Pathophysiology | Comprehensive Nursing Practice Questions, Verified Answers & Exam Review | 2026?2027
dura mater Outer layer of meninges, tough, fibrous, double layered.
dural sinuses Formed by spits in dura mater. Collect venous blood and CSF for return to general
circulation.
mediastinum (what is it) Area of thoracic cavity between lungs. Location of trachea, esophagus, heart &
large vessels
pericardial sac Fibrous sac, holds heart, double-walled, anchors heart to diaphragm.
endocardium inner layer of heart, forms 4 heart valves
septum in heart separtes L & R sides of heart
SA node - other name pacemaker
sinus rhythm basic rate of impulses generated by SA node (70 beats per minute)
location of sinoatrial node right atrium
Where does impulse go to after SA node Spreads through atrial conduction pathways, resulting in contraction of both atria
AV node - what is it Atrioventricular node. Impulse arrives here after SA node sent it through atria
AV node - where is it Floor of R atrium near septum. Is the only anatomical connection between atrial and
ventricular portions of conduction system.
AV bundle - other name Bundle of His - other name
ECG - what does it do Records electrical changes sent by conduction impulses as picked up by electrodes
apoptosis normal programmed cell death in tissues
, Pathophysiology | Comprehensive Nursing Practice Questions, Verified Answers & Exam Review | 2026?2027
endogenous originating from within the body
exogenous originating from outside the body
gangrene necrotic tissue infected by bacteria
hypoxia decreased or insufficient level of oxygen in the tissues
iatrogenic caused by a treatment, procedure or error
idiopathic no known cause
ischemia decreased blood supply to an organ or tissue
lysis destruction of a cell
lysosomal enzymes released into tissues undergoing lysis; cause inflammation and damage to nearby
cells and reduced function
morphologic structural
pathogenesis development of the disease or sequence of events involved in the tissue changes
related to the specific disease process
insidious Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, with only vague or mild signs, but with harmful
effects. Ex: "the xx effects of stress"; hepatitis
subclinical pathologic changes occur but no obvious manifestations exhibited, perhaps
because of great reserve capacity of some organs. Ex: kidney damage may
progress to an advanced stage of renal failure before symptoms are manifested.
latent silent stage, no clinical signs evident. May be called incubation period in some
infectious diseases. May be communicable during this period.
prodromal time in early development of disease; pt know of change in body, but signs are
nonspecific; a stage in infections. Labs tests are negative, difficult to confirm
diagnosis.
dura mater Outer layer of meninges, tough, fibrous, double layered.
dural sinuses Formed by spits in dura mater. Collect venous blood and CSF for return to general
circulation.
mediastinum (what is it) Area of thoracic cavity between lungs. Location of trachea, esophagus, heart &
large vessels
pericardial sac Fibrous sac, holds heart, double-walled, anchors heart to diaphragm.
endocardium inner layer of heart, forms 4 heart valves
septum in heart separtes L & R sides of heart
SA node - other name pacemaker
sinus rhythm basic rate of impulses generated by SA node (70 beats per minute)
location of sinoatrial node right atrium
Where does impulse go to after SA node Spreads through atrial conduction pathways, resulting in contraction of both atria
AV node - what is it Atrioventricular node. Impulse arrives here after SA node sent it through atria
AV node - where is it Floor of R atrium near septum. Is the only anatomical connection between atrial and
ventricular portions of conduction system.
AV bundle - other name Bundle of His - other name
ECG - what does it do Records electrical changes sent by conduction impulses as picked up by electrodes
apoptosis normal programmed cell death in tissues
, Pathophysiology | Comprehensive Nursing Practice Questions, Verified Answers & Exam Review | 2026?2027
endogenous originating from within the body
exogenous originating from outside the body
gangrene necrotic tissue infected by bacteria
hypoxia decreased or insufficient level of oxygen in the tissues
iatrogenic caused by a treatment, procedure or error
idiopathic no known cause
ischemia decreased blood supply to an organ or tissue
lysis destruction of a cell
lysosomal enzymes released into tissues undergoing lysis; cause inflammation and damage to nearby
cells and reduced function
morphologic structural
pathogenesis development of the disease or sequence of events involved in the tissue changes
related to the specific disease process
insidious Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, with only vague or mild signs, but with harmful
effects. Ex: "the xx effects of stress"; hepatitis
subclinical pathologic changes occur but no obvious manifestations exhibited, perhaps
because of great reserve capacity of some organs. Ex: kidney damage may
progress to an advanced stage of renal failure before symptoms are manifested.
latent silent stage, no clinical signs evident. May be called incubation period in some
infectious diseases. May be communicable during this period.
prodromal time in early development of disease; pt know of change in body, but signs are
nonspecific; a stage in infections. Labs tests are negative, difficult to confirm
diagnosis.
