, NSG 3280 Exam 1 – Pathophysiology
(2026/2027) | Galen College of Nursing |
Complete Practice Exam Questions &
Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
| Latest Study Guide | A+ Graded
Q1. A nurse is explaining pathophysiology to a nursing
student. Which statement accurately defines
pathophysiology?
A) The study of the structure of the human body
B) The study of functional changes in the body that result
from disease
C) The study of how medications interact with the body
D) The study of psychological responses to illness
Correct Answer: B. The study of functional changes in
the body that result from disease
Rationale: Pathophysiology is the study of abnormalities
in physiologic functioning that occur as a result of disease
or injury. Option A describes anatomy. Option C describes
,pharmacology. Option D describes psychosocial aspects
of illness.
Q2. A patient is diagnosed with a disease that has an
unknown cause. The nurse correctly documents this as:
A) Iatrogenic
B) Idiopathic
C) Hereditary
D) Nosocomial
Correct Answer: B. Idiopathic
Rationale: Idiopathic refers to a disease with an unknown
cause. Iatrogenic (A) is caused by medical treatment.
Hereditary (C) is genetic. Nosocomial (D) is acquired in a
healthcare setting.
Q3. A patient develops a severe infection following a
surgical procedure. The nurse identifies this as:
A) Idiopathic
B) Communicable
, C) Iatrogenic
D) Congenital
Correct Answer: C. Iatrogenic
Rationale: Iatrogenic conditions result from medical or
surgical treatment as an unintended complication. Post-
surgical infections are a common example. Idiopathic (A)
has an unknown cause. Communicable (B) is transmitted
from person to person. Congenital (D) is present at birth.
Q4. The study of the cause of a disease is known as:
A) Pathogenesis
B) Etiology
C) Epidemiology
D) Morphology
Correct Answer: B. Etiology
Rationale: Etiology is the study of the causes or reasons
for a disease. Pathogenesis (A) is the development of
(2026/2027) | Galen College of Nursing |
Complete Practice Exam Questions &
Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
| Latest Study Guide | A+ Graded
Q1. A nurse is explaining pathophysiology to a nursing
student. Which statement accurately defines
pathophysiology?
A) The study of the structure of the human body
B) The study of functional changes in the body that result
from disease
C) The study of how medications interact with the body
D) The study of psychological responses to illness
Correct Answer: B. The study of functional changes in
the body that result from disease
Rationale: Pathophysiology is the study of abnormalities
in physiologic functioning that occur as a result of disease
or injury. Option A describes anatomy. Option C describes
,pharmacology. Option D describes psychosocial aspects
of illness.
Q2. A patient is diagnosed with a disease that has an
unknown cause. The nurse correctly documents this as:
A) Iatrogenic
B) Idiopathic
C) Hereditary
D) Nosocomial
Correct Answer: B. Idiopathic
Rationale: Idiopathic refers to a disease with an unknown
cause. Iatrogenic (A) is caused by medical treatment.
Hereditary (C) is genetic. Nosocomial (D) is acquired in a
healthcare setting.
Q3. A patient develops a severe infection following a
surgical procedure. The nurse identifies this as:
A) Idiopathic
B) Communicable
, C) Iatrogenic
D) Congenital
Correct Answer: C. Iatrogenic
Rationale: Iatrogenic conditions result from medical or
surgical treatment as an unintended complication. Post-
surgical infections are a common example. Idiopathic (A)
has an unknown cause. Communicable (B) is transmitted
from person to person. Congenital (D) is present at birth.
Q4. The study of the cause of a disease is known as:
A) Pathogenesis
B) Etiology
C) Epidemiology
D) Morphology
Correct Answer: B. Etiology
Rationale: Etiology is the study of the causes or reasons
for a disease. Pathogenesis (A) is the development of
