APEA Pathophysiology EXAM 2026/2027 – 100-
Question Practice Testbank Accurate & Verified
Questions with Rationales for Guaranteed Pass
Question 1
Which of the following statements accurately describes the primary physiologic effect of
emphysema?
A) Airway constriction and hyperresponsiveness of the bronchi
B) Hyperplasia and thickening of the bronchial wall lining
C) Impedance of airflow due to bronchiole inflammation
D) Air trapping and loss of elastic recoil in the lungs
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by enlargement of the alveolar ducts and air
spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles. The destruction of alveolar walls results in air
trapping and loss of elastic recoil of the lungs, leading to airflow obstruction.
Question 2
Cystic fibrosis is which type of genetic disorder?
A) Autosomal recessive
B) Autosomal dominant
C) Complex inheritance
D) X-linked recessive inheritance
Rationale: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal-recessive disease of exocrine gland
function involving multiple organs. It is characterized by chronic respiratory infections,
pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, elevated chloride concentration in sweat, and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Question 3
A hallmark assessment finding in a patient with moderate to severe croup is:
,A) Rhinorrhea
B) Sore throat
C) Stridor
D) Wheezing
Rationale: An acute onset of marked inspiratory stridor is the hallmark of moderate to
severe croup. Inspiratory stridor suggests laryngeal obstruction, while expiratory stridor
suggests tracheobronchial obstruction.
Question 4
The system that tries to compensate for acute respiratory acidosis is:
A) The cardiac system
B) The renal system
C) The gastrointestinal system
D) The hepatic system
Rationale: With renal compensation for respiratory acidosis, renal excretion of carbonic
acid is increased, and bicarbonate reabsorption is increased. This compensatory
mechanism takes hours to days to become effective.
Question 5
The presence of air or gas in the intrapleural cavity is called:
A) Pneumonia
B) Atelectasis
C) Pleurodynia
D) Pneumothorax
Rationale: Pneumothorax is the presence of air or gas in the intrapleural cavity, which can
cause lung collapse. It may occur spontaneously, traumatically, or iatrogenically.
Question 6
An incentive spirometer is used to determine:
,A) Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)
B) Peak expiratory flow
C) Forced vital capacity (FVC)
D) Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)
Rationale: An incentive spirometer is a device used to measure peak expiratory flow and
encourage deep breathing. It helps prevent atelectasis by promoting lung expansion.
Question 7
A lung disease characterized by enlargement of the alveolar ducts and air spaces distal to
the terminal bronchioles is:
A) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
B) Emphysema
C) Cystic fibrosis
D) Asthma
Rationale: Emphysema is specifically defined by the enlargement of alveolar ducts and air
spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, with destruction of alveolar walls resulting in air
trapping and loss of elastic recoil.
Question 8
A finding NOT associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is:
A) Regeneration of epithelial cells lining the alveoli
B) Infiltration of monocytes and T cells on bronchial arterioles
C) Penetration of neutrophils between the vascular structures
D) Proliferation of the bronchiolar epithelium
Rationale: RSV infection causes inflammation, necrosis, and sloughing of bronchiolar
epithelium, not regeneration. The pathologic findings include infiltration of inflammatory cells
and proliferation of bronchiolar epithelium.
Question 9
Atelectasis is defined as:
, A) Diminished volume in all or a portion of a lung
B) Bronchial spasms
C) Chronic obstruction of airflow in the lungs
D) Bacterial lung inflammation
Rationale: Atelectasis refers to the collapse or diminished volume of all or a portion of a
lung. It can result from airway obstruction, compression, or decreased surfactant production.
Question 10
A highly contagious acute respiratory illness characterized by paroxysmal cough is:
A) Respiratory syncytial virus
B) Pertussis
C) Bronchitis
D) Influenza
Rationale: Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious acute respiratory illness
caused by Bordetella pertussis, characterized by paroxysmal cough, inspiratory whoop, and
post-tussive vomiting.
Question 11
The mechanism that prevents the collapse of alveoli by maintaining surface tension is:
A) Frequent coughing
B) Shallow breathing
C) Surfactant
D) Carbon dioxide exchange
Rationale: Surfactant is a phospholipid substance produced by type II alveolar cells that
reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing their collapse and maintaining lung
compliance.
Question 12
In the United States, the leading cause of mortality in infants younger than 1 year is:
Question Practice Testbank Accurate & Verified
Questions with Rationales for Guaranteed Pass
Question 1
Which of the following statements accurately describes the primary physiologic effect of
emphysema?
A) Airway constriction and hyperresponsiveness of the bronchi
B) Hyperplasia and thickening of the bronchial wall lining
C) Impedance of airflow due to bronchiole inflammation
D) Air trapping and loss of elastic recoil in the lungs
Rationale: Emphysema is characterized by enlargement of the alveolar ducts and air
spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles. The destruction of alveolar walls results in air
trapping and loss of elastic recoil of the lungs, leading to airflow obstruction.
Question 2
Cystic fibrosis is which type of genetic disorder?
A) Autosomal recessive
B) Autosomal dominant
C) Complex inheritance
D) X-linked recessive inheritance
Rationale: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal-recessive disease of exocrine gland
function involving multiple organs. It is characterized by chronic respiratory infections,
pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, elevated chloride concentration in sweat, and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Question 3
A hallmark assessment finding in a patient with moderate to severe croup is:
,A) Rhinorrhea
B) Sore throat
C) Stridor
D) Wheezing
Rationale: An acute onset of marked inspiratory stridor is the hallmark of moderate to
severe croup. Inspiratory stridor suggests laryngeal obstruction, while expiratory stridor
suggests tracheobronchial obstruction.
Question 4
The system that tries to compensate for acute respiratory acidosis is:
A) The cardiac system
B) The renal system
C) The gastrointestinal system
D) The hepatic system
Rationale: With renal compensation for respiratory acidosis, renal excretion of carbonic
acid is increased, and bicarbonate reabsorption is increased. This compensatory
mechanism takes hours to days to become effective.
Question 5
The presence of air or gas in the intrapleural cavity is called:
A) Pneumonia
B) Atelectasis
C) Pleurodynia
D) Pneumothorax
Rationale: Pneumothorax is the presence of air or gas in the intrapleural cavity, which can
cause lung collapse. It may occur spontaneously, traumatically, or iatrogenically.
Question 6
An incentive spirometer is used to determine:
,A) Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)
B) Peak expiratory flow
C) Forced vital capacity (FVC)
D) Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)
Rationale: An incentive spirometer is a device used to measure peak expiratory flow and
encourage deep breathing. It helps prevent atelectasis by promoting lung expansion.
Question 7
A lung disease characterized by enlargement of the alveolar ducts and air spaces distal to
the terminal bronchioles is:
A) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
B) Emphysema
C) Cystic fibrosis
D) Asthma
Rationale: Emphysema is specifically defined by the enlargement of alveolar ducts and air
spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, with destruction of alveolar walls resulting in air
trapping and loss of elastic recoil.
Question 8
A finding NOT associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is:
A) Regeneration of epithelial cells lining the alveoli
B) Infiltration of monocytes and T cells on bronchial arterioles
C) Penetration of neutrophils between the vascular structures
D) Proliferation of the bronchiolar epithelium
Rationale: RSV infection causes inflammation, necrosis, and sloughing of bronchiolar
epithelium, not regeneration. The pathologic findings include infiltration of inflammatory cells
and proliferation of bronchiolar epithelium.
Question 9
Atelectasis is defined as:
, A) Diminished volume in all or a portion of a lung
B) Bronchial spasms
C) Chronic obstruction of airflow in the lungs
D) Bacterial lung inflammation
Rationale: Atelectasis refers to the collapse or diminished volume of all or a portion of a
lung. It can result from airway obstruction, compression, or decreased surfactant production.
Question 10
A highly contagious acute respiratory illness characterized by paroxysmal cough is:
A) Respiratory syncytial virus
B) Pertussis
C) Bronchitis
D) Influenza
Rationale: Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious acute respiratory illness
caused by Bordetella pertussis, characterized by paroxysmal cough, inspiratory whoop, and
post-tussive vomiting.
Question 11
The mechanism that prevents the collapse of alveoli by maintaining surface tension is:
A) Frequent coughing
B) Shallow breathing
C) Surfactant
D) Carbon dioxide exchange
Rationale: Surfactant is a phospholipid substance produced by type II alveolar cells that
reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing their collapse and maintaining lung
compliance.
Question 12
In the United States, the leading cause of mortality in infants younger than 1 year is:
