NURS 5315 Exam 4 Review for Advanced Pathophysiology

Musculoskeletal Disorders
Q1: What is osteoporosis?


A: A condition of low bone mineral density that increases fracture risk, particularly vertebral
fractures. It often progresses silently and is common post-menopause due to elevated RANKL.

Q2: What are the two types of osteoporosis?
A:

 Primary: Related to aging and hormonal changes (e.g., menopause).
 Secondary: Due to underlying conditions like corticosteroid use, hyperparathyroidism, or
chronic diseases.

Q3: What is osteoarthritis (OA)?


A: A degenerative joint disease marked by cartilage breakdown, joint space narrowing,
osteophyte formation, and pain that worsens with activity.

Q4: What are key pathophysiological features of OA?
A:

 Cartilage degeneration
 Synovial inflammation
 Subchondral bone sclerosis
 Osteophyte formation



Neurologic Disorders

Q5: What causes Parkinson’s disease?
A: Loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, resulting in dopamine deficiency.

Q6: What are hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s?
A:

 Resting tremor
 Bradykinesia
 Rigidity
 Postural instability