SCRIPT 2026 PATHOPHYSIOLOGIC
MECHANISMS STUDY GUIDE AND KEY
TOPICS
◉ Necrosis
Answer: Uncontrolled cell death with inflammation
◉ Chain of infection
Answer: Reservoir → portal of exit → transmission → portal of entry
→ host
◉ Exotoxins
Answer: Cause direct cellular damage
◉ Endotoxins
Answer: Trigger inflammation and fever
◉ Septicemia
Answer: Bacteria in the bloodstream
, ◉ Septic shock
Answer: Hypotension due to massive vasodilation and capillary leak
◉ Antigenic drift
Answer: Minor viral mutation
◉ Antigenic shift
Answer: Major viral mutation leading to pandemics
◉ Candida albicans
Answer: Most common fungal infection
◉ Dermatophytes
Answer: Fungal infections of skin, hair, nails
◉ Inflammation
Answer: Innate immune response that is non-specific
◉ Five signs of inflammation
Answer: Redness, heat, swelling, pain, loss of function
◉ Histamine