NC Pathology Exam Funeral Director
Actual Exam Questions and Answers
with Verified Solutions 2026-2027
General and Special Pathology for Funeral
Directorship
Question 1
A funeral director observing a body during pre-embalming case analysis notes reddish-purple
discoloration on dependent areas that does not blanch upon pressure. What condition is
present?
A. Postmortem stain
B. Hypostasis
C. Active hyperemia
D. Passive congestion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Postmortem stain is an extravascular discoloration caused by the breakdown of red
blood cells releasing heme into surrounding tissues, so it cannot be cleared by arterial injection
or pressure. Hypostasis is intravascular and clears easily with pressure.
Question 2
Which cardinal sign of acute inflammation is directly caused by increased vascular permeability
and fluid exudation into interstitial spaces?
A. Rubor
B. Calor
C. Tumor
D. Dolor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tumor (swelling) results from inflammatory exudate accumulating in the tissues due
to heightened capillary permeability. Rubor and calor stem from increased arterial blood flow
(hyperemia).
Question 3
A benign neoplasm originating from smooth muscle tissue is correctly classified as a:
A. Leiomyosarcoma
B. Leiomyoma
C. Rhabdomyoma
D. Adenoma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Smooth muscle benign tumors use the prefix 'leio-' combined with 'myoma'.
Leiomyosarcoma is the malignant counterpart, while rhabdomyoma refers to striated muscle.
, Question 4
During embalming, a body exhibits rapid tissue distension and crepitation upon palpation. The
embalmer suspects tissue gas. Which micro-organism is the primary causative agent?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C. Streptococcus pyogenes
D. Clostridium perfringens
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic, endospore-forming bacillus that ferments
carbohydrates in tissues to produce gas and severe tissue destruction (gas gangrene/tissue
gas).
Question 5
Severe generalized edema throughout the subcutaneous tissues of the entire body is defined
as:
A. Anasarca
B. Ascites
C. Hydrothorax
D. Hydropericardium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anasarca refers to massive, widespread subcutaneous fluid accumulation across
the body. Ascites is restricted to the peritoneal cavity.
Question 6
Which pulmonary lesion is pathognomonic for primary tuberculosis and consists of a calcified
parenchymal focus along with involved hilar lymph nodes?
A. Aschoff body
B. Reed-Sternberg cell
C. Ghon complex
D. Gumma
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Ghon complex forms when a primary tuberculous lung lesion heals and calcifies
alongside regional lymph nodes. Aschoff nodules occur in rheumatic heart disease.
Question 7
A vascular condition characterized by lipid deposition, foam cells, and fibrous plaque formation
within the intima of large and medium arteries is called:
A. Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis
B. Atherosclerosis
C. Arteriolosclerosis
D. Thromboangiitis obliterans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atherosclerosis specifically involves intimal fatty streaks evolving into fibrofatty
plaques that narrow vessel lumens. Arteriosclerosis is a broader term for arterial wall hardening.
Question 8
Actual Exam Questions and Answers
with Verified Solutions 2026-2027
General and Special Pathology for Funeral
Directorship
Question 1
A funeral director observing a body during pre-embalming case analysis notes reddish-purple
discoloration on dependent areas that does not blanch upon pressure. What condition is
present?
A. Postmortem stain
B. Hypostasis
C. Active hyperemia
D. Passive congestion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Postmortem stain is an extravascular discoloration caused by the breakdown of red
blood cells releasing heme into surrounding tissues, so it cannot be cleared by arterial injection
or pressure. Hypostasis is intravascular and clears easily with pressure.
Question 2
Which cardinal sign of acute inflammation is directly caused by increased vascular permeability
and fluid exudation into interstitial spaces?
A. Rubor
B. Calor
C. Tumor
D. Dolor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tumor (swelling) results from inflammatory exudate accumulating in the tissues due
to heightened capillary permeability. Rubor and calor stem from increased arterial blood flow
(hyperemia).
Question 3
A benign neoplasm originating from smooth muscle tissue is correctly classified as a:
A. Leiomyosarcoma
B. Leiomyoma
C. Rhabdomyoma
D. Adenoma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Smooth muscle benign tumors use the prefix 'leio-' combined with 'myoma'.
Leiomyosarcoma is the malignant counterpart, while rhabdomyoma refers to striated muscle.
, Question 4
During embalming, a body exhibits rapid tissue distension and crepitation upon palpation. The
embalmer suspects tissue gas. Which micro-organism is the primary causative agent?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C. Streptococcus pyogenes
D. Clostridium perfringens
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic, endospore-forming bacillus that ferments
carbohydrates in tissues to produce gas and severe tissue destruction (gas gangrene/tissue
gas).
Question 5
Severe generalized edema throughout the subcutaneous tissues of the entire body is defined
as:
A. Anasarca
B. Ascites
C. Hydrothorax
D. Hydropericardium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anasarca refers to massive, widespread subcutaneous fluid accumulation across
the body. Ascites is restricted to the peritoneal cavity.
Question 6
Which pulmonary lesion is pathognomonic for primary tuberculosis and consists of a calcified
parenchymal focus along with involved hilar lymph nodes?
A. Aschoff body
B. Reed-Sternberg cell
C. Ghon complex
D. Gumma
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Ghon complex forms when a primary tuberculous lung lesion heals and calcifies
alongside regional lymph nodes. Aschoff nodules occur in rheumatic heart disease.
Question 7
A vascular condition characterized by lipid deposition, foam cells, and fibrous plaque formation
within the intima of large and medium arteries is called:
A. Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis
B. Atherosclerosis
C. Arteriolosclerosis
D. Thromboangiitis obliterans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atherosclerosis specifically involves intimal fatty streaks evolving into fibrofatty
plaques that narrow vessel lumens. Arteriosclerosis is a broader term for arterial wall hardening.
Question 8
