Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to
Clinical Medicine
8th Edition
Author(s)Gary D. Hammer; Stephen J. McPhee
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A 68-year-old man presents with progressive
dyspnea. You are asked to explain the concept
of “natural history of disease” to the family —
which statement best applies when planning
early intervention strategies?
,Options
A. The natural history describes symptoms only
after clinical diagnosis.
B. The natural history describes the course of
disease from preclinical to outcome.
C. The natural history is the same for all
individuals with the same diagnosis.
D. The natural history is determined solely by
the pathogen involved.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): The natural history of disease
encompasses the entire course from
preclinical changes, through clinical disease,
to outcome — guiding timing of screening
and intervention.
, • Incorrect (A): It is not limited to post-
diagnosis symptoms; it includes preclinical
phases.
• Incorrect (C): Natural history varies
between individuals due to host factors and
environment.
• Incorrect (D): It is shaped by host, agent,
and environmental interactions, not the
pathogen alone.
Teaching Point
Natural history spans preclinical stages through
outcomes, guiding screening and prevention.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2021). Pathophysiology of
Disease (8th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
, Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A hospital quality team is designing a sepsis
screening tool. Which concept from
pathophysiology most directly supports using
early physiologic changes to predict later organ
dysfunction?
Options
A. Clinical endpoint bias
B. Compensatory homeostasis and
decompensation
C. Genetic determinism
D. Syndromic clustering
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Early compensatory
homeostatic mechanisms temporarily
Clinical Medicine
8th Edition
Author(s)Gary D. Hammer; Stephen J. McPhee
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A 68-year-old man presents with progressive
dyspnea. You are asked to explain the concept
of “natural history of disease” to the family —
which statement best applies when planning
early intervention strategies?
,Options
A. The natural history describes symptoms only
after clinical diagnosis.
B. The natural history describes the course of
disease from preclinical to outcome.
C. The natural history is the same for all
individuals with the same diagnosis.
D. The natural history is determined solely by
the pathogen involved.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): The natural history of disease
encompasses the entire course from
preclinical changes, through clinical disease,
to outcome — guiding timing of screening
and intervention.
, • Incorrect (A): It is not limited to post-
diagnosis symptoms; it includes preclinical
phases.
• Incorrect (C): Natural history varies
between individuals due to host factors and
environment.
• Incorrect (D): It is shaped by host, agent,
and environmental interactions, not the
pathogen alone.
Teaching Point
Natural history spans preclinical stages through
outcomes, guiding screening and prevention.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2021). Pathophysiology of
Disease (8th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
, Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A hospital quality team is designing a sepsis
screening tool. Which concept from
pathophysiology most directly supports using
early physiologic changes to predict later organ
dysfunction?
Options
A. Clinical endpoint bias
B. Compensatory homeostasis and
decompensation
C. Genetic determinism
D. Syndromic clustering
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
• Correct (B): Early compensatory
homeostatic mechanisms temporarily
