HCR 240 Pathophysiology - Final review
HCR 240 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - FINAL REVIEW NEWEST
2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 100 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
1. In a synovial joint, what is the specific role of the articular cartilage?
A. To secrete synovial fluid for joint lubrication.
B. To connect the Haversian canals to Volkmann canals.
C. To protect the ends of bones and prevent them from rubbing together.
D. To act as a reservoir for uric acid crystals.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Articular cartilage is a smooth, hyaline cartilage that provides a low-
friction surface and acts as a shock absorber to prevent bone-on-bone contact.
2. Which term describes the interior, spongy bone characterized by a porous,
honeycomb-like structure?
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, HCR 240 Pathophysiology - Final review
A. Cortical bone
B. Compact bone
C. Trabecular bone
D. Periosteum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Trabecular (or cancellous) bone is the spongy inner layer, whereas
cortical (compact) bone is the dense outer layer.
3. Osteocytes and other bone cells receive nutrients via which network of tubes in
compact bone?
A. Villi
B. Haversian canals
C. Pyloric sphincters
D. Skip lesions
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, HCR 240 Pathophysiology - Final review
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Haversian canals form a vertical network in compact bone that houses
the blood vessels and nerves necessary for cell survival.
4. A patient with osteoarthritis is noted to have swelling at the proximal
interphalangeal (PIP) joints. This is documented as:
A. Heberden’s nodes
B. Bouchard’s nodes
C. Osteophytes
D. Tophi
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bouchard's nodes occur at the PIP (middle) joints, while Heberden's
nodes occur at the DIP (distal) joints.
5. What is the fundamental pathophysiology of Osteoporosis?
A. Inflammation of the skeletal muscles.
3|Page
, HCR 240 Pathophysiology - Final review
B. Infection of the bone by S. aureus.
C. Greater osteoclastic activity compared to osteoblastic activity.
D. Metaplasia of the synovial membrane.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Osteoporosis is characterized by bone demineralization because the
rate of bone resorption (osteoclasts) exceeds the rate of bone formation
(osteoblasts).
6. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Which clinical
finding is a hallmark of the early stage?
A. Caput medusa
B. Erythema migrans
C. Murphy’s sign
D. Steatorrhea
4|Page
HCR 240 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - FINAL REVIEW NEWEST
2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 100 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
1. In a synovial joint, what is the specific role of the articular cartilage?
A. To secrete synovial fluid for joint lubrication.
B. To connect the Haversian canals to Volkmann canals.
C. To protect the ends of bones and prevent them from rubbing together.
D. To act as a reservoir for uric acid crystals.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Articular cartilage is a smooth, hyaline cartilage that provides a low-
friction surface and acts as a shock absorber to prevent bone-on-bone contact.
2. Which term describes the interior, spongy bone characterized by a porous,
honeycomb-like structure?
1|Page
, HCR 240 Pathophysiology - Final review
A. Cortical bone
B. Compact bone
C. Trabecular bone
D. Periosteum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Trabecular (or cancellous) bone is the spongy inner layer, whereas
cortical (compact) bone is the dense outer layer.
3. Osteocytes and other bone cells receive nutrients via which network of tubes in
compact bone?
A. Villi
B. Haversian canals
C. Pyloric sphincters
D. Skip lesions
2|Page
, HCR 240 Pathophysiology - Final review
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Haversian canals form a vertical network in compact bone that houses
the blood vessels and nerves necessary for cell survival.
4. A patient with osteoarthritis is noted to have swelling at the proximal
interphalangeal (PIP) joints. This is documented as:
A. Heberden’s nodes
B. Bouchard’s nodes
C. Osteophytes
D. Tophi
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bouchard's nodes occur at the PIP (middle) joints, while Heberden's
nodes occur at the DIP (distal) joints.
5. What is the fundamental pathophysiology of Osteoporosis?
A. Inflammation of the skeletal muscles.
3|Page
, HCR 240 Pathophysiology - Final review
B. Infection of the bone by S. aureus.
C. Greater osteoclastic activity compared to osteoblastic activity.
D. Metaplasia of the synovial membrane.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Osteoporosis is characterized by bone demineralization because the
rate of bone resorption (osteoclasts) exceeds the rate of bone formation
(osteoblasts).
6. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Which clinical
finding is a hallmark of the early stage?
A. Caput medusa
B. Erythema migrans
C. Murphy’s sign
D. Steatorrhea
4|Page
