NSG 1520 Pathophysiology Exam 1 Review – Full
Questions and Answers | winter 2026 | 100% Correct -
South College.
NSG 1520 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1
Full Questions and Answers | Winter 2026 | 100% Correct | South College
Part 1: Cellular Function & Adaptation (Questions 1-10)
1. The basic unit of life in the human body is the:
A) Organelle
B) Tissue
C) Cell
D) Molecule
Correct Answer-: C. Cell.
Rationale: The cell is the fundamental structural and functional unit of all living organisms. All tissues
and organs are composed of cells .
2. Homeostasis is best defined as:
A) The body's tendency to change constantly
B) Maintenance of a stable internal environment
C) Rapid fluctuations in vital signs
D) Complete absence of disease
Correct Answer-: B. Maintenance of a stable internal environment.
Rationale: Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment
despite external changes, allowing cells to function optimally .
3. A patient's lab report indicates muscular atrophy. The nurse recalls that muscular atrophy involves
a decrease in muscle cell:
A) Number
B) Size
C) Vacuoles
D) Lipofuscin
,Correct Answer-: B. Size.
Rationale: Atrophy refers to a decrease in the size of cells, not the number. This occurs from disuse,
denervation, or reduced blood supply .
4. During childhood, the thymus decreases in size. This is referred to as what type of atrophy?
A) Physiologic
B) Pathologic
C) Disuse
D) Neurogenic
Correct Answer-: A. Physiologic.
Rationale: Physiologic atrophy occurs during normal development (e.g., loss of the thymus gland in
childhood). Pathologic atrophy results from disease or disuse .
5. In response to an increased workload, cardiac myocardial cells will experience hypertrophy.
Hypertrophy is an:
A) Increase in size
B) Decrease in length
C) Increase in excitability
D) Decrease in number
Correct Answer-: A. Increase in size.
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, leading to enlargement of the organ. It is a common
adaptive response of the heart to hypertension .
6. A 55-year-old male with a 30-year history of smoking is examined for respiratory disturbance.
Examination of his airway reveals that stratified squamous epithelial cells have replaced the normal
columnar ciliated cells. This type of cellular adaptation is called:
A) Anaplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer-: C. Metaplasia.
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another. In
smokers, the normal ciliated columnar epithelium of the bronchi is replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium .
7. When planning care for a pregnant patient, the nurse will recall that the mammary glands enlarge
as a consequence of:
A) Compensatory hyperplasia
, B) Hormonal hyperplasia
C) Hormonal anaplasia
D) Compensatory anaplasia
Correct Answer-: B. Hormonal hyperplasia.
Rationale: Hormonal hyperplasia occurs in response to hormonal stimulation, such as breast and uterine
enlargement during pregnancy .
8. A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding. The physician identified
endometrial changes that are due to hormonal imbalances. These cellular changes would be referred
to as:
A) Dysplasia
B) Pathologic dysplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Pathologic hyperplasia
Correct Answer-: D. Pathologic hyperplasia.
Rationale: Pathologic hyperplasia is an abnormal increase in cell number due to excessive hormonal
stimulation or growth factors .
9. Free radicals damage cells by:
A) Enhancing energy production
B) Damaging DNA, proteins, and membranes
C) Reducing calcium influx
D) Stabilizing cellular membranes
Correct Answer-: B. Damaging DNA, proteins, and membranes.
Rationale: Free radicals cause oxidative stress by damaging lipid membranes, proteins, and DNA, leading
to cell injury and aging .
10. Programmed cell death is known as:
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Autolysis
D) Pyknosis
Correct Answer-: B. Apoptosis.
Rationale: Apoptosis is a tightly regulated, programmed cell death that eliminates damaged or
unwanted cells without triggering inflammation .
Part 2: Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base Balance (Questions 11-20)
Questions and Answers | winter 2026 | 100% Correct -
South College.
NSG 1520 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1
Full Questions and Answers | Winter 2026 | 100% Correct | South College
Part 1: Cellular Function & Adaptation (Questions 1-10)
1. The basic unit of life in the human body is the:
A) Organelle
B) Tissue
C) Cell
D) Molecule
Correct Answer-: C. Cell.
Rationale: The cell is the fundamental structural and functional unit of all living organisms. All tissues
and organs are composed of cells .
2. Homeostasis is best defined as:
A) The body's tendency to change constantly
B) Maintenance of a stable internal environment
C) Rapid fluctuations in vital signs
D) Complete absence of disease
Correct Answer-: B. Maintenance of a stable internal environment.
Rationale: Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment
despite external changes, allowing cells to function optimally .
3. A patient's lab report indicates muscular atrophy. The nurse recalls that muscular atrophy involves
a decrease in muscle cell:
A) Number
B) Size
C) Vacuoles
D) Lipofuscin
,Correct Answer-: B. Size.
Rationale: Atrophy refers to a decrease in the size of cells, not the number. This occurs from disuse,
denervation, or reduced blood supply .
4. During childhood, the thymus decreases in size. This is referred to as what type of atrophy?
A) Physiologic
B) Pathologic
C) Disuse
D) Neurogenic
Correct Answer-: A. Physiologic.
Rationale: Physiologic atrophy occurs during normal development (e.g., loss of the thymus gland in
childhood). Pathologic atrophy results from disease or disuse .
5. In response to an increased workload, cardiac myocardial cells will experience hypertrophy.
Hypertrophy is an:
A) Increase in size
B) Decrease in length
C) Increase in excitability
D) Decrease in number
Correct Answer-: A. Increase in size.
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, leading to enlargement of the organ. It is a common
adaptive response of the heart to hypertension .
6. A 55-year-old male with a 30-year history of smoking is examined for respiratory disturbance.
Examination of his airway reveals that stratified squamous epithelial cells have replaced the normal
columnar ciliated cells. This type of cellular adaptation is called:
A) Anaplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer-: C. Metaplasia.
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another. In
smokers, the normal ciliated columnar epithelium of the bronchi is replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium .
7. When planning care for a pregnant patient, the nurse will recall that the mammary glands enlarge
as a consequence of:
A) Compensatory hyperplasia
, B) Hormonal hyperplasia
C) Hormonal anaplasia
D) Compensatory anaplasia
Correct Answer-: B. Hormonal hyperplasia.
Rationale: Hormonal hyperplasia occurs in response to hormonal stimulation, such as breast and uterine
enlargement during pregnancy .
8. A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding. The physician identified
endometrial changes that are due to hormonal imbalances. These cellular changes would be referred
to as:
A) Dysplasia
B) Pathologic dysplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Pathologic hyperplasia
Correct Answer-: D. Pathologic hyperplasia.
Rationale: Pathologic hyperplasia is an abnormal increase in cell number due to excessive hormonal
stimulation or growth factors .
9. Free radicals damage cells by:
A) Enhancing energy production
B) Damaging DNA, proteins, and membranes
C) Reducing calcium influx
D) Stabilizing cellular membranes
Correct Answer-: B. Damaging DNA, proteins, and membranes.
Rationale: Free radicals cause oxidative stress by damaging lipid membranes, proteins, and DNA, leading
to cell injury and aging .
10. Programmed cell death is known as:
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Autolysis
D) Pyknosis
Correct Answer-: B. Apoptosis.
Rationale: Apoptosis is a tightly regulated, programmed cell death that eliminates damaged or
unwanted cells without triggering inflammation .
Part 2: Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base Balance (Questions 11-20)
