N212 Pathophysiology Exam 2 Practice
Examination Eastwick College | 200
Multiple-Choice Questions with Short
Explanations
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Question 1
A 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with chest pain that radiates
to his left arm. An ECG reveals ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V4. This finding is most
consistent with which of the following?
A) Inferior wall myocardial infarction
B) Anteroseptal myocardial infarction
C) Lateral wall myocardial infarction
D) Posterior wall myocardial infarction
E) Subendocardial infarction
Correct Answer: B) Anteroseptal myocardial infarction
Explanation: ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V4 indicates an anteroseptal myocardial
infarction, which involves the anterior wall and septum of the left ventricle, typically due to
occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
,Question 2
A 55-year-old female presents with exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal
nocturnal dyspnea. These symptoms are most characteristic of which of the following
conditions?
A) Right-sided heart failure
B) Left-sided heart failure
C) Pericarditis
D) Cardiac tamponade
E) Aortic stenosis
Correct Answer: B) Left-sided heart failure
Explanation: Exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea are classic
symptoms of left-sided heart failure, which results from pulmonary congestion due to
impaired left ventricular function.
Question 3
A 70-year-old male with a history of chronic hypertension presents with a blood
pressure of 180/110 mmHg in both arms. Fundoscopic examination reveals
arteriovenous nicking and flame-shaped hemorrhages. This presentation is most
consistent with which of the following?
A) Primary hypertension
B) Hypertensive emergency
C) Secondary hypertension
D) White coat hypertension
E) Isolated systolic hypertension
Correct Answer: B) Hypertensive emergency
,Explanation: A blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg with target organ damage, as evidenced
by fundoscopic changes, indicates a hypertensive emergency, which requires immediate
reduction of blood pressure to prevent further organ injury.
Question 4
A 60-year-old male presents with sudden onset of severe, tearing chest pain that
radiates to his back. His blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg in the right arm and 120/70
mmHg in the left arm. This presentation is most consistent with which of the following?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Aortic dissection
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Pericarditis
E) Esophageal rupture
Correct Answer: B) Aortic dissection
Explanation: Sudden, severe tearing chest pain that radiates to the back with a difference
in blood pressure between arms is classic for aortic dissection, which requires emergent
imaging and surgical consultation.
Question 5
A 45-year-old female presents with fatigue, dyspnea, and palpitations. On auscultation,
a mid-systolic click is heard followed by a late systolic murmur at the apex. This finding
is most consistent with which of the following?
A) Mitral stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation
C) Mitral valve prolapse
D) Aortic stenosis
E) Aortic regurgitation
, Correct Answer: C) Mitral valve prolapse
Explanation: A mid-systolic click followed by a late systolic murmur at the apex is classic
for mitral valve prolapse, which is caused by myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve
leaflets.
Question 6
A 65-year-old male presents with progressive dyspnea on exertion, angina, and syncope.
On auscultation, a systolic ejection murmur is heard at the right upper sternal border
that radiates to the carotids. This presentation is most consistent with which of the
following?
A) Mitral stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation
C) Aortic stenosis
D) Aortic regurgitation
E) Tricuspid stenosis
Correct Answer: C) Aortic stenosis
Explanation: The triad of dyspnea, angina, and syncope with a systolic ejection murmur at
the right upper sternal border that radiates to the carotids is classic for aortic stenosis.
Question 7
A 55-year-old female presents with dyspnea, fatigue, and a hoarse voice. On
auscultation, a low-pitched, rumbling diastolic murmur is heard at the apex. This finding
is most consistent with which of the following?
A) Mitral stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation
Examination Eastwick College | 200
Multiple-Choice Questions with Short
Explanations
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Question 1
A 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with chest pain that radiates
to his left arm. An ECG reveals ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V4. This finding is most
consistent with which of the following?
A) Inferior wall myocardial infarction
B) Anteroseptal myocardial infarction
C) Lateral wall myocardial infarction
D) Posterior wall myocardial infarction
E) Subendocardial infarction
Correct Answer: B) Anteroseptal myocardial infarction
Explanation: ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V4 indicates an anteroseptal myocardial
infarction, which involves the anterior wall and septum of the left ventricle, typically due to
occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
,Question 2
A 55-year-old female presents with exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal
nocturnal dyspnea. These symptoms are most characteristic of which of the following
conditions?
A) Right-sided heart failure
B) Left-sided heart failure
C) Pericarditis
D) Cardiac tamponade
E) Aortic stenosis
Correct Answer: B) Left-sided heart failure
Explanation: Exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea are classic
symptoms of left-sided heart failure, which results from pulmonary congestion due to
impaired left ventricular function.
Question 3
A 70-year-old male with a history of chronic hypertension presents with a blood
pressure of 180/110 mmHg in both arms. Fundoscopic examination reveals
arteriovenous nicking and flame-shaped hemorrhages. This presentation is most
consistent with which of the following?
A) Primary hypertension
B) Hypertensive emergency
C) Secondary hypertension
D) White coat hypertension
E) Isolated systolic hypertension
Correct Answer: B) Hypertensive emergency
,Explanation: A blood pressure of 180/110 mmHg with target organ damage, as evidenced
by fundoscopic changes, indicates a hypertensive emergency, which requires immediate
reduction of blood pressure to prevent further organ injury.
Question 4
A 60-year-old male presents with sudden onset of severe, tearing chest pain that
radiates to his back. His blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg in the right arm and 120/70
mmHg in the left arm. This presentation is most consistent with which of the following?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Aortic dissection
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Pericarditis
E) Esophageal rupture
Correct Answer: B) Aortic dissection
Explanation: Sudden, severe tearing chest pain that radiates to the back with a difference
in blood pressure between arms is classic for aortic dissection, which requires emergent
imaging and surgical consultation.
Question 5
A 45-year-old female presents with fatigue, dyspnea, and palpitations. On auscultation,
a mid-systolic click is heard followed by a late systolic murmur at the apex. This finding
is most consistent with which of the following?
A) Mitral stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation
C) Mitral valve prolapse
D) Aortic stenosis
E) Aortic regurgitation
, Correct Answer: C) Mitral valve prolapse
Explanation: A mid-systolic click followed by a late systolic murmur at the apex is classic
for mitral valve prolapse, which is caused by myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve
leaflets.
Question 6
A 65-year-old male presents with progressive dyspnea on exertion, angina, and syncope.
On auscultation, a systolic ejection murmur is heard at the right upper sternal border
that radiates to the carotids. This presentation is most consistent with which of the
following?
A) Mitral stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation
C) Aortic stenosis
D) Aortic regurgitation
E) Tricuspid stenosis
Correct Answer: C) Aortic stenosis
Explanation: The triad of dyspnea, angina, and syncope with a systolic ejection murmur at
the right upper sternal border that radiates to the carotids is classic for aortic stenosis.
Question 7
A 55-year-old female presents with dyspnea, fatigue, and a hoarse voice. On
auscultation, a low-pitched, rumbling diastolic murmur is heard at the apex. This finding
is most consistent with which of the following?
A) Mitral stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation