COMPREHENSIVE
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR HEALTH
PROFESSIONS (HUBERT 11TH EDITION)
TEST BANK QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026/2027
1. A biopsy reveals that the epithelial cells in a smoker’s lungs have changed from ciliated
columnar to stratified squamous cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the shift of fluid from the intravascular space
to the interstitial space in a patient with severe malnutrition and low serum albumin?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Lymphatic obstruction
,C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Serum albumin is the main protein responsible for plasma
oncotic pressure; its deficiency reduces the osmotic pull that keeps fluid inside the vessels.
3. During the compensatory phase of metabolic acidosis, how does the body attempt to
restore the pH balance?
A. The kidneys excrete more bicarbonate
B. The lungs decrease the rate and depth of respiration
C. The kidneys retain more hydrogen ions
D. The lungs increase the rate and depth of respiration (Kussmaul breathing)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In metabolic acidosis, the lungs compensate by increasing
ventilation to blow off CO2, which reduces the acidity of the blood.
4. A child is born with features including a flat facial profile, slanted eyes, and a single palmar
crease. A karyotype reveals three copies of chromosome 21. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Down syndrome
B. Klinefelter syndrome
, C. Turner syndrome
D. Edwards syndrome
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Trisomy 21 is the genetic hallmark of Down syndrome,
characterized by specific physical features and cognitive impairment.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of a malignant tumor that distinguishes it from a
benign tumor?
A. Encapsulated growth
B. Slow growth rate
C. Ability to metastasize via blood or lymph
D. Well-differentiated cells
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Malignant tumors are characterized by lack of differentiation
(anaplasia), rapid growth, and the ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize.
6. In the TNM clinical staging system for cancer, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. Number of primary tumors
B. Presence of distant necrosis
C. Involvement of regional lymph nodes
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR HEALTH
PROFESSIONS (HUBERT 11TH EDITION)
TEST BANK QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026/2027
1. A biopsy reveals that the epithelial cells in a smoker’s lungs have changed from ciliated
columnar to stratified squamous cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the shift of fluid from the intravascular space
to the interstitial space in a patient with severe malnutrition and low serum albumin?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Lymphatic obstruction
,C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Serum albumin is the main protein responsible for plasma
oncotic pressure; its deficiency reduces the osmotic pull that keeps fluid inside the vessels.
3. During the compensatory phase of metabolic acidosis, how does the body attempt to
restore the pH balance?
A. The kidneys excrete more bicarbonate
B. The lungs decrease the rate and depth of respiration
C. The kidneys retain more hydrogen ions
D. The lungs increase the rate and depth of respiration (Kussmaul breathing)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In metabolic acidosis, the lungs compensate by increasing
ventilation to blow off CO2, which reduces the acidity of the blood.
4. A child is born with features including a flat facial profile, slanted eyes, and a single palmar
crease. A karyotype reveals three copies of chromosome 21. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Down syndrome
B. Klinefelter syndrome
, C. Turner syndrome
D. Edwards syndrome
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Trisomy 21 is the genetic hallmark of Down syndrome,
characterized by specific physical features and cognitive impairment.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of a malignant tumor that distinguishes it from a
benign tumor?
A. Encapsulated growth
B. Slow growth rate
C. Ability to metastasize via blood or lymph
D. Well-differentiated cells
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Malignant tumors are characterized by lack of differentiation
(anaplasia), rapid growth, and the ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize.
6. In the TNM clinical staging system for cancer, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. Number of primary tumors
B. Presence of distant necrosis
C. Involvement of regional lymph nodes
