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NSG 3280 EXAM 1 – PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES I (GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING NEWEST UPDATED EXAM 2026 – 2027 SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
1. Which term describes the study of the causes or origins of a disease, including
biological, physical, and genetic factors?
A. Pathogenesis
B. Prognosis
C. Etiology
D. Clinical manifestation
Answer: C
Rationale: Etiology concerns the causes or contributing factors responsible for the
development of a disease or injury, whereas pathogenesis describes the development
and progression of a disease from its initial stimulus to its clinical expression.
2. Which term describes the sequence of physiologic and pathologic events
through which an etiologic factor produces disease manifestations?
A. Pathogenesis
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B. Etiology
C. Prognosis
D. Diagnosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Pathogenesis describes the development and progression of a disease from
its initial stimulus to its clinical expression, linking etiology to clinical manifestations.
3. Which example best represents an iatrogenic condition?
A. A disease caused by an inherited mutation
B. A disorder with an unknown cause
C. A disease caused by an infectious organism
D. Tissue injury resulting from an unintended medical treatment
Answer: D
Rationale: Iatrogenic conditions result from unintended or unwanted effects of medical
treatment or intervention, such as a hospital-acquired infection or a medication error.
4. Which statement best describes a risk factor in the context of disease
development?
A. It guarantees development of a disease
B. It increases the likelihood that a disease will occur
C. It identifies the exact cause of a disease
D. It is always a genetic abnormality
Answer: B
Rationale: A risk factor increases the probability of developing a condition but does not
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guarantee that the disease will occur; risk factors can be environmental, lifestyle-
related, or genetic.
5. 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
Rationale: A symptom is subjectively experienced and reported by the patient, whereas
signs are objective findings that can be observed or measured; chills are a subjective
experience reported by the patient.
6. 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. Complication
D. Diagnosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that occur together and
characterize a particular condition, often without a single identified cause.
7. Which term describes a disease with an unknown cause?
A. Iatrogenic
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B. Idiopathic
C. Congenital
D. Nosocomial
Answer: B
Rationale: Idiopathic means the cause of the disease is unknown, whereas iatrogenic
means caused by medical treatment, congenital means present at birth, and
nosocomial means acquired in a healthcare setting.
8. An infection acquired in a hospital or healthcare setting is best described as
which of the following?
A. Nosocomial
B. Idiopathic
C. Congenital
D. Iatrogenic
Answer: A
Rationale: Nosocomial infections are acquired in a healthcare setting, often related to
invasive procedures, compromised immunity, or healthcare-associated pathogens.
9. A disease that is present at birth is best described as which of the following?
A. Acquired
B. Congenital
C. Idiopathic
D. Iatrogenic
Answer: B
NSG 3280 EXAM 1 – PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES I (GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING NEWEST UPDATED EXAM 2026 – 2027 SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS VERIFIED 100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
1. Which term describes the study of the causes or origins of a disease, including
biological, physical, and genetic factors?
A. Pathogenesis
B. Prognosis
C. Etiology
D. Clinical manifestation
Answer: C
Rationale: Etiology concerns the causes or contributing factors responsible for the
development of a disease or injury, whereas pathogenesis describes the development
and progression of a disease from its initial stimulus to its clinical expression.
2. Which term describes the sequence of physiologic and pathologic events
through which an etiologic factor produces disease manifestations?
A. Pathogenesis
, Page 2 of 84
B. Etiology
C. Prognosis
D. Diagnosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Pathogenesis describes the development and progression of a disease from
its initial stimulus to its clinical expression, linking etiology to clinical manifestations.
3. Which example best represents an iatrogenic condition?
A. A disease caused by an inherited mutation
B. A disorder with an unknown cause
C. A disease caused by an infectious organism
D. Tissue injury resulting from an unintended medical treatment
Answer: D
Rationale: Iatrogenic conditions result from unintended or unwanted effects of medical
treatment or intervention, such as a hospital-acquired infection or a medication error.
4. Which statement best describes a risk factor in the context of disease
development?
A. It guarantees development of a disease
B. It increases the likelihood that a disease will occur
C. It identifies the exact cause of a disease
D. It is always a genetic abnormality
Answer: B
Rationale: A risk factor increases the probability of developing a condition but does not
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guarantee that the disease will occur; risk factors can be environmental, lifestyle-
related, or genetic.
5. 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
Rationale: A symptom is subjectively experienced and reported by the patient, whereas
signs are objective findings that can be observed or measured; chills are a subjective
experience reported by the patient.
6. 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. Complication
D. Diagnosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that occur together and
characterize a particular condition, often without a single identified cause.
7. Which term describes a disease with an unknown cause?
A. Iatrogenic
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B. Idiopathic
C. Congenital
D. Nosocomial
Answer: B
Rationale: Idiopathic means the cause of the disease is unknown, whereas iatrogenic
means caused by medical treatment, congenital means present at birth, and
nosocomial means acquired in a healthcare setting.
8. An infection acquired in a hospital or healthcare setting is best described as
which of the following?
A. Nosocomial
B. Idiopathic
C. Congenital
D. Iatrogenic
Answer: A
Rationale: Nosocomial infections are acquired in a healthcare setting, often related to
invasive procedures, compromised immunity, or healthcare-associated pathogens.
9. A disease that is present at birth is best described as which of the following?
A. Acquired
B. Congenital
C. Idiopathic
D. Iatrogenic
Answer: B
