BIOD 331 Module 1 Pathophysiology
Exam 2026 Questions With 100%
Correct Answers
\Q\.What is the definition of "pathophysiology"? - ANSWERS✔-Pathophysiology is defined as
not only the cellular and organ changes that occur with disease, but also the effects that these
changes have on total body function.
\Q\.Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed. - ANSWERS✔-Etiologic factors are
the causes of a disease.
1. Physical forces: trauma, burns, etc
2. Chemical agents: poisons, alcohol
3. Biological agents: bacteria, viruses
4. Genetic predisposition: inherent genes from both parents but you don't necessarily develop
the disease but are predispositioned to it
5. Nutritional excess or deficiencies: Iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism. Nutritional
excess in carbohydrates can lead to irritable bowel syndrome.
\Q\.What are the 2 types of risk factors? - ANSWERS✔-Congenital: present at birth
Acquired: occur after birth
\Q\.What is the difference between morphology and histology? - ANSWERS✔-Morphology is
defined as the fundamental structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology is the study of the
cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
\Q\.Describe the difference between signs and symptoms and give an example of each. -
ANSWERS✔-These both relate to manifestations of a disease. Signs is an objective manifestation
, while symptoms are a subjective complaint. Signs are apparent to the physician, symptoms are
apparent to the patient.
\Q\.What are 3 important processes when coming to a diagnosis? - ANSWERS✔-Patient history,
diagnostic testing, and a physical examination.
\Q\.Explain validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity. - ANSWERS✔-Validity: how a tool
measures what it is intended to measure i.e. the correct tool to do the job, such as using a
blood pressure cuff to measure blood pressure
Reliability: likelihood of yielding the same result of a test, usually dependent on someone's
experience and skill level
Sensitivity: proportion of people with a disease who test positive
Specificity: people without the disease who test negative for it
\Q\.Define epidemiology and name some things that it tracks. - ANSWERS✔-Epidemiology is the
study of disease occurrence. It tracks the health of a community by tracking age, race,
nutritional habits and locations.
\Q\.What is the difference between incidence and prevalence? - ANSWERS✔-Incidence is the
number of new cases in the population at a given time, prevalence is the number of cases that
exist in the population at a given time.
\Q\.Define mortality and morbidity. - ANSWERS✔-Mortality is the reason for death in a
population. Morbidity is the effect of the illness on someone's life, as it pertains to their quality
of life.
\Q\.Define primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and give an example of each. -
ANSWERS✔-Primary prevention is what a person does to prevent a disease from occurring, for
example eating healthy and exercising.
Exam 2026 Questions With 100%
Correct Answers
\Q\.What is the definition of "pathophysiology"? - ANSWERS✔-Pathophysiology is defined as
not only the cellular and organ changes that occur with disease, but also the effects that these
changes have on total body function.
\Q\.Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed. - ANSWERS✔-Etiologic factors are
the causes of a disease.
1. Physical forces: trauma, burns, etc
2. Chemical agents: poisons, alcohol
3. Biological agents: bacteria, viruses
4. Genetic predisposition: inherent genes from both parents but you don't necessarily develop
the disease but are predispositioned to it
5. Nutritional excess or deficiencies: Iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism. Nutritional
excess in carbohydrates can lead to irritable bowel syndrome.
\Q\.What are the 2 types of risk factors? - ANSWERS✔-Congenital: present at birth
Acquired: occur after birth
\Q\.What is the difference between morphology and histology? - ANSWERS✔-Morphology is
defined as the fundamental structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology is the study of the
cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
\Q\.Describe the difference between signs and symptoms and give an example of each. -
ANSWERS✔-These both relate to manifestations of a disease. Signs is an objective manifestation
, while symptoms are a subjective complaint. Signs are apparent to the physician, symptoms are
apparent to the patient.
\Q\.What are 3 important processes when coming to a diagnosis? - ANSWERS✔-Patient history,
diagnostic testing, and a physical examination.
\Q\.Explain validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity. - ANSWERS✔-Validity: how a tool
measures what it is intended to measure i.e. the correct tool to do the job, such as using a
blood pressure cuff to measure blood pressure
Reliability: likelihood of yielding the same result of a test, usually dependent on someone's
experience and skill level
Sensitivity: proportion of people with a disease who test positive
Specificity: people without the disease who test negative for it
\Q\.Define epidemiology and name some things that it tracks. - ANSWERS✔-Epidemiology is the
study of disease occurrence. It tracks the health of a community by tracking age, race,
nutritional habits and locations.
\Q\.What is the difference between incidence and prevalence? - ANSWERS✔-Incidence is the
number of new cases in the population at a given time, prevalence is the number of cases that
exist in the population at a given time.
\Q\.Define mortality and morbidity. - ANSWERS✔-Mortality is the reason for death in a
population. Morbidity is the effect of the illness on someone's life, as it pertains to their quality
of life.
\Q\.Define primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and give an example of each. -
ANSWERS✔-Primary prevention is what a person does to prevent a disease from occurring, for
example eating healthy and exercising.
