1
Pathophysiology Final Exam
Questions and Answers 2024 -
Rasmussen
1. A cell exposed to severe hypoxia most likely undergoes which early change?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Loss of membrane ion pump function
C. Immediate apoptosis in all cases
D. Increased oxidative phosphorylation
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia lowers ATP, causing failure of membrane pumps and
cellular swelling.
2. Reversible cell injury is most likely when:
A. The insult is brief and mild
B. DNA is completely destroyed
C. Membranes rupture immediately
D. The cell cannot recover at all
Answer: A
Rationale: Mild, short-duration injury may be reversible if the cause is
removed.
3. Apoptosis is best described as:
A. Uncontrolled cell death with inflammation
B. Programmed cell death
C. Bacterial destruction of tissue
D. Permanent ischemic necrosis only
Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is an organized, genetically controlled process.
4. Which finding is more consistent with necrosis than apoptosis?
A. Cell shrinkage without inflammation
B. Cell swelling with inflammation
C. No membrane damage
D. No enzyme leakage
pg. 1
,2
Answer: B
Rationale: Necrosis usually involves membrane rupture and inflammation.
5. The first major responder in acute inflammation is usually the:
A. Neutrophil
B. Eosinophil
C. Plasma cell
D. Basophil
Answer: A
Rationale: Neutrophils are the key early responders in acute inflammation.
6. Histamine release during inflammation causes:
A. Vasoconstriction
B. Increased vascular permeability
C. Decreased blood flow
D. Reduced edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Histamine increases permeability, allowing fluid to leak into
tissues.
7. Fever during infection is primarily mediated by:
A. Pyrogens
B. Albumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: A
Rationale: Pyrogens raise the hypothalamic temperature set point.
8. C-reactive protein is best described as a marker of:
A. Kidney failure only
B. Inflammation
C. Glucose control
D. Platelet function
Answer: B
Rationale: CRP rises as part of the acute-phase inflammatory response.
9. A left shift on a CBC indicates:
A. Increased immature neutrophils
B. Decreased red cell mass
C. Increased platelets
pg. 2
, 3
D. Low serum calcium
Answer: A
Rationale: A left shift suggests acute infection or intense inflammation.
10.Sepsis is best defined as:
A. A localized infection without symptoms
B. Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host
response to infection
C. Fever above 38 C only
D. Bacteremia without inflammation
Answer: B
Rationale: Sepsis involves a harmful systemic response to infection.
11.Septic shock is characterized by:
A. Hypertension and bradycardia
B. Persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors
C. Mild tachypnea only
D. Normal organ perfusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Septic shock is severe circulatory and metabolic dysfunction.
12.An early sign of shock is usually:
A. Tachycardia
B. Profound bradycardia
C. Severe hypertension
D. Jaundice
Answer: A
Rationale: The body compensates for low perfusion with increased heart
rate.
13.Metabolic acidosis in shock is commonly due to:
A. Lactic acid buildup
B. Excess bicarbonate production
C. Low calcium only
D. High hemoglobin
Answer: A
Rationale: Poor perfusion leads to anaerobic metabolism and lactate
accumulation.
pg. 3
Pathophysiology Final Exam
Questions and Answers 2024 -
Rasmussen
1. A cell exposed to severe hypoxia most likely undergoes which early change?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Loss of membrane ion pump function
C. Immediate apoptosis in all cases
D. Increased oxidative phosphorylation
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia lowers ATP, causing failure of membrane pumps and
cellular swelling.
2. Reversible cell injury is most likely when:
A. The insult is brief and mild
B. DNA is completely destroyed
C. Membranes rupture immediately
D. The cell cannot recover at all
Answer: A
Rationale: Mild, short-duration injury may be reversible if the cause is
removed.
3. Apoptosis is best described as:
A. Uncontrolled cell death with inflammation
B. Programmed cell death
C. Bacterial destruction of tissue
D. Permanent ischemic necrosis only
Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is an organized, genetically controlled process.
4. Which finding is more consistent with necrosis than apoptosis?
A. Cell shrinkage without inflammation
B. Cell swelling with inflammation
C. No membrane damage
D. No enzyme leakage
pg. 1
,2
Answer: B
Rationale: Necrosis usually involves membrane rupture and inflammation.
5. The first major responder in acute inflammation is usually the:
A. Neutrophil
B. Eosinophil
C. Plasma cell
D. Basophil
Answer: A
Rationale: Neutrophils are the key early responders in acute inflammation.
6. Histamine release during inflammation causes:
A. Vasoconstriction
B. Increased vascular permeability
C. Decreased blood flow
D. Reduced edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Histamine increases permeability, allowing fluid to leak into
tissues.
7. Fever during infection is primarily mediated by:
A. Pyrogens
B. Albumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: A
Rationale: Pyrogens raise the hypothalamic temperature set point.
8. C-reactive protein is best described as a marker of:
A. Kidney failure only
B. Inflammation
C. Glucose control
D. Platelet function
Answer: B
Rationale: CRP rises as part of the acute-phase inflammatory response.
9. A left shift on a CBC indicates:
A. Increased immature neutrophils
B. Decreased red cell mass
C. Increased platelets
pg. 2
, 3
D. Low serum calcium
Answer: A
Rationale: A left shift suggests acute infection or intense inflammation.
10.Sepsis is best defined as:
A. A localized infection without symptoms
B. Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host
response to infection
C. Fever above 38 C only
D. Bacteremia without inflammation
Answer: B
Rationale: Sepsis involves a harmful systemic response to infection.
11.Septic shock is characterized by:
A. Hypertension and bradycardia
B. Persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors
C. Mild tachypnea only
D. Normal organ perfusion
Answer: B
Rationale: Septic shock is severe circulatory and metabolic dysfunction.
12.An early sign of shock is usually:
A. Tachycardia
B. Profound bradycardia
C. Severe hypertension
D. Jaundice
Answer: A
Rationale: The body compensates for low perfusion with increased heart
rate.
13.Metabolic acidosis in shock is commonly due to:
A. Lactic acid buildup
B. Excess bicarbonate production
C. Low calcium only
D. High hemoglobin
Answer: A
Rationale: Poor perfusion leads to anaerobic metabolism and lactate
accumulation.
pg. 3
