20 Pathology Quiz Questions and Answers

Pathology is the medical discipline that studies the causes, mechanisms, and effects of diseases. It serves as the bridge between basic sciences and clinical practice, enabling accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning.

Key Branches of Pathology:
Anatomical Pathology: Focuses on the examination of tissues and organs through techniques like histopathology and cytology. It includes autopsies and surgical specimen analysis to identify abnormalities such as tumors or infections.

Clinical Pathology: Involves laboratory testing of bodily fluids, such as blood and urine, to assess biochemical, hematological, and microbiological aspects. Subfields include hematology, microbiology, and chemical pathology.

Molecular Pathology: Explores diseases at the genetic and molecular level, using techniques like PCR and sequencing to detect mutations, aiding in personalized medicine.

Forensic Pathology: Applies pathology to legal contexts, investigating causes of death through autopsies and evidence analysis.

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Part 2: 20 pathology quiz questions & answers

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1. Question: What is the primary mechanism of cell injury in hypoxia?
Options:
A) ATP depletion
B) Calcium influx
C) Free radical formation
D) Mitochondrial swelling
Answer: A) ATP depletion
Explanation: Hypoxia impairs oxidative phosphorylation, leading to rapid depletion of ATP, which disrupts cellular functions and initiates injury.

2. Question: In acute inflammation, which cell is the first to arrive at the site of injury?
Options:
A) Neutrophils
B) Lymphocytes
C) Macrophages
D) Eosinophils
Answer: A) Neutrophils
Explanation: Neutrophils are rapidly recruited to sites of acute inflammation due to chemotactic signals, making them the first responders.

3. Question: What is the hallmark histological feature of irreversible cell injury?
Options:
A) Karyorrhexis
B) Nuclear pyknosis
C) Cell membrane rupture
D) Cytoplasmic vacuolation
Answer: C) Cell membrane rupture
Explanation: Irreversible cell injury is characterized by severe membrane damage, leading to loss of cellular integrity and eventual cell death.

4. Question: Which type of necrosis is commonly associated with tuberculosis?
Options:
A) Coagulative necrosis
B) Caseous necrosis
C) Liquefactive necrosis
D) Fat necrosis
Answer: B) Caseous necrosis
Explanation: Tuberculosis causes caseous necrosis, which appears cheese-like on histology due to the action of granulomatous inflammation.

5. Question: What is the most common cause of apoptosis?
Options:
A) DNA damage
B) Ischemic injury
C) Viral infection
D) Toxin exposure
Answer: A) DNA damage
Explanation: Apoptosis is often triggered by DNA damage, which activates pathways like p53 to eliminate damaged cells and prevent malignancy.

6. Question: In neoplasia, what defines a benign tumor?
Options:
A) Invasive growth
B) Metastatic potential
C) Well-differentiated cells
D) High mitotic rate
Answer: C) Well-differentiated cells
Explanation: Benign tumors consist of well-differentiated cells that resemble their tissue of origin and do not invade surrounding tissues.

7. Question: Which oncogene is most commonly associated with breast cancer?
Options:
A) RAS
B) MYC
C) HER2
D) TP53
Answer: C) HER2
Explanation: Amplification of the HER2 gene is a common driver in breast cancer, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation.

8. Question: What is the primary tumor suppressor gene mutated in retinoblastoma?
Options:
A) BRCA1
B) RB1
C) p53
D) APC
Answer: B) RB1
Explanation: Mutations in the RB1 gene lead to uncontrolled cell cycle progression, which is the hallmark of retinoblastoma development.

9. Question: Which factor is crucial for tumor angiogenesis?
Options:
A) VEGF
B) TNF-alpha
C) Interleukin-2
D) Interferon-gamma
Answer: A) VEGF
Explanation: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes the formation of new blood vessels, essential for tumor growth and metastasis.

10. Question: What is the most common site of metastasis for lung cancer?
Options:
A) Brain
B) Liver
C) Bone
D) Adrenal glands
Answer: A) Brain
Explanation: Lung cancer frequently metastasizes to the brain due to hematogenous spread via the pulmonary veins.

11. Question: In iron deficiency anemia, what is the primary morphological change in red blood cells?
Options:
A) Microcytosis
B) Macrocytosis
C) Spherocytosis
D) Target cells
Answer: A) Microcytosis
Explanation: Iron deficiency leads to reduced hemoglobin synthesis, resulting in smaller (microcytic) red blood cells.

12. Question: What is the characteristic feature of sickle cell anemia?
Options:
A) Hemoglobin S polymerization
B) Thalassemia mutation
C) Enzyme deficiency
D) Autoimmune hemolysis
Answer: A) Hemoglobin S polymerization
Explanation: In sickle cell anemia, deoxygenation causes hemoglobin S to polymerize, distorting red blood cells into a sickle shape.

13. Question: Which leukemia is associated with the Philadelphia chromosome?
Options:
A) Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
B) Chronic myeloid leukemia
C) Acute myeloid leukemia
D) Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Answer: B) Chronic myeloid leukemia
Explanation: The Philadelphia chromosome (t(9;22)) results in the BCR-ABL fusion gene, characteristic of chronic myeloid leukemia.

14. Question: What is the most common cause of thrombocytopenia?
Options:
A) Immune destruction
B) Bone marrow failure
C) Splenic sequestration
D) Dilutional effect
Answer: A) Immune destruction
Explanation: Autoimmune conditions like idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura often cause platelet destruction by antibodies.

15. Question: In multiple myeloma, what is the key laboratory finding?
Options:
A) Monoclonal gammopathy
B) Elevated bilirubin
C) Low creatinine
D) Normal serum proteins
Answer: A) Monoclonal gammopathy
Explanation: Multiple myeloma is characterized by the production of a monoclonal immunoglobulin, detectable as a spike in serum protein electrophoresis.

16. Question: What is the primary pathological feature of atherosclerosis?
Options:
A) Plaque formation
B) Vasculitis
C) Thrombus formation
D) Aneurysm
Answer: A) Plaque formation
Explanation: Atherosclerosis involves the buildup of plaques composed of lipids, cholesterol, and inflammatory cells in arterial walls.

17. Question: In myocardial infarction, what is the zone of injury?
Options:
A) Central necrosis
B) Peripheral hyperemia
C) Surrounding fibrosis
D) Ischemic border
Answer: D) Ischemic border
Explanation: The zone of injury in myocardial infarction is the area around the necrotic core where cells are reversibly damaged but may recover.

18. Question: What causes alcoholic liver disease?
Options:
A) Steatosis and inflammation
B) Viral infection
C) Autoimmune reaction
D) Genetic mutation
Answer: A) Steatosis and inflammation
Explanation: Chronic alcohol consumption leads to fat accumulation (steatosis) and inflammation, progressing to fibrosis and cirrhosis.

19. Question: In renal pathology, what is the defining feature of glomerulonephritis?
Options:
A) Immune complex deposition
B) Tubular necrosis
C) Cystic formation
D) Interstitial fibrosis
Answer: A) Immune complex deposition
Explanation: Glomerulonephritis often results from immune complexes depositing in the glomeruli, causing inflammation and damage.

20. Question: What is the most common type of skin cancer?
Options:
A) Basal cell carcinoma
B) Squamous cell carcinoma
C) Melanoma
D) Merkel cell carcinoma
Answer: A) Basal cell carcinoma
Explanation: Basal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent skin cancer, typically arising from sun-exposed areas and rarely metastasizing.

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