. Persistent fever
C. Joint swelling
D. Weight loss
Answer: Chest pain relieved by rest
Rationale: Angina pectoris is caused by myocardial ischemia, producing chest pain that
typically resolves with rest or nitroglycerin.
8. Which condition is characterized by irregular and ineffective atrial contractions?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Heart block
D. Bradycardia
2026) : Essentials of Pathophysiology -
Rasmussen
Section 1: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology (Questions 1–15)
1. What is a primary cause of left-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary hypertension
B. Chronic hypertension
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Renal failure
Answer: Chronic hypertension
Rationale: Chronic hypertension increases afterload, causing the left ventricle to work
harder, leading to left-sided heart failure.
2. Which clinical manifestations are associated with right-sided heart failure? (Select
all that apply)
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distension
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Hepatomegaly
E. Dyspnea
Answer: Peripheral edema, Jugular vein distension, Hepatomegaly
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion, leading to peripheral
edema, jugular vein distension, and hepatomegaly. Pulmonary edema and dyspnea are
associated with left-sided heart failure.
3. A patient with myocardial infarction is at risk for which complication?
A. Stroke
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Pneumonia
D. Osteoporosis
Answer: Cardiogenic shock
Rationale: Myocardial infarction reduces cardiac output, potentially leading to
cardiogenic shock due to inadequate tissue perfusion.
4. What is the primary function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in heart
failure?
A. Decrease blood pressure
, B. Increase fluid retention
C. Enhance insulin secretion
D. Reduce inflammation
Answer: Increase fluid retention
Rationale: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system promotes fluid retention to increase
blood volume, compensating for reduced cardiac output in heart failure.
5. Which diagnostic test is used to assess heart failure?
A. Complete blood count
B. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
C. Thyroid function test
D. Blood glucose level
Answer: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Rationale: BNP levels rise in heart failure, indicating ventricular stress and fluid
overload.
6. A patient with atherosclerosis is at risk for which condition? (Select all that apply)
A. Coronary artery disease
B. Peripheral artery disease
C. Stroke
D. Hypothyroidism
E. Renal artery stenosis
Answer: Coronary artery disease, Peripheral artery disease, Stroke, Renal artery
stenosis
Rationale: Atherosclerosis narrows arteries, increasing risk for coronary artery disease,
peripheral artery disease, stroke, and renal artery stenosis. Hypothyroidism is unrelated.
7. What is a hallmark symptom of angina pectoris?
A. Chest pain relieved by rest
B. Persistent fever
C. Joint swelling
D. Weight loss
Answer: Chest pain relieved by rest
Rationale: Angina pectoris is caused by myocardial ischemia, producing chest pain that
typically resolves with rest or nitroglycerin.
8. Which condition is characterized by irregular and ineffective atrial contractions?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Ventricular tachycardia
C. Heart block
D. Bradycardia
