,NSG3280/NSG 3280 Exam 1 | Pathophysiology
for Nurses I | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the study of pathophysiology?
A) The study of the structure of the human body
B) The study of abnormalities in the physiologic functioning of living beings
C) The study of drug interactions within the body
D) The study of psychological responses to illness
Correct Answer: The study of abnormalities in the physiologic functioning of living beings
Rationale: Pathophysiology is specifically defined as the study of abnormalities in physiologic
functioning. It focuses on the functional changes that occur in the body as a result of disease, integrating
knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology. The other options describe anatomy, pharmacology,
and psychology, respectively.
2. A patient's disease has no identifiable cause despite a thorough workup. How should this etiology be
classified?
A) Iatrogenic
B) Idiopathic
C) Nosocomial
D) Pathogenic
Correct Answer: Idiopathic
Rationale: Idiopathic refers to a disease with an unknown cause. Iatrogenic means caused by medical
treatment, nosocomial means acquired in a hospital, and pathogenic refers to a disease caused by a
specific pathogen. An unknown cause is correctly documented as idiopathic.
3. What is the primary function of the cellular process of glycolysis?
,A) To store glucose in the form of glycogen
B) To convert glucose into ATP for cellular energy
C) To synthesize new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources
D) To break down glycogen into glucose molecules
Correct Answer: To convert glucose into ATP for cellular energy
Rationale: Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to produce ATP, the cell's main
energy source. Glycogenesis is the storage of glucose as glycogen, gluconeogenesis is the synthesis of
glucose, and glycogenolysis is the breakdown of glycogen to glucose.
4. According to the framework of pathophysiology, which of the following is the correct sequence of
disease development?
A) Pathogenesis → Etiology → Clinical Manifestations → Treatment Implications
B) Etiology → Pathogenesis → Clinical Manifestations → Treatment Implications
C) Clinical Manifestations → Etiology → Pathogenesis → Treatment Implications
D) Treatment Implications → Etiology → Pathogenesis → Clinical Manifestations
Correct Answer: Etiology → Pathogenesis → Clinical Manifestations → Treatment Implications
Rationale: The framework of pathophysiology follows a logical sequence: etiology (cause) leads to
pathogenesis (mechanism of disease development), which results in clinical manifestations (signs and
symptoms). These manifestations then guide treatment implications. The other sequences are incorrect.
5. A researcher is studying the cellular response to chronic hypoxia. Which of the following cellular
adaptations is most likely to occur in cardiac muscle cells under this sustained stress?
A) Atrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Hypertrophy
, Correct Answer: Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, often in response to increased workload or stress, such
as chronic hypoxia. Cardiac muscle cells primarily undergo hypertrophy, as they have limited capacity for
hyperplasia (cell division). Atrophy is a decrease in cell size, and metaplasia is a change in cell type.
6. What is the most likely outcome if a patient experiences a significant decrease in plasma oncotic
pressure?
A) Increased reabsorption of fluid into the capillaries
B) Decreased filtration of fluid out of the capillaries
C) Increased filtration of fluid out of the capillaries
D) No change in fluid movement across the capillary wall
Correct Answer: Increased filtration of fluid out of the capillaries
Rationale: Plasma oncotic pressure, primarily from albumin, pulls fluid into the capillaries. A decrease in
this pressure reduces the reabsorptive force, leading to more fluid filtering out of the capillaries and into
the interstitial space, causing edema. The other options do not correctly describe this physiological
relationship.
7. Which principle explains the development of metabolic acidosis in a patient with uncontrolled
diabetes mellitus?
A) Excessive loss of bicarbonate through the kidneys
B) Accumulation of ketone bodies from fat metabolism
C) Retention of carbon dioxide due to hypoventilation
D) Increased production of lactic acid from anaerobic metabolism
Correct Answer: Accumulation of ketone bodies from fat metabolism
Rationale: In uncontrolled diabetes, the body cannot use glucose for energy and breaks down fats
instead, producing ketone bodies (acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid). These acids lower
blood pH, causing metabolic acidosis. The other options describe other causes of acidosis.
for Nurses I | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the study of pathophysiology?
A) The study of the structure of the human body
B) The study of abnormalities in the physiologic functioning of living beings
C) The study of drug interactions within the body
D) The study of psychological responses to illness
Correct Answer: The study of abnormalities in the physiologic functioning of living beings
Rationale: Pathophysiology is specifically defined as the study of abnormalities in physiologic
functioning. It focuses on the functional changes that occur in the body as a result of disease, integrating
knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology. The other options describe anatomy, pharmacology,
and psychology, respectively.
2. A patient's disease has no identifiable cause despite a thorough workup. How should this etiology be
classified?
A) Iatrogenic
B) Idiopathic
C) Nosocomial
D) Pathogenic
Correct Answer: Idiopathic
Rationale: Idiopathic refers to a disease with an unknown cause. Iatrogenic means caused by medical
treatment, nosocomial means acquired in a hospital, and pathogenic refers to a disease caused by a
specific pathogen. An unknown cause is correctly documented as idiopathic.
3. What is the primary function of the cellular process of glycolysis?
,A) To store glucose in the form of glycogen
B) To convert glucose into ATP for cellular energy
C) To synthesize new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources
D) To break down glycogen into glucose molecules
Correct Answer: To convert glucose into ATP for cellular energy
Rationale: Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to produce ATP, the cell's main
energy source. Glycogenesis is the storage of glucose as glycogen, gluconeogenesis is the synthesis of
glucose, and glycogenolysis is the breakdown of glycogen to glucose.
4. According to the framework of pathophysiology, which of the following is the correct sequence of
disease development?
A) Pathogenesis → Etiology → Clinical Manifestations → Treatment Implications
B) Etiology → Pathogenesis → Clinical Manifestations → Treatment Implications
C) Clinical Manifestations → Etiology → Pathogenesis → Treatment Implications
D) Treatment Implications → Etiology → Pathogenesis → Clinical Manifestations
Correct Answer: Etiology → Pathogenesis → Clinical Manifestations → Treatment Implications
Rationale: The framework of pathophysiology follows a logical sequence: etiology (cause) leads to
pathogenesis (mechanism of disease development), which results in clinical manifestations (signs and
symptoms). These manifestations then guide treatment implications. The other sequences are incorrect.
5. A researcher is studying the cellular response to chronic hypoxia. Which of the following cellular
adaptations is most likely to occur in cardiac muscle cells under this sustained stress?
A) Atrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Hypertrophy
, Correct Answer: Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, often in response to increased workload or stress, such
as chronic hypoxia. Cardiac muscle cells primarily undergo hypertrophy, as they have limited capacity for
hyperplasia (cell division). Atrophy is a decrease in cell size, and metaplasia is a change in cell type.
6. What is the most likely outcome if a patient experiences a significant decrease in plasma oncotic
pressure?
A) Increased reabsorption of fluid into the capillaries
B) Decreased filtration of fluid out of the capillaries
C) Increased filtration of fluid out of the capillaries
D) No change in fluid movement across the capillary wall
Correct Answer: Increased filtration of fluid out of the capillaries
Rationale: Plasma oncotic pressure, primarily from albumin, pulls fluid into the capillaries. A decrease in
this pressure reduces the reabsorptive force, leading to more fluid filtering out of the capillaries and into
the interstitial space, causing edema. The other options do not correctly describe this physiological
relationship.
7. Which principle explains the development of metabolic acidosis in a patient with uncontrolled
diabetes mellitus?
A) Excessive loss of bicarbonate through the kidneys
B) Accumulation of ketone bodies from fat metabolism
C) Retention of carbon dioxide due to hypoventilation
D) Increased production of lactic acid from anaerobic metabolism
Correct Answer: Accumulation of ketone bodies from fat metabolism
Rationale: In uncontrolled diabetes, the body cannot use glucose for energy and breaks down fats
instead, producing ketone bodies (acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid). These acids lower
blood pH, causing metabolic acidosis. The other options describe other causes of acidosis.
