Pathophysiology
Midterm Exam 2026–2027 | Study
Guide, Practice Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales
THIS EXAM REVIEW INCLUDES
➢Pathophysiology Midterm Exam review material
➢Practice questions, where included
➢Answers and detailed rationales, where provided
,Question 1
When a baby has been identified as having fetal exposure to alcohol,
which assessment parameter should be considered?
A. Low birth weight
B. Mental retardation
C. Facial anomalies
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is characterized by a triad of
findings: (1) growth deficiencies including low birth weight, (2) central
nervous system abnormalities including mental retardation, and (3)
characteristic facial anomalies such as thin upper lip, smooth philtrum,
and short palpebral fissures. All of these parameters should be assessed
in a baby with suspected fetal alcohol exposure.
Question 2
A nurse documents tattooing and stippling in a trauma patient. Which
type of injury does the patient have?
,A. Stab wound
B. Gunshot wound
C. Laceration
D. Contusion
Correct Answer: B. Gunshot wound
Rationale: Tattooing and stippling are caused by gunpowder and occur
on the skin surrounding the entrance wound in gunshot injuries.
Tattooing results from unburned powder particles embedded in the
skin, while stippling results from powder burns.
Question 3
The nurse is caring for a new mother who just gave birth to a baby
with Down syndrome. The nurse explains that this syndrome is a
result of trisomy with which chromosome?
A. Chromosome 18
B. Chromosome 21
C. Chromosome 13
D. Chromosome 23
Correct Answer: B. Chromosome 21
, Rationale: Down syndrome is caused by trisomy 21, meaning there are
three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the normal two. This is the
most common chromosomal disorder and results from nondisjunction
during meiosis.
Question 4
A couple has two offspring; one child has an autosomal recessive
disease trait and one is normal. What most likely conclusion can the
nurse make about the parents?
A. One parent must be affected
B. Both parents could be carriers
C. Both parents must be affected
D. Neither parent can be a carrier
Correct Answer: B. Both parents could be carriers
Rationale: For a child to inherit an autosomal recessive disorder, both
parents must contribute a mutated allele. Parents who are carriers
(heterozygous) have one normal allele and one mutated allele. They are
phenotypically normal but can pass the mutated allele to their
offspring. Each child has a 25% chance of being affected, 50% chance of
being a carrier, and 25% chance of being completely normal.
Midterm Exam 2026–2027 | Study
Guide, Practice Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales
THIS EXAM REVIEW INCLUDES
➢Pathophysiology Midterm Exam review material
➢Practice questions, where included
➢Answers and detailed rationales, where provided
,Question 1
When a baby has been identified as having fetal exposure to alcohol,
which assessment parameter should be considered?
A. Low birth weight
B. Mental retardation
C. Facial anomalies
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is characterized by a triad of
findings: (1) growth deficiencies including low birth weight, (2) central
nervous system abnormalities including mental retardation, and (3)
characteristic facial anomalies such as thin upper lip, smooth philtrum,
and short palpebral fissures. All of these parameters should be assessed
in a baby with suspected fetal alcohol exposure.
Question 2
A nurse documents tattooing and stippling in a trauma patient. Which
type of injury does the patient have?
,A. Stab wound
B. Gunshot wound
C. Laceration
D. Contusion
Correct Answer: B. Gunshot wound
Rationale: Tattooing and stippling are caused by gunpowder and occur
on the skin surrounding the entrance wound in gunshot injuries.
Tattooing results from unburned powder particles embedded in the
skin, while stippling results from powder burns.
Question 3
The nurse is caring for a new mother who just gave birth to a baby
with Down syndrome. The nurse explains that this syndrome is a
result of trisomy with which chromosome?
A. Chromosome 18
B. Chromosome 21
C. Chromosome 13
D. Chromosome 23
Correct Answer: B. Chromosome 21
, Rationale: Down syndrome is caused by trisomy 21, meaning there are
three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the normal two. This is the
most common chromosomal disorder and results from nondisjunction
during meiosis.
Question 4
A couple has two offspring; one child has an autosomal recessive
disease trait and one is normal. What most likely conclusion can the
nurse make about the parents?
A. One parent must be affected
B. Both parents could be carriers
C. Both parents must be affected
D. Neither parent can be a carrier
Correct Answer: B. Both parents could be carriers
Rationale: For a child to inherit an autosomal recessive disorder, both
parents must contribute a mutated allele. Parents who are carriers
(heterozygous) have one normal allele and one mutated allele. They are
phenotypically normal but can pass the mutated allele to their
offspring. Each child has a 25% chance of being affected, 50% chance of
being a carrier, and 25% chance of being completely normal.
