,NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1 2026/2027
High-Yield Q&A + MCQs + Rationales
chamberlain collage of nursing
1. A nurse is explaining the concept of pathophysiology to a group of nursing students. Which
statement best describes pathophysiology?
A. "The study of the structure and function of the human body."
B. "The study of the physiological and biological changes that occur when normal body function
is disrupted."
C. "The study of the causes of disease."
D. "The study of the treatment of disease."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathophysiology is the study of the physiological and biological changes that occur
when normal body function is disrupted. It focuses on what changed from normal physiology
and how that change produces disease.
2. What is homeostasis?
A. The body's continuous effort to maintain a stable internal environment despite internal or
external changes
B. The body's response to a specific disease
C. The study of the causes of disease
D. The body's ability to reproduce
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's continuous effort to maintain a stable internal
environment despite internal or external changes.
3. What happens when homeostasis is disrupted?
A. The body immediately fails
B. The body experiences physiological stress and activates compensatory mechanisms
C. The body shuts down all non-essential functions
D. The body stops producing ATP
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When homeostasis is disrupted, the body experiences physiological stress and
activates compensatory mechanisms to restore or maintain homeostasis.
4. Which of the following is an example of a compensatory mechanism?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachypnea
C. Increased urine output
D. Peripheral vasodilation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) is a compensatory mechanism that helps
maintain oxygenation when homeostasis is disrupted. Other compensatory mechanisms include
tachycardia, peripheral vasoconstriction, and decreased urine output.
, 5. What is a sign?
A. A subjective experience reported by the client
B. An objective finding that can be observed or measured
C. A disease diagnosis
D. A treatment intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A sign is an objective finding that can be observed or measured (e.g., blood pressure,
heart rate). A symptom is a subjective experience reported by the client (e.g., pain, nausea).
6. What is a symptom?
A. An objective finding that can be observed or measured
B. A subjective experience reported by the client
C. A disease diagnosis
D. A treatment intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A symptom is a subjective experience reported by the client (e.g., pain, fatigue,
nausea). A sign is an objective finding that can be observed or measured.
7. Is pain a sign or a symptom?
A. Sign
B. Symptom
C. Both
High-Yield Q&A + MCQs + Rationales
chamberlain collage of nursing
1. A nurse is explaining the concept of pathophysiology to a group of nursing students. Which
statement best describes pathophysiology?
A. "The study of the structure and function of the human body."
B. "The study of the physiological and biological changes that occur when normal body function
is disrupted."
C. "The study of the causes of disease."
D. "The study of the treatment of disease."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathophysiology is the study of the physiological and biological changes that occur
when normal body function is disrupted. It focuses on what changed from normal physiology
and how that change produces disease.
2. What is homeostasis?
A. The body's continuous effort to maintain a stable internal environment despite internal or
external changes
B. The body's response to a specific disease
C. The study of the causes of disease
D. The body's ability to reproduce
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's continuous effort to maintain a stable internal
environment despite internal or external changes.
3. What happens when homeostasis is disrupted?
A. The body immediately fails
B. The body experiences physiological stress and activates compensatory mechanisms
C. The body shuts down all non-essential functions
D. The body stops producing ATP
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When homeostasis is disrupted, the body experiences physiological stress and
activates compensatory mechanisms to restore or maintain homeostasis.
4. Which of the following is an example of a compensatory mechanism?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachypnea
C. Increased urine output
D. Peripheral vasodilation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) is a compensatory mechanism that helps
maintain oxygenation when homeostasis is disrupted. Other compensatory mechanisms include
tachycardia, peripheral vasoconstriction, and decreased urine output.
, 5. What is a sign?
A. A subjective experience reported by the client
B. An objective finding that can be observed or measured
C. A disease diagnosis
D. A treatment intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A sign is an objective finding that can be observed or measured (e.g., blood pressure,
heart rate). A symptom is a subjective experience reported by the client (e.g., pain, nausea).
6. What is a symptom?
A. An objective finding that can be observed or measured
B. A subjective experience reported by the client
C. A disease diagnosis
D. A treatment intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A symptom is a subjective experience reported by the client (e.g., pain, fatigue,
nausea). A sign is an objective finding that can be observed or measured.
7. Is pain a sign or a symptom?
A. Sign
B. Symptom
C. Both
