BIOD 331 Pathophysiology Final Exam Cumulative 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size due to a
loss of subcellular components?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is the shrinkage in cell size by the loss of cell substance, often due to
decreased workload, loss of innervation, or diminished blood supply.
2. In which type of hypersensitivity reaction do IgE antibodies bind to mast cells,
leading to the release of histamine?
A. Type III
B. Type II
C. Type I
D. Type IV
Answer: C
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies and mast cell degranulation.
,3. Which of the following acid-base imbalances is most likely to occur in a
patient with severe, prolonged vomiting?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Vomiting results in the loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, which leads
to an increase in blood pH and bicarbonate, causing metabolic alkalosis.
4. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Excessive glucagon secretion by alpha cells
C. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
D. Obesity-induced downregulation of insulin receptors
Answer: A
Rationale: Type 1 Diabetes is primarily caused by an autoimmune-mediated destruction of
the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Shortness of breath
C. Peripheral edema
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: C
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic venous congestion, causing
symptoms like peripheral edema, jugular vein distention, and hepatomegaly.
, 6. A patient presents with a ‘butterfly rash’ across the bridge of the nose and
cheeks. This is a classic sign of which autoimmune disorder?
A. Rheumatoid Arthritis
B. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
C. Scleroderma
D. Psoriasis
Answer: B
Rationale: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) often presents with a malar or ‘butterfly’
rash as part of its multi-system involvement.
7. Which type of anemia is caused by a deficiency in Intrinsic Factor, leading to
poor Vitamin B12 absorption?
A. Iron Deficiency Anemia
B. Aplastic Anemia
C. Pernicious Anemia
D. Sickle Cell Anemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Pernicious anemia is a specific type of megaloblastic anemia resulting from a
lack of intrinsic factor, which is necessary for B12 absorption in the ileum.
8. What is the term for the movement of water across a semipermeable
membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute
concentration?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Filtration
D. Active Transport
Answer: B
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size due to a
loss of subcellular components?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is the shrinkage in cell size by the loss of cell substance, often due to
decreased workload, loss of innervation, or diminished blood supply.
2. In which type of hypersensitivity reaction do IgE antibodies bind to mast cells,
leading to the release of histamine?
A. Type III
B. Type II
C. Type I
D. Type IV
Answer: C
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies and mast cell degranulation.
,3. Which of the following acid-base imbalances is most likely to occur in a
patient with severe, prolonged vomiting?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Vomiting results in the loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, which leads
to an increase in blood pH and bicarbonate, causing metabolic alkalosis.
4. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Excessive glucagon secretion by alpha cells
C. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
D. Obesity-induced downregulation of insulin receptors
Answer: A
Rationale: Type 1 Diabetes is primarily caused by an autoimmune-mediated destruction of
the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Shortness of breath
C. Peripheral edema
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: C
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic venous congestion, causing
symptoms like peripheral edema, jugular vein distention, and hepatomegaly.
, 6. A patient presents with a ‘butterfly rash’ across the bridge of the nose and
cheeks. This is a classic sign of which autoimmune disorder?
A. Rheumatoid Arthritis
B. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
C. Scleroderma
D. Psoriasis
Answer: B
Rationale: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) often presents with a malar or ‘butterfly’
rash as part of its multi-system involvement.
7. Which type of anemia is caused by a deficiency in Intrinsic Factor, leading to
poor Vitamin B12 absorption?
A. Iron Deficiency Anemia
B. Aplastic Anemia
C. Pernicious Anemia
D. Sickle Cell Anemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Pernicious anemia is a specific type of megaloblastic anemia resulting from a
lack of intrinsic factor, which is necessary for B12 absorption in the ileum.
8. What is the term for the movement of water across a semipermeable
membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute
concentration?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Filtration
D. Active Transport
Answer: B
