PATHOPYSIOLOGY EXAM
2026 PATHOPYSIOLOGY EXAM
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
Q1.
A patient with chronic hypoxia develops polycythemia. What is the primary physiological
reason?
A. Decreased erythropoietin secretion
B. Increased erythropoietin secretion
C. Bone marrow failure
D. Increased plasma volume
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic hypoxia stimulates kidneys to release erythropoietin, increasing RBC
production.
Q2.
Which condition is most associated with left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Ascites
✔✔ Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided failure causes blood backup into lungs → pulmonary edema.
Q3.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most life-threatening in acute renal failure?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
,PATHOPYSIOLOGY EXAM
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Q4.
A mutation causing abnormal hemoglobin structure leads to sickling in RBCs. This is an
example of:
A. Chromosomal disorder
B. Protein structural disorder
C. Autoimmune disease
D. Metabolic enzyme deficiency
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Sickle cell disease is caused by abnormal hemoglobin protein structure.
Q5.
Which mechanism leads to edema in nephrotic syndrome?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased aldosterone secretion
C. Increased lymph drainage
D. Increased capillary permeability only
✔✔ Answer: A
Rationale: Protein loss → low albumin → fluid shifts into tissues.
Q6.
Which condition is characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells?
A. Type 2 diabetes
B. Type 1 diabetes
C. Cushing syndrome
D. Addison disease
, PATHOPYSIOLOGY EXAM
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 DM is autoimmune beta-cell destruction.
Q7.
What is the primary cause of respiratory alkalosis?
A. Hypoventilation
B. Hyperventilation
C. Kidney failure
D. Diarrhea
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Excess CO₂ loss from rapid breathing.
Q8.
Which cell type is primarily responsible for antibody production?
A. T lymphocytes
B. B lymphocytes
C. Macrophages
D. Neutrophils
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: B cells differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies.
Q9.
Which condition causes increased preload in heart failure?
A. Hypertension
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Valvular regurgitation
D. Atherosclerosis
✔✔ Answer: C
Rationale: Regurgitation increases volume returning to the heart.
2026 PATHOPYSIOLOGY EXAM
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
Q1.
A patient with chronic hypoxia develops polycythemia. What is the primary physiological
reason?
A. Decreased erythropoietin secretion
B. Increased erythropoietin secretion
C. Bone marrow failure
D. Increased plasma volume
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic hypoxia stimulates kidneys to release erythropoietin, increasing RBC
production.
Q2.
Which condition is most associated with left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Ascites
✔✔ Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided failure causes blood backup into lungs → pulmonary edema.
Q3.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most life-threatening in acute renal failure?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
,PATHOPYSIOLOGY EXAM
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Q4.
A mutation causing abnormal hemoglobin structure leads to sickling in RBCs. This is an
example of:
A. Chromosomal disorder
B. Protein structural disorder
C. Autoimmune disease
D. Metabolic enzyme deficiency
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Sickle cell disease is caused by abnormal hemoglobin protein structure.
Q5.
Which mechanism leads to edema in nephrotic syndrome?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased aldosterone secretion
C. Increased lymph drainage
D. Increased capillary permeability only
✔✔ Answer: A
Rationale: Protein loss → low albumin → fluid shifts into tissues.
Q6.
Which condition is characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells?
A. Type 2 diabetes
B. Type 1 diabetes
C. Cushing syndrome
D. Addison disease
, PATHOPYSIOLOGY EXAM
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 DM is autoimmune beta-cell destruction.
Q7.
What is the primary cause of respiratory alkalosis?
A. Hypoventilation
B. Hyperventilation
C. Kidney failure
D. Diarrhea
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: Excess CO₂ loss from rapid breathing.
Q8.
Which cell type is primarily responsible for antibody production?
A. T lymphocytes
B. B lymphocytes
C. Macrophages
D. Neutrophils
✔✔ Answer: B
Rationale: B cells differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies.
Q9.
Which condition causes increased preload in heart failure?
A. Hypertension
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Valvular regurgitation
D. Atherosclerosis
✔✔ Answer: C
Rationale: Regurgitation increases volume returning to the heart.
