Pathology Practice Test 4
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 4th 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 4
Rice water stools is a typical finding in the case of which disease?
- Typhoid
- Ulcerative colitis
- Amebiasis
- Cholera
Explanation: Answer reason: Rice-water stools are classically associated with cholera due to profuse secretory diarrhea from Vibrio cholerae; not typical of typhoid, ulcerative colitis, or amebiasis.
A client is admitted with the diagnosis of testicular cancer. Which of the following factors in the client's history would be associated with the disease?
- Seminal vesiculitis
- Undescended testis
- Epididymitis
- Sexual relations at an early age
Explanation: Answer reason: Cryptorchidism (undescended testis) is a well-established risk factor for testicular cancer; the other options are not recognized risk factors.
A nurse prepares to care for a 4 year-old newly admitted for rhabdomyosarcoma. The nurse should be aware that this type of tumor affects?
- All striated muscles
- The cerebellum
- Kidneys and bladder
- Leg bones
Explanation: Answer reason: Rhabdomyosarcoma is a pediatric soft tissue sarcoma that arises from striated (skeletal) muscle cells and can occur anywhere skeletal muscle is present.
What is the most serious and irreversible consequence of lead poisoning?
- Death
- Respiratory failure
- Hypovolemic shock
- MR
Explanation: Answer reason: Lead neurotoxicity causes irreversible cognitive impairment (intellectual disability). Respiratory failure and hypovolemic shock are not typical consequences, and while death can occur, the classic irreversible outcome is MR.
What is metastasis known as?
- Malignant tumor
- Benign tumor
- Both a and b
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Metastasis is the spread of cancer to distant sites, a property of malignant tumors; benign tumors do not metastasize.
Koplik spots are known as a characteristic sign of which disease?
- Oral cancer
- Measles
- Mumps
- Purpura
Explanation: Answer reason: Koplik spots—small bluish-white lesions on the buccal mucosa—are pathognomonic for measles (rubeola).
A client admitted with newly diagnosed Hodgkin’s disease would most likely report which symptom?
- Lymph node pain
- Weight gain
- Night sweats
- Headache
Explanation: Answer reason: Hodgkin lymphoma commonly presents with systemic 'B symptoms'—fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Weight gain and headache are not typical; lymph nodes are usually painless except possible pain after alcohol. Therefore night sweats is most likely.
Can men also have breast cancer?
- Yes
- Not sure
- No idea
Explanation: Answer reason: Men have breast tissue and can develop malignant tumors there, though it is less common than in women.
After death, does body weight increase, decrease, remain the same, or none of the above?
- Increase
- Decrease
- Same
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Postmortem, the body gradually loses mass from evaporation, fluid loss, and decomposition; nothing adds weight, leading to a net decrease.
In pellagra, dermatitis usually affects?
- Exposed parts of body
- Covered parts of body
- Trunk only
- All parts of the body
Explanation: Answer reason: Pellagra (niacin deficiency) causes a photosensitive dermatitis that characteristically involves sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, and dorsum of hands and forearms.
The most common breast neoplasm (benign or malignant) found in young females (age 20-35) is?
- Adenocarcinoma
- Duet Papilloma
- Fibroadenoma
- Sarcoma
Explanation: Answer reason: Fibroadenoma is the most common breast tumor in women aged 20–35 and is benign; adenocarcinoma predominates in older women, intraductal papilloma is less common, and sarcoma is rare.
The nurse is caring for several hospitalized children. Which of the following childhood disorders is likely to result in metabolic acidosis?
- Severe diarrhea
- Acute asthma
- Pulmonary edema
- Vomiting
Explanation: Answer reason: Severe diarrhea causes loss of bicarbonate in stool, producing metabolic acidosis. Vomiting leads to metabolic alkalosis, while asthma and pulmonary edema cause respiratory, not metabolic, acid–base disturbances.
Rice water stool is the typical sign of which disease?
- Cholera
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Dysentery
Explanation: Answer reason: Rice-water stools are the hallmark of cholera due to Vibrio cholerae causing profuse watery diarrhea.
What is the term for an increase in the number of cells?
- Hyperplasia
- Hypoplasia
- Metaplasia
- Dysplasia
Explanation: Answer reason: Hyperplasia is defined as an increase in the number of cells. Hypoplasia is underdevelopment, metaplasia is a reversible change from one mature cell type to another, and dysplasia is disordered growth.
Which of the following is the cause of physiologic jaundice?
- Immaturity of liver
- Bile duct obstruction
- ABO incompatibility
- Rh incompatibility
Explanation: Answer reason: Physiologic jaundice in newborns is due to transient immaturity of hepatic bilirubin conjugation (UDP-glucuronyl transferase). Bile duct obstruction and blood group incompatibilities cause pathologic jaundice.
What is meant by edema?
- Accumulation of sweats
- Accumulation of fluids
- Accumulation of fats
- Accumulation of blood
Explanation: Answer reason: Edema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces, not sweat, fat, or blood.
What is the most common cancer in the world among males?
- Cancer of oral cavity
- Cancer of lung
- Prostate cancer
- Cervical cancer
Explanation: Answer reason: Globally, lung cancer has been the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and the leading cause of male cancer deaths, making it the best single answer.
Which tissue type is least affected by radiation therapy?
- Neurons
- Gonads
- Cartilage
- Lymphocytes
Explanation: Answer reason: According to the law of Bergonie and Tribondeau, tissues with low mitotic activity and high differentiation are radioresistant. Cartilage has minimal cell turnover and is avascular, so it is least affected by radiation. Lymphocytes and gonads are highly radiosensitive; neurons are relatively resistant but less so than cartilage.
In which disease does an infant feel salty on kissing?
- Hirschsprung's disease
- Candidiasis
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Paronychia
Explanation: Answer reason: Cystic fibrosis causes abnormally high sweat chloride; infants often have a salty-tasting skin noticed when kissed.
Which of the following is NOT a type of embolus?
- Amniotic fluid
- Bacteria
- Vagus nerve
- Virus
Explanation: Answer reason: Recognized emboli include thromboemboli, fat, air, amniotic fluid, and septic (bacterial/fungal) emboli. A nerve cannot travel in the bloodstream as an embolus; therefore, vagus nerve is not a type of embolus.
Malaria affects on ________?
- Liver
- Lungs
- Spleen
- Pancreas
Explanation: Answer reason: In malaria, parasitized and damaged red blood cells are sequestered and destroyed in the spleen, leading to reticuloendothelial hyperplasia and splenomegaly—a classic clinical finding. The spleen plays a central role in filtering infected erythrocytes and mounting immune responses to Plasmodium. While the liver is involved in the pre‑erythrocytic stage, the most prominently affected organ clinically is the spleen.
Gland affected by mumps is?
- Sublingual
- Parotid
- Submandibular
- Submaxillary
Explanation: Answer reason: Mumps is a paramyxovirus infection that characteristically causes painful swelling of the parotid salivary glands (parotitis). While other salivary glands can occasionally be involved, bilateral parotid enlargement is the classic finding. Patients present with preauricular swelling, tenderness, and sometimes complications like orchitis or meningitis. Therefore, the parotid gland is the primary gland affected.
Pathology is the study of?
- Drugs
- Diseases
- Muscles
- Vitamins
Explanation: Answer reason: Pathology is the scientific study of disease, including its causes (etiology), mechanisms of development (pathogenesis), and structural and functional changes in cells, tissues, and organs. It explains how diseases produce clinical signs and symptoms. It does not focus on drugs, muscles, or vitamins.
In neonatal jaundice, .......bilirubin is increased?
- Indirect
- Direct
- Both
- None
Explanation: Answer reason: Physiologic neonatal jaundice is characterized by elevated unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin due to increased bilirubin production, immature hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity, and increased enterohepatic circulation. Conjugated (direct) hyperbilirubinemia suggests pathologic cholestasis or hepatocellular disease and is not typical of simple physiologic neonatal jaundice. Therefore, the increased fraction in usual neonatal jaundice is indirect bilirubin.
The diagnostic sign of mumps is?
- Neck stiffness
- Swelling near jaw
- Rash
- Cough
Explanation: Answer reason: Mumps is characterized by painful swelling of the parotid salivary glands, producing fullness and tenderness near the angle of the jaw and below the ear (parotitis). This finding is the classic diagnostic sign. Neck stiffness would suggest meningitis, rash is more typical of measles or rubella, and cough is nonspecific and not diagnostic for mumps.
Incised looking wound can be found at?
- Abdomen
- Scalp
- Thigh
- Gluteal region
Explanation: Answer reason: An incised-looking lacerated wound occurs when blunt force splits tightly stretched skin over a hard bony surface, producing sharp margins that mimic an incised wound. The scalp is tightly adherent and stretched over the skull, so blunt trauma there commonly yields this appearance. In contrast, areas with thicker soft tissue like the abdomen, thigh, or gluteal region more often show typical contused lacerations rather than incised-looking wounds.
Koplik's spots are clinical feature of?
- Chicken pox
- Pertusis
- Cholera
- Measles
Explanation: Answer reason: Koplik spots are small bluish-white lesions with an erythematous base on the buccal mucosa, classically appearing opposite the molars. They are pathognomonic for measles and typically precede the maculopapular rash. These lesions do not occur in chickenpox, pertussis, or cholera, making measles the correct choice.
The smallpox rash passes through stages of?
- Macule → Papule → Vesicle → Pustule → Scab
- Rash → Fever → Scab → Cure
- Only vesicles
- None
Explanation: Answer reason: Variola (smallpox) lesions evolve in a characteristic sequence: they begin as macules, become papules, then vesicles, followed by pustules that crust and form scabs. Lesions in a given area tend to be at the same stage, which helps distinguish smallpox from varicella. Options B and C do not reflect the pathologic progression of individual lesions, and D is incorrect because a defined sequence exists.
This organ is majorly affected by hepatitis?
- Liver
- Heart
- Kidneys
- Brain
Explanation: Answer reason: Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, most commonly due to viral infection, toxins, or autoimmune causes. The liver is therefore the primary organ affected, leading to jaundice, right upper quadrant pain, and elevated AST/ALT. Persistent inflammation can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
Snake bite first affects?
- Nervous System
- Respiratory System
Explanation: Answer reason: Many venomous snakebites, particularly from elapids (e.g., cobras, kraits), deliver neurotoxins that first impair neuromuscular transmission. Early manifestations include ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, and bulbar weakness, reflecting primary nervous system involvement. Respiratory failure develops later as paralysis of respiratory muscles progresses. Therefore, the initial system affected is the nervous system.
A 55 years old male presented with cramping pain in the leg when walking, relieved by rest. The pain is worse when walking uphill than on the flat. He has history of diabetes and HTN since 20 years. Which of the following is not a component of the pathological changes seen in the patient's condition?
- Elastin
- Neutrophils
- Extracellular matrix
- Foam cells
Explanation: Answer reason: The presentation describes intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial disease from atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic plaques are composed of lipid-laden foam cells/macrophages and smooth muscle cells within an extracellular matrix containing collagen and elastin, forming a fibrous cap. The inflammatory infiltrate is predominantly macrophages and T lymphocytes. Neutrophils are not a typical component of chronic atherosclerotic plaques.
Fever with chills and sweating is common in?
- Malaria
- Typhoid
- Tuberculosis
- Common cold
Explanation: Answer reason: Malaria characteristically presents with paroxysms of fever that include a cold stage with intense chills, followed by a hot stage and then profuse sweating as the temperature falls. These cycles correspond to synchronous rupture of parasitized red blood cells and cytokine release. Typhoid typically causes a sustained, step-ladder fever without pronounced rigors; tuberculosis is associated more with night sweats than acute chills. The common cold rarely causes high fever with chills and drenching sweats.
Smoking is main caused of?
- Tuberculosis
- Emphysema
- Lung cancer
- Pneumonia
Explanation: Answer reason: Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for the majority of cases due to numerous carcinogens that induce DNA damage and mutations. Risk rises with cumulative exposure (pack‑years) and is dose‑dependent. While smoking contributes to emphysema and increases risk for infections like pneumonia and TB, lung cancer is the most directly attributable and predominant malignancy caused by smoking.
Which of these is not a symptom of malaria?
- Shivering
- Sweating
- Joint pain
- Constipation
Explanation: Answer reason: Typical malaria symptoms include cyclical fever with chills/shivering and profuse sweating, as well as headache, myalgia, and malaise; arthralgia can occur. Gastrointestinal complaints may include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Constipation is not characteristic of malaria and is not part of its usual symptom complex. Therefore, constipation is the least likely symptom.
Most Common Cause Of Lung Cancer?
- Consumption Of Alcohol
- Inhaled Toxic Agents
- Cigarette Smoking
- Both (A) and (B)
Explanation: Answer reason: Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for roughly 85–90% of cases. Tobacco smoke contains numerous carcinogens (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines) that cause DNA damage and malignant transformation in bronchial epithelium. Inhaled toxic agents such as asbestos or radon are important risk factors but account for far fewer cases overall. Alcohol consumption is not a primary cause of lung cancer.
Which of the following are not signs/symptoms/complications of lupus-like syndrome?
- Joint paint
- Fever
- Red, scaly, macular rash
- Arrhythmia
Explanation: Answer reason: Drug-induced lupus (lupus-like syndrome) commonly presents with constitutional symptoms such as fever and musculoskeletal complaints like arthralgia, and may include cutaneous eruptions. Cardiac involvement, when present, is typically serositis (e.g., pericarditis), not primary conduction abnormalities. Arrhythmias are not characteristic features of lupus-like syndrome. Therefore, arrhythmia is the option that is not a typical sign, symptom, or complication.
Which organ in human body can't develop cancer?
- Lungs
- Brain
- Heart
Explanation: Answer reason: All organs can develop cancer, but primary cardiac malignancies are exceedingly rare because adult cardiomyocytes have very low proliferative capacity. The heart is more commonly involved by metastases than by primary tumors, whereas the lungs and brain commonly have primary cancers. Thus, among the options, the heart is the least likely to develop cancer and is traditionally cited as the organ that 'can’t' develop cancer.
Step-ladder pattern of fever is seen in?
- Malaria
- Typhoid
- Influenza
- Pneumonia
Explanation: Answer reason: Enteric fever (typhoid) classically presents with a step-ladder pattern, where temperature rises progressively over several days with higher evening spikes. This contrasts with malaria, which has periodic paroxysms, and influenza, which typically begins with an abrupt high fever. Pneumonia generally shows a sustained or remittent fever rather than a stepwise rise.
Osteomyelitis is infection of?
- Bone
- Liver
- Kidney
- Brain
Explanation: Answer reason: Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection of bone and bone marrow, most commonly due to Staphylococcus aureus. The term derives from "osteo" (bone) and "myelitis" (marrow inflammation). It does not refer to infections of visceral organs like the liver or kidney, nor to the central nervous system.
Blood poisoning is known as?
- Sepsis
- Leukemia
- Hemophilia
- Jaundice
Explanation: Answer reason: The lay term blood poisoning refers to sepsis, a life-threatening systemic response to infection often associated with bacteremia. Leukemia is a malignant proliferation of white blood cells, not an infectious process. Hemophilia is a hereditary bleeding disorder due to clotting factor deficiency. Jaundice is yellow discoloration from elevated bilirubin.
The characteristic feature of tetanus is?
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasm
- Cough
- Rash
Explanation: Answer reason: Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani toxin, which blocks inhibitory neurotransmitters (GABA and glycine) in the central nervous system. This leads to sustained muscle rigidity and painful muscle spasms, including trismus and opisthotonos. Diarrhea, cough, and rash are not typical manifestations of tetanus.
Hepatoma is cancer of ?
- Heart
- Liver
- Rectum
- Kidney
Explanation: Answer reason: Hepatoma refers to hepatocellular carcinoma, a malignant tumor arising from hepatocytes in the liver. The prefix “hepato-” denotes liver, and this cancer is the most common primary malignancy of the liver. It is associated with chronic hepatitis B or C infection, cirrhosis, and aflatoxin exposure.
Chickenpox complications may include?
- Pneumonia
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Ulcer
Explanation: Answer reason: Varicella-zoster virus infection can lead to serious complications such as viral pneumonia, particularly in adults, pregnant individuals, and the immunocompromised. Pneumonia may present with cough, dyspnea, and hypoxemia and can be life-threatening. Diabetes, heart failure, and peptic ulcer disease are not typical direct complications of chickenpox.
A. Pneumonia B. Renal failure C. Meningitis D. Hepatitis. Which is/are most seen in those who got COVID-19 infection?
- Only A
- A and B
- A and C
- A and D
Explanation: Answer reason: COVID-19 primarily affects the lower respiratory tract and most commonly presents with viral pneumonia. Acute kidney injury can occur in severe or hospitalized cases but is not the most frequently seen manifestation. Meningitis and hepatitis are uncommon complications. Therefore the most seen condition is pneumonia alone.
Patients with COVID-19 have less chance to get symptoms in which organ?
- Eyes
- Kidneys
- Nervous system
- Pancreas
Explanation: Answer reason: SARS‑CoV‑2 can involve many organs via ACE2 receptors, with frequent respiratory, renal, and neurologic manifestations. Ocular findings such as conjunctivitis are reported but still occur in a small percentage of patients. Pancreatic involvement is uncommon and symptomatic pancreatitis due to COVID‑19 is rare compared with kidney injury or neurologic symptoms. Therefore, patients have the least chance of symptoms in the pancreas among the options listed.
Abnormal uncontrolled growth of cells is called?
- Infection
- Tumor
- Cancer
- Mutation
Explanation: Answer reason: Cancer (malignant neoplasia) is defined by abnormal, unregulated cell proliferation with the potential for invasion and metastasis. While a tumor is simply an abnormal mass and may be benign or malignant, cancer specifically denotes malignant growth. Infection involves microorganisms, and mutation refers to a genetic change that may contribute to cancer but is not the growth itself.
Study of diseases is called?
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Anatomy
Explanation: Answer reason: Pathology is the scientific study of diseases, including their causes, mechanisms, structural changes, and effects on the body. Oncology focuses specifically on tumors and cancers. Physiology studies normal body functions, and anatomy studies body structure. Therefore, the best answer is pathology.
Primary stage of syphilis presents as?
- Rash
- Chancre
- Fever
- Jaundice
Explanation: Answer reason: Primary syphilis characteristically presents with a solitary, painless, indurated ulcer (chancre) at the site of inoculation with regional lymphadenopathy, appearing about 3 weeks after exposure to Treponema pallidum. Secondary syphilis presents later with diffuse rash and systemic symptoms such as fever. Jaundice is not a feature of primary disease. Therefore, chancre is the hallmark of the primary stage.
Immediate sign of death is?
- Changes in skin
- Changes in eye
- Cessation of circulation
- Decrease in body temperature
Explanation: Answer reason: The most immediate sign of death is the cessation of circulation and respiration, evidenced by absent pulse and heart sounds. Skin color changes (livor mortis), corneal clouding, and body cooling (algor mortis) are postmortem changes that develop over minutes to hours, not instantaneously. Therefore, cessation of circulation best indicates immediate death.
Preterm babies are more prone to?
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypothermia
- Sepsis
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Preterm infants have limited glycogen stores and immature hepatic pathways, making hypoglycemia common. Their large surface area-to-mass ratio, thin skin, and reduced brown fat lead to poor thermoregulation and hypothermia. Immature innate and adaptive immunity, along with frequent invasive procedures, increase susceptibility to sepsis. Therefore, all listed conditions are more common in preterm babies.
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