Portage Pathophysiology (BIOD 331/NURS 231)
Comprehensive Practice Exam: Modules 1-10
Instructions: Select the best answer for each multiple-choice question. Correct answers and rationales
are provided.
Module 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury, and Diagnostic Concepts
1. A patient reports chest pain, and the clinician measures elevated blood pressure. What are these
examples of?
A) Both are signs
B) Both are symptoms
C) Chest pain is a sign; elevated blood pressure is a symptom
D) Chest pain is a symptom; elevated blood pressure is a sign
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A symptom is a subjective experience reported by the patient, such as chest pain. A sign is an
objective, measurable indicator observed by the clinician, such as elevated blood pressure.
2. Which of the following statements about hypertrophy is TRUE?
A) Hypertrophy only occurs under pathological conditions
B) Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the number of cells
C) Hypertrophy can occur under both normal and pathological conditions
D) Hypertrophy is always reversible
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, leading to organ enlargement. It can be physiologic
(e.g., muscle growth from exercise) or pathologic (e.g., cardiac hypertrophy from hypertension).
3. A test has a high likelihood of obtaining the same result with repeat testing. This test demonstrates
high:
A) Sensitivity
B) Specificity
C) Reliability
D) Validity
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of test results. Validity is the degree to
which a test measures what it intends to measure, while sensitivity and specificity relate to diagnostic
accuracy.
4. A patient presents with a blood pressure of 142/92 mmHg on two separate occasions. According to
current guidelines, this would be classified as:
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Hypertension Stage 1
D) Hypertension Stage 2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertension Stage 1 is defined as systolic BP 130-139 mmHg or diastolic BP 80-89 mmHg.
5. Persistent, progressive dysplasia that is not eliminated will most likely result in:
A) Atrophy
B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Cancer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dysplasia is disordered cellular growth with atypia. If the inciting cause persists, dysplasia can
progress to carcinoma in situ and eventually invasive cancer.
Module 2: Neoplasia and Cellular Proliferation
6. Which characteristic best differentiates a malignant tumor from a benign tumor?
A) Rapid growth rate
B) Presence of a capsule
C) Invasion of surrounding tissues
D) Large size
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis,
distinguishing them from benign tumors, which typically remain localized and encapsulated.
7. A tumor is found to have cells that vary significantly in size and shape, with large, hyperchromatic
nuclei. This finding is characteristic of:
Comprehensive Practice Exam: Modules 1-10
Instructions: Select the best answer for each multiple-choice question. Correct answers and rationales
are provided.
Module 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury, and Diagnostic Concepts
1. A patient reports chest pain, and the clinician measures elevated blood pressure. What are these
examples of?
A) Both are signs
B) Both are symptoms
C) Chest pain is a sign; elevated blood pressure is a symptom
D) Chest pain is a symptom; elevated blood pressure is a sign
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A symptom is a subjective experience reported by the patient, such as chest pain. A sign is an
objective, measurable indicator observed by the clinician, such as elevated blood pressure.
2. Which of the following statements about hypertrophy is TRUE?
A) Hypertrophy only occurs under pathological conditions
B) Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the number of cells
C) Hypertrophy can occur under both normal and pathological conditions
D) Hypertrophy is always reversible
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, leading to organ enlargement. It can be physiologic
(e.g., muscle growth from exercise) or pathologic (e.g., cardiac hypertrophy from hypertension).
3. A test has a high likelihood of obtaining the same result with repeat testing. This test demonstrates
high:
A) Sensitivity
B) Specificity
C) Reliability
D) Validity
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of test results. Validity is the degree to
which a test measures what it intends to measure, while sensitivity and specificity relate to diagnostic
accuracy.
4. A patient presents with a blood pressure of 142/92 mmHg on two separate occasions. According to
current guidelines, this would be classified as:
A) Normal
B) Elevated
C) Hypertension Stage 1
D) Hypertension Stage 2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertension Stage 1 is defined as systolic BP 130-139 mmHg or diastolic BP 80-89 mmHg.
5. Persistent, progressive dysplasia that is not eliminated will most likely result in:
A) Atrophy
B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Cancer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dysplasia is disordered cellular growth with atypia. If the inciting cause persists, dysplasia can
progress to carcinoma in situ and eventually invasive cancer.
Module 2: Neoplasia and Cellular Proliferation
6. Which characteristic best differentiates a malignant tumor from a benign tumor?
A) Rapid growth rate
B) Presence of a capsule
C) Invasion of surrounding tissues
D) Large size
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis,
distinguishing them from benign tumors, which typically remain localized and encapsulated.
7. A tumor is found to have cells that vary significantly in size and shape, with large, hyperchromatic
nuclei. This finding is characteristic of:
