NUR 631 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. A 72-year-old patient presents with bradykinesia, tremors at rest, and muscle rigidity. The
pathophysiology involves the degeneration of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway. Which
of the following is the primary cellular hallmark of this disease?
A. Amyloid-beta plaques
B. Lewy bodies containing alpha-synuclein
C. Neurofibrillary tangles
D. Demyelination of the CNS
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic
neurons in the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies, which are intracellular
inclusions of alpha-synuclein.
2. Which type of anemia is characterized by a lack of intrinsic factor, leading to a deficiency in
Vitamin B12 absorption?
A. Iron deficiency anemia
,B. Pernicious anemia
C. Aplastic anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Pernicious anemia is a macrocytic-normochromic anemia
caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency due to the absence of intrinsic factor, often resulting
from autoimmune gastric atrophy.
3. In the context of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), what is the primary mechanism of
the Monroe-Kellie doctrine?
A. The brain can expand into the spinal column to relieve pressure.
B. The skull is a rigid container; an increase in one component must be compensated by a
decrease in others.
C. Blood pressure increases to overcome the resistance of intracranial pressure.
D. Cerebrospinal fluid production increases to dilute toxic metabolites.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Monroe-Kellie doctrine states that because the skull is a
rigid box, the sum of volumes of brain, CSF, and intracranial blood is constant. An increase
in one necessitates a decrease in another to prevent high ICP.
, 4. A patient with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is at an increased risk for which of the
following due to chronic hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism?
A. Primary ovarian failure
B. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Endometriosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Insulin resistance is a central feature of PCOS, leading to
hyperinsulinemia, which increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes.
5. What is the defining characteristic of a Generalized Tonic-Clonic seizure?
A. Localized twitching in one limb without loss of consciousness
B. Loss of consciousness followed by muscle stiffening and rhythmic jerking
C. Brief staring spells without motor activity
D. Sudden loss of muscle tone causing the patient to fall
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Generalized tonic-clonic seizures involve both hemispheres of
the brain, resulting in loss of consciousness, a tonic phase (rigidity), and a clonic phase
(jerking).
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. A 72-year-old patient presents with bradykinesia, tremors at rest, and muscle rigidity. The
pathophysiology involves the degeneration of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway. Which
of the following is the primary cellular hallmark of this disease?
A. Amyloid-beta plaques
B. Lewy bodies containing alpha-synuclein
C. Neurofibrillary tangles
D. Demyelination of the CNS
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic
neurons in the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies, which are intracellular
inclusions of alpha-synuclein.
2. Which type of anemia is characterized by a lack of intrinsic factor, leading to a deficiency in
Vitamin B12 absorption?
A. Iron deficiency anemia
,B. Pernicious anemia
C. Aplastic anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Pernicious anemia is a macrocytic-normochromic anemia
caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency due to the absence of intrinsic factor, often resulting
from autoimmune gastric atrophy.
3. In the context of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), what is the primary mechanism of
the Monroe-Kellie doctrine?
A. The brain can expand into the spinal column to relieve pressure.
B. The skull is a rigid container; an increase in one component must be compensated by a
decrease in others.
C. Blood pressure increases to overcome the resistance of intracranial pressure.
D. Cerebrospinal fluid production increases to dilute toxic metabolites.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The Monroe-Kellie doctrine states that because the skull is a
rigid box, the sum of volumes of brain, CSF, and intracranial blood is constant. An increase
in one necessitates a decrease in another to prevent high ICP.
, 4. A patient with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is at an increased risk for which of the
following due to chronic hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism?
A. Primary ovarian failure
B. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Endometriosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Insulin resistance is a central feature of PCOS, leading to
hyperinsulinemia, which increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes.
5. What is the defining characteristic of a Generalized Tonic-Clonic seizure?
A. Localized twitching in one limb without loss of consciousness
B. Loss of consciousness followed by muscle stiffening and rhythmic jerking
C. Brief staring spells without motor activity
D. Sudden loss of muscle tone causing the patient to fall
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Generalized tonic-clonic seizures involve both hemispheres of
the brain, resulting in loss of consciousness, a tonic phase (rigidity), and a clonic phase
(jerking).
