PATHO MAIN EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTION GRADED A+
✔✔1. A nurse on a neurology unit is assessing a female brain-injured client. The client
is unresponsive to speech, and her pupils are dilated and do not react to light. She is
breathing regularly, but her respiratory rate is 45 breaths/minute. In response to a
noxious stimulus, her arms and legs extend rigidly. What is her level of impairment?
A) Delirium
B) Coma
C) Brain death
D) Vegetative state - ✔✔Coma
✔✔1. An adult male has a new diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The nurse knows
which of the following pathophysiological processes underlie the deficits that
accompany the degeneration of myelin in his peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
A) The destruction of myelin causes fewer Schwann cells to be produced in the client's
PNS.
B) The axonal transport system is compromised by the lack of myelin surrounding
nerve cells.
C) Unless remyelination occurs, the axon will eventually die.
D) A deficit of myelin predisposes the client to infection by potential pathogens. -
✔✔Unless remyelination occurs, the axon will eventually die.
✔✔1. The neurotransmitter GABA mainly functions to trigger inhibitory postsynaptic
potentials (IPSPs). Therefore, when explaining this to a group of nursing students, the
nurse will state that
A) it takes at least three chemical substances (amino acids, neuropeptides, and
monoamines) to stimulate any activity between the cells.
B) there is a symbiotic relationship; therefore, the end result will be depolarization of
the postsynaptic membrane.
C) the combination of GABA with a receptor site is inhibitory since it causes the local
nerve membrane to become hyperpolarized and less excitable.
D) the neurotransmitters will interact with cholinergic receptors to bind to acetylcholine
in order to produce hypopolarization within the cell. - ✔✔the combination of GABA with
a receptor site is inhibitory since it causes the local nerve membrane to become
hyperpolarized and less excitable.
✔✔1. The parents of a 3-year-old boy have brought him to a pediatrician for
assessment of the boy's late ambulation and frequent falls. Subsequent muscle biopsy
has confirmed a diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Which of the following
teaching points should the physician include when explaining the child's diagnosis to his
parents?
A) Your son's muscular dystrophy is a result of faulty connections between muscles
and the nerves that normally control them.
, B) He'll require intensive physical therapy as he grows up, and there's a good chance
that he will outgrow this problem as he develops.
C) Your son will be prone to heart problems and decreased lung function because of
this.
D) His muscles will weaken and will visibly decrease in size relative to his body size
throughout his childhood. - ✔✔Your son will be prone to heart problems and decreased
lung function because of this.
✔✔After several months of persistent heartburn, a 57-year-old female client has been
diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which of the following
treatment regimens is likely to best address the woman's health problem?
A) Surgical correction of the incompetent pylorus
B) Antacids; avoiding positions that exacerbate reflux; a soft-textured diet
C) Weight loss and administration of calcium channel blocking medications
D) Proton pump inhibitors; avoiding large meals; remaining upright after meals -
✔✔Proton pump inhibitors; avoiding large meals; remaining upright after meals
✔✔A nurse practitioner is providing care for a male client with a long-standing hiatal
hernia. Which of the following statements most accurately captures an aspect of the
pathophysiology of hiatal hernias?
A) Paraesophageal hiatal hernias are common and are normally not treated if the client
is asymptomatic.
B) The root causes of hiatal hernias are normally treatable with medication.
C) If esophageal acid clearance is impaired, esophagitis can result.
D) An incompetent pyloric sphincter and high-fat diet are commonly implicated in the
development of hiatal hernias. - ✔✔If esophageal acid clearance is impaired,
esophagitis can result.
✔✔While explaining to a group of nursing students what the function of the first mucosal
layer of the lower two thirds of the esophagus, the pathophysiology instructor mentions
which of the following functions? Select all that apply.
A) Secretion of mucus to lubricate and protect the inner surface of the alimentary canal
B) Smooth muscle cells that facilitate movement of contents of the GI tract
C) Holding the organs in place and storage of fats
D) Barrier to prevent the entry of pathogenic organisms
E) A cushioning to protect against injury from sports or car accidents - ✔✔Secretion of
mucus to lubricate and protect the inner surface of the alimentary canal
Barrier to prevent the entry of pathogenic organisms
✔✔The instructor asks a group of nursing students to explain the function of the
omentum. The students will respond based on which pathophysiologic principle?
A) It holds organs in place.
SOLUTION GRADED A+
✔✔1. A nurse on a neurology unit is assessing a female brain-injured client. The client
is unresponsive to speech, and her pupils are dilated and do not react to light. She is
breathing regularly, but her respiratory rate is 45 breaths/minute. In response to a
noxious stimulus, her arms and legs extend rigidly. What is her level of impairment?
A) Delirium
B) Coma
C) Brain death
D) Vegetative state - ✔✔Coma
✔✔1. An adult male has a new diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The nurse knows
which of the following pathophysiological processes underlie the deficits that
accompany the degeneration of myelin in his peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
A) The destruction of myelin causes fewer Schwann cells to be produced in the client's
PNS.
B) The axonal transport system is compromised by the lack of myelin surrounding
nerve cells.
C) Unless remyelination occurs, the axon will eventually die.
D) A deficit of myelin predisposes the client to infection by potential pathogens. -
✔✔Unless remyelination occurs, the axon will eventually die.
✔✔1. The neurotransmitter GABA mainly functions to trigger inhibitory postsynaptic
potentials (IPSPs). Therefore, when explaining this to a group of nursing students, the
nurse will state that
A) it takes at least three chemical substances (amino acids, neuropeptides, and
monoamines) to stimulate any activity between the cells.
B) there is a symbiotic relationship; therefore, the end result will be depolarization of
the postsynaptic membrane.
C) the combination of GABA with a receptor site is inhibitory since it causes the local
nerve membrane to become hyperpolarized and less excitable.
D) the neurotransmitters will interact with cholinergic receptors to bind to acetylcholine
in order to produce hypopolarization within the cell. - ✔✔the combination of GABA with
a receptor site is inhibitory since it causes the local nerve membrane to become
hyperpolarized and less excitable.
✔✔1. The parents of a 3-year-old boy have brought him to a pediatrician for
assessment of the boy's late ambulation and frequent falls. Subsequent muscle biopsy
has confirmed a diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Which of the following
teaching points should the physician include when explaining the child's diagnosis to his
parents?
A) Your son's muscular dystrophy is a result of faulty connections between muscles
and the nerves that normally control them.
, B) He'll require intensive physical therapy as he grows up, and there's a good chance
that he will outgrow this problem as he develops.
C) Your son will be prone to heart problems and decreased lung function because of
this.
D) His muscles will weaken and will visibly decrease in size relative to his body size
throughout his childhood. - ✔✔Your son will be prone to heart problems and decreased
lung function because of this.
✔✔After several months of persistent heartburn, a 57-year-old female client has been
diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which of the following
treatment regimens is likely to best address the woman's health problem?
A) Surgical correction of the incompetent pylorus
B) Antacids; avoiding positions that exacerbate reflux; a soft-textured diet
C) Weight loss and administration of calcium channel blocking medications
D) Proton pump inhibitors; avoiding large meals; remaining upright after meals -
✔✔Proton pump inhibitors; avoiding large meals; remaining upright after meals
✔✔A nurse practitioner is providing care for a male client with a long-standing hiatal
hernia. Which of the following statements most accurately captures an aspect of the
pathophysiology of hiatal hernias?
A) Paraesophageal hiatal hernias are common and are normally not treated if the client
is asymptomatic.
B) The root causes of hiatal hernias are normally treatable with medication.
C) If esophageal acid clearance is impaired, esophagitis can result.
D) An incompetent pyloric sphincter and high-fat diet are commonly implicated in the
development of hiatal hernias. - ✔✔If esophageal acid clearance is impaired,
esophagitis can result.
✔✔While explaining to a group of nursing students what the function of the first mucosal
layer of the lower two thirds of the esophagus, the pathophysiology instructor mentions
which of the following functions? Select all that apply.
A) Secretion of mucus to lubricate and protect the inner surface of the alimentary canal
B) Smooth muscle cells that facilitate movement of contents of the GI tract
C) Holding the organs in place and storage of fats
D) Barrier to prevent the entry of pathogenic organisms
E) A cushioning to protect against injury from sports or car accidents - ✔✔Secretion of
mucus to lubricate and protect the inner surface of the alimentary canal
Barrier to prevent the entry of pathogenic organisms
✔✔The instructor asks a group of nursing students to explain the function of the
omentum. The students will respond based on which pathophysiologic principle?
A) It holds organs in place.
