General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following is not a common site for metastatic calcification?

Parathyroid. **Explanation:** **Metastatic calcification** occurs when calcium salts are deposited in normal tissues due to **hypercalcemia** (elevated serum calcium levels). The underlying mechanism involves the deposition of calcium in tissues that have an **alkaline internal environment**, which favors the precipitation of calcium salts. **Why Parathyroid is the correct answer:** The parathyroid gland is the *source* of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), which often causes hypercalcemia (e.g., in primary hyperparathyroidism). However, the gland itself is not a common site for metastatic calcification. Metastatic calcification typically affects organs that excrete acids, thereby creating a local alkaline environment. **Why the other options are incorrect:** Metastatic calcification characteristically involves the "acid-secreting" organs: * **Gastric mucosa (A):** Secretes Hydrochloric acid (HCl). * **Kidneys (B):** Excrete hydrogen ions (acid) into the urine. * **Lungs (D):** Excrete Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), which is a volatile acid. In all these sites, the loss of acid leads to a relative **intracellular alkalinity**, making them the most common predisposed sites for calcium deposition. Additionally, the **systemic arteries** and **pulmonary veins** are common sites because they carry oxygenated blood with lower $CO_2$ levels (more alkaline). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Dystrophic Calcification:** Occurs in **dead/dying tissues** with **normal** serum calcium levels (e.g., Atherosclerosis, Monckeberg’s sclerosis, Psammoma bodies). * **Metastatic Calcification:** Occurs in **normal tissues** with **elevated** serum calcium levels. * **Morphology:** On H&E stain, both types appear as basophilic (blue-purple), amorphous granular clumps. * **Von Kossa Stain:** A specific silver stain used to identify calcium deposits (appears black).

Question 1

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding cystic fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

Normal CFTR is an ion channel specific for calcium.

Answer

The defective gene encodes for the membrane protein called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

Answer

It is an autosomal recessive disorder.

Answer

Altered pH of the surface secretions decreases bactericidal activity.

Question 2

A patient presented with chest pain to the emergency room and dies within 12 hours of arrival. Autopsy performed 5 days later shows necrosis in the myocardium. What is the type of necrosis?

Accepted Answer

Coagulative

Answer

Fibrinoid

Answer

Caseous

Answer

Liquefactive

Question 3

Basal cell carcinoma commonly spreads by which route?

Accepted Answer

Direct spread

Answer

Lymphatics

Answer

Haematogenous

Answer

All the above

Question 4

Mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) is known for all except:

Accepted Answer

Nemaline myopathy results due to mutations in mtDNA

Answer

Maternal inheritance

Answer

Heteroplasmy

Answer

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy is the prototype

Question 5

Which of the following statements regarding apoptosis is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

Caspases are endonucleases.

Answer

It exhibits a step ladder pattern on agarose gel electrophoresis.

Answer

Apoptosis is an energy-independent process.

Answer

Annexin V is a marker of apoptosis.

Question 6

A 22-year-old construction worker falls 30 ft and fractures several bones, including his femoral shafts. Six hours later, the patient develops shortness of breath and cyanosis. Which of the following hemodynamic disorders best explains the pathogenesis of shock in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Fat embolism

Answer

Acute myocardial infarction

Answer

Deep venous thrombosis

Answer

Paradoxical embolism

Question 7

All of the following are signs of necrosis except?

Accepted Answer

Lipofuscin

Answer

Cell membrane rupture

Answer

Karyolysis

Answer

Karyorrhexis

Question 8

What is the earliest event of vascular trauma?

Accepted Answer

Vasoconstriction

Answer

Platelet adhesion

Answer

Platelet aggregation

Answer

Vasodilation

Question 9

Which of the following is not a common site for metastatic calcification?

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid

Answer

Gastric mucosa

Answer

Kidney

Answer

Lung

Question 10

All of the following statements are true regarding hyperplasia, except:

Accepted Answer

Bone marrow hyperplasia is not seen in response to peripheral blood cytopenias

Answer

Seen in cells capable of dividing (labile cells)

Answer

There is an increase in the number of cells

Answer

Pathological hyperplasia can be a risk factor for malignancy

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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