NC FUNERAL DIRECTOR PATHOLOGY EXAM-FSE 210 |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 | COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | EXAM
PREP | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM GUIDE 2026&2027
1. Which term refers to the study of disease processes, including their causes,
development, and effects on tissues and organs?
A. Anatomy
B. Physiology
C. Pathology
D. Histology
Answer: C
Pathology is the study of disease, including its causes, mechanisms, structural changes, and
effects on the body.
2. A funeral director receives a decedent whose death certificate indicates myocardial
infarction. Which underlying pathological process most commonly causes a
myocardial infarction?
A. Coronary artery obstruction resulting in myocardial ischemia
B. Excessive production of red blood cells
C. Infection of the skeletal muscles
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: A
A myocardial infarction commonly results when coronary blood flow is severely reduced or
blocked, producing ischemia and subsequent death of cardiac muscle tissue.
3. A decedent has significant dependent discoloration several hours after death. Which
physiological process primarily accounts for this finding?
A. Autolysis
B. Rigor mortis
C. Algor mortis
D. Hypostasis
Answer: D
Hypostasis, commonly called livor mortis, occurs when blood settles by gravity in dependent
areas after circulation stops.
4. Which condition is characterized by an abnormally elevated body temperature
associated with infection or another pathological process?
, A. Cyanosis
B. Fever
C. Edema
D. Jaundice
Answer: B
Fever is an elevation of regulated body temperature, commonly associated with infection,
inflammation, or other disease processes.
5. A decedent's skin and sclera have a yellow discoloration. Which condition should
the funeral director recognize as a likely cause?
A. Jaundice
B. Cyanosis
C. Pallor
D. Erythema
Answer: A
Jaundice results from increased bilirubin and commonly produces yellow discoloration of the
skin and sclera.
6. Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing many drugs and toxins?
A. Pancreas
B. Spleen
C. Liver
D. Thyroid gland
Answer: C
The liver performs extensive metabolic and detoxification functions and processes many
medications, chemicals, and toxins.
7. During preparation of a decedent, the embalmer observes pronounced edema of the
lower extremities. What does edema represent?
A. Abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial tissues
B. Loss of all circulating blood
C. Destruction of skeletal muscle
D. Excessive production of bile
Answer: A
Edema is an abnormal accumulation of fluid within interstitial tissues and may result from
cardiac, renal, hepatic, vascular, or other pathological conditions.
, 8. Which pathological process describes the death of cells or tissues within a living
organism?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Necrosis
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: B
Necrosis is pathological cell or tissue death occurring within a living organism.
9. A family reports that the decedent had a prolonged illness involving progressive
destruction of lung tissue. Which broad category of disease would most
appropriately describe tuberculosis?
A. Infectious disease
B. Congenital disease
C. Degenerative disease only
D. Traumatic disease
Answer: A
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily
affects the respiratory system.
10. Which microorganism is responsible for tuberculosis?
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C. Escherichia coli
D. Candida albicans
Answer: B
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.
11. A decedent with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has marked difficulty
exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide. Which organ system is primarily affected?
A. Digestive system
B. Respiratory system
C. Endocrine system
D. Urinary system
Answer: B
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease primarily affects the respiratory system and interferes
with airflow and gas exchange.
, 12. Which condition occurs when tissues receive insufficient oxygen?
A. Hypoxia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: A
Hypoxia refers to inadequate oxygen availability at the tissue level and may result from
respiratory, cardiovascular, or other disorders.
13. A decedent has bluish discoloration of the lips and nail beds. Which finding is most
consistent with this observation?
A. Jaundice
B. Cyanosis
C. Pallor
D. Erythema
Answer: B
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration associated with increased deoxygenated hemoglobin in the
blood or tissues.
14. Which cardiovascular condition involves persistent elevation of arterial blood
pressure?
A. Hypertension
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Anemia
Answer: A
Hypertension is persistently elevated blood pressure and is a major risk factor for
cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular disease.
15. A decedent suffered a cerebrovascular accident. Which organ was directly affected?
A. Liver
B. Brain
C. Kidney
D. Pancreas
Answer: B
A cerebrovascular accident, commonly called a stroke, results from interrupted or disrupted
blood supply to the brain.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 | COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | EXAM
PREP | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM GUIDE 2026&2027
1. Which term refers to the study of disease processes, including their causes,
development, and effects on tissues and organs?
A. Anatomy
B. Physiology
C. Pathology
D. Histology
Answer: C
Pathology is the study of disease, including its causes, mechanisms, structural changes, and
effects on the body.
2. A funeral director receives a decedent whose death certificate indicates myocardial
infarction. Which underlying pathological process most commonly causes a
myocardial infarction?
A. Coronary artery obstruction resulting in myocardial ischemia
B. Excessive production of red blood cells
C. Infection of the skeletal muscles
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: A
A myocardial infarction commonly results when coronary blood flow is severely reduced or
blocked, producing ischemia and subsequent death of cardiac muscle tissue.
3. A decedent has significant dependent discoloration several hours after death. Which
physiological process primarily accounts for this finding?
A. Autolysis
B. Rigor mortis
C. Algor mortis
D. Hypostasis
Answer: D
Hypostasis, commonly called livor mortis, occurs when blood settles by gravity in dependent
areas after circulation stops.
4. Which condition is characterized by an abnormally elevated body temperature
associated with infection or another pathological process?
, A. Cyanosis
B. Fever
C. Edema
D. Jaundice
Answer: B
Fever is an elevation of regulated body temperature, commonly associated with infection,
inflammation, or other disease processes.
5. A decedent's skin and sclera have a yellow discoloration. Which condition should
the funeral director recognize as a likely cause?
A. Jaundice
B. Cyanosis
C. Pallor
D. Erythema
Answer: A
Jaundice results from increased bilirubin and commonly produces yellow discoloration of the
skin and sclera.
6. Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing many drugs and toxins?
A. Pancreas
B. Spleen
C. Liver
D. Thyroid gland
Answer: C
The liver performs extensive metabolic and detoxification functions and processes many
medications, chemicals, and toxins.
7. During preparation of a decedent, the embalmer observes pronounced edema of the
lower extremities. What does edema represent?
A. Abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial tissues
B. Loss of all circulating blood
C. Destruction of skeletal muscle
D. Excessive production of bile
Answer: A
Edema is an abnormal accumulation of fluid within interstitial tissues and may result from
cardiac, renal, hepatic, vascular, or other pathological conditions.
, 8. Which pathological process describes the death of cells or tissues within a living
organism?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Necrosis
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: B
Necrosis is pathological cell or tissue death occurring within a living organism.
9. A family reports that the decedent had a prolonged illness involving progressive
destruction of lung tissue. Which broad category of disease would most
appropriately describe tuberculosis?
A. Infectious disease
B. Congenital disease
C. Degenerative disease only
D. Traumatic disease
Answer: A
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily
affects the respiratory system.
10. Which microorganism is responsible for tuberculosis?
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C. Escherichia coli
D. Candida albicans
Answer: B
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.
11. A decedent with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has marked difficulty
exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide. Which organ system is primarily affected?
A. Digestive system
B. Respiratory system
C. Endocrine system
D. Urinary system
Answer: B
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease primarily affects the respiratory system and interferes
with airflow and gas exchange.
, 12. Which condition occurs when tissues receive insufficient oxygen?
A. Hypoxia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: A
Hypoxia refers to inadequate oxygen availability at the tissue level and may result from
respiratory, cardiovascular, or other disorders.
13. A decedent has bluish discoloration of the lips and nail beds. Which finding is most
consistent with this observation?
A. Jaundice
B. Cyanosis
C. Pallor
D. Erythema
Answer: B
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration associated with increased deoxygenated hemoglobin in the
blood or tissues.
14. Which cardiovascular condition involves persistent elevation of arterial blood
pressure?
A. Hypertension
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Anemia
Answer: A
Hypertension is persistently elevated blood pressure and is a major risk factor for
cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular disease.
15. A decedent suffered a cerebrovascular accident. Which organ was directly affected?
A. Liver
B. Brain
C. Kidney
D. Pancreas
Answer: B
A cerebrovascular accident, commonly called a stroke, results from interrupted or disrupted
blood supply to the brain.
