NR 283 Pathophysiology Quiz 1 2026 Practice Questions & Verified
Answers Nursing Pathophysiology Review
SECTION I: Foundational Concepts & Cellular Adaptation (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
Pathophysiology involves the study of:
A) The structure of the human body
B) The functions of various organs in the body
C) Functional or structural changes resulting from disease processes
D) Various cell structures and related functions
Answer: C
Rationale: Pathophysiology focuses on how disease processes affect normal body
function at the cellular and systemic levels. It bridges basic science and clinical
practice by explaining the mechanisms of disease .
Question 2
The number of new AND existing cases of a disease in a specific population within
a specified time period is called:
,A) Prevalence
B) Incidence
C) Morbidity
D) Mortality
Answer: A
Rationale: Prevalence includes both new and existing cases (total cases) in a
population at a given time. Incidence refers only to NEW cases. Morbidity refers
to illness rates; mortality refers to death rates .
Question 3
The term "prognosis" refers to:
A) The period of recovery and return to a normal state
B) The expected outcome of the disease
C) The mortality and morbidity rates for a given population
D) The typical collection of signs and symptoms
Answer: B
,Rationale: Prognosis is the predicted or expected outcome of a disease, including
the chances for recovery or potential complications. It differs from diagnosis
(identification of the disease) .
Question 4
A short-term illness that develops very quickly with severe symptoms is called:
A) Latent
B) Chronic
C) Manifestation
D) Acute
Answer: D
Rationale: Acute conditions have sudden onset and severe symptoms but are
typically short in duration (e.g., acute appendicitis, acute pneumonia). Chronic
conditions develop slowly and persist over time .
Question 5
A situation when there is a higher than expected number of cases of an infectious
disease within a given area is called a/an:
, A) Epidemic
B) Exacerbation
C) Morbidity
D) Pandemic
Answer: A
Rationale: An epidemic refers to a higher-than-expected number of cases within a
specific geographic area. A pandemic extends across multiple countries or
continents .
Question 6
A deficit of oxygen in cells, usually due to respiratory or circulatory problems, is
called:
A) Apoptosis
B) Ischemia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Necrosis
Answers Nursing Pathophysiology Review
SECTION I: Foundational Concepts & Cellular Adaptation (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
Pathophysiology involves the study of:
A) The structure of the human body
B) The functions of various organs in the body
C) Functional or structural changes resulting from disease processes
D) Various cell structures and related functions
Answer: C
Rationale: Pathophysiology focuses on how disease processes affect normal body
function at the cellular and systemic levels. It bridges basic science and clinical
practice by explaining the mechanisms of disease .
Question 2
The number of new AND existing cases of a disease in a specific population within
a specified time period is called:
,A) Prevalence
B) Incidence
C) Morbidity
D) Mortality
Answer: A
Rationale: Prevalence includes both new and existing cases (total cases) in a
population at a given time. Incidence refers only to NEW cases. Morbidity refers
to illness rates; mortality refers to death rates .
Question 3
The term "prognosis" refers to:
A) The period of recovery and return to a normal state
B) The expected outcome of the disease
C) The mortality and morbidity rates for a given population
D) The typical collection of signs and symptoms
Answer: B
,Rationale: Prognosis is the predicted or expected outcome of a disease, including
the chances for recovery or potential complications. It differs from diagnosis
(identification of the disease) .
Question 4
A short-term illness that develops very quickly with severe symptoms is called:
A) Latent
B) Chronic
C) Manifestation
D) Acute
Answer: D
Rationale: Acute conditions have sudden onset and severe symptoms but are
typically short in duration (e.g., acute appendicitis, acute pneumonia). Chronic
conditions develop slowly and persist over time .
Question 5
A situation when there is a higher than expected number of cases of an infectious
disease within a given area is called a/an:
, A) Epidemic
B) Exacerbation
C) Morbidity
D) Pandemic
Answer: A
Rationale: An epidemic refers to a higher-than-expected number of cases within a
specific geographic area. A pandemic extends across multiple countries or
continents .
Question 6
A deficit of oxygen in cells, usually due to respiratory or circulatory problems, is
called:
A) Apoptosis
B) Ischemia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Necrosis
