NSG 3280 Exam 1 – 250 Questions with Answers &
Explanations | Latest 2026 Pathophysiology for Nurses
I Study Guide
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–40)
1. Which term is defined as the study of abnormalities in physiologic functioning?
A. Pathology
B. Pathophysiology
C. Etiology
D. Epidemiology
Answer: B. Pathophysiology is the study of abnormalities in physiologic functioning of living
beings. It examines the structural and functional changes in cells, tissues, and organs that
cause or are caused by disease .
2. A healthcare professional is studying the mechanisms of disease development.
Which of the following terms is defined as the study and diagnosis of disease
through the examination of organs, tissues, cells, and bodily fluids?
A. Etiology
B. Pathology
C. Pathogenesis
D. Epidemiology
,Answer: B. Pathology is the scientific study of disease that encompasses the examination of
organs, tissues, cells, and bodily fluids to diagnose and understand disease processes .
3. Which term describes the cause or origin of a disease?
A. Pathogenesis
B. Etiology
C. Prognosis
D. Diagnosis
Answer: B. Etiology is the study of the cause or risk factor for a particular condition or
disease; it identifies causal factors that can lead to a particular disease or injury .
4. Which term refers to the development or evolution of a disease from its initial
stimulus to the ultimate expression of clinical manifestations?
A. Etiology
B. Pathogenesis
C. Diagnosis
D. Prognosis
Answer: B. Pathogenesis is the development or evolution of a disease, from initial stimulus
at the cellular level to the ultimate expression of clinical manifestations .
5. A client presents with a condition in which the cause is unknown. Which of the
following terms should the healthcare professional use to document this finding?
A. Iatrogenic
B. Idiopathic
C. Nosocomial
D. Pathogenic
,Answer: B. Idiopathic is the term used to describe a disease or condition for which the
cause is unknown .
6. A client develops a urinary tract infection following the insertion of a urinary
catheter. This type of infection is best described as which of the following?
A. Idiopathic
B. Iatrogenic
C. Congenital
D. Degenerative
Answer: B. An iatrogenic condition results from an unintended or unwanted medical
treatment or procedure. A UTI following catheter insertion is a direct consequence of a
medical intervention .
7. Which term describes objective data observed by the nurse?
A. Symptoms
B. Signs
C. Syndrome
D. Sequelae
Answer: B. Signs are objective findings that can be observed or measured, such as fever or
rash .
8. Which term describes subjective data reported by the patient?
A. Signs
B. Symptoms
C. Syndrome
D. Diagnosis
, Answer: B. Symptoms are subjective experiences such as pain or nausea that are reported
by the patient .
9. A patient has an elevated temperature and reports chills. Which finding is a
symptom rather than a sign?
A. Temperature of 39°C (102.2°F)
B. Elevated heart rate
C. Chills
D. Elevated white blood cell count
Answer: C. A symptom is subjectively experienced and reported by the patient, whereas
signs are objective findings that can be observed or measured. Chills are subjective; the
elevated temperature and lab values are objective .
10. Which term describes a group of signs and symptoms that occur together but
may not have a single identified cause?
A. Syndrome
B. Sequela
C. Diagnosis
D. Prognosis
Answer: A. A syndrome is a recognizable collection of signs and symptoms that may result
from multiple possible causes. IBS is a common example .
11. The predicted outcome of a disease is the:
A. Diagnosis
B. Prognosis
C. Pathogenesis
D. Etiology
Explanations | Latest 2026 Pathophysiology for Nurses
I Study Guide
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1–40)
1. Which term is defined as the study of abnormalities in physiologic functioning?
A. Pathology
B. Pathophysiology
C. Etiology
D. Epidemiology
Answer: B. Pathophysiology is the study of abnormalities in physiologic functioning of living
beings. It examines the structural and functional changes in cells, tissues, and organs that
cause or are caused by disease .
2. A healthcare professional is studying the mechanisms of disease development.
Which of the following terms is defined as the study and diagnosis of disease
through the examination of organs, tissues, cells, and bodily fluids?
A. Etiology
B. Pathology
C. Pathogenesis
D. Epidemiology
,Answer: B. Pathology is the scientific study of disease that encompasses the examination of
organs, tissues, cells, and bodily fluids to diagnose and understand disease processes .
3. Which term describes the cause or origin of a disease?
A. Pathogenesis
B. Etiology
C. Prognosis
D. Diagnosis
Answer: B. Etiology is the study of the cause or risk factor for a particular condition or
disease; it identifies causal factors that can lead to a particular disease or injury .
4. Which term refers to the development or evolution of a disease from its initial
stimulus to the ultimate expression of clinical manifestations?
A. Etiology
B. Pathogenesis
C. Diagnosis
D. Prognosis
Answer: B. Pathogenesis is the development or evolution of a disease, from initial stimulus
at the cellular level to the ultimate expression of clinical manifestations .
5. A client presents with a condition in which the cause is unknown. Which of the
following terms should the healthcare professional use to document this finding?
A. Iatrogenic
B. Idiopathic
C. Nosocomial
D. Pathogenic
,Answer: B. Idiopathic is the term used to describe a disease or condition for which the
cause is unknown .
6. A client develops a urinary tract infection following the insertion of a urinary
catheter. This type of infection is best described as which of the following?
A. Idiopathic
B. Iatrogenic
C. Congenital
D. Degenerative
Answer: B. An iatrogenic condition results from an unintended or unwanted medical
treatment or procedure. A UTI following catheter insertion is a direct consequence of a
medical intervention .
7. Which term describes objective data observed by the nurse?
A. Symptoms
B. Signs
C. Syndrome
D. Sequelae
Answer: B. Signs are objective findings that can be observed or measured, such as fever or
rash .
8. Which term describes subjective data reported by the patient?
A. Signs
B. Symptoms
C. Syndrome
D. Diagnosis
, Answer: B. Symptoms are subjective experiences such as pain or nausea that are reported
by the patient .
9. A patient has an elevated temperature and reports chills. Which finding is a
symptom rather than a sign?
A. Temperature of 39°C (102.2°F)
B. Elevated heart rate
C. Chills
D. Elevated white blood cell count
Answer: C. A symptom is subjectively experienced and reported by the patient, whereas
signs are objective findings that can be observed or measured. Chills are subjective; the
elevated temperature and lab values are objective .
10. Which term describes a group of signs and symptoms that occur together but
may not have a single identified cause?
A. Syndrome
B. Sequela
C. Diagnosis
D. Prognosis
Answer: A. A syndrome is a recognizable collection of signs and symptoms that may result
from multiple possible causes. IBS is a common example .
11. The predicted outcome of a disease is the:
A. Diagnosis
B. Prognosis
C. Pathogenesis
D. Etiology
