PORTAGE LEARNING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
2024/2025 ACTUAL CURRENTLY TESTING EXAM
VERSIONS WITH ACCURATE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED ANSWERS AND STUDY GUIDE | EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS
What is the definition of "pathophysiology"?
Pathophysiology is defined as not only the cellular and organ changes that occur with disease,
but also the effects that these changes have on total body function.
Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed.
Biologic agents (bacteria, viruses), physical forces (trauma, burns, radiation), chemical agents
(poisons, alcohol), one’s genetic inheritance, and nutritional excesses or deficiencies.
What are the 2 types of risk factors?
Risk factors can be categorized as congenital conditions (present at birth) or acquired defects
(occurring after birth).
What is the difference between morphology and histology?
Morphology is defined as the fundamental structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology is the
study of the cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
Describe the difference between signs and symptoms and give an example of each.
A symptom is a subjective complaint, for example pain, trouble breathing, or dizziness. A sign is
an objective manifestation, for example an elevated temperature, a swollen extremity, or changes
in pupil size.
,What are 3 important processes when coming to a diagnosis?
The diagnostic process requires a careful history, physical examination (PE), and sometimes
diagnostic tests.
Explain validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity.
Validity is how a tool measures what it is intended to measure. Reliability is how likely the same
result will occur if repeated. Sensitivity is the proportion of people with a disease who are
positive for that disease. Specificity are people without the disease who are negative on a given
test.
Define epidemiology and name some things that it tracks.
Epidemiology is the study of disease occurrence in human populations. It tracks age, race,
dietary habits, lifestyle, or geographic location.
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence?
Incidence is the number of new cases in a population at risk during a specified time. Prevalence
is the number of people with the disease in a population in a given time.
Define mortality and morbidity. Morbidity is the effect of an illness on one’s life.
Mortality statistics deal with the cause of death in a population.
Define primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and give an example of each.
,Primary prevention is to remove risk factors to prevent disease from occurring- taking folic acid
while pregnant to prevent neural tube defects, vaccinating children to prevent communicable
disease, eating healthy and exercising to prevent heart disease, and wearing seatbelts or helmets.
Secondary prevention aims to detect and treat disease early, usually while the disease is
asymptomatic and curable- annual Pap smears to detect early cervical cancer, encouraging
smoking cessation, checking blood pressure and cholesterol, and colonoscopy screening. Tertiary
prevention occurs after a disease has been diagnosed and clinical intervention is needed to reduce
complications or deterioration- certain medications one must take after a heart attack to help
reduce the risk of a future event or death.
Why is evidence-based practice important?
Evidence-based practice is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence
in making decisions about the care of individual patients. This is to counteract “the way things
have always been done,” and to practice based on clinical research.
What are the 3 primary structures of the cell?
All eukaryotic cells have three primary structures that are considered the functional components
of the cell. These are the nucleus, the cytoplasm, and the plasma membrane.
What is the function of the nucleus?
The nucleus is the control center for the cell and contains most of the hereditary material, DNA
and RNA.
Name 3 structures within the nucleus.
Chromatin, nucleolus, and nuclear envelope
What organelles are located in the cytoplasm?
The organelles in the cytoplasm include the ribosomes, ER, Golgi complex, mitochondria, and
lysosomes.
What are the roles of the ribosomes, rough ER, and smooth ER?
, The ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis in the cell. The Rough ER has ribosomes and
functions to synthesize lysosomal enzymes. The smooth ER does not have ribosomes and is the
site for lipid, lipoprotein, and steroid hormone synthesis.
What is the function of the lysosomes, peroxisomes, and mitochondria?
Lysosomes are the digestive system of the cell. Peroxisomes are smaller than lysosomes and
function in the control of free radicals. The mitochondria are aptly termed the “power plants” of
the cell, as they transform organic compounds (energy in food) into cellular energy for the cell.
What is contained in the cytoskeleton and what is its function?
The cytoskeleton contains a network of microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments,
and thick filaments. They control cell shape and movement.
Give examples of where cilia and flagella are found in the human body.
Cilia can be found on many epithelial linings, including the nasal sinuses and bronchi in the
upper respiratory system. In the human body, only spermatozoa contain flagella.
What are the 4 functions of the cell membrane?
The cell membrane controls the transport of materials from the outside fluids to within, binds
hormone receptors, helps with the conduction of electrical currents in nerve and muscle cells,
and aids in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation.
Why do cells need to communicate with one another?
In complex organisms, cells develop special functions, contribute to growth, and adapt to
changes. Cells must have the ability to communicate with one another, transport substances in
and out, and respond to these changes.
2024/2025 ACTUAL CURRENTLY TESTING EXAM
VERSIONS WITH ACCURATE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED ANSWERS AND STUDY GUIDE | EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS
What is the definition of "pathophysiology"?
Pathophysiology is defined as not only the cellular and organ changes that occur with disease,
but also the effects that these changes have on total body function.
Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed.
Biologic agents (bacteria, viruses), physical forces (trauma, burns, radiation), chemical agents
(poisons, alcohol), one’s genetic inheritance, and nutritional excesses or deficiencies.
What are the 2 types of risk factors?
Risk factors can be categorized as congenital conditions (present at birth) or acquired defects
(occurring after birth).
What is the difference between morphology and histology?
Morphology is defined as the fundamental structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology is the
study of the cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
Describe the difference between signs and symptoms and give an example of each.
A symptom is a subjective complaint, for example pain, trouble breathing, or dizziness. A sign is
an objective manifestation, for example an elevated temperature, a swollen extremity, or changes
in pupil size.
,What are 3 important processes when coming to a diagnosis?
The diagnostic process requires a careful history, physical examination (PE), and sometimes
diagnostic tests.
Explain validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity.
Validity is how a tool measures what it is intended to measure. Reliability is how likely the same
result will occur if repeated. Sensitivity is the proportion of people with a disease who are
positive for that disease. Specificity are people without the disease who are negative on a given
test.
Define epidemiology and name some things that it tracks.
Epidemiology is the study of disease occurrence in human populations. It tracks age, race,
dietary habits, lifestyle, or geographic location.
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence?
Incidence is the number of new cases in a population at risk during a specified time. Prevalence
is the number of people with the disease in a population in a given time.
Define mortality and morbidity. Morbidity is the effect of an illness on one’s life.
Mortality statistics deal with the cause of death in a population.
Define primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and give an example of each.
,Primary prevention is to remove risk factors to prevent disease from occurring- taking folic acid
while pregnant to prevent neural tube defects, vaccinating children to prevent communicable
disease, eating healthy and exercising to prevent heart disease, and wearing seatbelts or helmets.
Secondary prevention aims to detect and treat disease early, usually while the disease is
asymptomatic and curable- annual Pap smears to detect early cervical cancer, encouraging
smoking cessation, checking blood pressure and cholesterol, and colonoscopy screening. Tertiary
prevention occurs after a disease has been diagnosed and clinical intervention is needed to reduce
complications or deterioration- certain medications one must take after a heart attack to help
reduce the risk of a future event or death.
Why is evidence-based practice important?
Evidence-based practice is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence
in making decisions about the care of individual patients. This is to counteract “the way things
have always been done,” and to practice based on clinical research.
What are the 3 primary structures of the cell?
All eukaryotic cells have three primary structures that are considered the functional components
of the cell. These are the nucleus, the cytoplasm, and the plasma membrane.
What is the function of the nucleus?
The nucleus is the control center for the cell and contains most of the hereditary material, DNA
and RNA.
Name 3 structures within the nucleus.
Chromatin, nucleolus, and nuclear envelope
What organelles are located in the cytoplasm?
The organelles in the cytoplasm include the ribosomes, ER, Golgi complex, mitochondria, and
lysosomes.
What are the roles of the ribosomes, rough ER, and smooth ER?
, The ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis in the cell. The Rough ER has ribosomes and
functions to synthesize lysosomal enzymes. The smooth ER does not have ribosomes and is the
site for lipid, lipoprotein, and steroid hormone synthesis.
What is the function of the lysosomes, peroxisomes, and mitochondria?
Lysosomes are the digestive system of the cell. Peroxisomes are smaller than lysosomes and
function in the control of free radicals. The mitochondria are aptly termed the “power plants” of
the cell, as they transform organic compounds (energy in food) into cellular energy for the cell.
What is contained in the cytoskeleton and what is its function?
The cytoskeleton contains a network of microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments,
and thick filaments. They control cell shape and movement.
Give examples of where cilia and flagella are found in the human body.
Cilia can be found on many epithelial linings, including the nasal sinuses and bronchi in the
upper respiratory system. In the human body, only spermatozoa contain flagella.
What are the 4 functions of the cell membrane?
The cell membrane controls the transport of materials from the outside fluids to within, binds
hormone receptors, helps with the conduction of electrical currents in nerve and muscle cells,
and aids in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation.
Why do cells need to communicate with one another?
In complex organisms, cells develop special functions, contribute to growth, and adapt to
changes. Cells must have the ability to communicate with one another, transport substances in
and out, and respond to these changes.
