Chamberlain University NR-283 Pathophysiology Exam 1 (pdf) |
2026/2027 | Pathophysiology Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. A nurse is reviewing the basic functions of cells. Which of the following is
the chief function of nerve cells?
A) Movement
B) Conductivity
C) Metabolic absorption
D) Excretion
Correct Answer: Conductivity
Rationale: Conductivity is the chief function of nerve cells, which respond to
stimuli by generating and transmitting electrical impulses. Movement is a
function of muscle cells, metabolic absorption is a function of many cell
types, and excretion is the removal of waste products from cells.
2. Which organelle is responsible for producing the majority of a cell's
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)?
A) Nucleus
B) Ribosome
C) Mitochondria
D) Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: Mitochondria
Rationale: The mitochondria are often called the "powerhouse" of the cell
because they produce most of the cell's ATP through aerobic respiration. The
nucleus contains genetic material, ribosomes synthesize proteins, and the
Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins.
,3. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops thickening of the heart
muscle. This represents which type of cellular adaptation?
A) Atrophy
B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, leading to an increase in
organ size. The heart muscle cells enlarge in response to increased workload
from hypertension. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size, metaplasia is the
replacement of one cell type with another, and hyperplasia is an increase in
cell number.
4. A patient who has been on bed rest for several weeks develops muscle
wasting. This is an example of which cellular adaptation?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in the size of cells, resulting in a reduced
tissue mass. Muscle wasting from disuse (bed rest) or malnutrition is a
classic example of atrophy. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size,
hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, and dysplasia is abnormal cell
growth.
,5. A pathologist reports abnormal changes in the size, shape, and
organization of cells in a tissue sample. This finding is most consistent with:
A) Metaplasia
B) Anaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: Dysplasia
Rationale: Dysplasia is characterized by abnormal changes in cell size,
shape, and organization. It is considered a pre-cancerous condition and is
often an early stage in the development of cancer.
6. Which of the following is a reversible cellular adaptation characterized by
the replacement of one differentiated cell type with another?
A) Anaplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell
type with another. It occurs in response to chronic irritation or inflammation,
allowing the tissue to better withstand the stress.
7. A patient with chronic bronchitis has an increased number of goblet cells
in the respiratory epithelium. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A) Hypertrophy
, B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or
organ. The increased number of goblet cells in the respiratory epithelium is a
response to chronic irritation from smoking or infection.
8. Which of the following best describes the process of apoptosis?
A) Uncontrolled cell division
B) Programmed cell death
C) Cell death due to injury
D) Formation of new blood vessels
Correct Answer: Programmed cell death
Rationale: Apoptosis is a normal, regulated process of programmed cell
death that eliminates unwanted or damaged cells without causing
inflammation. It is distinct from necrosis, which is cell death due to injury.
9. A patient experiences a myocardial infarction (heart attack) due to a lack
of blood flow to the heart muscle. The resulting cell death is best described
as:
A) Apoptosis
B) Necrosis
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
2026/2027 | Pathophysiology Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. A nurse is reviewing the basic functions of cells. Which of the following is
the chief function of nerve cells?
A) Movement
B) Conductivity
C) Metabolic absorption
D) Excretion
Correct Answer: Conductivity
Rationale: Conductivity is the chief function of nerve cells, which respond to
stimuli by generating and transmitting electrical impulses. Movement is a
function of muscle cells, metabolic absorption is a function of many cell
types, and excretion is the removal of waste products from cells.
2. Which organelle is responsible for producing the majority of a cell's
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)?
A) Nucleus
B) Ribosome
C) Mitochondria
D) Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: Mitochondria
Rationale: The mitochondria are often called the "powerhouse" of the cell
because they produce most of the cell's ATP through aerobic respiration. The
nucleus contains genetic material, ribosomes synthesize proteins, and the
Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins.
,3. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops thickening of the heart
muscle. This represents which type of cellular adaptation?
A) Atrophy
B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, leading to an increase in
organ size. The heart muscle cells enlarge in response to increased workload
from hypertension. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size, metaplasia is the
replacement of one cell type with another, and hyperplasia is an increase in
cell number.
4. A patient who has been on bed rest for several weeks develops muscle
wasting. This is an example of which cellular adaptation?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in the size of cells, resulting in a reduced
tissue mass. Muscle wasting from disuse (bed rest) or malnutrition is a
classic example of atrophy. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size,
hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, and dysplasia is abnormal cell
growth.
,5. A pathologist reports abnormal changes in the size, shape, and
organization of cells in a tissue sample. This finding is most consistent with:
A) Metaplasia
B) Anaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: Dysplasia
Rationale: Dysplasia is characterized by abnormal changes in cell size,
shape, and organization. It is considered a pre-cancerous condition and is
often an early stage in the development of cancer.
6. Which of the following is a reversible cellular adaptation characterized by
the replacement of one differentiated cell type with another?
A) Anaplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell
type with another. It occurs in response to chronic irritation or inflammation,
allowing the tissue to better withstand the stress.
7. A patient with chronic bronchitis has an increased number of goblet cells
in the respiratory epithelium. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A) Hypertrophy
, B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or
organ. The increased number of goblet cells in the respiratory epithelium is a
response to chronic irritation from smoking or infection.
8. Which of the following best describes the process of apoptosis?
A) Uncontrolled cell division
B) Programmed cell death
C) Cell death due to injury
D) Formation of new blood vessels
Correct Answer: Programmed cell death
Rationale: Apoptosis is a normal, regulated process of programmed cell
death that eliminates unwanted or damaged cells without causing
inflammation. It is distinct from necrosis, which is cell death due to injury.
9. A patient experiences a myocardial infarction (heart attack) due to a lack
of blood flow to the heart muscle. The resulting cell death is best described
as:
A) Apoptosis
B) Necrosis
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
