, NURS 231 Pathophysiology Final Exam:
200+ Practice Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales – Portage Learning
BIOD 331 | 2026/2027 Update | Version A
& B | Instant Download
1. What is the definition of pathophysiology?
A. The study of the structure of the human body
B. The study of the body's responses to changes caused by disease
C. The study of the function of organs and tissues
D. The study of the development of disease
Answer: B
Rationale: Pathophysiology is defined as not only the cellular and organ changes that
occur with disease but also the effects these changes have on total body function .
2. Which of the following are etiologic factors? (Select all that apply)
A. Biologic agents like bacteria and viruses
B. Physical forces like trauma and burns
C. Chemical agents like poisons and alcohol
D. Genetic inheritance
E. Nutritional excesses or deficiencies
Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: The five etiologic factors are: biologic agents, physical forces, chemical
agents, one's genetic inheritance, and nutritional excesses or deficiencies .
3. A symptom is best described as:
A. An objective manifestation of disease
B. A subjective complaint reported by the patient
,C. A laboratory finding
D. A physical examination finding
Answer: B
Rationale: A symptom is a subjective complaint, for example pain, trouble breathing, or
dizziness. A sign is an objective manifestation, for example an elevated temperature, a
swollen extremity, or changes in pupil size .
4. The diagnostic process requires:
A. Careful history taking only
B. Physical examination only
C. Diagnostic tests only
D. Careful history, physical examination, and sometimes diagnostic tests
Answer: D
Rationale: The diagnostic process requires a careful history, physical examination (PE),
and sometimes diagnostic tests .
5. The proportion of people with a disease who test positive for that disease is:
A. Specificity
B. Sensitivity
C. Validity
D. Reliability
Answer: B
Rationale: Sensitivity is the proportion of people with a disease who are positive for
that disease. Specificity is people without the disease who are negative on a given test .
6. Incidence is defined as:
A. The number of people with a disease in a population at a given time
B. The number of new cases in a population at risk during a specified time
C. The effect of an illness on one's life
D. The cause of death in a population
, Answer: B
Rationale: Incidence is the number of new cases in a population at risk during a
specified time. Prevalence is the number of people with the disease in a population in a
given time .
7. Which type of prevention aims to detect and treat disease early, usually while
asymptomatic?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary prevention aims to detect and treat disease early, usually while
asymptomatic and curable (e.g., annual Pap smears, blood pressure and cholesterol
screening) .
8. All eukaryotic cells have three primary structures. These are the:
A. Nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane
B. Nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes
C. Plasma membrane, mitochondria, and nucleus
D. Cytoplasm, ribosomes, and plasma membrane
Answer: A
Rationale: The three primary structures of eukaryotic cells are the nucleus, the
cytoplasm, and the plasma membrane.
9. The primary function of the nucleus is to:
A. Synthesize proteins
B. Generate ATP through cellular respiration
C. Store and protect the cell's genetic material (DNA)
D. Package and modify proteins for secretion
200+ Practice Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales – Portage Learning
BIOD 331 | 2026/2027 Update | Version A
& B | Instant Download
1. What is the definition of pathophysiology?
A. The study of the structure of the human body
B. The study of the body's responses to changes caused by disease
C. The study of the function of organs and tissues
D. The study of the development of disease
Answer: B
Rationale: Pathophysiology is defined as not only the cellular and organ changes that
occur with disease but also the effects these changes have on total body function .
2. Which of the following are etiologic factors? (Select all that apply)
A. Biologic agents like bacteria and viruses
B. Physical forces like trauma and burns
C. Chemical agents like poisons and alcohol
D. Genetic inheritance
E. Nutritional excesses or deficiencies
Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: The five etiologic factors are: biologic agents, physical forces, chemical
agents, one's genetic inheritance, and nutritional excesses or deficiencies .
3. A symptom is best described as:
A. An objective manifestation of disease
B. A subjective complaint reported by the patient
,C. A laboratory finding
D. A physical examination finding
Answer: B
Rationale: A symptom is a subjective complaint, for example pain, trouble breathing, or
dizziness. A sign is an objective manifestation, for example an elevated temperature, a
swollen extremity, or changes in pupil size .
4. The diagnostic process requires:
A. Careful history taking only
B. Physical examination only
C. Diagnostic tests only
D. Careful history, physical examination, and sometimes diagnostic tests
Answer: D
Rationale: The diagnostic process requires a careful history, physical examination (PE),
and sometimes diagnostic tests .
5. The proportion of people with a disease who test positive for that disease is:
A. Specificity
B. Sensitivity
C. Validity
D. Reliability
Answer: B
Rationale: Sensitivity is the proportion of people with a disease who are positive for
that disease. Specificity is people without the disease who are negative on a given test .
6. Incidence is defined as:
A. The number of people with a disease in a population at a given time
B. The number of new cases in a population at risk during a specified time
C. The effect of an illness on one's life
D. The cause of death in a population
, Answer: B
Rationale: Incidence is the number of new cases in a population at risk during a
specified time. Prevalence is the number of people with the disease in a population in a
given time .
7. Which type of prevention aims to detect and treat disease early, usually while
asymptomatic?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Answer: B
Rationale: Secondary prevention aims to detect and treat disease early, usually while
asymptomatic and curable (e.g., annual Pap smears, blood pressure and cholesterol
screening) .
8. All eukaryotic cells have three primary structures. These are the:
A. Nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane
B. Nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes
C. Plasma membrane, mitochondria, and nucleus
D. Cytoplasm, ribosomes, and plasma membrane
Answer: A
Rationale: The three primary structures of eukaryotic cells are the nucleus, the
cytoplasm, and the plasma membrane.
9. The primary function of the nucleus is to:
A. Synthesize proteins
B. Generate ATP through cellular respiration
C. Store and protect the cell's genetic material (DNA)
D. Package and modify proteins for secretion
