Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to
Clinical Medicine
8th Edition
Author(s)Gary D. Hammer; Stephen J. McPhee
TEST BANK
Reference:
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem:
A 68-year-old man presents with progressive
weakness and mild cognitive changes. His
clinician explains that his symptoms reflect an
imbalance between adaptive capacity and
cumulative cellular stress. Which statement
best describes the pathophysiologic concept
,the clinician used to explain this patient’s
symptoms?
Options:
A. Disease results primarily from external
infectious agents overwhelming innate
immunity.
B. Aging and cumulative stress reduce cellular
reserve, lowering the threshold for organ
dysfunction.
C. Acute homeostatic failure is always reversible
with restoration of normal environment.
D. Genetic mutations acquired late in life are
the only cause of chronic disease.
Correct Answer:
B
Rationales:
Correct: Aging and lifelong exposure to
stressors diminish cellular repair and reserve,
making organs less able to maintain function
,and more susceptible to disease.
A: Infectious agents cause disease but do not
encompass the broader concept of reduced
physiological reserve with age.
C: Some acute homeostatic failures are
reversible, but many lead to irreversible injury
depending on severity and duration.
D: Genetic mutations can contribute but are not
the sole cause of chronic disease; multifactorial
processes are common.
Teaching Point:
Aging and cumulative cellular stress lower
physiologic reserve and raise disease
vulnerability.
Citation:
Hammer & McPhee (2021). Pathophysiology of
Disease (8th Ed.). Ch. 1.
, Reference:
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem:
A hospitalized patient with sepsis develops
acute kidney injury (AKI). The team emphasizes
early detection to prevent irreversible damage.
Which physiologic principle underlies the
benefit of early intervention?
Options:
A. Cellular necrosis is always reversible if
perfusion is restored within minutes.
B. Restoring perfusion early limits progression
from reversible cell injury to irreversible cell
death.
C. Acute tubular dysfunction from sepsis is
independent of systemic hemodynamics.
D. Once AKI begins, no interventions alter long-
term outcome.
Clinical Medicine
8th Edition
Author(s)Gary D. Hammer; Stephen J. McPhee
TEST BANK
Reference:
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem:
A 68-year-old man presents with progressive
weakness and mild cognitive changes. His
clinician explains that his symptoms reflect an
imbalance between adaptive capacity and
cumulative cellular stress. Which statement
best describes the pathophysiologic concept
,the clinician used to explain this patient’s
symptoms?
Options:
A. Disease results primarily from external
infectious agents overwhelming innate
immunity.
B. Aging and cumulative stress reduce cellular
reserve, lowering the threshold for organ
dysfunction.
C. Acute homeostatic failure is always reversible
with restoration of normal environment.
D. Genetic mutations acquired late in life are
the only cause of chronic disease.
Correct Answer:
B
Rationales:
Correct: Aging and lifelong exposure to
stressors diminish cellular repair and reserve,
making organs less able to maintain function
,and more susceptible to disease.
A: Infectious agents cause disease but do not
encompass the broader concept of reduced
physiological reserve with age.
C: Some acute homeostatic failures are
reversible, but many lead to irreversible injury
depending on severity and duration.
D: Genetic mutations can contribute but are not
the sole cause of chronic disease; multifactorial
processes are common.
Teaching Point:
Aging and cumulative cellular stress lower
physiologic reserve and raise disease
vulnerability.
Citation:
Hammer & McPhee (2021). Pathophysiology of
Disease (8th Ed.). Ch. 1.
, Reference:
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem:
A hospitalized patient with sepsis develops
acute kidney injury (AKI). The team emphasizes
early detection to prevent irreversible damage.
Which physiologic principle underlies the
benefit of early intervention?
Options:
A. Cellular necrosis is always reversible if
perfusion is restored within minutes.
B. Restoring perfusion early limits progression
from reversible cell injury to irreversible cell
death.
C. Acute tubular dysfunction from sepsis is
independent of systemic hemodynamics.
D. Once AKI begins, no interventions alter long-
term outcome.
