2026/2027
NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology
2026/2027 Comprehensive Exam
Preparation Workbook for Rasmussen
University Students
Question 1:
What is pathophysiology?
A. Study of drugs and their effects on the body
B. Study of normal body structure and function
C. Study of what happens when normal anatomy and physiology are disrupted
causing disease
D. Study of mental health disorders only
Correct Answer: C. Study of what happens when normal anatomy and physiology
are disrupted causing disease
Rationale: Pathophysiology explains disease processes when normal body function is
altered. A refers to pharmacology, B is anatomy/physiology, and D is too narrow and
incorrect.
Question 2:
Which of the following are the four components of pathophysiology?
A. Anatomy, physiology, treatment, recovery
B. Etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment implications
C. Diagnosis, medication, surgery, prognosis
D. Infection, inflammation, immunity, recovery
Correct Answer: B. Etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment
implications
Rationale: These are the core elements used to understand disease development and
management. The other options mix unrelated clinical terms.
Question 3:
What does etiology refer to?
,2026/2027
A. Signs and symptoms of disease
B. Development of disease over time
C. Causes or origin of a disease
D. Treatment of disease
Correct Answer: C. Causes or origin of a disease
Rationale: Etiology focuses on disease cause. A is clinical manifestations, B is
pathogenesis, and D is treatment.
Question 4:
What is pathogenesis?
A. Study of disease causes
B. Development and progression of disease
C. Visible signs of illness
D. Treatment outcomes
Correct Answer: B. Development and progression of disease
Rationale: Pathogenesis describes how disease evolves. A is etiology, C is clinical
signs, and D is treatment evaluation.
Question 5:
What are clinical manifestations?
A. Causes of disease
B. Laboratory values only
C. Signs and symptoms of a disease
D. Treatment plans
Correct Answer: C. Signs and symptoms of a disease
Rationale: Clinical manifestations include all observable and felt indicators of illness.
Other options do not describe clinical presentation.
Question 6:
What is the difference between signs and symptoms?
A. Signs are subjective, symptoms are objective
B. Signs are objective, symptoms are subjective
C. Both are subjective
D. Both are objective
, 2026/2027
Correct Answer: B. Signs are objective, symptoms are subjective
Rationale: Signs can be measured or observed; symptoms are reported by the patient.
A reverses definitions.
Question 7:
Which is an example of objective data?
A. Pain score
B. Fatigue report
C. Low blood pressure
D. Feeling anxious
Correct Answer: C. Low blood pressure
Rationale: Objective data is measurable. Pain and anxiety are subjective.
Question 8:
What is epidemiology?
A. Study of individual diseases
B. Study of drugs and treatment
C. Study of disease patterns in populations
D. Study of body structure
Correct Answer: C. Study of disease patterns in populations
Rationale: Epidemiology focuses on distribution and spread of disease in populations.
Question 9:
Which is NOT a level of disease prevention?
A. Primary
B. Secondary
C. Tertiary
D. Quaternary
Correct Answer: D. Quaternary
Rationale: The correct levels are primary, secondary, and tertiary. Quaternary is not
part of standard prevention levels.
NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology
2026/2027 Comprehensive Exam
Preparation Workbook for Rasmussen
University Students
Question 1:
What is pathophysiology?
A. Study of drugs and their effects on the body
B. Study of normal body structure and function
C. Study of what happens when normal anatomy and physiology are disrupted
causing disease
D. Study of mental health disorders only
Correct Answer: C. Study of what happens when normal anatomy and physiology
are disrupted causing disease
Rationale: Pathophysiology explains disease processes when normal body function is
altered. A refers to pharmacology, B is anatomy/physiology, and D is too narrow and
incorrect.
Question 2:
Which of the following are the four components of pathophysiology?
A. Anatomy, physiology, treatment, recovery
B. Etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment implications
C. Diagnosis, medication, surgery, prognosis
D. Infection, inflammation, immunity, recovery
Correct Answer: B. Etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment
implications
Rationale: These are the core elements used to understand disease development and
management. The other options mix unrelated clinical terms.
Question 3:
What does etiology refer to?
,2026/2027
A. Signs and symptoms of disease
B. Development of disease over time
C. Causes or origin of a disease
D. Treatment of disease
Correct Answer: C. Causes or origin of a disease
Rationale: Etiology focuses on disease cause. A is clinical manifestations, B is
pathogenesis, and D is treatment.
Question 4:
What is pathogenesis?
A. Study of disease causes
B. Development and progression of disease
C. Visible signs of illness
D. Treatment outcomes
Correct Answer: B. Development and progression of disease
Rationale: Pathogenesis describes how disease evolves. A is etiology, C is clinical
signs, and D is treatment evaluation.
Question 5:
What are clinical manifestations?
A. Causes of disease
B. Laboratory values only
C. Signs and symptoms of a disease
D. Treatment plans
Correct Answer: C. Signs and symptoms of a disease
Rationale: Clinical manifestations include all observable and felt indicators of illness.
Other options do not describe clinical presentation.
Question 6:
What is the difference between signs and symptoms?
A. Signs are subjective, symptoms are objective
B. Signs are objective, symptoms are subjective
C. Both are subjective
D. Both are objective
, 2026/2027
Correct Answer: B. Signs are objective, symptoms are subjective
Rationale: Signs can be measured or observed; symptoms are reported by the patient.
A reverses definitions.
Question 7:
Which is an example of objective data?
A. Pain score
B. Fatigue report
C. Low blood pressure
D. Feeling anxious
Correct Answer: C. Low blood pressure
Rationale: Objective data is measurable. Pain and anxiety are subjective.
Question 8:
What is epidemiology?
A. Study of individual diseases
B. Study of drugs and treatment
C. Study of disease patterns in populations
D. Study of body structure
Correct Answer: C. Study of disease patterns in populations
Rationale: Epidemiology focuses on distribution and spread of disease in populations.
Question 9:
Which is NOT a level of disease prevention?
A. Primary
B. Secondary
C. Tertiary
D. Quaternary
Correct Answer: D. Quaternary
Rationale: The correct levels are primary, secondary, and tertiary. Quaternary is not
part of standard prevention levels.
