,Geneva College NURS 231 Module 10 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Portage
Learning Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. A 50-year-old male presents with stiffness in his joints and a decreased
range of motion. Which condition is most likely responsible for these
symptoms?
A) Osteoarthritis
B) Rheumatoid arthritis
C) Gout
D) Osteoporosis
**Correct Answer:** A) Osteoarthritis
**Rationale:** Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive degeneration of
joint cartilage and the underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and
decreased range of motion, commonly in the hips, knees, and thumbs.
2. Cancellous bone receives its blood supply by what means?
A) Arteries branching from the medullary cavity
B) Arteries branching inward from the periosteal arteries
C) Diffusion through the endosteal surface of the bone and the canaliculi
D) Direct absorption from synovial fluid
**Correct Answer:** C) Diffusion through the endosteal surface of the bone
and the canaliculi
**Rationale:** Cancellous (trabecular) bone is highly porous and receives its
nutrients primarily via diffusion from the marrow cavity through the
canaliculi.
3. Which of the following is true regarding the blood supply of cortical
(compact) bone?
A) It depends solely on the endosteum
,B) It receives blood only from the periosteum
C) It receives blood through Haversian canals and periosteal arteries
D) It is avascular and relies on synovial fluid
**Correct Answer:** C) It receives blood through Haversian canals and
periosteal arteries
**Rationale:** Cortical bone is supplied by Haversian (central) canals that
run longitudinally, with connecting Volkmann canals, and by arteries that
penetrate the periosteum.
4. Which cells are responsible for bone resorption?
A) Osteoblasts
B) Osteoclasts
C) Chondrocytes
D) Osteocytes
**Correct Answer:** B) Osteoclasts
**Rationale:** Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that break down
bone tissue by secreting acid and lysosomal enzymes.
5. A patient is diagnosed with osteoporosis. Which of the following best
describes the pathophysiology of this condition?
A) Increased osteoblast activity leading to thickened bone
B) Excessive deposition of calcium in the bone matrix
C) Imbalance between bone resorption and formation, with resorption
exceeding formation
D) Inflammation of the synovial membrane
, **Correct Answer:** C) Imbalance between bone resorption and formation,
with resorption exceeding formation
**Rationale:** Osteoporosis results from a chronic imbalance in which
osteoclast-mediated bone resorption outpaces osteoblast-mediated bone
formation, leading to decreased bone density and increased fracture risk.
6. Which of the following would a patient likely report if you suspect they
have osteoarthritis? (Select all that apply)
A) Stiffness in the morning that lasts longer than 30 minutes
B) Pain that is alleviated with activity
C) A “grinding feel” with movement
D) Pain in their metacarpophalangeal joint
**Correct Answer:** C) A “grinding feel” with movement
**Rationale:** In osteoarthritis, joint movement may produce crepitus (a
grinding sensation) due to roughening of articular cartilage. Morning stiffness
typically resolves within 30 minutes, unlike rheumatoid arthritis.
7. A T-score of –2.8 indicates:
A) Normal bone density
B) Osteopenia
C) Osteoporosis
D) Severe osteoporosis
**Correct Answer:** C) Osteoporosis
**Rationale:** According to WHO criteria, a T-score ≤ –2.5 indicates
osteoporosis. A T-score between –1.0 and –2.5 indicates osteopenia.
Learning Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. A 50-year-old male presents with stiffness in his joints and a decreased
range of motion. Which condition is most likely responsible for these
symptoms?
A) Osteoarthritis
B) Rheumatoid arthritis
C) Gout
D) Osteoporosis
**Correct Answer:** A) Osteoarthritis
**Rationale:** Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive degeneration of
joint cartilage and the underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and
decreased range of motion, commonly in the hips, knees, and thumbs.
2. Cancellous bone receives its blood supply by what means?
A) Arteries branching from the medullary cavity
B) Arteries branching inward from the periosteal arteries
C) Diffusion through the endosteal surface of the bone and the canaliculi
D) Direct absorption from synovial fluid
**Correct Answer:** C) Diffusion through the endosteal surface of the bone
and the canaliculi
**Rationale:** Cancellous (trabecular) bone is highly porous and receives its
nutrients primarily via diffusion from the marrow cavity through the
canaliculi.
3. Which of the following is true regarding the blood supply of cortical
(compact) bone?
A) It depends solely on the endosteum
,B) It receives blood only from the periosteum
C) It receives blood through Haversian canals and periosteal arteries
D) It is avascular and relies on synovial fluid
**Correct Answer:** C) It receives blood through Haversian canals and
periosteal arteries
**Rationale:** Cortical bone is supplied by Haversian (central) canals that
run longitudinally, with connecting Volkmann canals, and by arteries that
penetrate the periosteum.
4. Which cells are responsible for bone resorption?
A) Osteoblasts
B) Osteoclasts
C) Chondrocytes
D) Osteocytes
**Correct Answer:** B) Osteoclasts
**Rationale:** Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that break down
bone tissue by secreting acid and lysosomal enzymes.
5. A patient is diagnosed with osteoporosis. Which of the following best
describes the pathophysiology of this condition?
A) Increased osteoblast activity leading to thickened bone
B) Excessive deposition of calcium in the bone matrix
C) Imbalance between bone resorption and formation, with resorption
exceeding formation
D) Inflammation of the synovial membrane
, **Correct Answer:** C) Imbalance between bone resorption and formation,
with resorption exceeding formation
**Rationale:** Osteoporosis results from a chronic imbalance in which
osteoclast-mediated bone resorption outpaces osteoblast-mediated bone
formation, leading to decreased bone density and increased fracture risk.
6. Which of the following would a patient likely report if you suspect they
have osteoarthritis? (Select all that apply)
A) Stiffness in the morning that lasts longer than 30 minutes
B) Pain that is alleviated with activity
C) A “grinding feel” with movement
D) Pain in their metacarpophalangeal joint
**Correct Answer:** C) A “grinding feel” with movement
**Rationale:** In osteoarthritis, joint movement may produce crepitus (a
grinding sensation) due to roughening of articular cartilage. Morning stiffness
typically resolves within 30 minutes, unlike rheumatoid arthritis.
7. A T-score of –2.8 indicates:
A) Normal bone density
B) Osteopenia
C) Osteoporosis
D) Severe osteoporosis
**Correct Answer:** C) Osteoporosis
**Rationale:** According to WHO criteria, a T-score ≤ –2.5 indicates
osteoporosis. A T-score between –1.0 and –2.5 indicates osteopenia.
