Nurs 5315 Exam 1 (2026) UPDATE Verified Questions And Answers | With 100% Correct
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Sarcopenia - ANSWER- Loss of muscle mass and strength associated with aging.
Osteoporosis - ANSWER- Decreased bone density associated with aging.
Cardiovascular Changes - ANSWER- Stiffening of blood vessels and increased plaque
formation, leading to reduced elasticity and increased blood pressure.
Immunosenescence - ANSWER- The aging of the immune system characterized by a
decreased ability to respond to infections and vaccines.
Increased Susceptibility - ANSWER- Higher risk of infections and diseases, as well as a
higher incidence of autoimmune disorders due to aging.
Neuronal loss - ANSWER- A decrease in the number of neurons in the brain, which can
contribute to cognitive decline.
Decreased neurogenesis - ANSWER- A reduction in the generation of new neurons,
particularly in certain areas of the brain.
Alterations in neurotransmitter levels - ANSWER- Changes in the chemical messengers in
the brain that can affect mood, cognition, and behavior.
Cognitive decline - ANSWER- A deterioration in cognitive functions such as memory,
attention, and reasoning.
,Resting Potential - ANSWER- The neuron is in a resting state with a voltage of
approximately -70 mV, maintained by the sodium-potassium pump.
Threshold - ANSWER- A certain threshold (usually around -55 mV) is reached when a
stimulus causes slight depolarization, triggering an action potential.
Depolarization - ANSWER- Voltage-gated sodium channels open rapidly, allowing Na⁺ ions
to rush into the cell, causing the membrane potential to reach up to +30 mV.
Peak Phase - ANSWER- At the peak of the action potential, the inactivation gates of sodium
channels close, stopping Na⁺ influx, while voltage-gated potassium channels open.
Repolarization - ANSWER- K⁺ ions flow out of the cell through opened potassium channels,
making the inside of the cell more negative and returning towards resting potential.
Hyperpolarization - ANSWER- The potassium channels are slow to close, causing an
overshoot where the membrane potential becomes more negative than the resting potential.
Return to Resting Potential - ANSWER- The sodium-potassium pump restores the resting
potential by transporting Na⁺ ions out and K⁺ ions back into the neuron.
Calcium Imbalance - ANSWER- Calcium imbalances can significantly affect the action
potential of neurons.
Hypercalcemia - ANSWER- High extracellular calcium levels can increase the threshold
required to initiate an action potential and enhance synaptic release.
Hypocalcemia - ANSWER- Low extracellular calcium reduces the threshold for action
potential initiation, increasing excitability and leading to symptoms like muscle spasms.
Potassium Imbalance - ANSWER- Potassium imbalances can also significantly affect the
action potential of neurons.
Hyperkalemia - ANSWER- High potassium levels decrease the resting membrane potential,
bringing it closer to the threshold but can impair action potential firing over time.
,Hypokalemia - ANSWER- Low potassium levels make the membrane potential more
negative, reducing excitability and making it harder for neurons to fire action potentials.
Muscle Weakness - ANSWER- Chronic depolarization from hyperkalemia can lead to long-
term paralysis or weakness due to inactivation of sodium channels.
Neuromuscular Effects of Hypocalcemia - ANSWER- Hypocalcemia can lead to increased
neuromuscular excitability, muscle cramps, and tingling sensations.
Muscle Weakness and Cramps from Hypokalemia - ANSWER- Hypokalemia can lead to
muscle weakness, cramps, and in severe cases, paralysis due to reduced neuronal and
muscular activity.
Refractory Period - ANSWER- The period during hyperpolarization where the neuron is less
likely to fire another action potential.
Sodium-Potassium Pump - ANSWER- A mechanism that actively transports Na⁺ ions out of
the cell and K⁺ ions into the cell to maintain resting potential.
Neurotransmitter Release - ANSWER- Calcium is critical in neurotransmitter release at
synaptic terminals.
Spontaneous Action Potentials - ANSWER- Low extracellular calcium can lead to
spontaneous action potentials due to increased excitability.
Calcium Stabilization - ANSWER- Calcium stabilizes the membrane, making neurons less
excitable and requiring stronger stimuli to trigger action potentials.
Chronic Depolarization - ANSWER- A condition where persistent depolarization can
inactivate sodium channels, impairing action potentials.
Atrophy - ANSWER- Decrease in size and function
, Hypertrophy - ANSWER- Increase in size
Hyperplasia - ANSWER- Increase in the number of cells; Size of organ increases
Metaplasia - ANSWER- One cell type replaced by another
Dysplasia - ANSWER- Disorganized cellular growth
Physiologic Atrophy - ANSWER- Example: Shrinkage of the thymus during early
development and aging.
Pathophysiologic Atrophy - ANSWER- Example: Muscle atrophy due to prolonged
immobilization, such as when a limb is in a cast.
Physiologic Hypertrophy - ANSWER- Example: Enlargement of skeletal muscle fibers due
to consistent exercise and resistance training.
Pathophysiologic Hypertrophy - ANSWER- Example: Cardiac hypertrophy due to chronic
hypertension.
Physiologic Hyperplasia - ANSWER- Example: Breast glandular tissue proliferation during
pregnancy and lactation.
Pathophysiologic Hyperplasia - ANSWER- Example: Endometrial hyperplasia due to
prolonged estrogen exposure without progesterone balance.
Pathophysiologic Dysplasia - ANSWER- Example: Cervical dysplasia as seen in Pap smear
tests where abnormal cells are detected.
Physiologic Metaplasia - ANSWER- Example: Cervical metaplasia can be considered part of
a normal physiological process in response to hormonal changes during puberty.
Answers graded A+ Guaranteed Success!!
Sarcopenia - ANSWER- Loss of muscle mass and strength associated with aging.
Osteoporosis - ANSWER- Decreased bone density associated with aging.
Cardiovascular Changes - ANSWER- Stiffening of blood vessels and increased plaque
formation, leading to reduced elasticity and increased blood pressure.
Immunosenescence - ANSWER- The aging of the immune system characterized by a
decreased ability to respond to infections and vaccines.
Increased Susceptibility - ANSWER- Higher risk of infections and diseases, as well as a
higher incidence of autoimmune disorders due to aging.
Neuronal loss - ANSWER- A decrease in the number of neurons in the brain, which can
contribute to cognitive decline.
Decreased neurogenesis - ANSWER- A reduction in the generation of new neurons,
particularly in certain areas of the brain.
Alterations in neurotransmitter levels - ANSWER- Changes in the chemical messengers in
the brain that can affect mood, cognition, and behavior.
Cognitive decline - ANSWER- A deterioration in cognitive functions such as memory,
attention, and reasoning.
,Resting Potential - ANSWER- The neuron is in a resting state with a voltage of
approximately -70 mV, maintained by the sodium-potassium pump.
Threshold - ANSWER- A certain threshold (usually around -55 mV) is reached when a
stimulus causes slight depolarization, triggering an action potential.
Depolarization - ANSWER- Voltage-gated sodium channels open rapidly, allowing Na⁺ ions
to rush into the cell, causing the membrane potential to reach up to +30 mV.
Peak Phase - ANSWER- At the peak of the action potential, the inactivation gates of sodium
channels close, stopping Na⁺ influx, while voltage-gated potassium channels open.
Repolarization - ANSWER- K⁺ ions flow out of the cell through opened potassium channels,
making the inside of the cell more negative and returning towards resting potential.
Hyperpolarization - ANSWER- The potassium channels are slow to close, causing an
overshoot where the membrane potential becomes more negative than the resting potential.
Return to Resting Potential - ANSWER- The sodium-potassium pump restores the resting
potential by transporting Na⁺ ions out and K⁺ ions back into the neuron.
Calcium Imbalance - ANSWER- Calcium imbalances can significantly affect the action
potential of neurons.
Hypercalcemia - ANSWER- High extracellular calcium levels can increase the threshold
required to initiate an action potential and enhance synaptic release.
Hypocalcemia - ANSWER- Low extracellular calcium reduces the threshold for action
potential initiation, increasing excitability and leading to symptoms like muscle spasms.
Potassium Imbalance - ANSWER- Potassium imbalances can also significantly affect the
action potential of neurons.
Hyperkalemia - ANSWER- High potassium levels decrease the resting membrane potential,
bringing it closer to the threshold but can impair action potential firing over time.
,Hypokalemia - ANSWER- Low potassium levels make the membrane potential more
negative, reducing excitability and making it harder for neurons to fire action potentials.
Muscle Weakness - ANSWER- Chronic depolarization from hyperkalemia can lead to long-
term paralysis or weakness due to inactivation of sodium channels.
Neuromuscular Effects of Hypocalcemia - ANSWER- Hypocalcemia can lead to increased
neuromuscular excitability, muscle cramps, and tingling sensations.
Muscle Weakness and Cramps from Hypokalemia - ANSWER- Hypokalemia can lead to
muscle weakness, cramps, and in severe cases, paralysis due to reduced neuronal and
muscular activity.
Refractory Period - ANSWER- The period during hyperpolarization where the neuron is less
likely to fire another action potential.
Sodium-Potassium Pump - ANSWER- A mechanism that actively transports Na⁺ ions out of
the cell and K⁺ ions into the cell to maintain resting potential.
Neurotransmitter Release - ANSWER- Calcium is critical in neurotransmitter release at
synaptic terminals.
Spontaneous Action Potentials - ANSWER- Low extracellular calcium can lead to
spontaneous action potentials due to increased excitability.
Calcium Stabilization - ANSWER- Calcium stabilizes the membrane, making neurons less
excitable and requiring stronger stimuli to trigger action potentials.
Chronic Depolarization - ANSWER- A condition where persistent depolarization can
inactivate sodium channels, impairing action potentials.
Atrophy - ANSWER- Decrease in size and function
, Hypertrophy - ANSWER- Increase in size
Hyperplasia - ANSWER- Increase in the number of cells; Size of organ increases
Metaplasia - ANSWER- One cell type replaced by another
Dysplasia - ANSWER- Disorganized cellular growth
Physiologic Atrophy - ANSWER- Example: Shrinkage of the thymus during early
development and aging.
Pathophysiologic Atrophy - ANSWER- Example: Muscle atrophy due to prolonged
immobilization, such as when a limb is in a cast.
Physiologic Hypertrophy - ANSWER- Example: Enlargement of skeletal muscle fibers due
to consistent exercise and resistance training.
Pathophysiologic Hypertrophy - ANSWER- Example: Cardiac hypertrophy due to chronic
hypertension.
Physiologic Hyperplasia - ANSWER- Example: Breast glandular tissue proliferation during
pregnancy and lactation.
Pathophysiologic Hyperplasia - ANSWER- Example: Endometrial hyperplasia due to
prolonged estrogen exposure without progesterone balance.
Pathophysiologic Dysplasia - ANSWER- Example: Cervical dysplasia as seen in Pap smear
tests where abnormal cells are detected.
Physiologic Metaplasia - ANSWER- Example: Cervical metaplasia can be considered part of
a normal physiological process in response to hormonal changes during puberty.
