How haemodynamics is examined
The RCPA Basic Pathological Sciences (BPS) examination is an online invigilated exam open to medical, science and dental students and graduates, as well as RCPA trainees, international medical graduates, registrars and junior doctors. It tests the general principles of pathology that underpin every discipline. Check the RCPA website for the current format, dates, fees and exemptions.
Core concepts
| Concept | What to know |
|---|---|
| Oedema | Starling forces: raised hydrostatic pressure, low oncotic pressure, lymphatic obstruction |
| Haemostasis | Platelet plug, coagulation cascade, fibrinolysis |
| Thrombosis | Virchow triad: endothelial injury, stasis, hypercoagulability |
| Embolism | Thromboembolism, fat, air, amniotic fluid |
| Infarction | Red versus white infarcts |
| Shock | Hypovolaemic, cardiogenic, distributive, obstructive |
Worked questions
Worked question · Infarction
Which organ typically develops a red (haemorrhagic) infarct?
- A Lung
- B Heart
- C Kidney
- D Spleen
- E Liver segment
Show the reasoning
Answer A. Red infarcts occur in tissues with dual blood supply or loose tissue (lung, small bowel) or after venous occlusion. Solid organs with end-arterial supply develop white infarcts.
Worked question · Virchow
Which is NOT part of Virchow triad?
- A Hypertension
- B Endothelial injury
- C Stasis of blood flow
- D Hypercoagulability
- E Turbulent flow
Show the reasoning
Answer A. Virchow triad is endothelial injury, abnormal blood flow (stasis or turbulence) and hypercoagulability.
High-yield facts to memorise
| Term | Key fact |
|---|---|
| Transudate | Low protein; raised hydrostatic or low oncotic pressure |
| Exudate | High protein; inflammation |
| Arterial thrombus | Platelet-rich, white, at sites of endothelial injury |
| Venous thrombus | Red, stasis-related, deep leg veins |
| Paradoxical embolism | Venous embolus crossing a septal defect |
| DIC | Consumption of platelets and factors with fibrinolysis |
Turn each row into a flashcard and test yourself until you can explain the mechanism, not just the label.
A 3-week revision block
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Oedema and haemostasis |
| 2 | Thrombosis and embolism |
| 3 | Infarction, shock and mixed |
Answer timed questions daily and write a one-line mechanism for every question you get wrong.
Common traps
- Confusing red and white infarcts.
- Mixing arterial and venous thrombi.
- Forgetting shock types.
Free sample haemodynamics questions
Questions from our Pathology (RCPA) bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
Fat embolism follows:
- AChildbirth
- BLong bone fractures
- CAtrial fibrillation
- DDeep vein thrombosis in the calf
- EDecompression
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. Fat embolism syndrome: 1 to 3 days after long bone fractures, with hypoxia, neurological change and petechiae.
Learning point: Fat embolism: long bone fracture; petechiae.
Decompression sickness is due to:
- ANitrogen bubbles
- BClotted blood
- CFat emboli
- DOxygen bubbles
- ECarbon dioxide toxicity
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. Rapid ascent releases dissolved nitrogen as bubbles (the bends, chokes). Recompression treats it.
Learning point: Decompression sickness: nitrogen bubbles.
Which is part of Virchow triad?
- AHigh platelet count from iron deficiency
- BLow fibrinogen
- CHigh haemoglobin from smoking
- DEndothelial injury
- ELow blood pressure
Show answer and explanation
Answer D. Virchow: endothelial injury, abnormal flow (stasis or turbulence), hypercoagulability.
Learning point: Virchow: endothelium, flow, hypercoagulability.
Practise more haemodynamics questions free
Every haemodynamics subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 22 haemodynamics questions across 21 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Air embolism1
- Amniotic fluid embolism1
- Antiphospholipid1
- Arterial thrombus1
- Chronic venous congestion1
- Chronic venous congestion of the liver1
- DIC1
- Embolism1
- Factor V Leiden2
- Haemorrhage1
- Heart failure cells1
- HIT1
- Hypovolaemic shock1
- Infarct healing1
- Infarct types1
- Lines of Zahn1
- Nephrotic oedema1
- Oedema1
- Septic shock1
- Shock types1
- Virchow triad1
Common questions
Is coagulation tested?
Yes. Haemostasis and coagulation are central to haemodynamics.
What is a lines of Zahn?
Alternating platelet-fibrin and red cell layers that indicate a thrombus formed in flowing blood.
Which embolus follows long bone fractures?
Fat embolism.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.
- RCPA Basic Pathological Sciences examination
- Robbins and Kumar Basic Pathology (standard text)