Applied Pathophysiology Exam Questions and Answers

Sample Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following is the primary cause of cellular injury?
A. Hypoxia
B. Genetic mutations
C. Immune reactions
D. Nutritional deficiencies
Answer: A

Question 2

What is the main feature of necrosis?
A. Programmed cell death
B. Inflammation surrounding dead tissue
C. Regeneration of dead cells
D. Absence of mitochondrial damage
Answer: B

Question 3

Which type of shock is characterized by widespread vasodilation and increased vascular permeability?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Septic shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Neurogenic shock
Answer: B

Question 4

What is the hallmark of chronic inflammation?
A. Neutrophil infiltration
B. Granuloma formation
C. Acute onset
D. Lack of cytokine production
Answer: B

Question 5

Which of the following best describes apoptosis?
A. An inflammatory response to cellular injury
B. Unregulated and random cell death
C. A tightly regulated process of programmed cell death
D. Loss of membrane integrity and cell swelling
Answer: C

Question 6

The primary pathological process in emphysema is:
A. Alveolar wall destruction and loss of elasticity
B. Mucus hypersecretion in the airways
C. Bronchial hyperreactivity
D. Fibrosis of lung parenchyma
Answer: A

Question 7

Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves mast cells?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A

Question 8

What is the primary cause of edema in nephrotic syndrome?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased oncotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia
C. Lymphatic obstruction
D. Sodium retention
Answer: B

Question 9

Which enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of fibrin in fibrinolysis?
A. Plasmin
B. Thrombin
C. Factor XIII
D. Factor X
Answer: A

Question 10

What is the main pathophysiological process in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the pancreas
C. Excessive glucagon secretion
D. Impaired glucose uptake due to obesity
Answer: B

Question 11

Which of the following contributes to the development of atherosclerosis?
A. Low levels of LDL cholesterol
B. Endothelial injury and inflammation
C. Reduced oxidative stress
D. Decreased macrophage activity
Answer: B

Question 12

Which organ is most affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
A. Heart
B. Liver
C. Kidney
D. Pancreas
Answer: C

Question 13

In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), what is the primary problem?
A. Increased surfactant production
B. Alveolar-capillary membrane damage
C. Bronchoconstriction
D. Excessive mucus secretion
Answer: B

Question 14

Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: C

Question 15

Which is a common complication of cirrhosis?
A. Increased ammonia clearance
B. Portal hypertension
C. Hyperalbuminemia
D. Decreased bilirubin levels
Answer: B

Question 16

What is the primary cause of myocardial infarction?
A. Aortic valve stenosis
B. Coronary artery obstruction due to atherosclerosis
C. Arrhythmias
D. Pericardial effusion
Answer: B

Question 17

Which factor increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Hypocoagulability
B. Immobility
C. High oxygen saturation
D. Increased vascular compliance
Answer: B

Question 18

Which of the following conditions is characterized by a “butterfly” facial rash?
A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
C. Psoriasis
D. Contact dermatitis
Answer: B

Question 19

Which hormone is overproduced in Cushing’s syndrome?
A. Insulin
B. Cortisol
C. Thyroxine
D. Aldosterone
Answer: B

Question 20

What is the primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease?
A. Increased dopamine levels
B. Accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles
C. Demyelination of neurons
D. Reduced glutamate activity
Answer: B

Question 21

Which of the following is a feature of right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary congestion
B. Peripheral edema
C. Left ventricular hypertrophy
D. Increased cardiac output
Answer: B

Question 22

What is the primary characteristic of multiple sclerosis?
A. Loss of acetylcholine receptors
B. Autoimmune demyelination of CNS neurons
C. Decreased production of dopamine
D. Increased myelin sheath thickness
Answer: B

Question 23

What is the most common site for an aortic aneurysm?
A. Thoracic aorta
B. Abdominal aorta
C. Ascending aorta
D. Aortic arch
Answer: B

Question 24

What is the hallmark of Guillain-Barré syndrome?
A. Symmetric ascending muscle weakness
B. Asymmetric muscle atrophy
C. Cognitive decline
D. Spastic paralysis
Answer: A

Question 25

Which type of hepatitis virus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route?
A. Hepatitis A
B. Hepatitis B
C. Hepatitis C
D. Hepatitis D
Answer: A

Question 26

Which blood marker indicates myocardial infarction?
A. Troponin
B. Bilirubin
C. C-reactive protein
D. Ferritin
Answer: A

Question 27

Which condition is associated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma?
A. Crohn’s disease
B. Barrett’s esophagus
C. Celiac disease
D. Ulcerative colitis
Answer: B

Question 28

What is the most common type of stroke?
A. Hemorrhagic
B. Ischemic
C. Lacunar
D. Subarachnoid
Answer: B

Question 29

Which is a characteristic of osteoarthritis?
A. Autoimmune joint destruction
B. Degeneration of articular cartilage
C. Presence of rheumatoid factor
D. Inflammation of synovial fluid
Answer: B

Question 30

Which condition is characterized by “strawberry tongue”?
A. Scarlet fever
B. Kawasaki disease
C. Both A and B
D. Rheumatic fever
Answer: C