PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (LATEST UPDATE
2026)
What causes acute intrarenal failure? - ANS-Kidney Stones (renal calculi), Renal
Ischemia
What do we see associated with SIADH? - ANS-Fluid Retention (edema), Crackles in
Lungs, Hypertension, Decreased Sodium (diluted)
What causes myxedema coma? - ANS-Hypothyroidism
What is the main underlying condition for Type I and Type II Diabetes? - ANS-Impaired
Glucose Transport
What is the difference between Type I and Type II Diabetes? - ANS-Type I - Complete
lack of insulin (Hyperglycemia)
Type II - Insulin resistance on the cells
What would we see with hypoparathyroidism? - ANS-Decrease of Calcium (softer
bones), Positive Chvostek's Sign, Tetany/Hyperactivity of Muscles/Tremors
What is the therapy for Type I Diabetes? - ANS-Give Insulin
What is the therapy for Type II Diabetes? - ANS-Diet, Exercise, Oral Antihyperglycemic
Medicine (sensitizes cells to take up insulin)
What are some complications of Diabetes? - ANS-Paresthesia, Neuropathy,
Retinopathy, Cardiac Problems, Hypertension, Nephropathy
What is Celiac Spruce? What should you avoid? - ANS-Gluten Intolerance
Avoid Wheat Products: Wheat, Rye, Barley
What do we associate with hepatic encephalopathy? - ANS-Increased Ammonia Levels
How do histamine antagonists work to manage peptic ulcer disease? - ANS-Acts of H2
receptors - Coats the stomach and decreases the secretion of stomach acids
What are the 2 types of inflammatory bowel disorders? - ANS-Chron's Disease
Ulcerative Colitis
Chron's Disease - ANS-Hardening of the smooth muscles - things aren't being
absorbed.
, Ulcerative Colitis - ANS-Large ulcers form in mucosal layer of colon and rectum. Bloody
Diarrhea (!)
What are the major risk factors for patients developing peptic ulcer disease? - ANS-
Spicy Foods, Stress, NSAID medications, Glucocorticoids, Alcohol, H. pylori
What are signs and symptoms of gastric ulcers? - ANS-Pain when swallowing
(dysphagia), Epigastric pain (goes away if they eat food), Vomiting Bright Red Blood,
Coffee Grain Colored Stool
What are potential risk factors for breast cancer? - ANS-Early period & Late
menopause, Late 1st pregnancy (after 30), Genetic history - especially if mom/sister has
it
What increases the risk for having candidiasis? - ANS-Oral or IV Antibiotics
How are hepatitis A,B,C contracted? - ANS-A: Oral - Fecal
B: Blood & Bodily Fluids
C: Contaminated Blood Transfusions before 1990; Bodily Fluids
What happens in acceleration and deceleration? (Coup/Contrecoup) - ANS-Polar
injuries of the brain within the skull resulting in double injury
What is the 1st priority for a patient who comes in with S&S of a stroke? - ANS-Protect
the Airway - keep it opened!
What is a tonic-clonic seizure? - ANS-"Grand Mal" (aka: Generalized Seizure)
Unconsciousness, Convulsions, Muscle Rigidity
What stage of sleep do most dreams occur in? - ANS-REM (Stage V)
What are the poorest neurological symptoms we can see in an unconscious patient? -
ANS-Hyperactive/Hypoactive Reflexes, Pupil Restriction/No Response,
Decorticate/Decerebrate Posturing
What are the 3 parts of the Glaucoma scale? - ANS-Verbal, Motor, Eye Movement
Score of 3(least) - 15(best)
What kind of hemorrhage do cerebral aneurisms cause? - ANS-Subarachnoid
What causes a cerebral aneurism? - ANS-Ballooning out of a blood vessel -
Atherosclerosis, Trauma, Hypertension, Infection
What is the difference between focal and generalized seizure? - ANS-Focal Seizure -
affects 1 spot
ANSWERS (LATEST UPDATE
2026)
What causes acute intrarenal failure? - ANS-Kidney Stones (renal calculi), Renal
Ischemia
What do we see associated with SIADH? - ANS-Fluid Retention (edema), Crackles in
Lungs, Hypertension, Decreased Sodium (diluted)
What causes myxedema coma? - ANS-Hypothyroidism
What is the main underlying condition for Type I and Type II Diabetes? - ANS-Impaired
Glucose Transport
What is the difference between Type I and Type II Diabetes? - ANS-Type I - Complete
lack of insulin (Hyperglycemia)
Type II - Insulin resistance on the cells
What would we see with hypoparathyroidism? - ANS-Decrease of Calcium (softer
bones), Positive Chvostek's Sign, Tetany/Hyperactivity of Muscles/Tremors
What is the therapy for Type I Diabetes? - ANS-Give Insulin
What is the therapy for Type II Diabetes? - ANS-Diet, Exercise, Oral Antihyperglycemic
Medicine (sensitizes cells to take up insulin)
What are some complications of Diabetes? - ANS-Paresthesia, Neuropathy,
Retinopathy, Cardiac Problems, Hypertension, Nephropathy
What is Celiac Spruce? What should you avoid? - ANS-Gluten Intolerance
Avoid Wheat Products: Wheat, Rye, Barley
What do we associate with hepatic encephalopathy? - ANS-Increased Ammonia Levels
How do histamine antagonists work to manage peptic ulcer disease? - ANS-Acts of H2
receptors - Coats the stomach and decreases the secretion of stomach acids
What are the 2 types of inflammatory bowel disorders? - ANS-Chron's Disease
Ulcerative Colitis
Chron's Disease - ANS-Hardening of the smooth muscles - things aren't being
absorbed.
, Ulcerative Colitis - ANS-Large ulcers form in mucosal layer of colon and rectum. Bloody
Diarrhea (!)
What are the major risk factors for patients developing peptic ulcer disease? - ANS-
Spicy Foods, Stress, NSAID medications, Glucocorticoids, Alcohol, H. pylori
What are signs and symptoms of gastric ulcers? - ANS-Pain when swallowing
(dysphagia), Epigastric pain (goes away if they eat food), Vomiting Bright Red Blood,
Coffee Grain Colored Stool
What are potential risk factors for breast cancer? - ANS-Early period & Late
menopause, Late 1st pregnancy (after 30), Genetic history - especially if mom/sister has
it
What increases the risk for having candidiasis? - ANS-Oral or IV Antibiotics
How are hepatitis A,B,C contracted? - ANS-A: Oral - Fecal
B: Blood & Bodily Fluids
C: Contaminated Blood Transfusions before 1990; Bodily Fluids
What happens in acceleration and deceleration? (Coup/Contrecoup) - ANS-Polar
injuries of the brain within the skull resulting in double injury
What is the 1st priority for a patient who comes in with S&S of a stroke? - ANS-Protect
the Airway - keep it opened!
What is a tonic-clonic seizure? - ANS-"Grand Mal" (aka: Generalized Seizure)
Unconsciousness, Convulsions, Muscle Rigidity
What stage of sleep do most dreams occur in? - ANS-REM (Stage V)
What are the poorest neurological symptoms we can see in an unconscious patient? -
ANS-Hyperactive/Hypoactive Reflexes, Pupil Restriction/No Response,
Decorticate/Decerebrate Posturing
What are the 3 parts of the Glaucoma scale? - ANS-Verbal, Motor, Eye Movement
Score of 3(least) - 15(best)
What kind of hemorrhage do cerebral aneurisms cause? - ANS-Subarachnoid
What causes a cerebral aneurism? - ANS-Ballooning out of a blood vessel -
Atherosclerosis, Trauma, Hypertension, Infection
What is the difference between focal and generalized seizure? - ANS-Focal Seizure -
affects 1 spot
