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 22-year-old nursing student must prioritize study topics
before a clinical exam on disease mechanisms. Which study
approach best promotes clinical reasoning and long-term
retention of pathophysiology?
Options
A. Memorize lists of signs and lab values for each disease.
B. Learn disease examples grouped by underlying pathogenic
mechanisms.
C. Focus exclusively on high-yield exam questions from prior
,tests.
D. Reread the textbook chapter introductions multiple times.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Grouping diseases by shared pathogenic mechanisms
(e.g., inflammation, ischemia, genetic mutation) promotes
transfer of knowledge to new clinical scenarios and supports
higher-order reasoning.
A: Rote memorization of lists aids short-term recall but poorly
supports application to unfamiliar cases.
C: Practice questions are useful but are most effective when
paired with mechanistic understanding; exclusive reliance risks
superficial learning.
D: Re-reading passively produces low retention compared with
active, mechanism-centered study.
Teaching Point
Organize study by pathogenic mechanisms to strengthen clinical
application.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2021). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
,Question Stem
A patient presents with chronic fatigue, fever, and unexplained
weight loss. As a clinician applying a pathophysiologic
framework, which initial diagnostic step most directly connects
clinical findings to disease mechanisms?
Options
A. Order a routine complete blood count and basic metabolic
panel.
B. Perform a systems review with targeted history for exposure
and timeline.
C. Immediately start empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics.
D. Schedule full-body imaging studies.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: A targeted history that clarifies exposures, onset, and
progression links symptoms to likely mechanisms (infectious,
neoplastic, inflammatory) and guides focused diagnostics.
A: Labs are helpful but without mechanism-oriented history the
results may be nonspecific and lead to unnecessary testing.
C: Empiric antibiotics without evidence risks harm and misses
noninfectious causes.
D: Full-body imaging is low-yield and exposes the patient to
cost/radiation before mechanism-focused evaluation.
, Teaching Point
Begin with a targeted history to map symptoms onto likely
pathogenic processes.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2021). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
During rounds you must explain why biomarkers may change
earlier than clinical signs. Which pathophysiologic explanation
best accounts for this temporal relationship?
Options
A. Biomarkers are more sensitive because they measure
molecular or cellular changes preceding organ dysfunction.
B. Clinical signs always lag because they are subjective and
unreliable.
C. Biomarkers reflect imaging artifacts rather than true biology.
D. Clinical signs are unrelated to pathophysiology and therefore
delayed.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct: Biomarkers detect molecular/cellular disturbances
Clinical Medicine
8th Edition
Author(s)Gary D. Hammer; Stephen J. McPhee
TEST BANK
1. Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
A 22-year-old nursing student must prioritize study topics
before a clinical exam on disease mechanisms. Which study
approach best promotes clinical reasoning and long-term
retention of pathophysiology?
Options
A. Memorize lists of signs and lab values for each disease.
B. Learn disease examples grouped by underlying pathogenic
mechanisms.
C. Focus exclusively on high-yield exam questions from prior
,tests.
D. Reread the textbook chapter introductions multiple times.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Grouping diseases by shared pathogenic mechanisms
(e.g., inflammation, ischemia, genetic mutation) promotes
transfer of knowledge to new clinical scenarios and supports
higher-order reasoning.
A: Rote memorization of lists aids short-term recall but poorly
supports application to unfamiliar cases.
C: Practice questions are useful but are most effective when
paired with mechanistic understanding; exclusive reliance risks
superficial learning.
D: Re-reading passively produces low retention compared with
active, mechanism-centered study.
Teaching Point
Organize study by pathogenic mechanisms to strengthen clinical
application.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2021). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
,Question Stem
A patient presents with chronic fatigue, fever, and unexplained
weight loss. As a clinician applying a pathophysiologic
framework, which initial diagnostic step most directly connects
clinical findings to disease mechanisms?
Options
A. Order a routine complete blood count and basic metabolic
panel.
B. Perform a systems review with targeted history for exposure
and timeline.
C. Immediately start empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics.
D. Schedule full-body imaging studies.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: A targeted history that clarifies exposures, onset, and
progression links symptoms to likely mechanisms (infectious,
neoplastic, inflammatory) and guides focused diagnostics.
A: Labs are helpful but without mechanism-oriented history the
results may be nonspecific and lead to unnecessary testing.
C: Empiric antibiotics without evidence risks harm and misses
noninfectious causes.
D: Full-body imaging is low-yield and exposes the patient to
cost/radiation before mechanism-focused evaluation.
, Teaching Point
Begin with a targeted history to map symptoms onto likely
pathogenic processes.
Citation (Simplified APA)
Hammer & McPhee (2021). Pathophysiology of Disease (8th
Ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction
Question Stem
During rounds you must explain why biomarkers may change
earlier than clinical signs. Which pathophysiologic explanation
best accounts for this temporal relationship?
Options
A. Biomarkers are more sensitive because they measure
molecular or cellular changes preceding organ dysfunction.
B. Clinical signs always lag because they are subjective and
unreliable.
C. Biomarkers reflect imaging artifacts rather than true biology.
D. Clinical signs are unrelated to pathophysiology and therefore
delayed.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct: Biomarkers detect molecular/cellular disturbances
