NSG 5140 Midterm Exam Review Advanced
Pathophysiology – South College Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the size
of existing cells rather than the number of cells?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an adaptive response involving
enlargement of individual cells, resulting in increased tissue or organ
size. It commonly occurs in tissues with limited capacity for cell
division, such as cardiac and skeletal muscle. Hyperplasia involves an
increase in cell number, metaplasia is the replacement of one mature
,cell type by another, and dysplasia refers to disordered cellular
growth with potential progression to malignancy.
2. Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with
peaked T waves on an electrocardiogram?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia alters cardiac electrical conduction,
producing characteristic ECG changes including peaked T waves,
prolonged PR intervals, widened QRS complexes, and eventually
ventricular arrhythmias if untreated. Prompt recognition is essential
because severe hyperkalemia is a medical emergency.
3. The inflammatory mediator primarily responsible for increasing
vascular permeability during acute inflammation is:
A. Dopamine
B. Histamine
,C. Acetylcholine
D. Insulin
Rationale: Histamine is rapidly released from mast cells, basophils,
and platelets during tissue injury. It causes vasodilation and increased
capillary permeability, allowing plasma proteins and leukocytes to
enter injured tissues. These changes produce redness, swelling, and
warmth associated with inflammation.
4. Which acid-base imbalance would most likely result from prolonged
vomiting?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis develops because prolonged vomiting
results in excessive loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach.
Hydrogen ion depletion increases serum bicarbonate concentration,
elevating blood pH. The body attempts respiratory compensation by
hypoventilation.
, 5. Which cytokine is considered the major endogenous pyrogen
responsible for fever?
A. Interleukin-10
B. Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
C. Interleukin-4
D. Transforming growth factor-beta
Rationale: IL-1 stimulates prostaglandin E2 production within the
hypothalamus, resetting the body's temperature set point and
producing fever. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha also contributes, but IL-1
is classically recognized as the primary endogenous pyrogen.
6. Which process best describes programmed cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Apoptosis
D. Liquefaction
Rationale: Apoptosis is an organized, genetically regulated process
that eliminates damaged or unnecessary cells without triggering
inflammation. Unlike necrosis, apoptosis preserves surrounding tissue
Pathophysiology – South College Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the size
of existing cells rather than the number of cells?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an adaptive response involving
enlargement of individual cells, resulting in increased tissue or organ
size. It commonly occurs in tissues with limited capacity for cell
division, such as cardiac and skeletal muscle. Hyperplasia involves an
increase in cell number, metaplasia is the replacement of one mature
,cell type by another, and dysplasia refers to disordered cellular
growth with potential progression to malignancy.
2. Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated with
peaked T waves on an electrocardiogram?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia alters cardiac electrical conduction,
producing characteristic ECG changes including peaked T waves,
prolonged PR intervals, widened QRS complexes, and eventually
ventricular arrhythmias if untreated. Prompt recognition is essential
because severe hyperkalemia is a medical emergency.
3. The inflammatory mediator primarily responsible for increasing
vascular permeability during acute inflammation is:
A. Dopamine
B. Histamine
,C. Acetylcholine
D. Insulin
Rationale: Histamine is rapidly released from mast cells, basophils,
and platelets during tissue injury. It causes vasodilation and increased
capillary permeability, allowing plasma proteins and leukocytes to
enter injured tissues. These changes produce redness, swelling, and
warmth associated with inflammation.
4. Which acid-base imbalance would most likely result from prolonged
vomiting?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis develops because prolonged vomiting
results in excessive loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach.
Hydrogen ion depletion increases serum bicarbonate concentration,
elevating blood pH. The body attempts respiratory compensation by
hypoventilation.
, 5. Which cytokine is considered the major endogenous pyrogen
responsible for fever?
A. Interleukin-10
B. Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
C. Interleukin-4
D. Transforming growth factor-beta
Rationale: IL-1 stimulates prostaglandin E2 production within the
hypothalamus, resetting the body's temperature set point and
producing fever. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha also contributes, but IL-1
is classically recognized as the primary endogenous pyrogen.
6. Which process best describes programmed cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Apoptosis
D. Liquefaction
Rationale: Apoptosis is an organized, genetically regulated process
that eliminates damaged or unnecessary cells without triggering
inflammation. Unlike necrosis, apoptosis preserves surrounding tissue
