Pathophysiology Midterm Practice Exam
Nightingale College | Utah | 2026/2027 Academic Year
100 Verified Questions with Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A patient with chronic high blood pressure experiences an increase in the size
of the left ventricular myocardial cells. This adaptation is:
Correct Answer: Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size due to increased workload, common in cardiac muscle
under pressure.
Question 2: Which process is characteristic of apoptosis but NOT necrosis?
Correct Answer: Programmed cell death
Rationale: Apoptosis is a regulated 'cell suicide' that does not trigger inflammation, unlike the accidental
death seen in necrosis.
Question 3: A serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L (Hyperkalemia) primarily affects which
system?
Correct Answer: Cardiac system
Rationale: Potassium affects resting membrane potential; high levels can lead to lethal dysrhythmias.
Question 4: Which mediator is primarily responsible for initial vasodilation in inflammation?
Correct Answer: Histamine
Rationale: Released by mast cells, histamine causes immediate vasodilation and increased capillary
permeability.
Question 5: A karyotype showing 45,X is indicative of:
Correct Answer: Turner Syndrome
Rationale: This involves the absence of one X chromosome in females.
, Question 6: Which hypersensitivity type is IgE-mediated (e.g., Anaphylaxis)?
Correct Answer: Type I
Rationale: Type I is immediate and involves IgE binding to mast cells.
Question 7: Interpret these ABGs: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24.
Correct Answer: Respiratory Acidosis
Rationale: Low pH (acid) and high CO2 (acid) indicate a respiratory cause.
Question 8: What does 'M0' in cancer staging indicate?
Correct Answer: No distant metastasis
Rationale: M0 means the cancer has not spread to distant organs.
Question 9: Which is a systemic sign of inflammation?
Correct Answer: Leukocytosis
Rationale: An elevated WBC count is a body-wide response, unlike localized redness.
Question 10: Dehydration triggers the release of which hormone to conserve water?
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Rationale: ADH signals the kidneys to reabsorb water into the bloodstream.
Question 11: The replacement of ciliated columnar epithelium with squamous epithelium in
a smoker is:
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type with another.
Question 12: A positive Chvostek sign indicates which electrolyte deficiency?
Correct Answer: Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Low calcium increases neuromuscular irritability, causing facial twitching.
Nightingale College | Utah | 2026/2027 Academic Year
100 Verified Questions with Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A patient with chronic high blood pressure experiences an increase in the size
of the left ventricular myocardial cells. This adaptation is:
Correct Answer: Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size due to increased workload, common in cardiac muscle
under pressure.
Question 2: Which process is characteristic of apoptosis but NOT necrosis?
Correct Answer: Programmed cell death
Rationale: Apoptosis is a regulated 'cell suicide' that does not trigger inflammation, unlike the accidental
death seen in necrosis.
Question 3: A serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L (Hyperkalemia) primarily affects which
system?
Correct Answer: Cardiac system
Rationale: Potassium affects resting membrane potential; high levels can lead to lethal dysrhythmias.
Question 4: Which mediator is primarily responsible for initial vasodilation in inflammation?
Correct Answer: Histamine
Rationale: Released by mast cells, histamine causes immediate vasodilation and increased capillary
permeability.
Question 5: A karyotype showing 45,X is indicative of:
Correct Answer: Turner Syndrome
Rationale: This involves the absence of one X chromosome in females.
, Question 6: Which hypersensitivity type is IgE-mediated (e.g., Anaphylaxis)?
Correct Answer: Type I
Rationale: Type I is immediate and involves IgE binding to mast cells.
Question 7: Interpret these ABGs: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24.
Correct Answer: Respiratory Acidosis
Rationale: Low pH (acid) and high CO2 (acid) indicate a respiratory cause.
Question 8: What does 'M0' in cancer staging indicate?
Correct Answer: No distant metastasis
Rationale: M0 means the cancer has not spread to distant organs.
Question 9: Which is a systemic sign of inflammation?
Correct Answer: Leukocytosis
Rationale: An elevated WBC count is a body-wide response, unlike localized redness.
Question 10: Dehydration triggers the release of which hormone to conserve water?
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Rationale: ADH signals the kidneys to reabsorb water into the bloodstream.
Question 11: The replacement of ciliated columnar epithelium with squamous epithelium in
a smoker is:
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type with another.
Question 12: A positive Chvostek sign indicates which electrolyte deficiency?
Correct Answer: Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Low calcium increases neuromuscular irritability, causing facial twitching.
