ATI RN
Pathophysiology Practice Exam
1. A patient is found to have liver disease, resulting in the removal of a lobe of his liver. Adaptation to the reduced size of the liver leads to ___________ of the remaining liver cells.
- A. Metaplasia
- B. Organ atrophy
- C. Compensatory hyperplasia
- D. Physiologic hyperplasia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Compensatory hyperplasia is the process by which the remaining cells increase in number to adapt to the reduced size of the liver. In this case, after the removal of a lobe of the liver, the remaining cells undergo compensatory hyperplasia to compensate for the lost tissue. Metaplasia refers to the reversible change of one cell type to another, not an increase in cell number. Organ atrophy is the decrease in organ size due to cell shrinkage or loss, which is opposite to an increase in cell number seen in compensatory hyperplasia. Physiologic hyperplasia is the increase in cell number in response to a normal physiological demand, not specifically due to the removal of a portion of the organ.
2. A client is admitted with a suspected aortic dissection. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Administer antihypertensive medications as prescribed.
- B. Prepare the client for emergency surgery.
- C. Administer intravenous fluids to maintain blood pressure.
- D. Monitor the client's urine output closely.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Prepare the client for emergency surgery. Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency that often necessitates immediate surgical intervention to prevent rupture and further complications. Administering antihypertensive medications (choice A) may be necessary but is not the priority over surgical intervention. While maintaining blood pressure with intravenous fluids (choice C) is important, the urgent need for surgery takes precedence. Monitoring urine output (choice D) is essential for assessing renal function but is not the priority in this critical situation.
3. What is the primary role of albumin in the blood?
- A. Transport oxygen throughout the body.
- B. Serve as a key clotting factor.
- C. Maintain osmotic pressure and fluid balance.
- D. Act as an immune response molecule.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Maintain osmotic pressure and fluid balance. Albumin plays a crucial role in maintaining osmotic pressure by helping to retain fluid within the blood vessels. This function is essential for regulating blood volume and preventing fluid from leaking out into tissues. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because albumin is not primarily responsible for transporting oxygen, acting as a clotting factor, or functioning as an immune response molecule in the blood.
4. A client presents to the emergency department with lower right quadrant abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and occasional diarrhea. After palpating the abdomen, the client displays tenderness. What would the nurse anticipate the client to be experiencing?
- A. Pseudomembranous colitis
- B. Peptic ulcer disease
- C. Appendicitis
- D. Esophageal cancer
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Appendicitis. The symptoms described - lower right quadrant abdominal pain, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and tenderness upon palpation - are classic signs of appendicitis. Appendicitis is an inflammatory condition of the appendix that often presents with these symptoms and requires immediate medical attention. Choice A, Pseudomembranous colitis, typically presents with watery diarrhea and is associated with antibiotic use. Choice B, Peptic ulcer disease, commonly presents with epigastric pain related to meals and can be accompanied by nausea or vomiting, but it does not typically cause right lower quadrant pain. Choice D, Esophageal cancer, usually presents with symptoms related to swallowing difficulties, weight loss, and sometimes chest pain, but it is not associated with the symptoms described in the scenario.
5. What are the signs of thyroid crisis resulting from Graves' disease?
- A. Constipation with gastric distension.
- B. Bradycardia and bradypnea.
- C. Hyperthermia and tachycardia.
- D. Constipation and lethargy.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a thyroid crisis resulting from Graves' disease, the patient typically experiences symptoms such as hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) and tachycardia (rapid heart rate). These symptoms are indicative of the hypermetabolic state seen in thyroid storm. Choices A and D are incorrect as constipation and lethargy are not typical signs of a thyroid crisis; instead, patients with hyperthyroidism often experience diarrhea and agitation. Choice B is incorrect because bradycardia (slow heart rate) and bradypnea (slow breathing rate) are more commonly associated with hypothyroidism rather than a thyroid crisis in Graves' disease.
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