NLE Pathology MCQs: Practice Questions With Explanations

Sample NLE (NRE) theory MCQs from Pathology, one of the largest basic-science subjects in the qbank, covering cell injury, neoplasia and immunopathology, each with the correct answer explained.

Pathology is one of the largest basic-science subjects in HighYield's NLE (NRE) question bank — see our NRE syllabus breakdown for how the basic sciences component fits into the wider 200-MCQ theory paper. Below is a sample set spanning cell injury, neoplasia, and immunopathology.

Cell Injury & Necrosis

1. Coagulative necrosis, in which tissue architecture is preserved for several days despite cell death, is the characteristic pattern of necrosis seen in:

A) Cerebral infarction
B) Myocardial infarction ✅
C) Tuberculous lymph nodes
D) Fat necrosis in acute pancreatitis

2. Caseous necrosis, a friable, cheese-like combination of coagulative and liquefactive necrosis, is classically associated with:

A) Myocardial infarction
B) Tuberculosis ✅
C) Gout
D) Acute pancreatitis

Neoplasia

3. Psammoma bodies are a characteristic finding in papillary thyroid carcinoma, serous ovarian cystadenocarcinoma, and meningioma. Which of the following is NOT classically associated with psammoma bodies?

A) Papillary thyroid carcinoma
B) Meningioma
C) Follicular thyroid carcinoma ✅
D) Serous papillary ovarian cystadenocarcinoma

4. The p53 gene, frequently mutated in a wide range of human cancers, normally functions as a:

A) Proto-oncogene
B) Tumour suppressor gene ✅
C) DNA repair enzyme only
D) Growth factor receptor

Immunopathology & Haematopathology

5. The 'owl-eye' binucleated Reed-Sternberg cell is the diagnostic hallmark of:

A) Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
B) Hodgkin lymphoma ✅
C) Multiple myeloma
D) Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

6. Amyloid deposits show which staining characteristic under polarized light after Congo red staining?

A) Red fluorescence
B) Apple-green birefringence ✅
C) Blue-black colour change
D) No colour change

Why Pathology Deserves Dedicated Practice

Pathology questions on the NLE theory paper tend to test recognition of a mechanism or a classic association, not rote memorisation — exactly the applied style tested on exam day. HighYield's NLE question bank covers Pathology alongside every discipline on the theory paper, including Anatomy — see our NLE Anatomy MCQs — with every question explained. Start with your first questions free, no sign-in required.