FINAL EXAM PATHO: PATHO NR
507, 2025/2026 WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
body's process for adapting to high hormone level - CORRECT
ANSWERS- To adapt to high levels of hormones, some cells have
the capacity to decrease the number of receptors for that
hormone through the process of down-regulation.
Uterine prolapse - CORRECT ANSWERS- Uterine prolapse is
descent of the cervix or entire uterus into the vaginal canal. In
severe cases the uterus falls completely through the vagina and
protrudes from the introitus. Symptoms of other pelvic floor
disorders also may be present.
Cushing's Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWERS- excessive ACTH
(Adrenocorticotropic hormone) production most commonly caused
by an adrenal adenoma or a non-pituitary adenoma as is often
seen with lung cancer. Clinical signs and symptoms: weight gain
and hyperpigmentation of skin.
Effects of increased sympathetic nervous system activity due to
primary hypertension - CORRECT ANSWERS- Increased activity of
the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) not only increases heart
rate and peripheral resistance but also causes vascular
remodeling with narrowing and vasospasm of arteries. The SNS
contributes to insulin resistance, which is associated with
,endothelial dysfunction and decreased production of vasodilators,
such as nitric oxide. The SNS also has procoagulant properties,
making vascular spasm and thrombosis more likely. All of these
factors contribute to sustained increases in blood pressure.
Complications of unstable plaque in the coronary arteries -
CORRECT ANSWERS- thickening and hardening of the vessel are
caused by the accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages within the
arterial wall, which leads to the formation of a lesion called a
plaque. Atherosclerosis is not a single disease but rather a
pathologic process that can affect vascular systems throughout
the body, resulting in ischemic syndromes that can vary widely in
their severity and clinical manifestations. It is the leading cause of
coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease. Atherosclerosis
presents with symptoms and signs that result from inadequate
tissue perfusion because of obstruction of the vessels that supply
them. Partial vessel obstruction may lead to transient ischemic
events, often associated with exercise or stress. Once the lesion
becomes complicated, increasing obstruction with superimposed
thrombosis may result in tissue infarction. Obstruction of
peripheral arteries can cause significant pain and disability. CAD
caused by atherosclerosis is the major cause of myocardial
ischemia and is one of the most important health issues in the
United States. Atherosclerotic obstruction of the vessels supplying
the brain is the major cause of stroke.
forms of dyslipidemia associated with the development of the
fatty streak in atherosclerosis - CORRECT ANSWERS- High LDL
In atherosclerosis, LDL adheres to the injured endothelium and is
oxidized by macrophages to form the fatty streak. Low-density
lipoprotein molecules (LDL) becoming oxidized by free radicals,
particularly oxygen free (ROS). When oxidized LDL comes in
,contact with an artery wall, a series of reactions occur to repair
the damage to the artery wall caused by oxidized LDL.
events that initiate the process of atherosclerosis - CORRECT
ANSWERS- Vascular endothelial injury can result from
atherosclerosis (plaque deposits on arterial walls). Atherosclerosis
initiates platelet adhesion and aggregation, promoting the
development of atherosclerotic plaques that enlarge, causing
further damage and occlusion. Other causes of vessel endothelial
injury may be related to hemodynamic alterations associated with
hypertension and turbulent blood flow. Injury is also caused by
radiation injury, exogenous chemical agents (toxins from
cigarette smoke), endogenous agents (cholesterol), bacterial
toxins or endotoxins, or immunologic mechanisms.
signs and symptoms of increased left atrial and pulmonary
venous pressures in left sided heart failure - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when patient exert or when
patients lie down
Fatigue and weakness
Swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles and feet
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Reduced ability to exercise
Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged
phlegm
Increased need to urinate at night
Swelling of your abdomen (ascites)
Very rapid weight gain from fluid retention
, Lack of appetite and nausea
Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy
mucus
Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack
Awakening at night with shortness of breath
Left sided heart failure - CORRECT ANSWERS- The left ventricle of
the heart no longer pumps enough blood around the body. As a
result, blood builds up in the pulmonary veins (blood vessels that
carry blood away from the lungs). This causes shortness of
breath, trouble breathing or coughing - especially during physical
activity. Left side heart failure leads to a decreased ejection
fraction (EF) or systolic heart failure, which is the most common
type of HF. The EF is less than 40% and is abbreviated HFrEF
caused by reduced contractility of the heart muscle. In patients
with systolic heart failure, the heart muscle is thin, enlarged, and
distended which makes the heart incapable of sustaining the
necessary cardiac output and tissue perfusion. Left-sided heart
failure is the most common type. Left-sided heart failure is usually
caused by coronary artery disease (CAD), a heart attack or long-
term high blood pressure.
right sided heart failure - CORRECT ANSWERS- he right ventricle
of the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to the lungs. This
causes blood to build up in the veins (blood vessels that carry
blood from the organs and tissue back to the heart). The
increased pressure inside the veins can push fluid out of the veins
into surrounding tissue. This leads to a build-up of fluid in the
legs, or less commonly in the genital area, organs or the abdomen
507, 2025/2026 WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
body's process for adapting to high hormone level - CORRECT
ANSWERS- To adapt to high levels of hormones, some cells have
the capacity to decrease the number of receptors for that
hormone through the process of down-regulation.
Uterine prolapse - CORRECT ANSWERS- Uterine prolapse is
descent of the cervix or entire uterus into the vaginal canal. In
severe cases the uterus falls completely through the vagina and
protrudes from the introitus. Symptoms of other pelvic floor
disorders also may be present.
Cushing's Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWERS- excessive ACTH
(Adrenocorticotropic hormone) production most commonly caused
by an adrenal adenoma or a non-pituitary adenoma as is often
seen with lung cancer. Clinical signs and symptoms: weight gain
and hyperpigmentation of skin.
Effects of increased sympathetic nervous system activity due to
primary hypertension - CORRECT ANSWERS- Increased activity of
the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) not only increases heart
rate and peripheral resistance but also causes vascular
remodeling with narrowing and vasospasm of arteries. The SNS
contributes to insulin resistance, which is associated with
,endothelial dysfunction and decreased production of vasodilators,
such as nitric oxide. The SNS also has procoagulant properties,
making vascular spasm and thrombosis more likely. All of these
factors contribute to sustained increases in blood pressure.
Complications of unstable plaque in the coronary arteries -
CORRECT ANSWERS- thickening and hardening of the vessel are
caused by the accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages within the
arterial wall, which leads to the formation of a lesion called a
plaque. Atherosclerosis is not a single disease but rather a
pathologic process that can affect vascular systems throughout
the body, resulting in ischemic syndromes that can vary widely in
their severity and clinical manifestations. It is the leading cause of
coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease. Atherosclerosis
presents with symptoms and signs that result from inadequate
tissue perfusion because of obstruction of the vessels that supply
them. Partial vessel obstruction may lead to transient ischemic
events, often associated with exercise or stress. Once the lesion
becomes complicated, increasing obstruction with superimposed
thrombosis may result in tissue infarction. Obstruction of
peripheral arteries can cause significant pain and disability. CAD
caused by atherosclerosis is the major cause of myocardial
ischemia and is one of the most important health issues in the
United States. Atherosclerotic obstruction of the vessels supplying
the brain is the major cause of stroke.
forms of dyslipidemia associated with the development of the
fatty streak in atherosclerosis - CORRECT ANSWERS- High LDL
In atherosclerosis, LDL adheres to the injured endothelium and is
oxidized by macrophages to form the fatty streak. Low-density
lipoprotein molecules (LDL) becoming oxidized by free radicals,
particularly oxygen free (ROS). When oxidized LDL comes in
,contact with an artery wall, a series of reactions occur to repair
the damage to the artery wall caused by oxidized LDL.
events that initiate the process of atherosclerosis - CORRECT
ANSWERS- Vascular endothelial injury can result from
atherosclerosis (plaque deposits on arterial walls). Atherosclerosis
initiates platelet adhesion and aggregation, promoting the
development of atherosclerotic plaques that enlarge, causing
further damage and occlusion. Other causes of vessel endothelial
injury may be related to hemodynamic alterations associated with
hypertension and turbulent blood flow. Injury is also caused by
radiation injury, exogenous chemical agents (toxins from
cigarette smoke), endogenous agents (cholesterol), bacterial
toxins or endotoxins, or immunologic mechanisms.
signs and symptoms of increased left atrial and pulmonary
venous pressures in left sided heart failure - CORRECT ANSWERS-
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when patient exert or when
patients lie down
Fatigue and weakness
Swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles and feet
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Reduced ability to exercise
Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged
phlegm
Increased need to urinate at night
Swelling of your abdomen (ascites)
Very rapid weight gain from fluid retention
, Lack of appetite and nausea
Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy
mucus
Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack
Awakening at night with shortness of breath
Left sided heart failure - CORRECT ANSWERS- The left ventricle of
the heart no longer pumps enough blood around the body. As a
result, blood builds up in the pulmonary veins (blood vessels that
carry blood away from the lungs). This causes shortness of
breath, trouble breathing or coughing - especially during physical
activity. Left side heart failure leads to a decreased ejection
fraction (EF) or systolic heart failure, which is the most common
type of HF. The EF is less than 40% and is abbreviated HFrEF
caused by reduced contractility of the heart muscle. In patients
with systolic heart failure, the heart muscle is thin, enlarged, and
distended which makes the heart incapable of sustaining the
necessary cardiac output and tissue perfusion. Left-sided heart
failure is the most common type. Left-sided heart failure is usually
caused by coronary artery disease (CAD), a heart attack or long-
term high blood pressure.
right sided heart failure - CORRECT ANSWERS- he right ventricle
of the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to the lungs. This
causes blood to build up in the veins (blood vessels that carry
blood from the organs and tissue back to the heart). The
increased pressure inside the veins can push fluid out of the veins
into surrounding tissue. This leads to a build-up of fluid in the
legs, or less commonly in the genital area, organs or the abdomen
