Question 1

What is an acute episode of a chronic disease called?

Accepted Answer

An acute episode of a chronic disease is called an exacerbation.

Question 2

Etiology is defined as the study of the:

Accepted Answer

Etiology is the study of the causes of a disease.

Question 3

The term cancer refers to:

Accepted Answer

The term cancer specifically refers to a malignant neoplasm, which is a type of tumor that grows uncontrollably and can spread to other parts of the body. Dysplasia, hyperplasia, and metaplasia are all abnormal cell changes that can potentially lead to cancer but do not necessarily indicate the presence of cancer itself.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Damaged cells may activate repair mechanisms to attempt to restore normal function. Ischemia may cause cell death, but mild ischemia does not necessarily cause immediate cell death. Altering DNA can have significant effects on cell function, so A is false. All types of cells do not die at the same rate, as different cell types have different lifespans and rates of turnover.

Question 5

The best definition of the term prognosis is the:

Accepted Answer

Prognosis refers to the predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery from a specific disease.

Question 6

To which of the following does the term apoptosis refer?

Accepted Answer

Apoptosis refers to preprogrammed cell self-destruction, which is a natural process of cell death that occurs in response to various cellular signals. It is a tightly regulated and controlled process that plays an important role in development, tissue homeostasis, and removal of damaged or infected cells. Unlike necrosis, which is a type of cell death that occurs as a result of injury or disease, apoptosis does not cause inflammation or damage to surrounding tissues.

Question 7

Caseation necrosis refers to an area where:

Accepted Answer

Caseation necrosis refers to a type of necrosis where dead cells form a thick, cheesy substance. This occurs particularly in cases of tuberculosis, where the body tries to contain and wall off the bacteria, leading to the formation of caseous (cheesy) necrosis.

Question 8

Lack of exercise during an illness may cause skeletal muscle to undergo:

Accepted Answer

Lack of exercise during an illness can cause skeletal muscle atrophy, which is the wasting away or shrinking of muscle tissue due to a decrease in muscle protein synthesis and an increase in protein breakdown. This can lead to weakness and a loss of muscle function. Hypertrophy refers to an increase in muscle mass, dysplasia is an abnormal development of tissue, and regeneration refers to the repair or regrowth of damaged tissue.

Question 9

The term homeostasis refers to:

Accepted Answer

Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of a stable internal environment, including body temperature, pH levels, and nutrient balances. This balance is achieved through complex physiological processes that regulate various systems in the body. Homeostasis is essential for optimal health and function.

Question 10

When a group of cells in the body dies,the change is called:

Accepted Answer

Necrosis is the term used to describe the death of a group of cells or tissues in the body. Ischemia refers to a lack of blood flow and oxygen to a particular area, hypoxia refers to a lack of oxygen, and gangrene typically refers to the death of tissue due to infection or a lack of blood flow. Therefore, necrosis is the best choice for this question.

Question 11

Which of the following is considered a systemic sign of disease?

Accepted Answer

Fever is a systemic sign of disease, meaning it affects the body as a whole and not just one specific area. Swelling of the knee, pain in the neck, and a red rash on the face are all localized symptoms that affect specific areas of the body.

Question 12

Which of the following would be the most likely cause of an iatrogenic disease?

Accepted Answer

An iatrogenic disease is a disease caused unintentionally by medical treatment or procedures, including the administration of drugs. Therefore, the most likely cause of an iatrogenic disease would be an unwanted effect of a prescribed drug.

Question 13

Hypertrophy of the heart would be related to:

Accepted Answer

Hypertrophy of the heart refers to an increase in the size of individual cells, typically due to increased workload or stress on the heart muscle. It does not involve an increase in the number of cells or replacement of normal cells with a different type. A decrease in the size of individual cells would be atrophy, not hypertrophy.

Question 14

A change in a tissue marked by cells that vary in size and shape and show increased mitotic figures would be called:

Accepted Answer

Dysplasia is characterized by abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of cells, as well as increased mitotic activity. This is often considered a precancerous change in tissue. Metaplasia involves the conversion of one differentiated cell type into another, while atrophy is a shrinkage in the size of cells or tissue. Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, rather than a change in shape or organization.

Question 15

The manifestations of a disease are best defined as the:

Accepted Answer

Manifestations of a disease refer to the signs and symptoms that are exhibited by an affected individual. These can include physical changes, such as a rash or fever, as well as subjective feelings, such as pain or fatigue.

Question 16

Pathophysiology involves the study of:

Accepted Answer

Pathophysiology specifically involves the study of how disease processes affect the functioning and structure of the body, including the organs and cells. While knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is necessary for understanding pathophysiology, these topics alone do not encompass the full scope of this field.

Question 17

Which of the following is the best definition of epidemiology?

Accepted Answer

Epidemiology is the study of diseases, including their occurrence, distribution and determinants. It involves the collection and analysis of data to understand patterns of disease occurrence and risk factors. Therefore, option A is the best definition of epidemiology as it accurately describes the focus of the field. Option B refers to mortality rate, while option C refers to diagnosis and option D is too narrow and focused on emerging diseases only.

Question 18

A circumstance that causes a sudden acute episode of a chronic disease to occur is termed:

Accepted Answer

A precipitating factor is an event or circumstance that triggers a sudden acute episode of a chronic disease to occur. Examples of precipitating factors include illness, stress, or exposure to allergens. The other options are not appropriate because they refer to different aspects of disease development. The latent stage refers to a period during which a disease is present but not yet clinically apparent, while the term predisposing factor refers to a characteristic that increases the likelihood of developing a disease. The incidence refers to the occurrence of new cases of a disease within a population over a specified period.

Question 19

Routine application of sun block to skin would be an example of:

Accepted Answer

Sun block is a preventative measure to protect the skin from the harmful effects of sunlight, including the increased risk of skin cancer. It is not iatrogenic (caused by medical treatment), a precipitating factor (an event that triggers a disease or condition), or a predisposing condition (a factor that makes a person more susceptible to a disease).

Question 20

Which term is used to describe a new and secondary or additional problem that arises after the original disease is established?

Accepted Answer

A complication is a new and secondary problem that arises after the original disease has been established.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Pathophysiology