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NSG 1520 Pathophysiology Final Exam Review
– Questions and Answers | winter 2026 |
100% Correct - South College.
Winter 2026 South College | 100% Verified Questions and Answers
This comprehensive review guide is compiled from the latest 2026 exam
materials. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale to
help you understand the underlying pathophysiology concepts.
Part 1: Cellular Function & Adaptation
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. Tissues are composed of groups of cells, and organelles are
components within 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
,2
internal environment despite external changes, involving regulatory mechanisms
that keep variables within a normal range .
3. A patient's lab report indicates muscular atrophy. The nurse recalls that this
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. Hyperplasia involves
increased cell number .
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
decreased workload .
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 or valve
disease .
,3
6. A 55-year-old male with a 30-year smoking history has stratified squamous
epithelial cells replacing normal columnar ciliated cells in his airways. This
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 columnar ciliated epithelium of the bronchi
is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium as an adaptive response to chronic
irritation .
7. During pregnancy, 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 due to hormonal stimulation, such as
breast and uterine enlargement during pregnancy. Compensatory hyperplasia
occurs after organ removal .
8. A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding due to
hormonal imbalances causing endometrial changes. These cellular changes are
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. Endometrial hyperplasia from
hormonal imbalance is a classic example .
, 4
9. Hypoxia causes cell injury by:
A) Increasing ATP production
B) Reducing oxygen for cellular metabolism
C) Enhancing protein synthesis
D) Stimulating cell growth
Correct Answer-: B) Reducing oxygen for cellular metabolism
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen availability for aerobic metabolism, leading to
decreased ATP production, cellular dysfunction, and ultimately cell injury or
death .
10. 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 (lipid
peroxidation), proteins, and DNA, leading to cellular dysfunction and injury .
Part 2: Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base Balance
11. Which ion is primarily found in the intracellular fluid (ICF)?
A) Sodium
B) Chloride
C) Potassium
D) Calcium
Correct Answer-: C) Potassium
Rationale: Potassium (K+) is the primary intracellular cation, while sodium (Na+) is
the primary extracellular cation. This distribution is maintained by the Na+/K+
ATPase pump .
12. Which hormone stimulates sodium reabsorption and water retention by the
kidneys?
A) ADH
B) Aldosterone
C) Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
NSG 1520 Pathophysiology Final Exam Review
– Questions and Answers | winter 2026 |
100% Correct - South College.
Winter 2026 South College | 100% Verified Questions and Answers
This comprehensive review guide is compiled from the latest 2026 exam
materials. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale to
help you understand the underlying pathophysiology concepts.
Part 1: Cellular Function & Adaptation
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. Tissues are composed of groups of cells, and organelles are
components within 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
,2
internal environment despite external changes, involving regulatory mechanisms
that keep variables within a normal range .
3. A patient's lab report indicates muscular atrophy. The nurse recalls that this
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. Hyperplasia involves
increased cell number .
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
decreased workload .
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 or valve
disease .
,3
6. A 55-year-old male with a 30-year smoking history has stratified squamous
epithelial cells replacing normal columnar ciliated cells in his airways. This
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 columnar ciliated epithelium of the bronchi
is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium as an adaptive response to chronic
irritation .
7. During pregnancy, 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 due to hormonal stimulation, such as
breast and uterine enlargement during pregnancy. Compensatory hyperplasia
occurs after organ removal .
8. A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding due to
hormonal imbalances causing endometrial changes. These cellular changes are
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. Endometrial hyperplasia from
hormonal imbalance is a classic example .
, 4
9. Hypoxia causes cell injury by:
A) Increasing ATP production
B) Reducing oxygen for cellular metabolism
C) Enhancing protein synthesis
D) Stimulating cell growth
Correct Answer-: B) Reducing oxygen for cellular metabolism
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen availability for aerobic metabolism, leading to
decreased ATP production, cellular dysfunction, and ultimately cell injury or
death .
10. 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 (lipid
peroxidation), proteins, and DNA, leading to cellular dysfunction and injury .
Part 2: Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base Balance
11. Which ion is primarily found in the intracellular fluid (ICF)?
A) Sodium
B) Chloride
C) Potassium
D) Calcium
Correct Answer-: C) Potassium
Rationale: Potassium (K+) is the primary intracellular cation, while sodium (Na+) is
the primary extracellular cation. This distribution is maintained by the Na+/K+
ATPase pump .
12. Which hormone stimulates sodium reabsorption and water retention by the
kidneys?
A) ADH
B) Aldosterone
C) Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
