Try it
Pathology · Pulmonary pathology
Sample itemWhat is the defining pathological feature of asthma?
Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.
The answer and the reasoning
B. Reversible airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness
Asthma involves episodic reversible bronchoconstriction with airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and hyperresponsiveness to triggers.
Option by option
A. Pulmonary artery embolus
Embolus is vascular obstruction.
B. Reversible airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness (correct)
Correct: reversibility and hyperresponsiveness define asthma.
C. Fibrotic pleural thickening only
Pleural fibrosis is a different disorder.
D. Permanent alveolar destruction only
Alveolar destruction defines emphysema.
Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.
More Pathology questions
- Pulmonary pathologyWhat is emphysema defined by?
- Pulmonary pathologyWhat is the fundamental abnormality in pulmonary fibrosis?
- HaematopathologyBinucleate 'owl-eye' cells that stain for CD15 and CD30 are characteristic of which cond…
- NeuropathologyEosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions in the pigmented neurons of the substantia nigr…