ESSENTIALS OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY BY PORTH
EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE 2026 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Define Ventilation. Answer: movement of air into and out of the
lungs artificially
◉ Causes of Edema. Answer: - increased capillary hydrostatic
pressure
- loss of plasma proteins (decreased capillary oncotic pressure)
- obstruction of lymphatic circulation
- increased capillary permeability
◉ Define sign and how it's used in diagnosis. Answer: What can be
seen or measured
◉ Define symptom and how it's used in diagnosis. Answer: What the
patient describes that is not visible to the healthcare practitioner
◉ Define subjective data and how it's used in diagnosis. Answer:
Information from the client's point of view ("symptoms"), including
feelings, perceptions, and concerns obtained through interviews.
,◉ Define contraindication and how it's used in diagnosis. Answer: A
specific situation in which a drug, procedure, or surgery should not
be used because it may be harmful to the person (Allergy to
penicillin)
◉ Know electrolytes that are higher in intracellular fluid. Answer:
Potassium (K+)
Phosphorus (PO4-)
Sulfate (SO4-)
◉ Know clinical manifestation of appendicitis and how to identify it.
Answer: - Manifestations vary significantly in severity, from
asymptomatic to sudden and severe.
- Pain near the umbilicus and McBurney point.
- The pain will temporarily subside if the appendix ruptures but then
will return and escalate as peritonitis develops.
- Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, and bowel
pattern changes can also be associated with appendicitis. Fever,
chills, and leukocytosis
- Monitored for signs and symptoms of peritonitis (e.g., abdominal
rigidity, tachycardia, and hypotension).
Diagnostic procedures: history, physical examination, CBC,
abdominal ultrasound, abdominal X-ray, abdominal CT, and
laparoscopy.
, ◉ Know clinical manifestation of peptic ulcer disease and how to
identify it. Answer: - Some are asymptomatic
- Dull, gnawing pain, burning sensation in back or low mid epigastric
are, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea, sour taste in the mouth,
burping, n/v, bloating, urea present in breath, tarry stools
◉ Know steps of laceration correction and what end goal is. Answer:
- Closing a wound or laceration by placing sutures or stitches or
staples in the skin to hold the edges of the wound together for
proper healing.
- To stop bleeding, prevent infection, speed healing, and preserve the
appearance and function of the injured area.
◉ Know clinical manifestations of ARF; high and low levels of what
is in the lungs. Answer: - A sudden inability of the respiratory
system to provide O2 and/or remove CO2 from the blood
◉ Know cause of pulmonary embolism. Answer: - occlusion in the
pulmonary circulation, most often caused by a blood clot
- Pt. dehydrated, venous stasis from immobility, surgery or on birth
control, clotting disorder, or heart arrhythmias like A-fib.
◉ Know tool used to determine level of consciousness. Answer: - A
measurement of a person's arousability and responsiveness to a
stimulus.
EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE 2026 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Define Ventilation. Answer: movement of air into and out of the
lungs artificially
◉ Causes of Edema. Answer: - increased capillary hydrostatic
pressure
- loss of plasma proteins (decreased capillary oncotic pressure)
- obstruction of lymphatic circulation
- increased capillary permeability
◉ Define sign and how it's used in diagnosis. Answer: What can be
seen or measured
◉ Define symptom and how it's used in diagnosis. Answer: What the
patient describes that is not visible to the healthcare practitioner
◉ Define subjective data and how it's used in diagnosis. Answer:
Information from the client's point of view ("symptoms"), including
feelings, perceptions, and concerns obtained through interviews.
,◉ Define contraindication and how it's used in diagnosis. Answer: A
specific situation in which a drug, procedure, or surgery should not
be used because it may be harmful to the person (Allergy to
penicillin)
◉ Know electrolytes that are higher in intracellular fluid. Answer:
Potassium (K+)
Phosphorus (PO4-)
Sulfate (SO4-)
◉ Know clinical manifestation of appendicitis and how to identify it.
Answer: - Manifestations vary significantly in severity, from
asymptomatic to sudden and severe.
- Pain near the umbilicus and McBurney point.
- The pain will temporarily subside if the appendix ruptures but then
will return and escalate as peritonitis develops.
- Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, and bowel
pattern changes can also be associated with appendicitis. Fever,
chills, and leukocytosis
- Monitored for signs and symptoms of peritonitis (e.g., abdominal
rigidity, tachycardia, and hypotension).
Diagnostic procedures: history, physical examination, CBC,
abdominal ultrasound, abdominal X-ray, abdominal CT, and
laparoscopy.
, ◉ Know clinical manifestation of peptic ulcer disease and how to
identify it. Answer: - Some are asymptomatic
- Dull, gnawing pain, burning sensation in back or low mid epigastric
are, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea, sour taste in the mouth,
burping, n/v, bloating, urea present in breath, tarry stools
◉ Know steps of laceration correction and what end goal is. Answer:
- Closing a wound or laceration by placing sutures or stitches or
staples in the skin to hold the edges of the wound together for
proper healing.
- To stop bleeding, prevent infection, speed healing, and preserve the
appearance and function of the injured area.
◉ Know clinical manifestations of ARF; high and low levels of what
is in the lungs. Answer: - A sudden inability of the respiratory
system to provide O2 and/or remove CO2 from the blood
◉ Know cause of pulmonary embolism. Answer: - occlusion in the
pulmonary circulation, most often caused by a blood clot
- Pt. dehydrated, venous stasis from immobility, surgery or on birth
control, clotting disorder, or heart arrhythmias like A-fib.
◉ Know tool used to determine level of consciousness. Answer: - A
measurement of a person's arousability and responsiveness to a
stimulus.
