Page |1
PATH 370 – QUIZ 5 PRACTICE QUESTIONS Chapters 20, 21, 22, and 23 –
Comprehensive Pathophysiology Review
CHAPTER 20: ENVIRONMENTAL AND NUTRITIONAL
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of
environmental heat-related illness?
A) Excessive clothing in cold weather
B) Prolonged exposure to high temperatures with inadequate
fluid intake
C) Vitamin deficiency
D) Chemical exposure only
Answer: B
Rationale: Heat-related illnesses result from prolonged heat
exposure with inadequate hydration, leading to heat cramps,
heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.
2. Heat stroke is characterized by:
A) Core body temperature below 36°C
B) Core body temperature above 40°C with altered mental
status and absence of sweating
, Page |2
C) Mild fever with sweating
D) Normal temperature with confusion only
Answer: B
Rationale: Heat stroke is a medical emergency with core temp >
40°C, CNS dysfunction, and often hot, dry skin (though sweating
may still occur in exertional heat stroke).
3. Hypothermia is defined as core body temperature:
A) Above 37°C
B) Below 35°C
C) Below 38°C
D) Above 39°C
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypothermia is a core temperature below 35°C
(95°F).
4. The most common cause of hypothermia is:
A) Infection
B) Prolonged cold exposure with inadequate protection
C) Vitamin deficiency
D) Dehydration only
Answer: B
, Page |3
Rationale: Hypothermia results from cold exposure
overwhelming the body's heat-producing mechanisms.
5. Frostbite is:
A) A burn from heat
B) Freezing of tissue causing ice crystal formation and cell death
C) A bacterial infection
D) A chemical injury only
Answer: B
Rationale: Frostbite is tissue freezing with ice crystal formation,
leading to cellular damage and ischemia.
6. The most common cause of lead poisoning in children is:
A) Eating contaminated fish
B) Ingestion of lead-based paint chips or contaminated dust in
older homes
C) Drinking contaminated water from new pipes
D) Air pollution only
Answer: B
Rationale: Children are exposed to lead primarily through paint
chips and dust in homes built before 1978.
, Page |4
7. Which of the following is a clinical manifestation of lead
poisoning?
A) Weight gain
B) Anemia, abdominal pain, and neurodevelopmental delay in
children
C) Hypertension only
D) Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Lead poisoning causes anemia (by inhibiting heme
synthesis), colicky abdominal pain, and cognitive deficits in
children.
8. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes hypoxia by:
A) Damaging lung tissue
B) Binding to hemoglobin with high affinity, preventing oxygen
binding
C) Destroying red blood cells
D) Blocking the respiratory center
Answer: B
Rationale: CO binds to hemoglobin with 200–300 times the
affinity of oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin and reducing
oxygen delivery.
PATH 370 – QUIZ 5 PRACTICE QUESTIONS Chapters 20, 21, 22, and 23 –
Comprehensive Pathophysiology Review
CHAPTER 20: ENVIRONMENTAL AND NUTRITIONAL
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of
environmental heat-related illness?
A) Excessive clothing in cold weather
B) Prolonged exposure to high temperatures with inadequate
fluid intake
C) Vitamin deficiency
D) Chemical exposure only
Answer: B
Rationale: Heat-related illnesses result from prolonged heat
exposure with inadequate hydration, leading to heat cramps,
heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.
2. Heat stroke is characterized by:
A) Core body temperature below 36°C
B) Core body temperature above 40°C with altered mental
status and absence of sweating
, Page |2
C) Mild fever with sweating
D) Normal temperature with confusion only
Answer: B
Rationale: Heat stroke is a medical emergency with core temp >
40°C, CNS dysfunction, and often hot, dry skin (though sweating
may still occur in exertional heat stroke).
3. Hypothermia is defined as core body temperature:
A) Above 37°C
B) Below 35°C
C) Below 38°C
D) Above 39°C
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypothermia is a core temperature below 35°C
(95°F).
4. The most common cause of hypothermia is:
A) Infection
B) Prolonged cold exposure with inadequate protection
C) Vitamin deficiency
D) Dehydration only
Answer: B
, Page |3
Rationale: Hypothermia results from cold exposure
overwhelming the body's heat-producing mechanisms.
5. Frostbite is:
A) A burn from heat
B) Freezing of tissue causing ice crystal formation and cell death
C) A bacterial infection
D) A chemical injury only
Answer: B
Rationale: Frostbite is tissue freezing with ice crystal formation,
leading to cellular damage and ischemia.
6. The most common cause of lead poisoning in children is:
A) Eating contaminated fish
B) Ingestion of lead-based paint chips or contaminated dust in
older homes
C) Drinking contaminated water from new pipes
D) Air pollution only
Answer: B
Rationale: Children are exposed to lead primarily through paint
chips and dust in homes built before 1978.
, Page |4
7. Which of the following is a clinical manifestation of lead
poisoning?
A) Weight gain
B) Anemia, abdominal pain, and neurodevelopmental delay in
children
C) Hypertension only
D) Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Lead poisoning causes anemia (by inhibiting heme
synthesis), colicky abdominal pain, and cognitive deficits in
children.
8. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes hypoxia by:
A) Damaging lung tissue
B) Binding to hemoglobin with high affinity, preventing oxygen
binding
C) Destroying red blood cells
D) Blocking the respiratory center
Answer: B
Rationale: CO binds to hemoglobin with 200–300 times the
affinity of oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin and reducing
oxygen delivery.
