SCI 225 – Pathophysiology Final 2026/2027 | Latest Exam
Questions with Correct Answers and Explanations |Nightingale
College
Question 1
Pathophysiology is the study of:
A. Changes in normal body functions caused by disease processes
B. Normal body structures only
C. Drug manufacturing processes
D. Surgical procedures only
Correct Answer: A. Changes in normal body functions caused by disease
processes
Explanation:
Pathophysiology examines how diseases develop and how they alter normal
physiological processes. It connects the causes of disease with resulting signs,
symptoms, and clinical manifestations.
Question 2
The term "etiology" refers to:
A. The cause or origin of a disease
B. The treatment of a disease
C. The symptoms of a disease
D. The recovery process
Correct Answer: A. The cause or origin of a disease
Explanation:
Etiology identifies factors responsible for disease development, including
genetic, environmental, infectious, and lifestyle-related causes.
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,Question 3
A disease that develops because of inherited genetic abnormalities is
classified as:
A. Genetic disease
B. Infectious disease
C. Traumatic disease
D. Iatrogenic disease
Correct Answer: A. Genetic disease
Explanation:
Genetic diseases result from alterations in DNA that may be inherited from
parents or occur due to mutations.
Question 4
Homeostasis refers to:
A. Maintenance of a stable internal environment
B. Complete absence of disease
C. Rapid cell division
D. Elimination of all body changes
Correct Answer: A. Maintenance of a stable internal environment
Explanation:
Homeostasis allows the body to maintain balance in temperature, blood
pressure, glucose levels, pH, and other physiological functions.
Question 5
Negative feedback mechanisms:
A. Restore a system toward normal conditions
B. Increase abnormal changes continuously
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,C. Stop all body functions
D. Destroy damaged tissues
Correct Answer: A. Restore a system toward normal conditions
Explanation:
Negative feedback reduces deviations from normal and maintains stability.
Examples include regulation of blood glucose and body temperature.
Question 6
An example of positive feedback is:
A. Uterine contractions during childbirth
B. Regulation of blood glucose
C. Control of body temperature
D. Regulation of blood pressure
Correct Answer: A. Uterine contractions during childbirth
Explanation:
Positive feedback amplifies a response until a specific event is completed,
such as childbirth or blood clot formation.
Question 7
Cellular adaptation occurs when cells:
A. Adjust to changes in their environment
B. Immediately die from stress
C. Stop performing functions
D. Become infectious
Correct Answer: A. Adjust to changes in their environment
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, Explanation:
Cells adapt through mechanisms such as hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy,
and metaplasia to survive stressful conditions.
Question 8
Hypertrophy refers to:
A. Increase in cell size
B. Increase in cell number
C. Decrease in cell size
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
Correct Answer: A. Increase in cell size
Explanation:
Hypertrophy occurs when individual cells enlarge due to increased workload.
An example is enlargement of cardiac muscle due to hypertension.
Question 9
Hyperplasia is:
A. Increase in the number of cells
B. Increase in cell size only
C. Cell death
D. Abnormal mineral deposition
Correct Answer: A. Increase in the number of cells
Explanation:
Hyperplasia involves increased cell production and may occur as a normal
response or as a pathological process.
Question 10
4|Page
Questions with Correct Answers and Explanations |Nightingale
College
Question 1
Pathophysiology is the study of:
A. Changes in normal body functions caused by disease processes
B. Normal body structures only
C. Drug manufacturing processes
D. Surgical procedures only
Correct Answer: A. Changes in normal body functions caused by disease
processes
Explanation:
Pathophysiology examines how diseases develop and how they alter normal
physiological processes. It connects the causes of disease with resulting signs,
symptoms, and clinical manifestations.
Question 2
The term "etiology" refers to:
A. The cause or origin of a disease
B. The treatment of a disease
C. The symptoms of a disease
D. The recovery process
Correct Answer: A. The cause or origin of a disease
Explanation:
Etiology identifies factors responsible for disease development, including
genetic, environmental, infectious, and lifestyle-related causes.
1|Page
,Question 3
A disease that develops because of inherited genetic abnormalities is
classified as:
A. Genetic disease
B. Infectious disease
C. Traumatic disease
D. Iatrogenic disease
Correct Answer: A. Genetic disease
Explanation:
Genetic diseases result from alterations in DNA that may be inherited from
parents or occur due to mutations.
Question 4
Homeostasis refers to:
A. Maintenance of a stable internal environment
B. Complete absence of disease
C. Rapid cell division
D. Elimination of all body changes
Correct Answer: A. Maintenance of a stable internal environment
Explanation:
Homeostasis allows the body to maintain balance in temperature, blood
pressure, glucose levels, pH, and other physiological functions.
Question 5
Negative feedback mechanisms:
A. Restore a system toward normal conditions
B. Increase abnormal changes continuously
2|Page
,C. Stop all body functions
D. Destroy damaged tissues
Correct Answer: A. Restore a system toward normal conditions
Explanation:
Negative feedback reduces deviations from normal and maintains stability.
Examples include regulation of blood glucose and body temperature.
Question 6
An example of positive feedback is:
A. Uterine contractions during childbirth
B. Regulation of blood glucose
C. Control of body temperature
D. Regulation of blood pressure
Correct Answer: A. Uterine contractions during childbirth
Explanation:
Positive feedback amplifies a response until a specific event is completed,
such as childbirth or blood clot formation.
Question 7
Cellular adaptation occurs when cells:
A. Adjust to changes in their environment
B. Immediately die from stress
C. Stop performing functions
D. Become infectious
Correct Answer: A. Adjust to changes in their environment
3|Page
, Explanation:
Cells adapt through mechanisms such as hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy,
and metaplasia to survive stressful conditions.
Question 8
Hypertrophy refers to:
A. Increase in cell size
B. Increase in cell number
C. Decrease in cell size
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
Correct Answer: A. Increase in cell size
Explanation:
Hypertrophy occurs when individual cells enlarge due to increased workload.
An example is enlargement of cardiac muscle due to hypertension.
Question 9
Hyperplasia is:
A. Increase in the number of cells
B. Increase in cell size only
C. Cell death
D. Abnormal mineral deposition
Correct Answer: A. Increase in the number of cells
Explanation:
Hyperplasia involves increased cell production and may occur as a normal
response or as a pathological process.
Question 10
4|Page