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PATHO 313 – Exam 1 Study Guide:
Pathophysiology Sample Questions with
Complete Solutions (2026/2027).
1. In a country of 4.5 million people, a disease is currently found in 1 of
every 10 people, and 1,000 new cases occur yearly. Which statement is
correct?
A. The prevalence is 10% and the incidence is 0.02%.
B. The prevalence is 0.02% and the incidence is 10%.
C. Neither is correct.
D. There is insufficient data.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Prevalence = total existing cases/total population =
(4,500,000/10) / 4,500,000 = 0.1 or 10%. Incidence = new cases/total
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population = 1,000/4,500,000 = 0.000222 or 0.0222% (~0.02%). Thus,
statement A is accurate.
2. In disease development, the term "etiology" refers to the:
A. Number of people affected
B. Cause of the disease
C. Clinical definition of the disease
D. Expected outcome of the disease
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Etiology is the study of the cause(s) of a disease. It includes the
factors that initiate the pathological process.
3. Which statement is true regarding "symptoms"?
A. They are objective and measurable.
B. They are the same as "signs."
C. Both A and B are true.
D. Neither A nor B is true.
CORRECT ANSWER: D
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Rationale: Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient
(e.g., pain, nausea). Signs are objective, measurable findings observed by the
clinician (e.g., fever, rash). They are not the same.
4. In a city of 1,000,000, there were 250 new cases of AIDS diagnosed in a
year. The incidence rate per 100,000 population is:
A. 6
B. 25
C. 88
D. 116
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Incidence rate = (New cases / Population at risk) × multiplier. =
(,000,000) × 100,000 = 25 per 100,000.
5. A blood pressure screening program for pregnant high school students is
an example of which level of prevention?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
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C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Secondary prevention aims for early detection and
intervention in asymptomatic individuals to halt disease progression.
Screening for hypertension in a high-risk group (pregnant teens) fits this
category.
6. Blockage of the right coronary artery (RCA) can lead to myocardial cell
injury primarily because it results in:
A. Bilirubin accumulation in myocardial cells
B. Alteration in the genetic material of myocardial cells
C. Reduced energy (ATP) production in myocardial cells
D. Activation of the complement system
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Coronary artery occlusion causes ischemia (lack of blood flow),
leading to hypoxia. The primary result is impaired oxidative phosphorylation
PATHO 313 – Exam 1 Study Guide:
Pathophysiology Sample Questions with
Complete Solutions (2026/2027).
1. In a country of 4.5 million people, a disease is currently found in 1 of
every 10 people, and 1,000 new cases occur yearly. Which statement is
correct?
A. The prevalence is 10% and the incidence is 0.02%.
B. The prevalence is 0.02% and the incidence is 10%.
C. Neither is correct.
D. There is insufficient data.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale: Prevalence = total existing cases/total population =
(4,500,000/10) / 4,500,000 = 0.1 or 10%. Incidence = new cases/total
,2|Page
population = 1,000/4,500,000 = 0.000222 or 0.0222% (~0.02%). Thus,
statement A is accurate.
2. In disease development, the term "etiology" refers to the:
A. Number of people affected
B. Cause of the disease
C. Clinical definition of the disease
D. Expected outcome of the disease
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Etiology is the study of the cause(s) of a disease. It includes the
factors that initiate the pathological process.
3. Which statement is true regarding "symptoms"?
A. They are objective and measurable.
B. They are the same as "signs."
C. Both A and B are true.
D. Neither A nor B is true.
CORRECT ANSWER: D
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Rationale: Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient
(e.g., pain, nausea). Signs are objective, measurable findings observed by the
clinician (e.g., fever, rash). They are not the same.
4. In a city of 1,000,000, there were 250 new cases of AIDS diagnosed in a
year. The incidence rate per 100,000 population is:
A. 6
B. 25
C. 88
D. 116
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Incidence rate = (New cases / Population at risk) × multiplier. =
(,000,000) × 100,000 = 25 per 100,000.
5. A blood pressure screening program for pregnant high school students is
an example of which level of prevention?
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
, 4|Page
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Secondary prevention aims for early detection and
intervention in asymptomatic individuals to halt disease progression.
Screening for hypertension in a high-risk group (pregnant teens) fits this
category.
6. Blockage of the right coronary artery (RCA) can lead to myocardial cell
injury primarily because it results in:
A. Bilirubin accumulation in myocardial cells
B. Alteration in the genetic material of myocardial cells
C. Reduced energy (ATP) production in myocardial cells
D. Activation of the complement system
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Coronary artery occlusion causes ischemia (lack of blood flow),
leading to hypoxia. The primary result is impaired oxidative phosphorylation
