RASMUSSEN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION EXAMS 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ What does the study of pathophysiology include? Answer: Contains
etiology, which is the reason for the phenomena, pathogenesis, which is
the development of a disease, clinical manifestations, which is the
manifestation of the disease in signs, symptoms, and treatment.
◉ The difference between signs and symptoms/ objective versus
subjective data. Answer: Signs are objective data, it is physical data we
can observe with our senses. Symptoms are subjective data, which is the
information from the patient's POV.
◉ Epidemology. Answer: The branch of medicine which deals with the
incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors
relating to health
◉ Review the different levels of disease prevention such as primary,
secondary, and tertiary. Answer: Primary prevention: prevention of
disease by altering susceptibility or reducing exposure for susceptible
individuals. Secondary prevention: early detection, screening, and
,management of the disease. Tertiary prevention: rehabilitative and
supportive care and attempts to alleviate disability and restore effective
functioning.
◉ Review the difference between homeostasis and allostasis. Answer:
Homeostasis: body maintaining stable equilibrium between
interdependent elements.
Allostasis: innate complexity of biological organism requires that set-
points be readjusted for different circumstances; The difference is that
allostasis' goal is to maintain homeostasis when the body is experiencing
something abnormal.
◉ Sympathetic nervous system. Answer: In the sympathetic nervous
system, the hypothalamus secretes the corticotrophin-releasing hormone,
then the SNS and adrenal medulla secrete catecholamines (epinephrine
and norepinephrine). The SNS stress receptors elevate cardiac output,
vasomotor changes, lipolysis, glycogenolysis, insulin suppression,
increased respiration, and enhanced blood coagulation.
◉ Parasympathetic nervous system. Answer: In the parasympathetic
system, the hypothalamus releases CRH, anterior pituitary secretes
adrenocorticotropic hormone, then the adrenal cortex secretes
corticosteroids (cortisol and aldosterone). In PNS stress responses,
gluconeogenesis, protein catabolism, inhibition of glucose uptake,
suppression of protein synthesis, stabilization of vascular activity, and
, immune response suppression. The PNS normalizes the reaction from
the SNS.
◉ Extracellular fluid. Answer: The body fluid on the outside of the cell.
Lies between the cells (interstitial compartment), in the blood vessels
(vascular compartment) in defense connective tissue and bone, and in
several minor compartments that are collectively known as transcellular
fluids. Extracellular fluid in the vascular and interstitial compartments
are relatively rich in sodium, chloride and bicarbonate ions.
◉ Intracellular fluids. Answer: Fluids located on the inside of the cell.
The intracellular fluid is relatively rich in potassium and magnesium
ions, inorganic and organic phosphates, and proteins.
◉ Intake (fluids enter the human body). Answer: Orally by drinking or
eating, intravenous intake, intake into the gastrointestinal tract, other
body cavities, subcutaneous tissue, bone marrow, rectal intake, and
sometimes lungs.
◉ Output (fluid excreted). Answer: Urination, bowels, lungs, and skin is
normal. Abnormal is through emesis, tubes in the gastrointestinal tract or
other body cavities, hemorrage, drainage of fistula, wounds, or open
areas of skin, and paransenthesis.
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION EXAMS 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ What does the study of pathophysiology include? Answer: Contains
etiology, which is the reason for the phenomena, pathogenesis, which is
the development of a disease, clinical manifestations, which is the
manifestation of the disease in signs, symptoms, and treatment.
◉ The difference between signs and symptoms/ objective versus
subjective data. Answer: Signs are objective data, it is physical data we
can observe with our senses. Symptoms are subjective data, which is the
information from the patient's POV.
◉ Epidemology. Answer: The branch of medicine which deals with the
incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors
relating to health
◉ Review the different levels of disease prevention such as primary,
secondary, and tertiary. Answer: Primary prevention: prevention of
disease by altering susceptibility or reducing exposure for susceptible
individuals. Secondary prevention: early detection, screening, and
,management of the disease. Tertiary prevention: rehabilitative and
supportive care and attempts to alleviate disability and restore effective
functioning.
◉ Review the difference between homeostasis and allostasis. Answer:
Homeostasis: body maintaining stable equilibrium between
interdependent elements.
Allostasis: innate complexity of biological organism requires that set-
points be readjusted for different circumstances; The difference is that
allostasis' goal is to maintain homeostasis when the body is experiencing
something abnormal.
◉ Sympathetic nervous system. Answer: In the sympathetic nervous
system, the hypothalamus secretes the corticotrophin-releasing hormone,
then the SNS and adrenal medulla secrete catecholamines (epinephrine
and norepinephrine). The SNS stress receptors elevate cardiac output,
vasomotor changes, lipolysis, glycogenolysis, insulin suppression,
increased respiration, and enhanced blood coagulation.
◉ Parasympathetic nervous system. Answer: In the parasympathetic
system, the hypothalamus releases CRH, anterior pituitary secretes
adrenocorticotropic hormone, then the adrenal cortex secretes
corticosteroids (cortisol and aldosterone). In PNS stress responses,
gluconeogenesis, protein catabolism, inhibition of glucose uptake,
suppression of protein synthesis, stabilization of vascular activity, and
, immune response suppression. The PNS normalizes the reaction from
the SNS.
◉ Extracellular fluid. Answer: The body fluid on the outside of the cell.
Lies between the cells (interstitial compartment), in the blood vessels
(vascular compartment) in defense connective tissue and bone, and in
several minor compartments that are collectively known as transcellular
fluids. Extracellular fluid in the vascular and interstitial compartments
are relatively rich in sodium, chloride and bicarbonate ions.
◉ Intracellular fluids. Answer: Fluids located on the inside of the cell.
The intracellular fluid is relatively rich in potassium and magnesium
ions, inorganic and organic phosphates, and proteins.
◉ Intake (fluids enter the human body). Answer: Orally by drinking or
eating, intravenous intake, intake into the gastrointestinal tract, other
body cavities, subcutaneous tissue, bone marrow, rectal intake, and
sometimes lungs.
◉ Output (fluid excreted). Answer: Urination, bowels, lungs, and skin is
normal. Abnormal is through emesis, tubes in the gastrointestinal tract or
other body cavities, hemorrage, drainage of fistula, wounds, or open
areas of skin, and paransenthesis.
