PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF DISEASE: AN
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)GARY D. HAMMER; STEPHEN J.
MCPHEE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A 28-year-old patient asks why some diseases run in families
while others do not. Which statement best explains the
pathophysiologic role of inherited genetic variation in disease
susceptibility?
Options
A. All familial diseases are caused by single-gene mutations with
predictable expression.
B. Genetic variants modify physiologic pathways and interact
with environment to change disease risk.
,C. Inherited genes determine disease outcomes independently
of lifestyle or exposures.
D. Familial clustering always indicates a mitochondrial
inheritance pattern.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Genetic variants often alter proteins or regulatory
pathways and interact with environmental exposures,
modifying disease susceptibility and phenotype. This explains
why familial risk varies and why not all family members are
affected.
A: Incorrect — not all familial diseases are single-gene; many
are multifactorial with variable expression.
C: Incorrect — genes influence risk but do not act
independently of environment or behavior.
D: Incorrect — mitochondrial inheritance is one pattern but is
uncommon and does not explain most familial clustering.
Teaching Point
Genes alter pathways and interact with environment to change
disease risk.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2018). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A nurse is explaining why understanding pathophysiology
matters for safe care. Which rationale best reflects the book’s
approach to clinical reasoning?
Options
A. Pathophysiology only describes laboratory abnormalities, not
clinical decision-making.
B. Pathophysiology links molecular mechanisms to signs and
guides targeted assessment and intervention.
C. Pathophysiology is limited to rare diseases and rarely applies
to common conditions.
D. Clinical reasoning relies solely on clinical experience and not
on pathophysiologic principles.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): The text emphasizes connecting mechanisms
(molecular, cellular) to clinical signs and treatments so clinicians
can prioritize assessments and safe interventions.
A: Incorrect — pathophysiology covers mechanisms that lead to
clinical signs, not just labs.
C: Incorrect — it applies broadly across common and rare
, diseases.
D: Incorrect — clinical reasoning integrates experience with
mechanistic understanding for safer care.
Teaching Point
Mechanistic understanding links signs to safer, targeted clinical
actions.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2018). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
You evaluate two patients with the same disease but different
severity. Which genetic principle best explains variable clinical
expression among people with the same pathogenic variant?
Options
A. Complete penetrance guarantees identical severity in all
carriers.
B. Variable expressivity means same genotype produces
differing phenotypes.
C. Genetic anticipation eliminates differences between
generations.
D. Codominance causes one phenotype to be suppressed.
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)GARY D. HAMMER; STEPHEN J.
MCPHEE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A 28-year-old patient asks why some diseases run in families
while others do not. Which statement best explains the
pathophysiologic role of inherited genetic variation in disease
susceptibility?
Options
A. All familial diseases are caused by single-gene mutations with
predictable expression.
B. Genetic variants modify physiologic pathways and interact
with environment to change disease risk.
,C. Inherited genes determine disease outcomes independently
of lifestyle or exposures.
D. Familial clustering always indicates a mitochondrial
inheritance pattern.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Genetic variants often alter proteins or regulatory
pathways and interact with environmental exposures,
modifying disease susceptibility and phenotype. This explains
why familial risk varies and why not all family members are
affected.
A: Incorrect — not all familial diseases are single-gene; many
are multifactorial with variable expression.
C: Incorrect — genes influence risk but do not act
independently of environment or behavior.
D: Incorrect — mitochondrial inheritance is one pattern but is
uncommon and does not explain most familial clustering.
Teaching Point
Genes alter pathways and interact with environment to change
disease risk.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2018). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
,2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A nurse is explaining why understanding pathophysiology
matters for safe care. Which rationale best reflects the book’s
approach to clinical reasoning?
Options
A. Pathophysiology only describes laboratory abnormalities, not
clinical decision-making.
B. Pathophysiology links molecular mechanisms to signs and
guides targeted assessment and intervention.
C. Pathophysiology is limited to rare diseases and rarely applies
to common conditions.
D. Clinical reasoning relies solely on clinical experience and not
on pathophysiologic principles.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): The text emphasizes connecting mechanisms
(molecular, cellular) to clinical signs and treatments so clinicians
can prioritize assessments and safe interventions.
A: Incorrect — pathophysiology covers mechanisms that lead to
clinical signs, not just labs.
C: Incorrect — it applies broadly across common and rare
, diseases.
D: Incorrect — clinical reasoning integrates experience with
mechanistic understanding for safer care.
Teaching Point
Mechanistic understanding links signs to safer, targeted clinical
actions.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2018). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
You evaluate two patients with the same disease but different
severity. Which genetic principle best explains variable clinical
expression among people with the same pathogenic variant?
Options
A. Complete penetrance guarantees identical severity in all
carriers.
B. Variable expressivity means same genotype produces
differing phenotypes.
C. Genetic anticipation eliminates differences between
generations.
D. Codominance causes one phenotype to be suppressed.
