North Carolina Funeral Director Pathology Exam
Prep | Practice Questions and Study Guide
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PATHOLOGY
Question 1
Pathology is best defined as:
A) The study of the structure and function of the tissues of the body as a
result of disease
B) The study of normal body function
C) The study of microorganisms
D) The study of medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pathology is the study of the structure and function of
body tissues as a result of disease. It examines how disease alters
normal anatomy and physiology.
Question 2
Which branch of pathology deals with the body as a whole, without regard
to any particular organ or system?
A) Special pathology
B) General pathology
,C) Clinical pathology
D) Surgical pathology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: General pathology deals with the body as a whole,
studying fundamental disease processes such as inflammation,
necrosis, and neoplasia.
Question 3
Which division of pathology deals with individual body organs or systems?
A) General pathology
B) Special pathology
C) Clinical pathology
D) Autopsy pathology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Special pathology deals with individual body organs or
systems, focusing on diseases specific to particular anatomic sites.
Question 4
Which branch of pathology deals with laboratory tests on body fluids and
tissues used in making a diagnosis?
A) Surgical pathology
B) Clinical pathology
,C) General pathology
D) Special pathology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clinical pathology deals with laboratory tests on body
fluids and tissues used in making a diagnosis. It includes hematology,
chemistry, microbiology, and urinalysis.
Question 5
Which division of pathology deals with tissues removed from a patient
during surgery?
A) Clinical pathology
B) Autopsy pathology
C) Surgical pathology
D) General pathology
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Surgical pathology deals with tissues removed from a
patient during surgery, including biopsies and excised specimens.
Question 6
Removal and study of tissue from a dead patient is called:
A) Biopsy
B) Autopsy
, C) Surgical pathology
D) Clinical pathology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An autopsy is the removal and study of tissue from a dead
patient. It is a key tool in determining cause of death.
Question 7
Conditions that make a body more susceptible to disease without actually
causing it are called:
A) Predisposing conditions
B) Exciting causes
C) Direct causes
D) Proximate causes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Predisposing conditions make a body more susceptible to
disease without actually causing it. Examples include age, sex, race,
and heredity.
Question 8
Coal dust deposited in the lungs of miners would be an example of what
type of disease?
Prep | Practice Questions and Study Guide
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PATHOLOGY
Question 1
Pathology is best defined as:
A) The study of the structure and function of the tissues of the body as a
result of disease
B) The study of normal body function
C) The study of microorganisms
D) The study of medications
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pathology is the study of the structure and function of
body tissues as a result of disease. It examines how disease alters
normal anatomy and physiology.
Question 2
Which branch of pathology deals with the body as a whole, without regard
to any particular organ or system?
A) Special pathology
B) General pathology
,C) Clinical pathology
D) Surgical pathology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: General pathology deals with the body as a whole,
studying fundamental disease processes such as inflammation,
necrosis, and neoplasia.
Question 3
Which division of pathology deals with individual body organs or systems?
A) General pathology
B) Special pathology
C) Clinical pathology
D) Autopsy pathology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Special pathology deals with individual body organs or
systems, focusing on diseases specific to particular anatomic sites.
Question 4
Which branch of pathology deals with laboratory tests on body fluids and
tissues used in making a diagnosis?
A) Surgical pathology
B) Clinical pathology
,C) General pathology
D) Special pathology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clinical pathology deals with laboratory tests on body
fluids and tissues used in making a diagnosis. It includes hematology,
chemistry, microbiology, and urinalysis.
Question 5
Which division of pathology deals with tissues removed from a patient
during surgery?
A) Clinical pathology
B) Autopsy pathology
C) Surgical pathology
D) General pathology
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Surgical pathology deals with tissues removed from a
patient during surgery, including biopsies and excised specimens.
Question 6
Removal and study of tissue from a dead patient is called:
A) Biopsy
B) Autopsy
, C) Surgical pathology
D) Clinical pathology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An autopsy is the removal and study of tissue from a dead
patient. It is a key tool in determining cause of death.
Question 7
Conditions that make a body more susceptible to disease without actually
causing it are called:
A) Predisposing conditions
B) Exciting causes
C) Direct causes
D) Proximate causes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Predisposing conditions make a body more susceptible to
disease without actually causing it. Examples include age, sex, race,
and heredity.
Question 8
Coal dust deposited in the lungs of miners would be an example of what
type of disease?
