NUR 2063 | Exam 3 Practice Examination Page 1
, NUR 2063 EXAM 3
Essentials of Pathophysiology
Rasmussen University
100-Question Original Practice Examination
2026/2027 Edition
1. Which process maintains stable internal conditions despite external changes?
A) Homeostasis
B) Necrosis
C) Metastasis
D) Autolysis
Correct Answer: Homeostasis
Rationale: Homeostasis uses feedback mechanisms to keep physiologic variables within functional limits.
2. How does negative feedback normally regulate body temperature?
A) Responses amplify the deviation indefinitely
B) Regulation stops during exercise
C) Temperature changes do not involve receptors
D) Responses counteract the initial temperature change
Correct Answer: Responses counteract the initial temperature change Rationale: Negative feedback
reduces deviation from a set range.
3. What best defines pathophysiology?
A) Surgical instrument identification
B) Study only of medication names
C) Study of functional changes caused by disease
D) Classification of hospital departments
Correct Answer: Study of functional changes caused by disease
Rationale: Pathophysiology explains how disease processes alter normal body function.
4. What is the etiology of a disease?
A) The treatment plan
NUR 2063 | Exam 3 Practice Examination Page 2
, B) The final symptom alone
C) Its prevalence only
D) Its underlying cause or origin
Correct Answer: Its underlying cause or origin
Rationale: Etiology identifies causative or contributing factors.
5. A disease has a predictable sequence of signs over time. What is this called?
A) Clinical course
B) Baseline vital signs
C) Drug clearance
D) Genotype only
Correct Answer: Clinical course
Rationale: The clinical course describes a disorder's pattern and progression.
6. What does a risk factor indicate?
A) Proof that disease already exists
B) An established cure
C) A guarantee of a specific outcome
D) A characteristic associated with greater chance of disease
Correct Answer: A characteristic associated with greater chance of disease Rationale: Risk factors raise
probability but do not establish an individual's diagnosis.
7. Which change describes increased cell number?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Necrosis
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia reflects proliferation of cells in a tissue.
8. Which change describes decreased cell size from reduced workload?
A) Atrophy
NUR 2063 | Exam 3 Practice Examination Page 3
, NUR 2063 EXAM 3
Essentials of Pathophysiology
Rasmussen University
100-Question Original Practice Examination
2026/2027 Edition
1. Which process maintains stable internal conditions despite external changes?
A) Homeostasis
B) Necrosis
C) Metastasis
D) Autolysis
Correct Answer: Homeostasis
Rationale: Homeostasis uses feedback mechanisms to keep physiologic variables within functional limits.
2. How does negative feedback normally regulate body temperature?
A) Responses amplify the deviation indefinitely
B) Regulation stops during exercise
C) Temperature changes do not involve receptors
D) Responses counteract the initial temperature change
Correct Answer: Responses counteract the initial temperature change Rationale: Negative feedback
reduces deviation from a set range.
3. What best defines pathophysiology?
A) Surgical instrument identification
B) Study only of medication names
C) Study of functional changes caused by disease
D) Classification of hospital departments
Correct Answer: Study of functional changes caused by disease
Rationale: Pathophysiology explains how disease processes alter normal body function.
4. What is the etiology of a disease?
A) The treatment plan
NUR 2063 | Exam 3 Practice Examination Page 2
, B) The final symptom alone
C) Its prevalence only
D) Its underlying cause or origin
Correct Answer: Its underlying cause or origin
Rationale: Etiology identifies causative or contributing factors.
5. A disease has a predictable sequence of signs over time. What is this called?
A) Clinical course
B) Baseline vital signs
C) Drug clearance
D) Genotype only
Correct Answer: Clinical course
Rationale: The clinical course describes a disorder's pattern and progression.
6. What does a risk factor indicate?
A) Proof that disease already exists
B) An established cure
C) A guarantee of a specific outcome
D) A characteristic associated with greater chance of disease
Correct Answer: A characteristic associated with greater chance of disease Rationale: Risk factors raise
probability but do not establish an individual's diagnosis.
7. Which change describes increased cell number?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Necrosis
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia reflects proliferation of cells in a tissue.
8. Which change describes decreased cell size from reduced workload?
A) Atrophy
NUR 2063 | Exam 3 Practice Examination Page 3
