N212 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1 WITH
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
**Q1. What is the definition of pathophysiology?**
- A) The study of drug interactions within the human body
- B) The study of the physiological processes related to disease and
injury
- C) The study of the structure of body parts
- D) The study of psychological disorders
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Pathophysiology is the convergence of pathology (the
study of disease) and physiology (the study of the body). It focuses
on the functional changes that occur in the body as a result of a
disease process .
---
**Q2. If a disease develops gradually with only vague or mild signs, it
is described as:**
- A) Acute
- B) Chronic
- C) Insidious
- D) Subclinical
,**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** An insidious onset means the disease progresses
slowly with minimal or non-specific symptoms initially. This is
commonly seen in conditions such as hepatitis or certain cancers .
---
**Q3. Which term refers to a period when disease manifestations
subside, either permanently or temporarily?**
- A) Exacerbation
- B) Remission
- C) Prodromal
- D) Latent
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Remission is the period when the signs and
symptoms of a disease decrease or disappear. In contrast,
exacerbation refers to a worsening of symptoms .
---
,**Q4. A nurse is reviewing lab results. The patient has a pH of 7.32,
PaCO₂ of 48 mmHg, and HCO₃ of 24 mEq/L. What is the
interpretation?**
- A) Metabolic Alkalosis
- B) Metabolic Acidosis
- C) Respiratory Acidosis
- D) Respiratory Alkalosis
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** pH 7.32 is below 7.35 (acidosis). PaCO₂ 48 is elevated
above 45 mmHg (respiratory cause). HCO₃ 24 is within normal range
(22–26), so there is no metabolic compensation. This is an acute
respiratory acidosis .
---
**Q5. What is the difference between prevalence and incidence?**
- A) Incidence counts new cases; prevalence counts all existing cases
- B) Prevalence counts new cases; incidence counts all existing cases
- C) Incidence measures death; prevalence measures illness
- D) They are the same measurement
**Answer: A**
, **Rationale:** Incidence is the number of NEW cases in a specific
time period. Prevalence is the total number of NEW and OLD cases
existing in a population at a specific time .
---
**Q6. Which of the following is an OBJECTIVE indicator of disease?**
- A) Nausea
- B) Pain
- C) Fever
- D) Dizziness
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Fever is a sign, meaning it is observable and
measurable by someone other than the patient. Nausea, pain, and
dizziness are subjective (symptoms) that are reported by the patient
and cannot be directly measured by others .
---
**Q7. A patient experiences a sudden worsening of their chronic
illness. This is known as:**
- A) Remission
- B) Exacerbation
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
**Q1. What is the definition of pathophysiology?**
- A) The study of drug interactions within the human body
- B) The study of the physiological processes related to disease and
injury
- C) The study of the structure of body parts
- D) The study of psychological disorders
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Pathophysiology is the convergence of pathology (the
study of disease) and physiology (the study of the body). It focuses
on the functional changes that occur in the body as a result of a
disease process .
---
**Q2. If a disease develops gradually with only vague or mild signs, it
is described as:**
- A) Acute
- B) Chronic
- C) Insidious
- D) Subclinical
,**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** An insidious onset means the disease progresses
slowly with minimal or non-specific symptoms initially. This is
commonly seen in conditions such as hepatitis or certain cancers .
---
**Q3. Which term refers to a period when disease manifestations
subside, either permanently or temporarily?**
- A) Exacerbation
- B) Remission
- C) Prodromal
- D) Latent
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Remission is the period when the signs and
symptoms of a disease decrease or disappear. In contrast,
exacerbation refers to a worsening of symptoms .
---
,**Q4. A nurse is reviewing lab results. The patient has a pH of 7.32,
PaCO₂ of 48 mmHg, and HCO₃ of 24 mEq/L. What is the
interpretation?**
- A) Metabolic Alkalosis
- B) Metabolic Acidosis
- C) Respiratory Acidosis
- D) Respiratory Alkalosis
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** pH 7.32 is below 7.35 (acidosis). PaCO₂ 48 is elevated
above 45 mmHg (respiratory cause). HCO₃ 24 is within normal range
(22–26), so there is no metabolic compensation. This is an acute
respiratory acidosis .
---
**Q5. What is the difference between prevalence and incidence?**
- A) Incidence counts new cases; prevalence counts all existing cases
- B) Prevalence counts new cases; incidence counts all existing cases
- C) Incidence measures death; prevalence measures illness
- D) They are the same measurement
**Answer: A**
, **Rationale:** Incidence is the number of NEW cases in a specific
time period. Prevalence is the total number of NEW and OLD cases
existing in a population at a specific time .
---
**Q6. Which of the following is an OBJECTIVE indicator of disease?**
- A) Nausea
- B) Pain
- C) Fever
- D) Dizziness
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Fever is a sign, meaning it is observable and
measurable by someone other than the patient. Nausea, pain, and
dizziness are subjective (symptoms) that are reported by the patient
and cannot be directly measured by others .
---
**Q7. A patient experiences a sudden worsening of their chronic
illness. This is known as:**
- A) Remission
- B) Exacerbation
