1
NSG 1520 Exam 1 Patho | Questions and
Answers – 2026 Update | 100% Correct |
South College.
NSG 1520 Exam 1 Pathophysiology – 2026 Update
South College | 100% Verified Questions & Answers
This study guide contains the most frequently tested concepts for Exam 1,
covering cellular adaptation, inflammation, fluid & electrolytes, acid-base balance,
and immunity. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale
to help you master the material.
Part 1: Cellular Adaptation & Injury (Questions 1–30)
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and
metabolic activity?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer-: C) Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size that occurs when cells are exposed to
decreased workload, nutrition, or blood supply. It is a common adaptive
response.
2. A patient with chronic hypertension develops an enlarged left ventricle. This
is an example of:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
,2
Correct Answer-: B) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size due to increased workload. The
heart responds to chronic pressure overload (hypertension) by enlarging
individual myocytes, leading to ventricular hypertrophy.
3. In response to chronic irritation from cigarette smoke, the normal ciliated
columnar epithelium of the bronchi is replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium. This process is called:
A) Dysplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Anaplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer-: D) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type
with another. It is an adaptive response to chronic irritation but can predispose to
malignancy if the irritant persists.
4. During pregnancy, the breast tissue enlarges due to an increase in the
number of cells. This is known as:
A) Physiologic hyperplasia
B) Pathologic hyperplasia
C) Compensatory hypertrophy
D) Hormonal metaplasia
Correct Answer-: A) Physiologic hyperplasia
Rationale: Hormonal stimulation causes an increase in cell number in breast and
uterine tissue during pregnancy. This is a normal, controlled process (physiologic
hyperplasia).
5. A patient with a history of chronic alcohol abuse develops liver cirrhosis. The
liver cells undergo necrosis and are replaced by fibrous tissue. This type of cell
death is called:
A) Apoptosis
B) Necrosis
C) Autolysis
D) Pyknosis
Correct Answer-: B) Necrosis
, 3
Rationale: Necrosis is unprogrammed cell death resulting from irreversible injury.
It elicits an inflammatory response and is characteristic of ischemic, toxic, or
infectious injury.
6. Which of the following is a characteristic of apoptosis?
A) Causes inflammation
B) Occurs in response to severe injury
C) Programmed cell death, no inflammation
D) Involves cell lysis
Correct Answer-: C) Programmed cell death, no inflammation
Rationale: Apoptosis is a tightly regulated, energy-dependent process that
eliminates unwanted cells without releasing cellular contents, thus avoiding
inflammation. It is essential for normal development and tissue homeostasis.
7. Which of the following causes of cell injury is most commonly associated with
ischemia?
A) Physical trauma
B) Chemical toxins
C) Hypoxia
D) Nutritional imbalance
Correct Answer-: C) Hypoxia
Rationale: Ischemia is a form of hypoxia (reduced oxygen supply) due to impaired
blood flow, often from arterial occlusion. It leads to ATP depletion and cellular
dysfunction.
8. Reperfusion injury occurs when:
A) Blood flow is restored after an ischemic period
B) A toxin is metabolized
C) Oxygen is completely absent
D) Cells undergo apoptosis
Correct Answer-: A) Blood flow is restored after an ischemic period
Rationale: Reperfusion injury is paradoxical damage caused by the restoration of
blood flow, leading to oxidative stress from free radicals, calcium overload, and
inflammation.
9. Free radicals cause cell injury primarily by:
A) Increasing ATP production
NSG 1520 Exam 1 Patho | Questions and
Answers – 2026 Update | 100% Correct |
South College.
NSG 1520 Exam 1 Pathophysiology – 2026 Update
South College | 100% Verified Questions & Answers
This study guide contains the most frequently tested concepts for Exam 1,
covering cellular adaptation, inflammation, fluid & electrolytes, acid-base balance,
and immunity. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale
to help you master the material.
Part 1: Cellular Adaptation & Injury (Questions 1–30)
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and
metabolic activity?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer-: C) Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size that occurs when cells are exposed to
decreased workload, nutrition, or blood supply. It is a common adaptive
response.
2. A patient with chronic hypertension develops an enlarged left ventricle. This
is an example of:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
,2
Correct Answer-: B) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size due to increased workload. The
heart responds to chronic pressure overload (hypertension) by enlarging
individual myocytes, leading to ventricular hypertrophy.
3. In response to chronic irritation from cigarette smoke, the normal ciliated
columnar epithelium of the bronchi is replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium. This process is called:
A) Dysplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Anaplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer-: D) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type
with another. It is an adaptive response to chronic irritation but can predispose to
malignancy if the irritant persists.
4. During pregnancy, the breast tissue enlarges due to an increase in the
number of cells. This is known as:
A) Physiologic hyperplasia
B) Pathologic hyperplasia
C) Compensatory hypertrophy
D) Hormonal metaplasia
Correct Answer-: A) Physiologic hyperplasia
Rationale: Hormonal stimulation causes an increase in cell number in breast and
uterine tissue during pregnancy. This is a normal, controlled process (physiologic
hyperplasia).
5. A patient with a history of chronic alcohol abuse develops liver cirrhosis. The
liver cells undergo necrosis and are replaced by fibrous tissue. This type of cell
death is called:
A) Apoptosis
B) Necrosis
C) Autolysis
D) Pyknosis
Correct Answer-: B) Necrosis
, 3
Rationale: Necrosis is unprogrammed cell death resulting from irreversible injury.
It elicits an inflammatory response and is characteristic of ischemic, toxic, or
infectious injury.
6. Which of the following is a characteristic of apoptosis?
A) Causes inflammation
B) Occurs in response to severe injury
C) Programmed cell death, no inflammation
D) Involves cell lysis
Correct Answer-: C) Programmed cell death, no inflammation
Rationale: Apoptosis is a tightly regulated, energy-dependent process that
eliminates unwanted cells without releasing cellular contents, thus avoiding
inflammation. It is essential for normal development and tissue homeostasis.
7. Which of the following causes of cell injury is most commonly associated with
ischemia?
A) Physical trauma
B) Chemical toxins
C) Hypoxia
D) Nutritional imbalance
Correct Answer-: C) Hypoxia
Rationale: Ischemia is a form of hypoxia (reduced oxygen supply) due to impaired
blood flow, often from arterial occlusion. It leads to ATP depletion and cellular
dysfunction.
8. Reperfusion injury occurs when:
A) Blood flow is restored after an ischemic period
B) A toxin is metabolized
C) Oxygen is completely absent
D) Cells undergo apoptosis
Correct Answer-: A) Blood flow is restored after an ischemic period
Rationale: Reperfusion injury is paradoxical damage caused by the restoration of
blood flow, leading to oxidative stress from free radicals, calcium overload, and
inflammation.
9. Free radicals cause cell injury primarily by:
A) Increasing ATP production
