Pathology Practice Questions

Wilson’s disease leads to copper buildup in the liver causing cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy manifested by asterixis. Copper also deposits in the basal ganglia, producing movement disorders. Pancreatitis is not part of its clinical presentation. Therefore choice D is correct.

Reye’s syndrome features microvesicular fatty change in the liver and elevated ammonia, leading to encephalopathy and coma. It typically follows influenza B or varicella in children given aspirin. Hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia, is characteristic due to impaired gluconeogenesis. Hence choice B is correct.

“Blue bloater” describes chronic bronchitis, not emphysema; emphysema patients are “pink puffers.” Emphysema causes dyspnea and compensatory tachycardia from hypoxia. It does not directly cause liver cirrhosis. Thus choice A is the term not linked to emphysema.

Guillain–Barré syndrome typically presents after an infection, with ascending paralysis more pronounced in the lower limbs initially. Cerebrospinal fluid shows elevated protein with normal cell count. Autonomic dysfunction can cause hypertension. Greater initial upper extremity deficits are not characteristic, making B correct.

A Pancoast tumor at the lung apex compresses the sympathetic chain causing Horner’s syndrome (ptosis, anhidrosis) and invades the cervical plexus producing shoulder pain. It does not cause arthritis. Therefore choice D is not linked to a Pancoast tumor.

Wermer syndrome is another name for multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, involving pituitary, parathyroid, and pancreatic tumors. MEN II involves pheochromocytoma and medullary thyroid cancer. No MEN type III or IV exist. Thus choice A is correct.

Common causes of acute pancreatitis include alcohol use, hyperlipidemia, gallstones, and certain medications like steroids. Hypotension is a complication, not an etiology. Therefore choice D is not a cause of acute pancreatitis.

Alzheimer’s disease is defined by neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid (senile) plaques, and progressive dementia. Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor but not a defining pathology. Hence choice B is not directly related.

Horner’s syndrome results from sympathetic chain disruption, causing miosis, ptosis, and anhidrosis on the affected side. Malaise is a nonspecific symptom and not part of this triad. Thus choice B is correct.

Goodpasture’s syndrome features anti–glomerular basement membrane antibodies causing hematuria and pulmonary hemorrhage with hemoptysis. Resulting blood loss can lead to anemia. Adrenal atrophy is unrelated. Therefore choice C is not a feature.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease causing slow-onset hypothyroidism. Neuropathy is not a direct feature of thyroid autoimmunity. Hence choice C is not associated.

SIADH can result from pulmonary disorders (e.g., pneumonia), CNS insults like TBI, and various drugs. HIV is not a recognized cause of inappropriate ADH secretion. Therefore choice D is correct.

Emboli can be composed of air, bacteria (septic emboli), fat, thrombus, or tumor fragments. Viral particles do not form emboli. Thus choice D is not a type of embolus.

Buerger disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) causes distal limb claudication and poor cold tolerance. Night sweats are systemic symptoms seen in infections like tuberculosis, not Buerger’s. Therefore choice C is correct.

Kawasaki disease presents with prolonged fever, conjunctivitis, and cervical lymphadenitis. Arthritis is not a primary diagnostic criterion. Hence choice C is not directly related to Kawasaki disease.

Pericarditis can occur in SLE, uremia, and rheumatic fever. Conjunctiva involvement is not related to pericardial inflammation. Thus choice A is correct.

Pheochromocytoma causes episodic hypertension, pallor, diaphoresis, and headaches due to catecholamine excess. It does not cause low blood pressure. Therefore choice C is not a feature.

Sarcoidosis leads to interstitial lung fibrosis, elevated ACE levels, and may mimic rheumatoid arthritis. It causes restrictive, not obstructive, lung disease. Hence choice D is correct.

Genetics, obesity, and smoking are established risk factors for hypertension. Being young generally protects against high blood pressure. Therefore choice C is not a risk factor.

Multiple sclerosis causes demyelination leading to nystagmus, optic neuritis, and tremors. Elevated IgE levels are not associated with MS. Thus choice B is correct.