WALDEN UNIVERSITY ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025/2026
What is the link between major depression and cortisol secretion? -
ANSWERSIndividuals with depression show that persistently elevated plasma cortisol
levels can result in inflammation that is believed to trigger depression
A patient has chronic anemia associated with chronic renal failure. What substance
does the healthcare professional tell the patient is needed to treat this anemia? -
ANSWERSErythropoietin
What is the first indication of nephrotic syndrome in children? - ANSWERSPeriorbital
edema
A patient is in the Emergency Department with heat stroke. What finding does the
healthcare provider associate with this condition? - ANSWERSAbsence of sweating
despite a high core temperature
Clinical manifestations that include irregular or heavy bleeding, the
passage of large clots, and the depletion of iron stores support which diagnosis? -
ANSWERSAbnormal uterine bleeding
The health care professional is caring for a person who has a pathologic fracture. The
patient asks the professional to explain the condition. What response by the
professional is best? - ANSWERSA fracture that happens at the site of an abnormality
already in that bone.
A patient has a temporary displacement of two bones in a joint causing the bone
surfaces to partially lose contact with each other. What treatment does the health care
professional prepare the patient for? - ANSWERSReduction and immobilization
Cystic fibrosis is characterized by which symptom? - ANSWERSExcessive mucus
production
Stroke Volume (SV) - ANSWERSmeasurement of the amount of blood ejected from a
ventricle in one contraction
, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - ANSWERSdisease of the central nervous system
characterized by the demyelination (deterioration of the myelin sheath) of nerve fibers,
with episodes of neurologic dysfunction (exacerbation) followed by recovery (remission)
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) - ANSWERSMinor stroke; where neurological function
is regained quickly with time
Myasthenia Gravis - ANSWERSautoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by
weakness of voluntary muscles
Headaches - ANSWERSpain anywhere in the cranial cavity (a.k.a. cephalalgia)
Seizure Disorders - ANSWERS
Head Injury - ANSWERS
Spinal Cord Injury - ANSWERSthe type of paralysis is determined by the level of the
vertebra closest to the injury
Inflammatory disease of the Musculoskeletal System - ANSWERS
Osteoporosis - ANSWERSA condition in which the body's bones become weak and
break easily.
Osteopenia - ANSWERSabnormal reduction of bone mass
Bursitis - ANSWERSinflammation of a bursa usually caused by a blow or friction
Tendinitis - ANSWERSinflammation of the tendons caused by excessive or unusual use
of the joint
Gout - ANSWERSa type of arthritis characterized by deposits of uric acid crystals in the
joints
Lyme Disease - ANSWERSTick-borne disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia
burgdorferi.
Spondylosis - ANSWERSa degenerative disorder that can cause the loss of normal
spinal structure and function
Fractures - ANSWERSa crack or break in a bone
Parkinson's - ANSWERSA disorder of the central nervous system that affects
movement, often including tremors.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025/2026
What is the link between major depression and cortisol secretion? -
ANSWERSIndividuals with depression show that persistently elevated plasma cortisol
levels can result in inflammation that is believed to trigger depression
A patient has chronic anemia associated with chronic renal failure. What substance
does the healthcare professional tell the patient is needed to treat this anemia? -
ANSWERSErythropoietin
What is the first indication of nephrotic syndrome in children? - ANSWERSPeriorbital
edema
A patient is in the Emergency Department with heat stroke. What finding does the
healthcare provider associate with this condition? - ANSWERSAbsence of sweating
despite a high core temperature
Clinical manifestations that include irregular or heavy bleeding, the
passage of large clots, and the depletion of iron stores support which diagnosis? -
ANSWERSAbnormal uterine bleeding
The health care professional is caring for a person who has a pathologic fracture. The
patient asks the professional to explain the condition. What response by the
professional is best? - ANSWERSA fracture that happens at the site of an abnormality
already in that bone.
A patient has a temporary displacement of two bones in a joint causing the bone
surfaces to partially lose contact with each other. What treatment does the health care
professional prepare the patient for? - ANSWERSReduction and immobilization
Cystic fibrosis is characterized by which symptom? - ANSWERSExcessive mucus
production
Stroke Volume (SV) - ANSWERSmeasurement of the amount of blood ejected from a
ventricle in one contraction
, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - ANSWERSdisease of the central nervous system
characterized by the demyelination (deterioration of the myelin sheath) of nerve fibers,
with episodes of neurologic dysfunction (exacerbation) followed by recovery (remission)
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) - ANSWERSMinor stroke; where neurological function
is regained quickly with time
Myasthenia Gravis - ANSWERSautoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by
weakness of voluntary muscles
Headaches - ANSWERSpain anywhere in the cranial cavity (a.k.a. cephalalgia)
Seizure Disorders - ANSWERS
Head Injury - ANSWERS
Spinal Cord Injury - ANSWERSthe type of paralysis is determined by the level of the
vertebra closest to the injury
Inflammatory disease of the Musculoskeletal System - ANSWERS
Osteoporosis - ANSWERSA condition in which the body's bones become weak and
break easily.
Osteopenia - ANSWERSabnormal reduction of bone mass
Bursitis - ANSWERSinflammation of a bursa usually caused by a blow or friction
Tendinitis - ANSWERSinflammation of the tendons caused by excessive or unusual use
of the joint
Gout - ANSWERSa type of arthritis characterized by deposits of uric acid crystals in the
joints
Lyme Disease - ANSWERSTick-borne disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia
burgdorferi.
Spondylosis - ANSWERSa degenerative disorder that can cause the loss of normal
spinal structure and function
Fractures - ANSWERSa crack or break in a bone
Parkinson's - ANSWERSA disorder of the central nervous system that affects
movement, often including tremors.
