NURS 231 Module 1 Exam Questions and Correct Answers Latest Update 2025
What is the definition of "pathophysiology"? - Answers Pathophysiology is defined as not only the
cellular and organ changes that occur with disease, but also the effects that these changes have on total
body function.
Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed. - Answers Biologic agents (bacteria, viruses),
physical forces (trauma, burns, radiation), chemical agents (poisons, alcohol), one's genetic inheritance,
and nutritional excesses or deficiencies.
What are the 2 types of risk factors? - Answers Risk factors can be categorized as congenital conditions
(present at birth) or acquired defects (occurring after birth).
What is the difference between morphology and histology? - Answers Morphology is defined as the
fundamental structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology is the study of the cells and extracellular
matrix of body tissues.
Describe the difference between signs and symptoms and give an example of each. - Answers A
symptom is a subjective complaint, for example pain, trouble breathing, or dizziness. A sign is an
objective manifestation, for example an elevated temperature, a swollen extremity, or changes in pupil
size.
What are 3 important processes when coming to a diagnosis? - Answers The diagnostic process requires
a careful history, physical examination (PE), and sometimes diagnostic tests.
Explain validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity. - Answers Validity is how a tool measures what it is
intended to measure. Reliability is how likely the same result will occur if repeated. Sensitivity is the
proportion of people with a disease who are positive for that disease. Specificity are people without the
disease who are negative on a given test.
Define epidemiology and name some things that it tracks. - Answers Epidemiology is the study of disease
occurrence in human populations. It tracks age, race, dietary habits, lifestyle, or geographic location.
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence? - Answers Incidence is the number of new
cases in a population at risk during a specified time while prevalence in the sum of people with the
disease in a population at a given time.
Define mortality and morbidity. - Answers Morbidity is the effect of an illness on one's life. Mortality
statistics deal with the cause of death in a population.
Define primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and give an example of each. - Answers Primary
prevention is to remove risk factors to prevent disease from occurring- taking folic acid while pregnant
to prevent neural tube defects, vaccinating children to prevent communicable disease, eating healthy
and exercising to prevent heart disease, and wearing seatbelts or helmets. Secondary prevention aims
to detect and treat disease early, usually while the disease is asymptomatic and curable- annual Pap
, smears to detect early cervical cancer, encouraging smoking cessation, checking blood pressure and
cholesterol, and colonoscopy screening. Tertiary prevention occurs after a disease has been diagnosed
and clinical intervention is needed to reduce complications or deterioration- certain medications one
must take after a heart attack to help reduce the risk of a future event or death.
Why is evidence-based practice important? - Answers Evidence-based practice is the conscientious,
explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual
patients. This is to counteract "the way things have always been done," and to practice based on clinical
research.
What are the 3 primary structures of the cell? - Answers All eukaryotic cells have three primary
structures that are considered the functional components of the cell. These are the nucleus, the
cytoplasm, and the plasma membrane.
What is the function of the nucleus? - Answers The nucleus is the control center for the cell and contains
most of the hereditary material, DNA and RNA.
Name 3 structures within the nucleus. - Answers Chromatin, nucleolus, and nuclear envelope
What organelles are located in the cytoplasm? - Answers The organelles in the cytoplasm include the
ribosomes, ER, Golgi complex, mitochondria, and lysosomes.
What are the roles of the ribosomes, rough ER, and smooth ER? - Answers The ribosomes are the site of
protein synthesis in the cell. The Rough ER has ribosomes and functions to synthesize lysosomal
enzymes. The smooth ER does not have ribosomes and is the site for lipid, lipoprotein, and steroid
hormone synthesis.
What is the function of the lysosomes, peroxisomes, and mitochondria? - Answers Lysosomes are the
digestive system of the cell. Peroxisomes are smaller than lysosomes and function in the control of free
radicals. The mitochondria are aptly termed the "power plants" of the cell, as they transform organic
compounds (energy in food) into cellular energy for the cell.
What is contained in the cytoskeleton and what is its function? - Answers The cytoskeleton contains a
network of microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and thick filaments. They control cell
shape and movement.
Give examples of where cilia and flagella are found in the human body. - Answers Cilia can be found on
many epithelial linings, including the nasal sinuses and bronchi in the upper respiratory system. In the
human body, only spermatozoa contain flagella.
What are the 4 functions of the cell membrane? - Answers The cell membrane controls the transport of
materials from the outside fluids to within, binds hormone receptors, helps with the conduction of
electrical currents in nerve and muscle cells, and aids in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation.
