ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM SCRIPT
2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS WITH FULL
SOLUTION
◉ CAD risk factors. Answer: Age >55
male
fam hx
personal hx peripheral vasc/Cerebrovascular disease
smoking
lipid abnorm
DM
HTN
obesity
sedentary
cocaine
estrogen use
dyslipidemia - high LDL, low HDL, high triglycerides
◉ what happens when LDL becomes oxidized. Answer: becomes
oxidized when exposed to endothelial cells and smooth muscle cell
then exposed to macrophages
,becomes foam cell
makes up atherosclerotic plaque
◉ what does HDL do. Answer: reverse cholesterol transport
returns excess cholesterol from the tissue to the liver where it binds
to hepatic receptors and is processed or eliminated as bile or
converted to cholesterol-containing steroids
protects LDL from oxidation
◉ explain the relationship of lipoprotiens and diabetes as a risk
factor for CAD. Answer: lipoproteins can be altered by glycation as a
result of high glucose levels which causes a greater integration into
macrophages (engulf oxidized LDL) this then accumulates in the
arterial wall causing platelet aggregation and smooth muscle
proliferation
◉ android obesity. Answer: excess body fat that is placed
predominantly within the abdomen and upper body, as opposed to
the hips and thighs
strongest link with CAD risk r/t insulin resistance, decreased HDL
levels, increased blood pressure, and inflammation
◉ 9 P21. Answer: genetic variant associated with a strong risk for
CAD
,◉ what is the risk of having an MI in relation to the age that it
occurred in a parent. Answer: inverse relationship
if you have a parent who had an MI at 40 you have a higher risk than
someone who's parent had one at 70
◉ Women typically present with CAD symptoms 10 years earlier
than men
t/f. Answer: false
◉ lipoprotein (a) and CAD. Answer: nontraditional risk factor
associated with atherosclerosis and thrombosis
genetically derived particle
at risk for premature CAD as well as stroke
◉ elevated high sensitivity c reactive protein and CAD (hs-CRP).
Answer: acute phase reactant or protein
made in liver
indirect measure of atherosclerotic plaque-related
inflammation/progression
inflammatory marker
the more inflammation the more likely to have plaque ruptures
, ◉ t/f lipoproteins increase risk for a cardiac event, thrombus, and
stroke. Answer: true
◉ t/f high numbers of large and puffy LDL particles are associated
with increased risk for CAD. Answer: false
high numbers of small dense LDL
◉ total cholesterol levels. Answer: desirable - <200
Borderline - 200-239
high - >240
◉ LDL levels. Answer: Optimal: <100
Near optimal: 100-129
Borderline high: 130-159
High: 160-189
Very high: >190
◉ Triglycerides levels. Answer: desirable - <150
borderline - 150 - 199
high - 200-499
very high - >500
2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS WITH FULL
SOLUTION
◉ CAD risk factors. Answer: Age >55
male
fam hx
personal hx peripheral vasc/Cerebrovascular disease
smoking
lipid abnorm
DM
HTN
obesity
sedentary
cocaine
estrogen use
dyslipidemia - high LDL, low HDL, high triglycerides
◉ what happens when LDL becomes oxidized. Answer: becomes
oxidized when exposed to endothelial cells and smooth muscle cell
then exposed to macrophages
,becomes foam cell
makes up atherosclerotic plaque
◉ what does HDL do. Answer: reverse cholesterol transport
returns excess cholesterol from the tissue to the liver where it binds
to hepatic receptors and is processed or eliminated as bile or
converted to cholesterol-containing steroids
protects LDL from oxidation
◉ explain the relationship of lipoprotiens and diabetes as a risk
factor for CAD. Answer: lipoproteins can be altered by glycation as a
result of high glucose levels which causes a greater integration into
macrophages (engulf oxidized LDL) this then accumulates in the
arterial wall causing platelet aggregation and smooth muscle
proliferation
◉ android obesity. Answer: excess body fat that is placed
predominantly within the abdomen and upper body, as opposed to
the hips and thighs
strongest link with CAD risk r/t insulin resistance, decreased HDL
levels, increased blood pressure, and inflammation
◉ 9 P21. Answer: genetic variant associated with a strong risk for
CAD
,◉ what is the risk of having an MI in relation to the age that it
occurred in a parent. Answer: inverse relationship
if you have a parent who had an MI at 40 you have a higher risk than
someone who's parent had one at 70
◉ Women typically present with CAD symptoms 10 years earlier
than men
t/f. Answer: false
◉ lipoprotein (a) and CAD. Answer: nontraditional risk factor
associated with atherosclerosis and thrombosis
genetically derived particle
at risk for premature CAD as well as stroke
◉ elevated high sensitivity c reactive protein and CAD (hs-CRP).
Answer: acute phase reactant or protein
made in liver
indirect measure of atherosclerotic plaque-related
inflammation/progression
inflammatory marker
the more inflammation the more likely to have plaque ruptures
, ◉ t/f lipoproteins increase risk for a cardiac event, thrombus, and
stroke. Answer: true
◉ t/f high numbers of large and puffy LDL particles are associated
with increased risk for CAD. Answer: false
high numbers of small dense LDL
◉ total cholesterol levels. Answer: desirable - <200
Borderline - 200-239
high - >240
◉ LDL levels. Answer: Optimal: <100
Near optimal: 100-129
Borderline high: 130-159
High: 160-189
Very high: >190
◉ Triglycerides levels. Answer: desirable - <150
borderline - 150 - 199
high - 200-499
very high - >500
