,HSC 203 Exam 1 Pathophysiology Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Jersey College
Q1. Which statement best describes pathophysiology?
A) The study of normal body structure only
B) The study of functional and structural changes produced by disease or
injury
C) The classification of medications by mechanism
D) The study of microorganisms without considering host responses
Correct Answer: B) The study of functional and structural changes produced
by disease or injury
Rationale: Pathophysiology explains how disease processes alter normal
cellular, tissue, organ, and systemic function and produce clinical
manifestations.
Q2. Which term refers to the cause or origin of a disease?
A) Etiology
B) Prognosis
C) Sequela
D) Manifestation
Correct Answer: A) Etiology
Rationale: Etiology identifies the underlying cause or contributing origin of
a disease process.
Q3. Which statement best distinguishes a sign from a symptom?
A) Signs occur only in acute illness
B) Symptoms can always be measured objectively
C) A sign is objectively observable, whereas a symptom is experienced and
reported by the individual
D) Signs and symptoms are identical concepts
Correct Answer: C) A sign is objectively observable, whereas a symptom is
experienced and reported by the individual
Rationale: Signs are measurable or observable findings, while symptoms
are subjective experiences such as pain, nausea, or fatigue.
Q4. A disorder is described as idiopathic. What does this mean?
, A) It is inherited through a dominant gene
B) It is caused by treatment
C) It is always infectious
D) Its specific cause is unknown
Correct Answer: D) Its specific cause is unknown
Rationale: Idiopathic disorders have no clearly identified cause despite
clinical evaluation.
Q5. Which term describes the sequence of cellular and physiologic
events through which a disease develops?
A) Pathogenesis
B) Remission
C) Prognosis
D) Prevention
Correct Answer: A) Pathogenesis
Rationale: Pathogenesis describes the mechanisms and progression
through which an initiating factor produces disease.
Q6. A person has a genetic susceptibility to hypertension but never
develops the disease. Which concept does this illustrate?
A) A risk factor guarantees disease development
B) Predisposing factors increase probability but do not ensure that disease
will occur
C) Genetic influences cannot affect disease risk
D) Hypertension must already be present
Correct Answer: B) Predisposing factors increase probability but do not
ensure that disease will occur
Rationale: Risk and predisposing factors increase susceptibility but usually
interact with environmental, behavioral, and physiologic influences.
Q7. Skeletal muscle increases in size after months of resistance
training. Which cellular adaptation has occurred?
A) Atrophy
B) Metaplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
2026/2027 Jersey College
Q1. Which statement best describes pathophysiology?
A) The study of normal body structure only
B) The study of functional and structural changes produced by disease or
injury
C) The classification of medications by mechanism
D) The study of microorganisms without considering host responses
Correct Answer: B) The study of functional and structural changes produced
by disease or injury
Rationale: Pathophysiology explains how disease processes alter normal
cellular, tissue, organ, and systemic function and produce clinical
manifestations.
Q2. Which term refers to the cause or origin of a disease?
A) Etiology
B) Prognosis
C) Sequela
D) Manifestation
Correct Answer: A) Etiology
Rationale: Etiology identifies the underlying cause or contributing origin of
a disease process.
Q3. Which statement best distinguishes a sign from a symptom?
A) Signs occur only in acute illness
B) Symptoms can always be measured objectively
C) A sign is objectively observable, whereas a symptom is experienced and
reported by the individual
D) Signs and symptoms are identical concepts
Correct Answer: C) A sign is objectively observable, whereas a symptom is
experienced and reported by the individual
Rationale: Signs are measurable or observable findings, while symptoms
are subjective experiences such as pain, nausea, or fatigue.
Q4. A disorder is described as idiopathic. What does this mean?
, A) It is inherited through a dominant gene
B) It is caused by treatment
C) It is always infectious
D) Its specific cause is unknown
Correct Answer: D) Its specific cause is unknown
Rationale: Idiopathic disorders have no clearly identified cause despite
clinical evaluation.
Q5. Which term describes the sequence of cellular and physiologic
events through which a disease develops?
A) Pathogenesis
B) Remission
C) Prognosis
D) Prevention
Correct Answer: A) Pathogenesis
Rationale: Pathogenesis describes the mechanisms and progression
through which an initiating factor produces disease.
Q6. A person has a genetic susceptibility to hypertension but never
develops the disease. Which concept does this illustrate?
A) A risk factor guarantees disease development
B) Predisposing factors increase probability but do not ensure that disease
will occur
C) Genetic influences cannot affect disease risk
D) Hypertension must already be present
Correct Answer: B) Predisposing factors increase probability but do not
ensure that disease will occur
Rationale: Risk and predisposing factors increase susceptibility but usually
interact with environmental, behavioral, and physiologic influences.
Q7. Skeletal muscle increases in size after months of resistance
training. Which cellular adaptation has occurred?
A) Atrophy
B) Metaplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
