Physiology NBME Part 1 – NBME Physiology Examination
Preparation – Complete Practice Questions with Correct Detailed
Answers
Introduction:
This document contains a comprehensive collection of NBME-style
physiology questions with correct answers and detailed
explanations. It covers a wide range of topics including
cardiovascular physiology, respiratory physiology, immunology,
pharmacology, pathology, genetics, endocrinology, hematology,
microbiology, and clinical medicine.
The material is designed to support medical students preparing for
NBME exams and other preclinical assessments. The questions
reflect common exam concepts and integrate basic science with
clinical applications.
Exam Questions and Answers
A homeless man has a 3-month history of decreased a-peptide,
generalized wasting, low grade fever , worsening cough
productive of blood, mucopurulent sputum. He has a 3-year
history of alcohol abuse. Xray films of the chest show
consolidation and cavitary lesions in the apices of the lungs.
Which of the following is most likely inflammatory and/or
immune response in the lung?
A. Endothelial cell proliferation, vascular budding, fibroblasts
B. Epithelioid cells, multinucleate giant cells, caseation
necrosis
,C. Fibroblasts, collagen deposition, replacement of intrinsic
tissue
D. Macrophages, lymphocytes, hypergammaglobulinemia
E. Neutrophils, vascular congestion, exudate --- correct
precise answers ---B. Epithelioid cells, multinucleate giant
cells, caseation necrosis
82 year old man comes to the physician for evaluation of chest
pain. He lives with his daughters family. He has numerous
welts and abrasions and appears to be malnourished. He says
his diet is fine. Which of the following is the most appropriate
next step in patient care?
A. confront his family about the abuse
B. enroll the family in family counseling
C. notify social services of potential abuse
D. place him in a nursing home
E. refer him to a residential community --- correct precise
answers ---C. notify social services of potential abuse
67 year old woman has the sudden onset of dyspnea and chest
pain and dies within minutes. Stage IV ovarian cancer was
diagnosed 1 year ago, and she has been bedridden for 2
months. Which of the following is most likely to be found on
autopsy?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Deep venous thrombosis
C. Dissecting aortic aneurysm
D. Renal papillary necrosis
,E. Rupttured berry aneurysm --- correct precise answers ---B.
Deep venous thrombosis
45 year old man has a 6-month history of burning pain that
begins in the epigastric area and ascends into the chest.
Episodes occur most frequently after large meals and at night.
Endoscopic examination shows moderately severe
inflammation in the distal 3cm of the esophagus. Which of the
following is the most likely cause of this condition?
A. Diffuse spasm of the esophageal musculature
B. Failure of the lower sphincter to relax after a swallow
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
D. Hypersection of gastric acid
E. Inappropriate relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter
--- correct precise answers ---E. Inappropriate relaxation of
the lower esophageal sphincter
45- year old woman has an acute coronary occlusion. Within
seconds, the ischemic region shows mitochondrial swelling
and depletion of glycogen granules. Which of the following
metabolic events is most likely cause of these cellular changes?
A. Accumulation of free fatty acids
B. ATP depletion
C. Degradation of membrane phospholipid
D. Efflux of K+
E. Influx of Na+ --- correct precise answers ---C. Degradation
of membrane phospholipid
, 65-year old man dies of bronchopneumonia. He has a 6-year
history of progressive loss of facial expression, tremors,
rigidity, and slowing of voluntary movement. At autopsy, loss
of pigmented cells is noted in the substantial nigra. Which of
the following additional abnormalities is most likely to be
present?
A. Eosinophilic inclusions in neurons of the substantial nigra
B. Loss of neurons in the caudate nuclei
C. Microglial nodules and multinucleated giant cells in the
white matter
D. Neurofibrillary tangles in the cortical neurons
E. Viral inclusions in the oligodendrocytes --- correct precise
answers ---A. Eosinophilic inclusions in neurons of the
substantial nigra
50 year old man has a 10-year history of poorly controlled
hypertension. Vital signs are:
Pulse 96/min
Respirations 16/min
Bp of left arm 226/120 mmHg
Bp of right arm 218/118mmHg
With the patient in the left lateral decubitus position, a late
diastolic sound is heard best with the bell at the apex. Which
of the following is the most likely explanation for this
auscultatory finding?
A. Aortic insufficiency
Preparation – Complete Practice Questions with Correct Detailed
Answers
Introduction:
This document contains a comprehensive collection of NBME-style
physiology questions with correct answers and detailed
explanations. It covers a wide range of topics including
cardiovascular physiology, respiratory physiology, immunology,
pharmacology, pathology, genetics, endocrinology, hematology,
microbiology, and clinical medicine.
The material is designed to support medical students preparing for
NBME exams and other preclinical assessments. The questions
reflect common exam concepts and integrate basic science with
clinical applications.
Exam Questions and Answers
A homeless man has a 3-month history of decreased a-peptide,
generalized wasting, low grade fever , worsening cough
productive of blood, mucopurulent sputum. He has a 3-year
history of alcohol abuse. Xray films of the chest show
consolidation and cavitary lesions in the apices of the lungs.
Which of the following is most likely inflammatory and/or
immune response in the lung?
A. Endothelial cell proliferation, vascular budding, fibroblasts
B. Epithelioid cells, multinucleate giant cells, caseation
necrosis
,C. Fibroblasts, collagen deposition, replacement of intrinsic
tissue
D. Macrophages, lymphocytes, hypergammaglobulinemia
E. Neutrophils, vascular congestion, exudate --- correct
precise answers ---B. Epithelioid cells, multinucleate giant
cells, caseation necrosis
82 year old man comes to the physician for evaluation of chest
pain. He lives with his daughters family. He has numerous
welts and abrasions and appears to be malnourished. He says
his diet is fine. Which of the following is the most appropriate
next step in patient care?
A. confront his family about the abuse
B. enroll the family in family counseling
C. notify social services of potential abuse
D. place him in a nursing home
E. refer him to a residential community --- correct precise
answers ---C. notify social services of potential abuse
67 year old woman has the sudden onset of dyspnea and chest
pain and dies within minutes. Stage IV ovarian cancer was
diagnosed 1 year ago, and she has been bedridden for 2
months. Which of the following is most likely to be found on
autopsy?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Deep venous thrombosis
C. Dissecting aortic aneurysm
D. Renal papillary necrosis
,E. Rupttured berry aneurysm --- correct precise answers ---B.
Deep venous thrombosis
45 year old man has a 6-month history of burning pain that
begins in the epigastric area and ascends into the chest.
Episodes occur most frequently after large meals and at night.
Endoscopic examination shows moderately severe
inflammation in the distal 3cm of the esophagus. Which of the
following is the most likely cause of this condition?
A. Diffuse spasm of the esophageal musculature
B. Failure of the lower sphincter to relax after a swallow
C. Helicobacter pylori infection
D. Hypersection of gastric acid
E. Inappropriate relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter
--- correct precise answers ---E. Inappropriate relaxation of
the lower esophageal sphincter
45- year old woman has an acute coronary occlusion. Within
seconds, the ischemic region shows mitochondrial swelling
and depletion of glycogen granules. Which of the following
metabolic events is most likely cause of these cellular changes?
A. Accumulation of free fatty acids
B. ATP depletion
C. Degradation of membrane phospholipid
D. Efflux of K+
E. Influx of Na+ --- correct precise answers ---C. Degradation
of membrane phospholipid
, 65-year old man dies of bronchopneumonia. He has a 6-year
history of progressive loss of facial expression, tremors,
rigidity, and slowing of voluntary movement. At autopsy, loss
of pigmented cells is noted in the substantial nigra. Which of
the following additional abnormalities is most likely to be
present?
A. Eosinophilic inclusions in neurons of the substantial nigra
B. Loss of neurons in the caudate nuclei
C. Microglial nodules and multinucleated giant cells in the
white matter
D. Neurofibrillary tangles in the cortical neurons
E. Viral inclusions in the oligodendrocytes --- correct precise
answers ---A. Eosinophilic inclusions in neurons of the
substantial nigra
50 year old man has a 10-year history of poorly controlled
hypertension. Vital signs are:
Pulse 96/min
Respirations 16/min
Bp of left arm 226/120 mmHg
Bp of right arm 218/118mmHg
With the patient in the left lateral decubitus position, a late
diastolic sound is heard best with the bell at the apex. Which
of the following is the most likely explanation for this
auscultatory finding?
A. Aortic insufficiency
