Page |1
PATH 370 – QUIZ 2 PRACTICE QUESTIONS Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11 – Comprehensive
Pathophysiology Review
CHAPTER 8: RESPIRATORY PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
1. Which of the following best describes COPD?
A) Reversible airflow obstruction only
B) Progressive, largely irreversible airflow limitation
C) Normal lung function
D) Restrictive lung disease
Answer: B
Rationale: COPD is characterized by progressive airflow
limitation that is not fully reversible, unlike asthma which has
reversible obstruction.
2. The two main forms of COPD are:
A) Asthma and bronchitis
B) Emphysema and chronic bronchitis
C) Pneumonia and pleuritis
D) Fibrosis and sarcoidosis
Answer: B
, Page |2
Rationale: COPD includes emphysema (alveolar destruction)
and chronic bronchitis (chronic productive cough with airway
inflammation).
3. What is the defining spirometric criterion for COPD?
A) FEV1 > 80% predicted
B) FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.70 post-bronchodilator
C) FVC < 50% predicted
D) Peak flow < 80% predicted
Answer: B
Rationale: COPD is defined by a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC
ratio less than 0.70, indicating persistent airflow limitation.
4. Which of the following is the most common cause of COPD?
A) Occupational dust exposure
B) Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
C) Cigarette smoking
D) Air pollution only
Answer: C
Rationale: Cigarette smoking accounts for 80–90% of COPD
cases.
, Page |3
5. Asthma is characterized by:
A) Irreversible airflow obstruction
B) Reversible airway obstruction, inflammation, and
hyperresponsiveness
C) Alveolar destruction only
D) Pleural thickening
Answer: B
Rationale: Asthma features reversible bronchoconstriction,
airway inflammation, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
6. Which of the following is the most common trigger for
asthma exacerbations?
A) Exercise
B) Viral respiratory infections
C) Cold air only
D) Stress only
Answer: B
Rationale: Viral upper respiratory infections are the most
common trigger for acute asthma exacerbations, especially in
children.
7. A pulmonary embolism most commonly originates from:
, Page |4
A) Upper extremity DVT
B) Lower extremity DVT
C) Right atrium thrombus
D) Fat embolism only
Answer: B
Rationale: Most pulmonary emboli originate from deep vein
thromboses in the lower extremities or pelvis.
8. The classic triad of pulmonary embolism includes:
A) Fever, cough, hemoptysis
B) Dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis
C) Wheezing, stridor, cyanosis
D) Bradycardia, hypotension, fever
Answer: B
Rationale: The classic triad is sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest
pain, and hemoptysis, though it is not always present.
9. Tuberculosis is caused by:
A) Streptococcus pneumoniae
B) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C) Mycoplasma pneumoniae
D) Legionella pneumophila
PATH 370 – QUIZ 2 PRACTICE QUESTIONS Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11 – Comprehensive
Pathophysiology Review
CHAPTER 8: RESPIRATORY PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
1. Which of the following best describes COPD?
A) Reversible airflow obstruction only
B) Progressive, largely irreversible airflow limitation
C) Normal lung function
D) Restrictive lung disease
Answer: B
Rationale: COPD is characterized by progressive airflow
limitation that is not fully reversible, unlike asthma which has
reversible obstruction.
2. The two main forms of COPD are:
A) Asthma and bronchitis
B) Emphysema and chronic bronchitis
C) Pneumonia and pleuritis
D) Fibrosis and sarcoidosis
Answer: B
, Page |2
Rationale: COPD includes emphysema (alveolar destruction)
and chronic bronchitis (chronic productive cough with airway
inflammation).
3. What is the defining spirometric criterion for COPD?
A) FEV1 > 80% predicted
B) FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.70 post-bronchodilator
C) FVC < 50% predicted
D) Peak flow < 80% predicted
Answer: B
Rationale: COPD is defined by a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC
ratio less than 0.70, indicating persistent airflow limitation.
4. Which of the following is the most common cause of COPD?
A) Occupational dust exposure
B) Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
C) Cigarette smoking
D) Air pollution only
Answer: C
Rationale: Cigarette smoking accounts for 80–90% of COPD
cases.
, Page |3
5. Asthma is characterized by:
A) Irreversible airflow obstruction
B) Reversible airway obstruction, inflammation, and
hyperresponsiveness
C) Alveolar destruction only
D) Pleural thickening
Answer: B
Rationale: Asthma features reversible bronchoconstriction,
airway inflammation, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
6. Which of the following is the most common trigger for
asthma exacerbations?
A) Exercise
B) Viral respiratory infections
C) Cold air only
D) Stress only
Answer: B
Rationale: Viral upper respiratory infections are the most
common trigger for acute asthma exacerbations, especially in
children.
7. A pulmonary embolism most commonly originates from:
, Page |4
A) Upper extremity DVT
B) Lower extremity DVT
C) Right atrium thrombus
D) Fat embolism only
Answer: B
Rationale: Most pulmonary emboli originate from deep vein
thromboses in the lower extremities or pelvis.
8. The classic triad of pulmonary embolism includes:
A) Fever, cough, hemoptysis
B) Dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis
C) Wheezing, stridor, cyanosis
D) Bradycardia, hypotension, fever
Answer: B
Rationale: The classic triad is sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest
pain, and hemoptysis, though it is not always present.
9. Tuberculosis is caused by:
A) Streptococcus pneumoniae
B) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C) Mycoplasma pneumoniae
D) Legionella pneumophila
