NR283 Exam 1 Actual Exam Style V1 | NR
283 Pathophysiology | Chamberlain
1. A patient has been bedridden for several weeks following a hip fracture. The nurse notes
that the muscles in the patient’s legs have decreased in size. This is an example of which
cellular adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is defined as a decrease in cellular size which often leads to reduced
tissue mass. In this case, the lack of physical activity or disuse leads to muscle wasting. This
process allows the cell to survive under conditions of decreased functional demand by
reducing oxygen and nutrient needs.
2. A smoker’s biopsy of the bronchial lining reveals that normal ciliated columnar epithelial
cells have been replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This process is known as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
,D. Hyperplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
less differentiated cell type. This typically occurs in response to chronic irritation or
inflammation, such as cigarette smoke. While the new cells are better able to survive the
stress, they often lose important functions like cilia movement.
3. Which of the following describes the cellular change often seen as a precursor to cancer,
characterized by abnormal changes in size, shape, and organization?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells. It is not considered a true adaptive process but is strongly associated with
neoplastic growth. If the stimulus is removed, dysplastic changes may be reversible, but
they frequently progress to malignancy.
4. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits an enlarged left ventricle on an
echocardiogram. This is an example of:
A. Physiologic Hypertrophy
, B. Metaplasia
C. Compensatory Hyperplasia
D. Pathologic Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical stimuli
or increased workload. In chronic hypertension, the heart must work harder to pump
blood, leading to pathologic enlargement of cardiac myocytes. Unlike physiologic
hypertrophy seen in athletes, this condition can eventually lead to heart failure.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Hypoxia
B. Chemical agents
C. Free radicals
D. Genetic factors
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia, or lack of sufficient oxygen, is the single most common cause of
cellular injury. It typically results from ischemia, which is a reduced blood supply to the
tissues. Without oxygen, cells cannot produce ATP, leading to failure of the sodium-
potassium pump and cellular swelling.
283 Pathophysiology | Chamberlain
1. A patient has been bedridden for several weeks following a hip fracture. The nurse notes
that the muscles in the patient’s legs have decreased in size. This is an example of which
cellular adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is defined as a decrease in cellular size which often leads to reduced
tissue mass. In this case, the lack of physical activity or disuse leads to muscle wasting. This
process allows the cell to survive under conditions of decreased functional demand by
reducing oxygen and nutrient needs.
2. A smoker’s biopsy of the bronchial lining reveals that normal ciliated columnar epithelial
cells have been replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This process is known as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
,D. Hyperplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
less differentiated cell type. This typically occurs in response to chronic irritation or
inflammation, such as cigarette smoke. While the new cells are better able to survive the
stress, they often lose important functions like cilia movement.
3. Which of the following describes the cellular change often seen as a precursor to cancer,
characterized by abnormal changes in size, shape, and organization?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells. It is not considered a true adaptive process but is strongly associated with
neoplastic growth. If the stimulus is removed, dysplastic changes may be reversible, but
they frequently progress to malignancy.
4. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits an enlarged left ventricle on an
echocardiogram. This is an example of:
A. Physiologic Hypertrophy
, B. Metaplasia
C. Compensatory Hyperplasia
D. Pathologic Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical stimuli
or increased workload. In chronic hypertension, the heart must work harder to pump
blood, leading to pathologic enlargement of cardiac myocytes. Unlike physiologic
hypertrophy seen in athletes, this condition can eventually lead to heart failure.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Hypoxia
B. Chemical agents
C. Free radicals
D. Genetic factors
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia, or lack of sufficient oxygen, is the single most common cause of
cellular injury. It typically results from ischemia, which is a reduced blood supply to the
tissues. Without oxygen, cells cannot produce ATP, leading to failure of the sodium-
potassium pump and cellular swelling.
