4/19/26, 12:46 Advanced Pathophysiology: Exam 1, Regis College NU606 Quiz 1
PM
NU606 Advanced Pathophysiology
Exam 1 Study Guide | Regis College |
Complete Quiz Review + High-Yield
Notes 2026/2027.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Pathophysiology
Risk Factor that when present increases the chance of disease
Not stressors, but conditions or situations that increase the likelihood of
encountering a stressor
Prevalence A measure of disease that allows us to determine a person's likelihood
of having a disease. Therefore, the number of prevalent cases is the
total number of cases of disease existing in a population. A prevalence
rate is the total number of cases of a disease existing in a population
divided by the total population
Indicates how widespread the disease is
Incidence A measure of disease that allows us to determine a person's probability
of being diagnosed with a disease during a given period of time.
Therefore, incidence is the number of newly diagnosed cases of a
disease. An incidence rate is the number of new cases of a disease
divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease. Conveys
information about the risk of contracting the disease.
Ratio The quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of
times one value contains or is contained within the other.
Primary Prevention Altering susceptibility or reducing exposure for susceptible persons
*Both illness and disease are absent
example: vaccinations, healthy lifestyles
Secondary Prevention Early detection, screening, and management of disease
*Illness absent, disease present
example: screenings and testings
Tertiary Prevention Rehabilitation, supportive care, reducing disability, and
restoring effective functioning
*Both illness and disease present
example: education
Epidemiology study of the patterns of disease involving populations; examining the
occurrence, incidence, prevalence, transmission, and distribution of
diseases in large groups of populations/people
Endemic A disease theat is native to a local region
Epidemic When a disease is disseninated to many individals at the same
time (spread to many people at the same time)
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,4/19/26, 12:46 Advanced Pathophysiology: Exam 1, Regis College NU606 Quiz 1
PM
Pandemic Epidemics that affect large geographic regions, perhaps spreading
worldwide. (spread to large geographic areas)
Chapter 2: Homeostasis and Adaptive Responses to
Stressors
Homeostasis A state of being in which all systems are in balance around a articular
ideal "set- point"
Exhausation Point where body can no longer return to homeostasis following a
prolonged exposure to noxious agents
Allostatic Overload "Cost" of body's organs and tissues for an excessive or ineffectively
regulated allostatic response; effect of "wear and tear" on the body
Adaptation Adaptation: biopsychosocial process of change in response to new or
altered circumstances, internal or external in origin
Coping: behavioral adaptive response to a stressor using culturally
based coping mechanisms
Adaptation and coping: terms used interchangeably
Arousal Includes alterations in responsiveness to homeostatic pressures,
sensory stimuli and emotional reactivity, and to changes in motor
activity
Function of Cortisol Primary glucocorticoid
Affects protein
metabolism
Promotes appetite and food-seeking
behaviors Has anti-inflammatory effects
Chemical mediator in the inflammation response of the body
Adrenal corticosteroid critical to maintenance of
homeostasis May synergize or antagonize effects of
catecholamines
Chapter 3: Cell Structure and Function
Endocrine Communication Hormones traveling in the
bloodstream Long range
signaling
Neurocrine Communication Neurons firing information through synapses
Signals travel a very small distance between neuron and target cell
Paracrine Communcation Signaling through the extraceullar fluid between cells in
a tissue Localized areas of communication
Autocrine Communcation Localized signaling in which the secreting cell is also the target
cell Feedback to self
2/24
, 4/19/26, 12:46 Advanced Pathophysiology: Exam 1, Regis College NU606 Quiz 1
PM
Describe an Action Potential Rapid, self-propagating electrical excitations of the membrane
Mediated by voltage-gated ion channels that open (sodium flows into
the cell) and close in response to voltage changes across the
membrane
Triggered by membrane depolarization
Propagated by sequential opening of voltage-gated sodium channels in
adjacent sections of membrane.
The action potential is regenerated in adjacent sections of membrane
as more sodium channels open. The initial segment repolarizes as
sodium channels close and potassium ions move out.
Cardiac muscles: repolarization is prolonged from calcium influx
Na+ initiates the action potential
Only cells with voltage-gated channels have action potentials (not nerve
cells)
Describe a Resting Action Potential Electrical charge when there is no net ion movement across plasma
membrane Major determinant: Ratio of Internal-to-External [K+]
This is dominated by potassium (K+)
Take Home Message About Action Potentials Resting Membrane Potential Dominated by
K+ Upstroke of Action Potential --> Na+
Repolarization --> K+
In cardiac tissue, plateau --> Ca++
Depolarization As the sodium rushes back into the cell the positive sodium ions raise
the charge inside the cell from negative to positive. Once the interior of
the cell becomes positively charged, depolarization of the cell is
complete.
This triggers the action potential
Repolarization Sodium inflow is stopped and potassium efflux increases
In cardiac muscles repolarization is prolonged from calcium influx
Hyperkalemia on Resting Membrane Potential Depolarizes the cell
Makes the membrane more negative
Hypokalemia on Resting Membrane Potential Hyperpolarizes the cell
Makes the membrane less negative (more positive)
Chapter 4: Cell Injury, Aging, and Death
Hyperplasia Increase in functional capacity related to an increase in cell number
due to mitotic division
-Usually in response to increased physiologic demands or hormonal
stimulation
-Other causes: persistent cell injury, chronic irritation of epithelial cells
-Usually result from increased functional demand
Hypertrophy Increase in cell mass accompanied by an augmented functional
capacity in response to physiologic and pathophysiologic demands
-General cause:increased cellular protein content
-Usually result from increased functional demand
Dysplasia Disorganized appearance of cells because of abnormal variations in
size, shape, and arrangement
-Represents an adaptive effort gone astray
-Significant potential to transform into cancerous cells (preneoplastic
lesions)
-Result from a persistant injury
3/24
PM
NU606 Advanced Pathophysiology
Exam 1 Study Guide | Regis College |
Complete Quiz Review + High-Yield
Notes 2026/2027.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Pathophysiology
Risk Factor that when present increases the chance of disease
Not stressors, but conditions or situations that increase the likelihood of
encountering a stressor
Prevalence A measure of disease that allows us to determine a person's likelihood
of having a disease. Therefore, the number of prevalent cases is the
total number of cases of disease existing in a population. A prevalence
rate is the total number of cases of a disease existing in a population
divided by the total population
Indicates how widespread the disease is
Incidence A measure of disease that allows us to determine a person's probability
of being diagnosed with a disease during a given period of time.
Therefore, incidence is the number of newly diagnosed cases of a
disease. An incidence rate is the number of new cases of a disease
divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease. Conveys
information about the risk of contracting the disease.
Ratio The quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of
times one value contains or is contained within the other.
Primary Prevention Altering susceptibility or reducing exposure for susceptible persons
*Both illness and disease are absent
example: vaccinations, healthy lifestyles
Secondary Prevention Early detection, screening, and management of disease
*Illness absent, disease present
example: screenings and testings
Tertiary Prevention Rehabilitation, supportive care, reducing disability, and
restoring effective functioning
*Both illness and disease present
example: education
Epidemiology study of the patterns of disease involving populations; examining the
occurrence, incidence, prevalence, transmission, and distribution of
diseases in large groups of populations/people
Endemic A disease theat is native to a local region
Epidemic When a disease is disseninated to many individals at the same
time (spread to many people at the same time)
1/24
,4/19/26, 12:46 Advanced Pathophysiology: Exam 1, Regis College NU606 Quiz 1
PM
Pandemic Epidemics that affect large geographic regions, perhaps spreading
worldwide. (spread to large geographic areas)
Chapter 2: Homeostasis and Adaptive Responses to
Stressors
Homeostasis A state of being in which all systems are in balance around a articular
ideal "set- point"
Exhausation Point where body can no longer return to homeostasis following a
prolonged exposure to noxious agents
Allostatic Overload "Cost" of body's organs and tissues for an excessive or ineffectively
regulated allostatic response; effect of "wear and tear" on the body
Adaptation Adaptation: biopsychosocial process of change in response to new or
altered circumstances, internal or external in origin
Coping: behavioral adaptive response to a stressor using culturally
based coping mechanisms
Adaptation and coping: terms used interchangeably
Arousal Includes alterations in responsiveness to homeostatic pressures,
sensory stimuli and emotional reactivity, and to changes in motor
activity
Function of Cortisol Primary glucocorticoid
Affects protein
metabolism
Promotes appetite and food-seeking
behaviors Has anti-inflammatory effects
Chemical mediator in the inflammation response of the body
Adrenal corticosteroid critical to maintenance of
homeostasis May synergize or antagonize effects of
catecholamines
Chapter 3: Cell Structure and Function
Endocrine Communication Hormones traveling in the
bloodstream Long range
signaling
Neurocrine Communication Neurons firing information through synapses
Signals travel a very small distance between neuron and target cell
Paracrine Communcation Signaling through the extraceullar fluid between cells in
a tissue Localized areas of communication
Autocrine Communcation Localized signaling in which the secreting cell is also the target
cell Feedback to self
2/24
, 4/19/26, 12:46 Advanced Pathophysiology: Exam 1, Regis College NU606 Quiz 1
PM
Describe an Action Potential Rapid, self-propagating electrical excitations of the membrane
Mediated by voltage-gated ion channels that open (sodium flows into
the cell) and close in response to voltage changes across the
membrane
Triggered by membrane depolarization
Propagated by sequential opening of voltage-gated sodium channels in
adjacent sections of membrane.
The action potential is regenerated in adjacent sections of membrane
as more sodium channels open. The initial segment repolarizes as
sodium channels close and potassium ions move out.
Cardiac muscles: repolarization is prolonged from calcium influx
Na+ initiates the action potential
Only cells with voltage-gated channels have action potentials (not nerve
cells)
Describe a Resting Action Potential Electrical charge when there is no net ion movement across plasma
membrane Major determinant: Ratio of Internal-to-External [K+]
This is dominated by potassium (K+)
Take Home Message About Action Potentials Resting Membrane Potential Dominated by
K+ Upstroke of Action Potential --> Na+
Repolarization --> K+
In cardiac tissue, plateau --> Ca++
Depolarization As the sodium rushes back into the cell the positive sodium ions raise
the charge inside the cell from negative to positive. Once the interior of
the cell becomes positively charged, depolarization of the cell is
complete.
This triggers the action potential
Repolarization Sodium inflow is stopped and potassium efflux increases
In cardiac muscles repolarization is prolonged from calcium influx
Hyperkalemia on Resting Membrane Potential Depolarizes the cell
Makes the membrane more negative
Hypokalemia on Resting Membrane Potential Hyperpolarizes the cell
Makes the membrane less negative (more positive)
Chapter 4: Cell Injury, Aging, and Death
Hyperplasia Increase in functional capacity related to an increase in cell number
due to mitotic division
-Usually in response to increased physiologic demands or hormonal
stimulation
-Other causes: persistent cell injury, chronic irritation of epithelial cells
-Usually result from increased functional demand
Hypertrophy Increase in cell mass accompanied by an augmented functional
capacity in response to physiologic and pathophysiologic demands
-General cause:increased cellular protein content
-Usually result from increased functional demand
Dysplasia Disorganized appearance of cells because of abnormal variations in
size, shape, and arrangement
-Represents an adaptive effort gone astray
-Significant potential to transform into cancerous cells (preneoplastic
lesions)
-Result from a persistant injury
3/24
