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 56-year-old man reports progressive fatigue and weight loss.
Which step best distinguishes “disease” from the patient’s
reported “symptoms” during clinical reasoning?
Options
A. Recording the patient’s subjective complaints as diagnostic
criteria
B. Identifying objective abnormalities on exam or testing that
explain symptoms
C. Assuming the symptom is psychosomatic if tests are normal
,D. Treating the symptom empirically without diagnostic
evaluation
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Disease implies an identifiable pathophysiologic
process producing objective abnormalities; linking symptoms to
objective signs or tests guides diagnosis and management.
Incorrect (A): Subjective complaints are important but do not
by themselves establish an underlying disease process.
Incorrect (C): Normal tests do not automatically indicate
psychosomatic origin; further targeted evaluation is required.
Incorrect (D): Empiric treatment without attempting to identify
an underlying disease risks missing a treatable pathophysiologic
cause.
Teaching Point
Objective abnormalities connect symptoms to an underlying
disease process.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2019). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1. AccessPharmacy
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
,Question Stem
During shift report, a nurse hears “risk of disease” and
“predisposing factors.” Which action best demonstrates
application of pathophysiologic reasoning to reduce risk?
Options
A. Documenting risk factors in the chart only
B. Prioritizing interventions that modify reversible risk elements
C. Waiting for disease signs to appear before acting
D. Informing the patient that risk is nonmodifiable and not
intervening
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Targeting modifiable risk factors (e.g., smoking
cessation, glucose control) uses pathophysiologic principles to
lower disease incidence.
Incorrect (A): Documentation alone does not reduce risk—
action is required.
Incorrect (C): Waiting for signs misses opportunities for
prevention based on pathogenesis.
Incorrect (D): Many risks are at least partly modifiable;
declaring them nonmodifiable precludes beneficial
interventions.
Teaching Point
Modify reversible risk factors to interrupt pathophysiologic
processes and prevent disease.
, Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2019). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1. AccessPharmacy
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A clinician evaluates test characteristics for a screening tool.
Which measure reflects how well the test identifies disease
when it is present?
Options
A. Specificity
B. Positive predictive value
C. Sensitivity
D. Negative predictive value
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): Sensitivity measures the proportion of true
positives correctly identified — how well a test detects disease
when present.
Incorrect (A): Specificity measures true negatives, not detection
of disease.
Incorrect (B): Positive predictive value depends on prevalence
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)GARY D. HAMMER; STEPHEN J.
MCPHEE
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A 56-year-old man reports progressive fatigue and weight loss.
Which step best distinguishes “disease” from the patient’s
reported “symptoms” during clinical reasoning?
Options
A. Recording the patient’s subjective complaints as diagnostic
criteria
B. Identifying objective abnormalities on exam or testing that
explain symptoms
C. Assuming the symptom is psychosomatic if tests are normal
,D. Treating the symptom empirically without diagnostic
evaluation
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Disease implies an identifiable pathophysiologic
process producing objective abnormalities; linking symptoms to
objective signs or tests guides diagnosis and management.
Incorrect (A): Subjective complaints are important but do not
by themselves establish an underlying disease process.
Incorrect (C): Normal tests do not automatically indicate
psychosomatic origin; further targeted evaluation is required.
Incorrect (D): Empiric treatment without attempting to identify
an underlying disease risks missing a treatable pathophysiologic
cause.
Teaching Point
Objective abnormalities connect symptoms to an underlying
disease process.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2019). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1. AccessPharmacy
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
,Question Stem
During shift report, a nurse hears “risk of disease” and
“predisposing factors.” Which action best demonstrates
application of pathophysiologic reasoning to reduce risk?
Options
A. Documenting risk factors in the chart only
B. Prioritizing interventions that modify reversible risk elements
C. Waiting for disease signs to appear before acting
D. Informing the patient that risk is nonmodifiable and not
intervening
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Targeting modifiable risk factors (e.g., smoking
cessation, glucose control) uses pathophysiologic principles to
lower disease incidence.
Incorrect (A): Documentation alone does not reduce risk—
action is required.
Incorrect (C): Waiting for signs misses opportunities for
prevention based on pathogenesis.
Incorrect (D): Many risks are at least partly modifiable;
declaring them nonmodifiable precludes beneficial
interventions.
Teaching Point
Modify reversible risk factors to interrupt pathophysiologic
processes and prevent disease.
, Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2019). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1. AccessPharmacy
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A clinician evaluates test characteristics for a screening tool.
Which measure reflects how well the test identifies disease
when it is present?
Options
A. Specificity
B. Positive predictive value
C. Sensitivity
D. Negative predictive value
Correct Answer
C
Rationales
Correct (C): Sensitivity measures the proportion of true
positives correctly identified — how well a test detects disease
when present.
Incorrect (A): Specificity measures true negatives, not detection
of disease.
Incorrect (B): Positive predictive value depends on prevalence
