Pathophysiology Case Studies 2026-
2027 Actual Exam with 100% Revised
Answers GRADED A+
A 54 year old female patient arrived at the ER after becoming confused and incoherent to
family and having a syncopal episode. Upon arrival to the ER the patient was hypotensive
at 75/45, tachycardic at 123, temperature of 100.3 and RR of 20. Blood glucose was 56.
CBC was within normal limits. BMP results showed K+ 6.0 mM and Na+ 127 mM. Further
lab tests showed cortisol was decreased and ACTH was increased, compared with
normal. Which of the following is most likely? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Addison's disease
Two weeks after orthopedic surgery, a 62 year-old female presented with uncontrolled
pain and purulent drainage from the surgical incision. She was admitted and taken to the
OR for irrigation and debridement of the infection site. Additionally, she was started on
antibiotics to control the infection. Later that week she started having 3-4 foul smelling
watery stools a day, became febrile, and complained of N/V. Which of the following
pathogens is most likely causing her abdominal problems? - CORRECT ANSWERS-C. diff
A 56 year-old male presents with no specific complaint. He works as a truck driver and has
been in 2 accidents recently and his boss insists that he gets "checked out" by a medical
professional before he can drive again. He claims that objects suddenly appear from out of
nowhere. He admits to recent loss of libido and erectile dysfunction. Which of the following
is most likely? - CORRECT ANSWERS-prolactinoma
A 63 year-old male presents with depression, confusion, vague pains in his bones, and
ulcers. He was recently diagnosed with kidney stones. Blood tests reveal that PTH is
decreased, while both serum Ca++ and phosphate are increased. Which of the following is
most likely? - CORRECT ANSWERS-metastatic bone cancer
The mother of a 2-year old girl brings her daughter to the pediatrician's office. The mother
states that the patient has had frequent watery, foul smelling and sometimes greasy stools
on and off for the past 3 months. At other times she seems to be constipated. She is
noticeably small for her age - in the 50th percentile for height and 25th percentile for
weight. The mother also reports that after the patient's last cold, the cough did not subside
for several weeks and each cough was producing thick, grayish mucus. Her medical
record shows 3 hospitalizations in the past 2 years from respiratory tract infections, all of
which were treated with antibiotics. Today, she appears to be in good health with no
apparent cough, but she looks malnourished and pale. Abdominal ultrasound showed no
obstructions or mechanical blockages, and stool culture revealed normal bacterial growth,
without viral infection. Stool sample was po - CORRECT ANSWERS-cystic fibrosis
, A 2 month-old female presents for evaluation of poor feeding. She is in no apparent acute
distress, but mom reports that she has difficulty with feeding and gets short of breath at
times. Mom is concerned that the baby seems to be losing weight and is excessively tired.
The baby's weight is below average for age and length. She is alert at this time and does
not appear to be in any acute distress. Respiratory rate is 41, and auscultation reveals
crackles in bilateral bases. The patient is afebrile and has strong peripheral pulses in upper
and lower extremities. Auscultation reveals a HR of 140 with a continuous murmur. Which
scenario is most likely in this patient? - CORRECT ANSWERS-patent ductus arteriosus
A 72 year old male presents to the ED comatose. Vitals are HR 132 (Sinus Tachycardia),
BP 87/45. CMP shows blood glucose 2250 (mg/dl), pH 7.41, Na+ 133, K+ 4.6, Cl- 97,
HCO3- 23, and serum osmolarity 356 mOsm. Which scenario is most likely in this patient?
- CORRECT ANSWERS-hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketotic syndrome
One week after a severe strep throat, a 6 year old female patient presents with oliguria.
Which type of glomerular nephritis is most likely in this patient? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
acute proliferative (postinfectious) glomerulonephritis
A 34 y/o female presents to the ED with anxiety, palpitations, and chest pain. She is
currently receiving radiation to the chest as a result of breast cancer. She denies fever,
chills, SOB, cough, abdominal pain, or N/V/D. Vital signs are: T 98.9, BP 90/60, HR 100,
RR 26, SpO2 98% RA. Lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. Heart shows regular
rhythm with weak S1, S2, and faint rub. Jugular venous distension is present. Peripheral
pulses are weak bilaterally. EKG shows normal sinus rhythm with decreased voltage.
Chest x-ray shows increased cardiac silhouette. Echocardiogram is positive for effusion.
Which scenario is most likely in this patient? - CORRECT ANSWERS-cardiac tamponade
A 23 year-old male presented to the ED with complaints of chest pain of 19 months
duration. Chest pain was aggravated by strenuous activities and moderately relieved with
rest. The patient stated a history of dyspnea on exertion and effort intolerance since
childhood. The patient remembered frequent squatting to relieve episodes of
breathlessness following exertion. The patient denies a history of cough, change in urine
or bowels, leg swelling, nocturia or oliguria. General examination showed central cyanosis
with digital clubbing. Pulse was regular with a rate of 80 BPM, and BP was 120/70 mmHg.
Cardiac examination found a systolic murmur. The lungs were clear and the abdomen was
non-tender. Chest radiograph showed enlarged heart with pulmonary oligemia with right
ventricular hypertrophy. There was no aortic or mitral regurgitation. Patient Hct was 72%.
Which scenario is most likely in this patient? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Tetralogy of Fallot
A 3 year old presents to the ER with acute left sided facial palsy. The patient's mother
states her son has been irritable over the last few weeks. His current VS include: 36.6
degrees C, HR 80 bpm in sinus rhythm, BP 180/110, RR 22, and oxygen saturation of 99%
on RA. On assessment, the patient has a normal neurologic exam except for his left sided
facial palsy. He has no cardiac murmur and has 2+ pulses on both upper and lower
extremities. His lungs are clear to auscultation. The patient is placed on a cardiac monitor,
2027 Actual Exam with 100% Revised
Answers GRADED A+
A 54 year old female patient arrived at the ER after becoming confused and incoherent to
family and having a syncopal episode. Upon arrival to the ER the patient was hypotensive
at 75/45, tachycardic at 123, temperature of 100.3 and RR of 20. Blood glucose was 56.
CBC was within normal limits. BMP results showed K+ 6.0 mM and Na+ 127 mM. Further
lab tests showed cortisol was decreased and ACTH was increased, compared with
normal. Which of the following is most likely? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Addison's disease
Two weeks after orthopedic surgery, a 62 year-old female presented with uncontrolled
pain and purulent drainage from the surgical incision. She was admitted and taken to the
OR for irrigation and debridement of the infection site. Additionally, she was started on
antibiotics to control the infection. Later that week she started having 3-4 foul smelling
watery stools a day, became febrile, and complained of N/V. Which of the following
pathogens is most likely causing her abdominal problems? - CORRECT ANSWERS-C. diff
A 56 year-old male presents with no specific complaint. He works as a truck driver and has
been in 2 accidents recently and his boss insists that he gets "checked out" by a medical
professional before he can drive again. He claims that objects suddenly appear from out of
nowhere. He admits to recent loss of libido and erectile dysfunction. Which of the following
is most likely? - CORRECT ANSWERS-prolactinoma
A 63 year-old male presents with depression, confusion, vague pains in his bones, and
ulcers. He was recently diagnosed with kidney stones. Blood tests reveal that PTH is
decreased, while both serum Ca++ and phosphate are increased. Which of the following is
most likely? - CORRECT ANSWERS-metastatic bone cancer
The mother of a 2-year old girl brings her daughter to the pediatrician's office. The mother
states that the patient has had frequent watery, foul smelling and sometimes greasy stools
on and off for the past 3 months. At other times she seems to be constipated. She is
noticeably small for her age - in the 50th percentile for height and 25th percentile for
weight. The mother also reports that after the patient's last cold, the cough did not subside
for several weeks and each cough was producing thick, grayish mucus. Her medical
record shows 3 hospitalizations in the past 2 years from respiratory tract infections, all of
which were treated with antibiotics. Today, she appears to be in good health with no
apparent cough, but she looks malnourished and pale. Abdominal ultrasound showed no
obstructions or mechanical blockages, and stool culture revealed normal bacterial growth,
without viral infection. Stool sample was po - CORRECT ANSWERS-cystic fibrosis
, A 2 month-old female presents for evaluation of poor feeding. She is in no apparent acute
distress, but mom reports that she has difficulty with feeding and gets short of breath at
times. Mom is concerned that the baby seems to be losing weight and is excessively tired.
The baby's weight is below average for age and length. She is alert at this time and does
not appear to be in any acute distress. Respiratory rate is 41, and auscultation reveals
crackles in bilateral bases. The patient is afebrile and has strong peripheral pulses in upper
and lower extremities. Auscultation reveals a HR of 140 with a continuous murmur. Which
scenario is most likely in this patient? - CORRECT ANSWERS-patent ductus arteriosus
A 72 year old male presents to the ED comatose. Vitals are HR 132 (Sinus Tachycardia),
BP 87/45. CMP shows blood glucose 2250 (mg/dl), pH 7.41, Na+ 133, K+ 4.6, Cl- 97,
HCO3- 23, and serum osmolarity 356 mOsm. Which scenario is most likely in this patient?
- CORRECT ANSWERS-hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketotic syndrome
One week after a severe strep throat, a 6 year old female patient presents with oliguria.
Which type of glomerular nephritis is most likely in this patient? - CORRECT ANSWERS-
acute proliferative (postinfectious) glomerulonephritis
A 34 y/o female presents to the ED with anxiety, palpitations, and chest pain. She is
currently receiving radiation to the chest as a result of breast cancer. She denies fever,
chills, SOB, cough, abdominal pain, or N/V/D. Vital signs are: T 98.9, BP 90/60, HR 100,
RR 26, SpO2 98% RA. Lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. Heart shows regular
rhythm with weak S1, S2, and faint rub. Jugular venous distension is present. Peripheral
pulses are weak bilaterally. EKG shows normal sinus rhythm with decreased voltage.
Chest x-ray shows increased cardiac silhouette. Echocardiogram is positive for effusion.
Which scenario is most likely in this patient? - CORRECT ANSWERS-cardiac tamponade
A 23 year-old male presented to the ED with complaints of chest pain of 19 months
duration. Chest pain was aggravated by strenuous activities and moderately relieved with
rest. The patient stated a history of dyspnea on exertion and effort intolerance since
childhood. The patient remembered frequent squatting to relieve episodes of
breathlessness following exertion. The patient denies a history of cough, change in urine
or bowels, leg swelling, nocturia or oliguria. General examination showed central cyanosis
with digital clubbing. Pulse was regular with a rate of 80 BPM, and BP was 120/70 mmHg.
Cardiac examination found a systolic murmur. The lungs were clear and the abdomen was
non-tender. Chest radiograph showed enlarged heart with pulmonary oligemia with right
ventricular hypertrophy. There was no aortic or mitral regurgitation. Patient Hct was 72%.
Which scenario is most likely in this patient? - CORRECT ANSWERS-Tetralogy of Fallot
A 3 year old presents to the ER with acute left sided facial palsy. The patient's mother
states her son has been irritable over the last few weeks. His current VS include: 36.6
degrees C, HR 80 bpm in sinus rhythm, BP 180/110, RR 22, and oxygen saturation of 99%
on RA. On assessment, the patient has a normal neurologic exam except for his left sided
facial palsy. He has no cardiac murmur and has 2+ pulses on both upper and lower
extremities. His lungs are clear to auscultation. The patient is placed on a cardiac monitor,
