High Yield Board Exam Essentials of
Pathophysiology 2025| Expert Verified
Answers for Guaranteed Pass
Pathophysiology of abdominal aortic aneurysm includes what? CORRECT ANSWER:
Reduced size of vascular wall media and lowered tensile strength due to the limited
concentration of structural wall content.
How might an abdominal aortic aneurysm present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: AAA
- abdominal pain, back pain, extremity ischemia, flank pain, GI bleeding (from aortoduodenal
fistula), syncope, shock, and sudden death.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing an abdominal aortic aneurysm? CORRECT
ANSWER: Abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter of greater than 3.0 cm.
What is the initial treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm? CORRECT ANSWER:
Emergent surgical repair, esmolol IV 500 mcg/kg bolus followed by 50 to 300 mcg/kg/minute.
Pathophysiology of diabetic foot infections includes what? CORRECT ANSWER: Soft
tissue infections due to skin breakdown caused by single pathogens or polymicrobial infections.
How might diabetic foot infections present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Edema,
erythema, warmth, pus, foul-smelling odors, and fever.
What are classic findings for diagnosing diabetic foot infections? CORRECT ANSWER:
Advanced ulcers with patients unaware due to diabetic neuropathy.
,What are the treatment options for diabetic foot infections? CORRECT ANSWER: Surgical
debridement and wound irrigation, antibiotics to cover MSSA (MRSA if risk factors present),
streptococcus, Enterobacteriaceae, and obligate anaerobes.
Pathophysiology of aortic dissection includes what? CORRECT ANSWER: LV
hydrodynamic forces produce stress tears allowing blood to enter the aortic media or, as a result
of hemorrhage into the aortic media from the damaged vasa vasorum.
How might an aortic dissection Stage A present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Acute
chest pain radiating to the back described as tearing or sharp quality, hypertension, pulse deficit,
syncope, aortic regurgitation, new murmur.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing an aortic dissection Stage A? CORRECT ANSWER:
Dissection of the ascending aorta.
What is the initial treatment for an aortic dissection Stage A? CORRECT ANSWER:
Negative inotrope and vasodilators titrated to SBP of 100 to 120 mmHg, and HR of < 60 bpm
(esmolol plus sodium nitroprusside IV) as fast as possible.
How might an aortic dissection present Stage B in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Acute
abdominal pain radiating to the back described as tearing or sharp quality, hypertension.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing an aortic dissection Stage B? CORRECT ANSWER:
Dissection of any other part of the aorta that is not the ascending aorta.
What is the initial treatment for an aortic dissection Stage B? CORRECT ANSWER: Not
commonly surgical candidates. Negative inotrope and vasodilators titrated to SBP of 100 to 120
mmHg and HR of less than 60 bpm (esmolol plus sodium nitroprusside IV).
Pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation includes what? CORRECT ANSWER: Local ectopic
focus, a single localized re-entry circuit, or multiple functional reentry circuits.
,How might atrial fibrillation present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Chest palpitations,
chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and near syncope. Further categorized as either
paroxysmal, persistent, long-standing, or permanent.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing atrial fibrillation? CORRECT ANSWER: 12-lead
ECG findings of irregularly irregular rhythm.
What is the preferred initial treatment for atrial fibrillation? CORRECT ANSWER: Rate
control with either a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker or beta-1 selective antagonist
is preferred for most patients.
What treatment should be avoided in patients with AFIB + WPW? CORRECT ANSWER:
Avoid non-DHP CCBs in patients with AFIB + WPW.
When might rhythm control be used for atrial fibrillation? CORRECT ANSWER: Rhythm
control may be used if pulse is over 110 bpm and/or having symptoms
Pathophysiology of hypertensive emergency includes what? CORRECT ANSWER:
Hypertension resulting in acute tissue hypoperfusion and ischemia.
How might hypertensive urgency present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: For
hypertensive urgency, may be asymptomatic. Hypertensive emergency will present with clinical
signs/symptoms of affected organ(s) such as stroke or MI.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing hypertensive emergency? CORRECT ANSWER:
SBP of above 180 mmHg and/or DBP greater than 120 mmHg with or without end-organ
ischemia.
What are the initial treatments for hypertensive emergency? CORRECT ANSWER:
Parenteral antihypertensives such as clevidipine, labetalol, nicardipine, or nitroglycerin are used
for various hypertensive emergencies.
, What is the drug of choice for eclampsia in hypertensive emergency? CORRECT ANSWER:
Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for eclampsia.
Pathophysiology of peripheral arterial disease includes what? CORRECT ANSWER:
Atherosclerosis or thromboembolic processes that alter the normal structure and/or function of
the aorta, its visceral arterial branches, and the arteries of the lower extremities.
How might peripheral arterial disease present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Sudden
onset of ischemic leg symptoms (6 P's), postprandial abdominal pain, nonhealing lower
extremity wounds.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease? CORRECT ANSWER:
ABI less than or equal to 0.9.
What are the treatments for peripheral arterial disease? CORRECT ANSWER: Smoking
cessation, management of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and/or hyperhomocystinemia.
Aspirin, ACE-inhibitors with pentoxifylline (ABI < 0.9) or anticoagulation (if ABI < 0.4).
Pathophysiology of cardiogenic shock includes what? CORRECT ANSWER: Relates to its
precipitating cardiac event, which is most likely an acute MI.
How might cardiogenic shock present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Acute pulmonary
edema, fatigue, tachycardia, bilateral lower extremity edema, abdominal distension, elevated
JVD, hepatojugular reflex, hepatosplenomegaly, elevated BNP.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing cardiogenic shock? CORRECT ANSWER: SBP <
90 mmHg, evidence of end-organ hypoperfusion.
What are the initial treatments for cardiogenic shock? CORRECT ANSWER: Identify and
treat the underlying cause, airway control, breathing and ventilation assistance, and vasopressor
support (norepinephrine).
Pathophysiology 2025| Expert Verified
Answers for Guaranteed Pass
Pathophysiology of abdominal aortic aneurysm includes what? CORRECT ANSWER:
Reduced size of vascular wall media and lowered tensile strength due to the limited
concentration of structural wall content.
How might an abdominal aortic aneurysm present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: AAA
- abdominal pain, back pain, extremity ischemia, flank pain, GI bleeding (from aortoduodenal
fistula), syncope, shock, and sudden death.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing an abdominal aortic aneurysm? CORRECT
ANSWER: Abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter of greater than 3.0 cm.
What is the initial treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm? CORRECT ANSWER:
Emergent surgical repair, esmolol IV 500 mcg/kg bolus followed by 50 to 300 mcg/kg/minute.
Pathophysiology of diabetic foot infections includes what? CORRECT ANSWER: Soft
tissue infections due to skin breakdown caused by single pathogens or polymicrobial infections.
How might diabetic foot infections present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Edema,
erythema, warmth, pus, foul-smelling odors, and fever.
What are classic findings for diagnosing diabetic foot infections? CORRECT ANSWER:
Advanced ulcers with patients unaware due to diabetic neuropathy.
,What are the treatment options for diabetic foot infections? CORRECT ANSWER: Surgical
debridement and wound irrigation, antibiotics to cover MSSA (MRSA if risk factors present),
streptococcus, Enterobacteriaceae, and obligate anaerobes.
Pathophysiology of aortic dissection includes what? CORRECT ANSWER: LV
hydrodynamic forces produce stress tears allowing blood to enter the aortic media or, as a result
of hemorrhage into the aortic media from the damaged vasa vasorum.
How might an aortic dissection Stage A present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Acute
chest pain radiating to the back described as tearing or sharp quality, hypertension, pulse deficit,
syncope, aortic regurgitation, new murmur.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing an aortic dissection Stage A? CORRECT ANSWER:
Dissection of the ascending aorta.
What is the initial treatment for an aortic dissection Stage A? CORRECT ANSWER:
Negative inotrope and vasodilators titrated to SBP of 100 to 120 mmHg, and HR of < 60 bpm
(esmolol plus sodium nitroprusside IV) as fast as possible.
How might an aortic dissection present Stage B in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Acute
abdominal pain radiating to the back described as tearing or sharp quality, hypertension.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing an aortic dissection Stage B? CORRECT ANSWER:
Dissection of any other part of the aorta that is not the ascending aorta.
What is the initial treatment for an aortic dissection Stage B? CORRECT ANSWER: Not
commonly surgical candidates. Negative inotrope and vasodilators titrated to SBP of 100 to 120
mmHg and HR of less than 60 bpm (esmolol plus sodium nitroprusside IV).
Pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation includes what? CORRECT ANSWER: Local ectopic
focus, a single localized re-entry circuit, or multiple functional reentry circuits.
,How might atrial fibrillation present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Chest palpitations,
chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and near syncope. Further categorized as either
paroxysmal, persistent, long-standing, or permanent.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing atrial fibrillation? CORRECT ANSWER: 12-lead
ECG findings of irregularly irregular rhythm.
What is the preferred initial treatment for atrial fibrillation? CORRECT ANSWER: Rate
control with either a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker or beta-1 selective antagonist
is preferred for most patients.
What treatment should be avoided in patients with AFIB + WPW? CORRECT ANSWER:
Avoid non-DHP CCBs in patients with AFIB + WPW.
When might rhythm control be used for atrial fibrillation? CORRECT ANSWER: Rhythm
control may be used if pulse is over 110 bpm and/or having symptoms
Pathophysiology of hypertensive emergency includes what? CORRECT ANSWER:
Hypertension resulting in acute tissue hypoperfusion and ischemia.
How might hypertensive urgency present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: For
hypertensive urgency, may be asymptomatic. Hypertensive emergency will present with clinical
signs/symptoms of affected organ(s) such as stroke or MI.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing hypertensive emergency? CORRECT ANSWER:
SBP of above 180 mmHg and/or DBP greater than 120 mmHg with or without end-organ
ischemia.
What are the initial treatments for hypertensive emergency? CORRECT ANSWER:
Parenteral antihypertensives such as clevidipine, labetalol, nicardipine, or nitroglycerin are used
for various hypertensive emergencies.
, What is the drug of choice for eclampsia in hypertensive emergency? CORRECT ANSWER:
Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for eclampsia.
Pathophysiology of peripheral arterial disease includes what? CORRECT ANSWER:
Atherosclerosis or thromboembolic processes that alter the normal structure and/or function of
the aorta, its visceral arterial branches, and the arteries of the lower extremities.
How might peripheral arterial disease present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Sudden
onset of ischemic leg symptoms (6 P's), postprandial abdominal pain, nonhealing lower
extremity wounds.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease? CORRECT ANSWER:
ABI less than or equal to 0.9.
What are the treatments for peripheral arterial disease? CORRECT ANSWER: Smoking
cessation, management of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and/or hyperhomocystinemia.
Aspirin, ACE-inhibitors with pentoxifylline (ABI < 0.9) or anticoagulation (if ABI < 0.4).
Pathophysiology of cardiogenic shock includes what? CORRECT ANSWER: Relates to its
precipitating cardiac event, which is most likely an acute MI.
How might cardiogenic shock present in a patient? CORRECT ANSWER: Acute pulmonary
edema, fatigue, tachycardia, bilateral lower extremity edema, abdominal distension, elevated
JVD, hepatojugular reflex, hepatosplenomegaly, elevated BNP.
What is a classic finding for diagnosing cardiogenic shock? CORRECT ANSWER: SBP <
90 mmHg, evidence of end-organ hypoperfusion.
What are the initial treatments for cardiogenic shock? CORRECT ANSWER: Identify and
treat the underlying cause, airway control, breathing and ventilation assistance, and vasopressor
support (norepinephrine).
