NUR 2063 / NUR2063 — Essentials of Pathophysiology Rasmussen University | 2026–2027

NUR 2063 / NUR2063 — ESSENTIALS OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY | 2026–2027
NUR 2063 / NUR2063
Essentials of Pathophysiology
Final Exam Review & Practice Examination
Institution: Rasmussen University
Academic Year: 2026–2027
Date: August 9, 2026
Format: Multiple-Choice and Short-Answer Questions
Total Questions: 110
Purpose: Comprehensive Final Exam Review


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. General Concepts of Pathophysiology — Questions 1–10
2. Cellular Injury, Inflammation & Immunity — Questions 11–20

3. Cardiovascular System — Questions 21–32

4. Respiratory System — Questions 33–44

5. Renal & Urinary System — Questions 45–54

6. Gastrointestinal System — Questions 55–64

7. Endocrine System — Questions 65–76

8. Nervous System — Questions 77–88

9. Musculoskeletal System — Questions 89–96

10. Hematologic & Lymphatic Systems — Questions 97–104

11. Reproductive System — Questions 105–110



SECTION I — GENERAL CONCEPTS OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Question 1 — Multiple Choice

,Which statement best defines pathophysiology?

A. The study of medications used to treat disease
B. The study of altered physiological processes associated with disease
C. The study of microorganisms that cause infection
D. The study of normal anatomy only

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Pathophysiology examines how normal physiological processes become altered by
disease or injury. It connects changes at the cellular, tissue, organ, and systemic levels with
clinical manifestations.



Question 2 — Multiple Choice

A patient develops a fever after exposure to an infectious organism. The fever is best classified as
which type of disease manifestation?

A. Etiology
B. Sign
C. Risk factor
D. Pathogenesis

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A fever is an observable or measurable manifestation of disease and is therefore
considered a sign. Etiology refers to the cause, while pathogenesis describes how the disease
develops.



Question 3 — Short Answer

Define etiology and explain how it differs from pathogenesis.

Correct Answer: Etiology is the cause or origin of a disease. Pathogenesis describes the
mechanisms and sequence of events through which the disease develops.

Rationale: Identifying etiology helps determine what initiated a disorder, whereas understanding
pathogenesis explains how that initiating factor produces cellular and physiological
abnormalities.



Question 4 — Multiple Choice

Which condition represents a genetic disorder?

,A. Hypertension caused by chronic dietary factors
B. Cystic fibrosis caused by a mutation affecting CFTR
C. Pneumonia caused by bacteria
D. A fracture caused by trauma

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Cystic fibrosis results from mutations in the CFTR gene. Genetic disorders can arise
from mutations in a single gene, multiple genes, or chromosomal abnormalities.



Question 5 — Multiple Choice

Homeostasis is best described as:

A. Complete absence of physiological change
B. Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
C. Permanent suppression of feedback mechanisms
D. Elimination of all disease processes

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Homeostasis maintains internal physiological conditions within a functional range
despite external or internal changes. Feedback systems are essential to this process.



Question 6 — Short Answer

What is the difference between positive feedback and negative feedback?

Correct Answer: Negative feedback counteracts a change and moves a physiological variable
toward its normal range. Positive feedback amplifies a change until a specific event is completed.
Rationale: Examples of negative feedback include temperature regulation and blood-glucose
regulation. Positive feedback occurs during processes such as childbirth, where contractions
stimulate additional oxytocin release.



Question 7 — Multiple Choice
A patient has a fever of 39°C. Which physiological mechanism most directly explains the body's
attempt to increase temperature?

A. Decreased hypothalamic set point
B. Increased hypothalamic set point

, C. Increased sweating
D. Peripheral vasodilation

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During fever, inflammatory mediators influence the hypothalamus and raise the
temperature set point. The body then activates mechanisms such as vasoconstriction and
shivering to reach the new set point.



Question 8 — Multiple Choice
Which term describes a disease that develops suddenly and generally lasts for a short period?

A. Chronic
B. Latent
C. Acute
D. Progressive

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Acute diseases typically have a relatively rapid onset and short duration. Chronic
conditions generally persist for prolonged periods and may involve ongoing structural or
functional changes.



Question 9 — Short Answer

Explain why a patient's signs and symptoms are important when evaluating pathophysiology.

Correct Answer: Signs and symptoms provide evidence of physiological dysfunction and help
clinicians identify affected systems, determine possible causes, and evaluate disease progression.
Rationale: Pathophysiological changes often produce recognizable clinical manifestations.
Connecting these manifestations with underlying mechanisms is fundamental to clinical
reasoning.



Question 10 — Multiple Choice
Which term describes the body's ability to compensate for a physiological disturbance?

A. Adaptation
B. Necrosis
C. Etiology
D. Mutation