Chapter 1, Introduction to Pathophysiology
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1
Which term is defined as the study of the mechanisms of human body functioning? A.
Pathology B. Physiology C. Anatomy D. Pathophysiology
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the mechanisms of human body functioning. Pathology
is the study of changes in cells and tissues as a result of injury or disease. Anatomy is the
study of body structures. Pathophysiology is the study of mechanisms of disease.
Question 2
Which statement best describes the health–illness continuum? A. It is a dynamic entity. B. It
is based on objective data. C. It represents two exclusive categories. D. It is focused on
physical well-being.
Answer: A
Rationale: Health and illness are part of a dynamic continuum. It is based on one’s
perceptions and is subjective. There are a variety of descriptions one can use along the
continuum to describe their current state. These range from 'extremely healthy' to 'extremely
ill.' Because it is a dynamic continuum, it represents more than two exclusive categories.
The health–illness continuum includes the body, mind, and spirit, not just physical well-
being.
Question 3
Which concept is often equated with health? A. Homeostasis B. Disease C. Objectivity D. An
uneventful physical examination
Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis is an important body goal and is often reflected in the client’s
perception of the health–illness continuum. Disease is the functional impairment of cells,
tissues, organs, or organ systems. Because health is reflected in the client’s perception of
the health–illness continuum, it is subjective, not objective. An uneventful physical
examination would only be one aspect of health. The health–illness continuum includes the
body, mind, and spirit.
Question 4
Which term is defined as the functional impairment of cells, tissues, organs, or organ
systems? A. Injury B. Pathophysiology C. Disease D. Syndrome
Answer: C
Rationale: Disease is defined as the functional impairment of cells, tissues, organs, or organ
systems. Injury causes changes to cells, pathophysiology refers to the study of mechanisms
of disease, and syndrome is used to describe specific conditions with predictive patterns.
Question 5
The nurse is planning education on the importance of wearing a helmet when riding a bike.
What level of prevention is the nurse describing? A. Primary B. Secondary C. Tertiary D.
Quaternary
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention, such as wearing a bike helmet focuses on protecting people
from developing a disease or injury. Secondary prevention is the early detection of disease
,through screening and early treatment. Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation after
diagnosis of a disease or injury. Quaternary prevention relates to overmedicalization.
Question 6
A nurse in a rehabilitation unit is assisting a client who has had a stroke with relearning how
to perform activities of daily living. What level of prevention is the nurse implementing? A.
Primary B. Secondary C. Tertiary D. Quaternary
Answer: C
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation after diagnosis of a disease or injury,
such as rehabilitation following a stroke. Primary prevention focuses on protecting people
from developing a disease or injury. Secondary prevention is the early detection of disease
through screening and early treatment. Quaternary prevention relates to overmedicalization.
Question 7
What term describes how a disease starts and develops, from onset to the point when the
disease presents itself? A. Etiology B. Pathophysiology C. Pathogenesis D. Pathology
Answer: C
Rationale: Pathogenesis is the term to describe how a disease starts and develops, from
onset to the point when the disease presents itself. Etiology refers to the precise cause of a
disease. Pathophysiology is the term used to define the mechanisms of human body
functioning. Pathology refers to studying the causes and effects of disease.
Question 8
A client has been diagnosed with an illness and no one is sure of the cause. What term
describes this condition? A. Idiopathic B. Iatrogenic C. Nosocomial D. Etiologic
Answer: A
Rationale: Idiopathic is the term used to describe disease with an unknown etiology.
Iatrogenic disease is inadvertently caused by medical treatment. Nosocomial disease results
from exposure in the healthcare environment. Etiologic disease has a precise cause.
Question 9
The nurse is caring for a client with a family history of cardiovascular disease. Which finding
would the nurse document as a symptom of cardiovascular disease? A. Chest pain B.
Elevated heart rate C. Fever D. Obesity
Answer: A
Rationale: Symptoms are indicators that are reported by the ill individual and are considered
the subjective manifestations because they cannot be directly observed by the practitioner.
Heart rate, fever, and weight can all be measured by the provider. Chest pain is subjective
and would be described by the client.
Clinical Manifestations
Understanding Clinical Manifestations
Chest pain is subjective and would be described by the client.
Multiple Choice Questions
10. What term describes the signs and symptoms associated with disease? A.
Clinical manifestations B. Precipitating factors C. Insidious D. Subacute
Answer: A
, Rationale: Clinical manifestations include signs and symptoms associated with
disease. Precipitating factors, also called triggers, promote the onset of clinical
manifestations. Insidious is used to describe clinical manifestations that do not
have a clear onset. Subacute refers to diseases with severity and duration that
falls between acute and chronic.
11. Which assessment is effective in detecting asymptomatic disease? A. Client
history B. Screening tests C. Family pedigree D. Observation
Answer: B
Rationale: Screening tests are often used to identify disease that does not
present with signs and symptoms. Family pedigree, observation, and eliciting
client history are not used to identify asymptomatic disease. They may be used
to collect data and determine the need for further screening but alone are not
effective in detecting disease.
12. Which symptom is considered a local manifestation associated with a paper cut?
A. Fever B. Pain C. Headache D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Local refers to those manifestations that are found directly at the site
of disease and are confined to that specific area. Pain would be considered a
local manifestation associated with a paper cut. The other signs and symptoms
listed refer to systemic manifestations.
13. Which symptom is a systemic manifestation of influenza? A. Fever B. Chest pain
C. Cough D. Runny nose
Answer: A
Rationale: Systemic manifestations present throughout the body and are not
confined to one area. Fever would be an example of a systemic manifestation.
The other options are manifestations that occur directly at the site; these are
considered local manifestations.
14. Which term indicates the forecast or prediction of how an individual will proceed
through the disease process? A. Morbidity B. Prognosis C. Metastasis D.
Remission
Answer: B
Rationale: The prognosis for a client is the forecast or prediction of how the
individual will proceed through the disease process. Morbidity is a negative
outcome of disease that affects quality of life. Metastasis refers to the spread of
disease from one part of the body to another. Remission refers to the reduction
or disappearance of signs and symptoms associated with a disease.
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Educational Focus for Cardiac Disease
15. While reviewing the history of a new client to the clinic, the nurse notes a strong
family history of cardiac disease. To focus on minimizing this disease, which
topic(s)/factor(s) will the nurse’s educational focus be during this visit? Select all
that apply. A. Analyzing typical dietary intake B. Controlling weight C.
Encouraging activity D. Having the client discuss genetics with family E.
Maintaining blood pressure within normal limits F. Focusing on a high-protein diet
with minimal carbohydrates
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: The presence of select risk factors increases a person’s chances of
developing coronary heart disease. Modifiable (therefore teachable topics)
factors include elevated blood cholesterol level, elevated blood pressure,
cigarette smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. Nonmodifiable factors that
cannot be changed by behavior include one’s genetic predisposition, family
history, and gender. A high-protein with low-carbohydrate diet does not
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1
Which term is defined as the study of the mechanisms of human body functioning? A.
Pathology B. Physiology C. Anatomy D. Pathophysiology
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the mechanisms of human body functioning. Pathology
is the study of changes in cells and tissues as a result of injury or disease. Anatomy is the
study of body structures. Pathophysiology is the study of mechanisms of disease.
Question 2
Which statement best describes the health–illness continuum? A. It is a dynamic entity. B. It
is based on objective data. C. It represents two exclusive categories. D. It is focused on
physical well-being.
Answer: A
Rationale: Health and illness are part of a dynamic continuum. It is based on one’s
perceptions and is subjective. There are a variety of descriptions one can use along the
continuum to describe their current state. These range from 'extremely healthy' to 'extremely
ill.' Because it is a dynamic continuum, it represents more than two exclusive categories.
The health–illness continuum includes the body, mind, and spirit, not just physical well-
being.
Question 3
Which concept is often equated with health? A. Homeostasis B. Disease C. Objectivity D. An
uneventful physical examination
Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis is an important body goal and is often reflected in the client’s
perception of the health–illness continuum. Disease is the functional impairment of cells,
tissues, organs, or organ systems. Because health is reflected in the client’s perception of
the health–illness continuum, it is subjective, not objective. An uneventful physical
examination would only be one aspect of health. The health–illness continuum includes the
body, mind, and spirit.
Question 4
Which term is defined as the functional impairment of cells, tissues, organs, or organ
systems? A. Injury B. Pathophysiology C. Disease D. Syndrome
Answer: C
Rationale: Disease is defined as the functional impairment of cells, tissues, organs, or organ
systems. Injury causes changes to cells, pathophysiology refers to the study of mechanisms
of disease, and syndrome is used to describe specific conditions with predictive patterns.
Question 5
The nurse is planning education on the importance of wearing a helmet when riding a bike.
What level of prevention is the nurse describing? A. Primary B. Secondary C. Tertiary D.
Quaternary
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention, such as wearing a bike helmet focuses on protecting people
from developing a disease or injury. Secondary prevention is the early detection of disease
,through screening and early treatment. Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation after
diagnosis of a disease or injury. Quaternary prevention relates to overmedicalization.
Question 6
A nurse in a rehabilitation unit is assisting a client who has had a stroke with relearning how
to perform activities of daily living. What level of prevention is the nurse implementing? A.
Primary B. Secondary C. Tertiary D. Quaternary
Answer: C
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation after diagnosis of a disease or injury,
such as rehabilitation following a stroke. Primary prevention focuses on protecting people
from developing a disease or injury. Secondary prevention is the early detection of disease
through screening and early treatment. Quaternary prevention relates to overmedicalization.
Question 7
What term describes how a disease starts and develops, from onset to the point when the
disease presents itself? A. Etiology B. Pathophysiology C. Pathogenesis D. Pathology
Answer: C
Rationale: Pathogenesis is the term to describe how a disease starts and develops, from
onset to the point when the disease presents itself. Etiology refers to the precise cause of a
disease. Pathophysiology is the term used to define the mechanisms of human body
functioning. Pathology refers to studying the causes and effects of disease.
Question 8
A client has been diagnosed with an illness and no one is sure of the cause. What term
describes this condition? A. Idiopathic B. Iatrogenic C. Nosocomial D. Etiologic
Answer: A
Rationale: Idiopathic is the term used to describe disease with an unknown etiology.
Iatrogenic disease is inadvertently caused by medical treatment. Nosocomial disease results
from exposure in the healthcare environment. Etiologic disease has a precise cause.
Question 9
The nurse is caring for a client with a family history of cardiovascular disease. Which finding
would the nurse document as a symptom of cardiovascular disease? A. Chest pain B.
Elevated heart rate C. Fever D. Obesity
Answer: A
Rationale: Symptoms are indicators that are reported by the ill individual and are considered
the subjective manifestations because they cannot be directly observed by the practitioner.
Heart rate, fever, and weight can all be measured by the provider. Chest pain is subjective
and would be described by the client.
Clinical Manifestations
Understanding Clinical Manifestations
Chest pain is subjective and would be described by the client.
Multiple Choice Questions
10. What term describes the signs and symptoms associated with disease? A.
Clinical manifestations B. Precipitating factors C. Insidious D. Subacute
Answer: A
, Rationale: Clinical manifestations include signs and symptoms associated with
disease. Precipitating factors, also called triggers, promote the onset of clinical
manifestations. Insidious is used to describe clinical manifestations that do not
have a clear onset. Subacute refers to diseases with severity and duration that
falls between acute and chronic.
11. Which assessment is effective in detecting asymptomatic disease? A. Client
history B. Screening tests C. Family pedigree D. Observation
Answer: B
Rationale: Screening tests are often used to identify disease that does not
present with signs and symptoms. Family pedigree, observation, and eliciting
client history are not used to identify asymptomatic disease. They may be used
to collect data and determine the need for further screening but alone are not
effective in detecting disease.
12. Which symptom is considered a local manifestation associated with a paper cut?
A. Fever B. Pain C. Headache D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Local refers to those manifestations that are found directly at the site
of disease and are confined to that specific area. Pain would be considered a
local manifestation associated with a paper cut. The other signs and symptoms
listed refer to systemic manifestations.
13. Which symptom is a systemic manifestation of influenza? A. Fever B. Chest pain
C. Cough D. Runny nose
Answer: A
Rationale: Systemic manifestations present throughout the body and are not
confined to one area. Fever would be an example of a systemic manifestation.
The other options are manifestations that occur directly at the site; these are
considered local manifestations.
14. Which term indicates the forecast or prediction of how an individual will proceed
through the disease process? A. Morbidity B. Prognosis C. Metastasis D.
Remission
Answer: B
Rationale: The prognosis for a client is the forecast or prediction of how the
individual will proceed through the disease process. Morbidity is a negative
outcome of disease that affects quality of life. Metastasis refers to the spread of
disease from one part of the body to another. Remission refers to the reduction
or disappearance of signs and symptoms associated with a disease.
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Educational Focus for Cardiac Disease
15. While reviewing the history of a new client to the clinic, the nurse notes a strong
family history of cardiac disease. To focus on minimizing this disease, which
topic(s)/factor(s) will the nurse’s educational focus be during this visit? Select all
that apply. A. Analyzing typical dietary intake B. Controlling weight C.
Encouraging activity D. Having the client discuss genetics with family E.
Maintaining blood pressure within normal limits F. Focusing on a high-protein diet
with minimal carbohydrates
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: The presence of select risk factors increases a person’s chances of
developing coronary heart disease. Modifiable (therefore teachable topics)
factors include elevated blood cholesterol level, elevated blood pressure,
cigarette smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. Nonmodifiable factors that
cannot be changed by behavior include one’s genetic predisposition, family
history, and gender. A high-protein with low-carbohydrate diet does not
