GOULD'S PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
7TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARIN C. VANMETER;
ROBERT J. HUBERT
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Pathophysiology — Homeostasis and
Disease
Stem
A 58-year-old patient presents after several weeks of gradually
worsening dyspnea on exertion. A nurse explains that disease
develops when compensatory mechanisms fail to maintain
internal constancy. Which statement best captures the
pathophysiologic concept linking homeostasis to disease onset?
A. Disease results only after external pathogens overwhelm the
immune system.
,B. Persistent stress that exceeds compensatory capacity
produces structural or functional change and clinical disease.
C. Homeostasis is maintained indefinitely through redundant
physiologic systems, preventing disease.
D. Acute symptoms always indicate failure of homeostasis.
Correct answer
B
Rationale — Correct (3–4 sentences)
Gould emphasizes that homeostasis is dynamic and that disease
commonly arises when persistent or severe stressors
overwhelm compensatory mechanisms, producing maladaptive
structural and functional changes. This explains gradual
progression from cellular adaptation to decompensation and
clinical signs.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Overemphasizes exogenous pathogens; internal stresses
(metabolic, ischemic) also disrupt homeostasis.
C. Incorrect — physiologic redundancy delays but does not
guarantee indefinite maintenance.
D. Incorrect — acute symptoms may reflect transient
imbalance, not necessarily homeostatic failure.
Teaching point (≤20 words)
Disease often reflects failure of compensation when persistent
stress exceeds homeostatic capacity.
,Citation
VanMeter, K. C., & Hubert, R. J. (2024). Gould’s Pathophysiology
for the Health Professions (7th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Pathophysiology — Levels of
Organization
Stem
An instructor asks students why understanding cellular
pathophysiology is essential for clinically managing organ
dysfunction. Which rationale best links cell-level changes to
organ-level clinical signs?
A. Cells function independently; organ dysfunction cannot be
inferred from cellular changes.
B. Cellular injury disrupts molecular and cellular functions,
which cumulatively alter tissue, organ, and system performance
producing clinical manifestations.
C. Only genetic defects at the organism level cause organ
dysfunction.
D. Organ dysfunction is determined solely by extracellular
matrix changes, not cellular function.
Correct answer
B
, Rationale — Correct
Pathophysiology explicitly links molecular and cellular
dysfunction to tissue and organ failure; cumulative cellular
derangements alter organ performance and produce clinical
signs.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. False — cells are the functional units of tissues and organs.
C. Incorrect — many non-genetic cellular insults (ischemia,
toxins) produce organ dysfunction.
D. Incorrect — extracellular matrix contributes, but cellular
function is central.
Teaching point
Cellular dysfunction scales upward to cause tissue and organ
clinical manifestations.
Citation
VanMeter & Hubert (2024). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Pathophysiology — Cellular Adaptation:
Atrophy
Stem
A bedridden 75-year-old patient exhibits marked muscle
wasting in the affected limb after prolonged immobilization.
Which cellular mechanism best explains this atrophy?
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
7TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)KARIN C. VANMETER;
ROBERT J. HUBERT
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Pathophysiology — Homeostasis and
Disease
Stem
A 58-year-old patient presents after several weeks of gradually
worsening dyspnea on exertion. A nurse explains that disease
develops when compensatory mechanisms fail to maintain
internal constancy. Which statement best captures the
pathophysiologic concept linking homeostasis to disease onset?
A. Disease results only after external pathogens overwhelm the
immune system.
,B. Persistent stress that exceeds compensatory capacity
produces structural or functional change and clinical disease.
C. Homeostasis is maintained indefinitely through redundant
physiologic systems, preventing disease.
D. Acute symptoms always indicate failure of homeostasis.
Correct answer
B
Rationale — Correct (3–4 sentences)
Gould emphasizes that homeostasis is dynamic and that disease
commonly arises when persistent or severe stressors
overwhelm compensatory mechanisms, producing maladaptive
structural and functional changes. This explains gradual
progression from cellular adaptation to decompensation and
clinical signs.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Overemphasizes exogenous pathogens; internal stresses
(metabolic, ischemic) also disrupt homeostasis.
C. Incorrect — physiologic redundancy delays but does not
guarantee indefinite maintenance.
D. Incorrect — acute symptoms may reflect transient
imbalance, not necessarily homeostatic failure.
Teaching point (≤20 words)
Disease often reflects failure of compensation when persistent
stress exceeds homeostatic capacity.
,Citation
VanMeter, K. C., & Hubert, R. J. (2024). Gould’s Pathophysiology
for the Health Professions (7th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Pathophysiology — Levels of
Organization
Stem
An instructor asks students why understanding cellular
pathophysiology is essential for clinically managing organ
dysfunction. Which rationale best links cell-level changes to
organ-level clinical signs?
A. Cells function independently; organ dysfunction cannot be
inferred from cellular changes.
B. Cellular injury disrupts molecular and cellular functions,
which cumulatively alter tissue, organ, and system performance
producing clinical manifestations.
C. Only genetic defects at the organism level cause organ
dysfunction.
D. Organ dysfunction is determined solely by extracellular
matrix changes, not cellular function.
Correct answer
B
, Rationale — Correct
Pathophysiology explicitly links molecular and cellular
dysfunction to tissue and organ failure; cumulative cellular
derangements alter organ performance and produce clinical
signs.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. False — cells are the functional units of tissues and organs.
C. Incorrect — many non-genetic cellular insults (ischemia,
toxins) produce organ dysfunction.
D. Incorrect — extracellular matrix contributes, but cellular
function is central.
Teaching point
Cellular dysfunction scales upward to cause tissue and organ
clinical manifestations.
Citation
VanMeter & Hubert (2024). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Pathophysiology — Cellular Adaptation:
Atrophy
Stem
A bedridden 75-year-old patient exhibits marked muscle
wasting in the affected limb after prolonged immobilization.
Which cellular mechanism best explains this atrophy?
