,BIOD 331 Module 1 | Pathophysiology | Portage
Learning | Q & A| 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following best defines pathophysiology?
A) The study of the structure of body tissues and organs
B) The study of the cellular and organ changes that occur with disease and their effects on total body
function
C) The study of the normal function of the body and its systems
D) The study of the causes and origins of disease
Correct Answer: The study of the cellular and organ changes that occur with disease and their effects on
total body function
Rationale: 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. Pathology is the study of structural
changes, while physiology is the study of normal body function.
2. A patient's blood pressure reading of 150/95 mmHg is an example of which of the following?
A) A symptom
B) A sign
C) A syndrome
D) A complication
Correct Answer: A sign
Rationale: A sign is an objective manifestation of a disease that is apparent to the physician or observer.
Blood pressure is measurable and objective. A symptom is a subjective complaint reported by the
patient, such as chest pain or headache.
3. A patient reports experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. These reports are best classified as:
A) Signs
,B) Symptoms
C) Morphologic changes
D) Sequelae
Correct Answer: Symptoms
Rationale: Symptoms are subjective complaints that are apparent to the patient. Chest pain and
shortness of breath are experiences reported by the patient. Signs are objective findings that can be
observed or measured by a clinician.
4. Which of the following is an example of a congenital risk factor?
A) Smoking
B) Poor diet
C) Genetic predisposition to cystic fibrosis
D) Exposure to industrial chemicals
Correct Answer: Genetic predisposition to cystic fibrosis
Rationale: Congenital risk factors are those present at birth. A genetic predisposition to cystic fibrosis is
inherited and present from birth. Smoking, poor diet, and chemical exposure are acquired risk factors
that occur after birth.
5. Which of the following is an acquired risk factor?
A) A hereditary gene mutation for breast cancer
B) Down syndrome
C) Cystic fibrosis
D) Obesity due to poor dietary habits
Correct Answer: Obesity due to poor dietary habits
, Rationale: Acquired risk factors occur after birth and are brought on by external factors. Obesity from
poor dietary habits is an acquired condition. Genetic mutations, Down syndrome, and cystic fibrosis are
congenital (present at birth).
6. A researcher is studying the number of new cases of a disease in a population over a specific time
period. Which term describes this measurement?
A) Prevalence
B) Morbidity
C) Incidence
D) Mortality
Correct Answer: Incidence
Rationale: Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a population during a
specific time period. Prevalence refers to the total number of cases (both new and existing) in a
population at a given time.
7. A public health official reports that 10,000 people in a city currently have diabetes. This statistic
represents:
A) Incidence
B) Prevalence
C) Mortality
D) Morbidity
Correct Answer: Prevalence
Rationale: Prevalence is the total number of cases of a disease (both new and pre-existing) in a
population at a given time. Incidence measures only new cases over a specific time period. Mortality
refers to death, and morbidity refers to illness.
8. Which of the following best describes the difference between morbidity and mortality?
A) Morbidity refers to death; mortality refers to illness
Learning | Q & A| 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following best defines pathophysiology?
A) The study of the structure of body tissues and organs
B) The study of the cellular and organ changes that occur with disease and their effects on total body
function
C) The study of the normal function of the body and its systems
D) The study of the causes and origins of disease
Correct Answer: The study of the cellular and organ changes that occur with disease and their effects on
total body function
Rationale: 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. Pathology is the study of structural
changes, while physiology is the study of normal body function.
2. A patient's blood pressure reading of 150/95 mmHg is an example of which of the following?
A) A symptom
B) A sign
C) A syndrome
D) A complication
Correct Answer: A sign
Rationale: A sign is an objective manifestation of a disease that is apparent to the physician or observer.
Blood pressure is measurable and objective. A symptom is a subjective complaint reported by the
patient, such as chest pain or headache.
3. A patient reports experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. These reports are best classified as:
A) Signs
,B) Symptoms
C) Morphologic changes
D) Sequelae
Correct Answer: Symptoms
Rationale: Symptoms are subjective complaints that are apparent to the patient. Chest pain and
shortness of breath are experiences reported by the patient. Signs are objective findings that can be
observed or measured by a clinician.
4. Which of the following is an example of a congenital risk factor?
A) Smoking
B) Poor diet
C) Genetic predisposition to cystic fibrosis
D) Exposure to industrial chemicals
Correct Answer: Genetic predisposition to cystic fibrosis
Rationale: Congenital risk factors are those present at birth. A genetic predisposition to cystic fibrosis is
inherited and present from birth. Smoking, poor diet, and chemical exposure are acquired risk factors
that occur after birth.
5. Which of the following is an acquired risk factor?
A) A hereditary gene mutation for breast cancer
B) Down syndrome
C) Cystic fibrosis
D) Obesity due to poor dietary habits
Correct Answer: Obesity due to poor dietary habits
, Rationale: Acquired risk factors occur after birth and are brought on by external factors. Obesity from
poor dietary habits is an acquired condition. Genetic mutations, Down syndrome, and cystic fibrosis are
congenital (present at birth).
6. A researcher is studying the number of new cases of a disease in a population over a specific time
period. Which term describes this measurement?
A) Prevalence
B) Morbidity
C) Incidence
D) Mortality
Correct Answer: Incidence
Rationale: Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a population during a
specific time period. Prevalence refers to the total number of cases (both new and existing) in a
population at a given time.
7. A public health official reports that 10,000 people in a city currently have diabetes. This statistic
represents:
A) Incidence
B) Prevalence
C) Mortality
D) Morbidity
Correct Answer: Prevalence
Rationale: Prevalence is the total number of cases of a disease (both new and pre-existing) in a
population at a given time. Incidence measures only new cases over a specific time period. Mortality
refers to death, and morbidity refers to illness.
8. Which of the following best describes the difference between morbidity and mortality?
A) Morbidity refers to death; mortality refers to illness
