Pathology Practice Test 3
Pathology NCLEX Practice Test
Pathology is a key topic within the NCLEX test plan, located under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations → Pathology. This section connects disease mechanisms to clinical manifestations and nursing priorities for safe patient care. Each test contains 50 questions designed to mirror the difficulty and variety of the real exam.
This is the 3rd part of the Pathology series. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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In the Pathology Study Cards section, shared by real NCLEX candidates, you’ll find concise summaries and high-yield insights related to the most tested concepts. It’s a perfect space to reinforce challenging topics and sharpen your recall through quick, focused repetitions. Short, powerful, and repeatable!
Pathology Practice Test 3
What is the diagnosis of a 2-month-old infant with feeding refusal, poor weight gain, hair resembling steel or wood, and low serum copper levels?
- De Vivo disease
- Menkes disease
- Keshan disease
- Kashin beck disease
Explanation: Answer reason: Low serum copper with kinky/steel-wool hair and failure to thrive in an infant is classic for Menkes disease (ATP7A copper transport defect). Other options involve different etiologies: De Vivo (GLUT1 deficiency), Keshan (selenium-related cardiomyopathy), Kashin-Beck (endemic osteoarthropathy).
What does a cob-web appearance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicate?
- Bacterial meningitis
- Viral meningitis
- Tuberculous (TB) meningitis
- Encephalitis
Explanation: Answer reason: A spider-web/cobweb clot forms in CSF that is high in protein and fibrin seen classically in tuberculous meningitis when the CSF is allowed to stand.
Typhoid fever is an example of which type of inflammation?
- Acute inflammation
- Chronic nonspecific inflammation
- Chronic granulomatous inflammation
- Chronic suppurative inflammation
Explanation: Answer reason: Typhoid fever produces typhoid nodules composed of aggregates of activated macrophages (mononuclear phagocytes), a granulomatous pattern of chronic inflammation.
Which oral disorder appears as yellow or white spots on the oral mucosa that cannot be scraped off without bleeding?
- Herpes simplex
- Candidiasis
- Aphthous ulcer
- Leukoplakia
Explanation: Answer reason: Oral candidiasis (thrush) presents as white to yellow curd-like plaques that can be scraped off, leaving an erythematous surface that often bleeds. Leukoplakia forms white patches that typically cannot be scraped off. Herpes shows vesicles/ulcers, and aphthous ulcers are discrete ulcers, not scrapable plaques.
Which type of schizophrenia is characterized by odd beliefs or unusual perceptions but no major hallucinations?
- Paranoid
- Catatonic
- Disorganised
- Residual
Explanation: Answer reason: Residual schizophrenia features the absence of prominent positive symptoms; patients may have odd beliefs or unusual perceptual experiences without major hallucinations or delusions.
What is the most common cause of cancer?
- Environment
- Chemical
- Infection
- Oncovirus
Explanation: Answer reason: Chemical carcinogens (e.g., tobacco smoke and industrial chemicals) account for the largest proportion of cancers; infections such as oncoviruses represent a smaller fraction.
Risk factors for liver cancer include all of the following except?
- Hepatitis A
- Cirrhosis
- Primary malignancy
- Cigarette smoking
Explanation: Answer reason: Hepatitis A does not cause chronic hepatitis and is not linked to hepatocellular carcinoma. Cirrhosis and smoking are associated risk factors, and other primary cancers commonly metastasize to the liver.
Which of the following is a characteristic of benign tumors?
- Fully differentiated tissue
- Immature, poorly differentiated tissue
- Invasive growth
- Presence of metastasis
Explanation: Answer reason: Benign tumors are typically well-differentiated and do not invade or metastasize; the other options describe malignant features.
Which client problem relating to altered nutrition is a consequence of AIDS?
- Increased appetite
- Increased secretions of digestive juices
- Decreased protein absorption
- Decreased gastrointestinal absorption
Explanation: Answer reason: HIV/AIDS commonly causes malabsorption due to HIV enteropathy and opportunistic GI infections, leading to global decreased intestinal absorption and wasting. Increased appetite or digestive secretions are not typical; while specific nutrient malabsorption (e.g., protein) can occur, the recognized consequence is generalized decreased GI absorption.
An increase in the number of cells due to an increase in the frequency of cell division is called?
- Atrophy
- Dysphasia
- Hyperplasia
- Hypertrophy
Explanation: Answer reason: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells due to increased cell division. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size, hypertrophy is an increase in cell size without an increase in number, and dysphasia refers to a language disorder.
John has a fever of 38.5 Deg. Celsius. It surges at around 40 Degrees and go back to 38.5 degrees 6 times today in a typical pattern. What kind of fever is John having?
- Relapsing
- Intermittent
- Remittent
- Constant
Explanation: Answer reason: Temperature fluctuates widely but remains above normal (38.5°C baseline with spikes to 40°C multiple times in a day), which defines remittent fever.
Which of the following is a malignant tumor?
- Glioma
- Neurofibroma
- Thyroid tumor
- Kaposi's sarcoma
Explanation: Answer reason: Sarcoma denotes a malignant tumor of mesenchymal origin; Kaposi's sarcoma is a malignant vascular neoplasm (HHV-8–associated). Neurofibroma is typically benign, gliomas vary by grade, and 'thyroid tumor' is nonspecific.
The following are some of the effects of HIV infection in the mother on the pregnancy and health of the newborn, except……?
- Spontaneous abortion
- Stillbirth
- Newborn mortality
- Excessive intrauterine growth
Explanation: Answer reason: Maternal HIV is associated with adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and increased neonatal mortality, typically with intrauterine growth restriction—not excessive growth.
After death, does body weight increase, decrease, or remain the same?
- Decrease
- Increase
- Same
Explanation: Answer reason: Postmortem, the body gradually loses mass through evaporation, drying, and expulsion/leakage of fluids and gases, so weight decreases over time.
Which stage of syphilis is characterized by a painless, draining ulcer called a chancre appearing several weeks after exposure?
- Primary stage
- Secondary stage
- Latent stage
- Tertiary stage
Explanation: Answer reason: Primary syphilis presents about 3 weeks after exposure with a painless indurated ulcer (chancre) at the inoculation site. Secondary causes rash/condylomata, latent is asymptomatic, tertiary has gummas/neuro/cardiac disease.
After death, what happens to the body weight?
- Increase
- Decrease
- Same
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Postmortem dehydration and loss of body fluids during cooling and early decomposition lead to a net reduction in body weight.
The nature of the disease process and its effect on normal body functioning is called?
- Etiology
- Pathogenesis
- Complications
- Prognosis
Explanation: Answer reason: Etiology is the cause of disease, complications are resulting problems, and prognosis is the expected outcome. Pathogenesis describes how a disease develops and affects normal function.
The parents of a child with cystic fibrosis ask what determines the prognosis of the disease. The nurse knows that the greatest determinant of the prognosis is?
- The degree of pulmonary involvement
- The ability to maintain an ideal weight
- The secretion of lipase by the pancreas
- The regulation of sodium and chloride excretion
Explanation: Answer reason: In cystic fibrosis, survival is most closely linked to the severity of pulmonary disease; respiratory involvement dictates prognosis. Nutritional status and pancreatic enzyme secretion are important but secondary, and the chloride channel defect explains pathogenesis, not prognosis.
A client is admitted for suspected bladder cancer. Which one of the following factors is most significant in the client's diagnosis?
- Smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years
- Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
- Eating foods with preservatives
- Past employment involving asbestos
Explanation: Answer reason: Cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for bladder cancer; carcinogens are concentrated in urine and contact urothelium. Asbestos exposure is linked mainly to lung disease/mesothelioma, and NSAIDs or food preservatives are not major established risks.
The autopsy results in SIDS-related death will show the following consistent findings?
- Abnormal central nervous system development
- Abnormal cardiovascular development
- Intraventricular hemorrhage and cerebral edema
- Pulmonary edema and intrathoracic hemorrhages
Explanation: Answer reason: Classic autopsy findings in SIDS are intrathoracic petechiae/hemorrhages and pulmonary edema; these are the most consistently reported postmortem features.
Which finding is associated with secondary syphilis?
- Painless, papular lesions on the perineum, fingers, and eyelids
- Absence of lesions
- Deep asymmetrical granulomatous lesions
- Well-defined generalized lesions on the palms, soles, and perineum
Explanation: Answer reason: Secondary syphilis presents with a diffuse maculopapular rash that characteristically involves the palms and soles and may include perineal lesions (condyloma lata).
What is increased in Wilson disease?
- Iron
- Copper
- Lipids
- Proteins
Explanation: Answer reason: Wilson disease is due to impaired copper excretion and decreased ceruloplasmin, leading to pathological accumulation of copper in tissues.
What is the death of tissue often occurring in the extremities or skin from loss of blood supply called?
- Trauma
- Gangrene
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cholera
Explanation: Answer reason: Gangrene is tissue necrosis caused by ischemia from loss of blood supply, commonly affecting extremities or skin.
What system(s) does snake venom attack in the human body?
- It attacks the nervous system
- It attacks the nervous system and blood
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Many snake venoms contain neurotoxins that impair neuromuscular transmission and hemotoxins that disrupt coagulation and damage blood vessels; thus they affect both the nervous system and blood.
What is the 'bull's-eye' rash associated with?
- Syphilis
- Lyme disease
- Chickenpox
- Herpes simplex
Explanation: Answer reason: The classic erythema migrans 'bull's-eye' rash is characteristic of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi from Ixodes tick bites; the other conditions do not typically produce this lesion.
Obesity increases the risk of which condition?
- Hypertension
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Cardiovascular Disease
- All Of These
Explanation: Answer reason: Obesity is a major risk factor for hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease; therefore all listed conditions are increased by obesity.
Which organs are commonly affected by malaria?
- Brain
- Heart
- Lungs
- Kidney
Explanation: Answer reason: Among the listed options, the brain is a classically and commonly involved organ in severe malaria (cerebral malaria). Cardiac involvement is uncommon; lungs and kidneys can be affected but less commonly than cerebral involvement.
What characterizes acute lethal catatonia?
- Rigidity, hyperthermia, dehydration
- Emotional blunting
- Early onset
- Absence of speech
Explanation: Answer reason: Malignant (lethal) catatonia is defined by severe rigidity with autonomic instability including hyperthermia and dehydration; other options are nonspecific or not defining.
What is the term for stiffness in the body after death?
- Algor mortis
- Libor mortis
- Rigor mortis
- Tardie's spots
Explanation: Answer reason: Postmortem muscular stiffening is called rigor mortis. Algor mortis is body cooling; livor (spelled here as libor) mortis is dependent lividity; Tardieu's spots are petechiae.
What is the term for the development of a clot in a vein?
- Vasculitis
- Spasm
- Thrombosis
- Stenosis
Explanation: Answer reason: Formation of a clot within a vessel is thrombosis; when it occurs in a vein it is venous thrombosis. Vasculitis is vessel inflammation, spasm is sudden constriction, and stenosis is narrowing.
A client has been hospitalized with a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer. Which factor is most significant in the development of laryngeal cancer?
- A family history of laryngeal cancer
- Chronic inhalation of noxious fumes
- Frequent straining of the vocal cords
- A history of frequent alcohol and tobacco use
Explanation: Answer reason: Tobacco is the primary risk factor for laryngeal cancer and has a synergistic effect with heavy alcohol use, making combined alcohol and tobacco use the most significant contributor.
Which finding is associated with Tay Sachs disease?
- Pallor of the conjunctiva
- Cherry-red spots on the macula
- Blue-tinged sclera
- White flecks in the iris
Explanation: Answer reason: Tay-Sachs (GM2 gangliosidosis) characteristically presents with a cherry-red spot on the macula. The other findings correspond to anemia (pallor of conjunctiva), osteogenesis imperfecta (blue sclera), and Brushfield spots in Down syndrome (white flecks in iris).
A newborn is diagnosed with congenital syphilis. Classic signs of congenital syphilis are?
- Red papular rash, desquamation, white strawberry tongue
- Rhinitis, maculopapular rash, hepatosplenomegaly
- Red edematous cheeks, maculopapular rash on the trunk and extremities
- Epicanthal folds, low-set ears, protruding tongue
Explanation: Answer reason: Congenital syphilis typically presents with snuffles (rhinitis), a maculopapular rash often involving palms/soles, and hepatosplenomegaly. Option A reflects scarlet fever; C describes fifth disease; D lists Down syndrome features.
What is another name for non-cancerous tumors?
- Benign tumors
- Malignant tumors
- Cystic tumors
- Polyps
Explanation: Answer reason: Non-cancerous tumors are termed benign; malignant tumors are cancerous, while cystic and polyp describe morphology, not cancer status.
After death, does body weight increase, decrease, or stay the same?
- Decrease
- Increase
- Same
Explanation: Answer reason: Postmortem dehydration and loss of fluids/gases during cooling and decomposition lead to a net reduction in body mass, so weight decreases over time.
What is a common complication of untreated strep throat?
- Rheumatic fever
- Hypertension
- Pancreas issues
- Diabetes
Explanation: Answer reason: Untreated group A streptococcal pharyngitis can lead to autoimmune sequelae, notably acute rheumatic fever; the other options are not typical complications.
Which mental disorder is characterized by a 'split of mind'?
- Autism
- Schizophrenia
- Anorexia nervosa
- Obsession
Explanation: Answer reason: Schizophrenia derives from Greek roots meaning 'split mind,' referring to a split between thought, emotion, and reality testing, not multiple personalities.
What is the term for pulling out scalp hair by children?
- Trichotillomania
- Kleptomania
- Tic
- Echolalia
Explanation: Answer reason: Hair-pulling disorder is trichotillomania. Kleptomania is compulsive stealing, a tic is an involuntary movement or sound, and echolalia is repeating words.
Acinic cell carcinoma is related with which gland?
- Thyroid gland
- Salivary gland
- Urinary bladder
- Ovary
Explanation: Answer reason: Acinic cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor showing serous acinar differentiation that most commonly arises in the salivary glands, especially the parotid.
What is the most common type of brain neoplasm?
- Acoustic neuroma
- Neuroma
- Glioma
- Angioma
Explanation: Answer reason: Gliomas, derived from glial cells (e.g., astrocytomas), constitute the majority of primary brain tumors, making them the most common brain neoplasms.
The nurse is caring for a client with a malignancy. The classification of the primary tumor is Tis. The nurse should plan care for a tumor?
- That cannot be assessed
- That is in situ
- With increasing lymph node involvement
- With distant metastasis
Explanation: Answer reason: In TNM staging, Tis denotes carcinoma in situ. Tx means tumor cannot be assessed; N refers to lymph nodes; M refers to distant metastasis.
Which disease presents with a bull's eye rash?
- Lyme disease
- Exophthalmos
- Fibrin hyaline disease
- Retinoblastoma
Explanation: Answer reason: A bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans) is the classic early skin manifestation of Lyme disease.
What is the ideal place to record body temperature in a dead body?
- Rectum
- Axilla
- Mouth
- Groin
Explanation: Answer reason: Postmortem core temperature is most accurately measured rectally; axilla, mouth, and groin are less reliable and more affected by ambient conditions.
Which of the following is a symptom of thrombophlebitis?
- Tenderness
- Edema
- Vertigo
- Pain in legs
Explanation: Answer reason: Thrombophlebitis (inflamed vein with clot) typically presents with localized tenderness over the affected vein, often with redness and warmth. Vertigo is unrelated, and while edema or leg pain can occur, tenderness is the classic hallmark.
Decubitus ulcer is a type of what?
- Dry gangrene
- Coagulative Necrosis
- Wet gangrene
- Liquefactive Necrosis
Explanation: Answer reason: Decubitus ulcers are pressure-induced ischemic lesions that commonly become infected in a moist environment, producing tissue putrefaction characteristic of wet gangrene. Dry gangrene involves mummified distal extremities; liquefactive necrosis is typical of brain infarcts; coagulative necrosis is general ischemic necrosis but decubitus ulcers are classically categorized as wet gangrene.
Which of the following is NOT part of the triad of cystic fibrosis?
- Pancreatic enzyme deficiency
- Fever
- High concentration of sweat electrolytes
- COPD
Explanation: Answer reason: The classic cystic fibrosis triad includes pancreatic enzyme deficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and elevated sweat electrolytes. Fever is not part of this triad.
Diabetic foot is a type of which gangrene?
- Dry gangrene
- Wet gangrene
- Gas gangrene
- None of these above
Explanation: Answer reason: Diabetic foot ulcers commonly develop infection superimposed on ischemic tissue, leading to moist, foul-smelling tissue characteristic of wet gangrene.
In which heat-related condition is sweating not present?
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat syncope
- Heat stroke
- Miner's cramps
Explanation: Answer reason: Classic heat stroke presents with hot, dry skin due to failure of thermoregulation and anhidrosis; other heat illnesses usually have sweating.
Which disease presents Nikolsky's sign?
- Psoriasis
- Comedo
- Pemphigus vulgaris
- Hemangioma
Explanation: Answer reason: Nikolsky sign—epidermal shearing with gentle pressure—is classically positive in pemphigus vulgaris due to acantholysis; it is not typical of psoriasis, comedones, or hemangiomas.
Pulmonary Embolism is caused by which of the following?
- Clots
- Fat molecular
- Air bubbles
- All
Explanation: Answer reason: Pulmonary emboli can result from thrombi, fat emboli (e.g., after long-bone fracture), or air emboli; therefore all listed causes are correct.
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