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HOSA PATHOPHYSIOLOGY NOTES
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS| ACE YOUR GRADES.
Fasciculation - correct answer -involuntary contraction or twitching
of muscles
Hematoma - correct answer -localized swelling filled with blood
due to a broken blood vessel
Hemiparesis - correct answer -partial paralysis of the right or left
half of the body
Hemiplegia - correct answer -paralysis of one side of the body
Parasympathetic - correct answer -the division of the autonomic
nervous system mediated by the release of acetylcholine, which
has many effects on the body functions such as slowing the heart
rate & stimulating parasympathetic; restores homeostasis after
stress
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Paraplegia - correct answer -loss of nerve function below the
waist & paralysis of the lower trunk & legs
Quadriplegia - correct answer -loss of nerve function at the
cervical region, resulting in paralysis of the arms, hands, trunk, &
legs
Depressed skull fracture - correct answer -a fracture of the skull
with one of the skull bones depressed/torn loose & pushed below
normal surface; symptoms depend on area, epilepsy common,
bleeding; signs such as drainage, nuchal rigidity, seizures, etc.;
reduce intercranial pressure
Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) (CVA) - correct answer -a
neurologic emergency that occurs when the brain is damaged by
an embolism or hemorrhage; aphasia, hemiparesis, severe
cephalgia, , vertigo, unequal pupils, confusion & impaired
consciousness
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Transient Ischemic Attack (tias) - correct answer -temporary
episodes with a duration of less than 24 hours of impaired
neurologic function caused by inadequate blood flow to a part of
the brain; "ministrokes";weakness, numbness, dysphagia,
confusion, bad vision in one eye, loss of balance
Embolus - correct answer -moving clot
Epidural hematoma - correct answer -collection/mass of blood
that forms between the skull & the dura mater; result in impaired
functioning & death; sudden headache, dilated pupils, nausea,
vomiting, hemiparesis, leading to unconsciousness & coma
Craniotomy
Subdural hematoma - correct answer -blood collects or pools
between the dura mater & the arachnoid membrane; symptoms
similar to epidural hematoma but the onset is comparatively
delayed because of slower accumulation of blood; diplopia.
Craniotomy
Methylprednisone - correct answer -administered to prevent/slow
edema
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Degenerative Disk Disease - correct answer -
degeneration/deterioration of an intervertebral disk may result in
pain; radiating pain & some loss of motor function,
numbness/tingling; analgesics & nsaids, surgical intervention
Herniated/Bulging Disk - correct answer -aka-ruptured/slipped
disk; rupture of nucleus pulpous through the annular wall of the
disk & into the spinal canal; pain & disability. Hot & cold packs,
analgesics, epidural injections & physical therapy
Sciatic Nerve Injury - correct answer -A pathologic condition
brought on by trauma, degeneration, or rupture of the nucleus
pulpous that exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve; low back or leg
pain; physical therapy and oral prednisone for treatment
Spinal Stenosis - correct answer -narrowing of the spinal canal or
nerve root foramen; back pain radiating down the legs, buttocks,
thighs, or calves; pain worse when walking, relieved with
prolonged rest
HOSA PATHOPHYSIOLOGY NOTES
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS| ACE YOUR GRADES.
Fasciculation - correct answer -involuntary contraction or twitching
of muscles
Hematoma - correct answer -localized swelling filled with blood
due to a broken blood vessel
Hemiparesis - correct answer -partial paralysis of the right or left
half of the body
Hemiplegia - correct answer -paralysis of one side of the body
Parasympathetic - correct answer -the division of the autonomic
nervous system mediated by the release of acetylcholine, which
has many effects on the body functions such as slowing the heart
rate & stimulating parasympathetic; restores homeostasis after
stress
, Page | 2
Paraplegia - correct answer -loss of nerve function below the
waist & paralysis of the lower trunk & legs
Quadriplegia - correct answer -loss of nerve function at the
cervical region, resulting in paralysis of the arms, hands, trunk, &
legs
Depressed skull fracture - correct answer -a fracture of the skull
with one of the skull bones depressed/torn loose & pushed below
normal surface; symptoms depend on area, epilepsy common,
bleeding; signs such as drainage, nuchal rigidity, seizures, etc.;
reduce intercranial pressure
Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) (CVA) - correct answer -a
neurologic emergency that occurs when the brain is damaged by
an embolism or hemorrhage; aphasia, hemiparesis, severe
cephalgia, , vertigo, unequal pupils, confusion & impaired
consciousness
, Page | 3
Transient Ischemic Attack (tias) - correct answer -temporary
episodes with a duration of less than 24 hours of impaired
neurologic function caused by inadequate blood flow to a part of
the brain; "ministrokes";weakness, numbness, dysphagia,
confusion, bad vision in one eye, loss of balance
Embolus - correct answer -moving clot
Epidural hematoma - correct answer -collection/mass of blood
that forms between the skull & the dura mater; result in impaired
functioning & death; sudden headache, dilated pupils, nausea,
vomiting, hemiparesis, leading to unconsciousness & coma
Craniotomy
Subdural hematoma - correct answer -blood collects or pools
between the dura mater & the arachnoid membrane; symptoms
similar to epidural hematoma but the onset is comparatively
delayed because of slower accumulation of blood; diplopia.
Craniotomy
Methylprednisone - correct answer -administered to prevent/slow
edema
, Page | 4
Degenerative Disk Disease - correct answer -
degeneration/deterioration of an intervertebral disk may result in
pain; radiating pain & some loss of motor function,
numbness/tingling; analgesics & nsaids, surgical intervention
Herniated/Bulging Disk - correct answer -aka-ruptured/slipped
disk; rupture of nucleus pulpous through the annular wall of the
disk & into the spinal canal; pain & disability. Hot & cold packs,
analgesics, epidural injections & physical therapy
Sciatic Nerve Injury - correct answer -A pathologic condition
brought on by trauma, degeneration, or rupture of the nucleus
pulpous that exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve; low back or leg
pain; physical therapy and oral prednisone for treatment
Spinal Stenosis - correct answer -narrowing of the spinal canal or
nerve root foramen; back pain radiating down the legs, buttocks,
thighs, or calves; pain worse when walking, relieved with
prolonged rest
