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NURS 231 – Pathophysiology
NURS 231 Pathophysiology
Academic Year: Final Exam Review – All Questions
Question 1
What are the 2 types of risk factors?
Correct answer: Congenital (present at birth) or acquired (occurring after birth).
RATIONALE:
Risk factors can be inherited or develop from environmental or lifestyle influences.
Question 2
T/F: Metaplastic cells are not better prepared to survive under stressful circumstances.
Correct answer: False
RATIONALE:
Metaplasia is an adaptive change where one cell type is replaced by another that is better able to
withstand the adverse environment.
,Question 3
Which are true of the mitochondria? Select all that apply.
A. It is involved in cellular respiration
B. They play a role in apoptosis
C. They are the site of protein synthesis
D. They contain their own DNA
Correct answer: A, B
RATIONALE:
Mitochondria produce ATP via cellular respiration and participate in apoptosis. They also
contain their own DNA, but protein synthesis occurs on ribosomes (mostly cytoplasmic).
Question 4
What is the definition of "pathophysiology"?
Correct answer:
Pathophysiology is defined as not only the cellular and organ changes that occur with
disease, but also the effects that these changes have on total body function.
RATIONALE:
It bridges the gap between basic science and clinical medicine.
Question 5
T/F: Hypertrophy can occur under normal and pathological conditions.
Correct answer: True
RATIONALE:
Physiologic hypertrophy (e.g., exercise) and pathologic hypertrophy (e.g., hypertension) both
occur.
,Question 6
Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed.
Correct answer:
Biologic agents (bacteria, viruses), physical forces (trauma, burns, radiation), chemical
agents (poisons, alcohol), genetic inheritance, and nutritional excesses or deficiencies.
RATIONALE:
These are the broad categories of disease causes.
Question 7
Which are true of the cell membrane? Select all that apply.
A. Controls the transport of materials from the outside fluids to within
B. Helps with the conduction of electrical currents in nerve and muscle cells
C. Aids in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation
D. The main structural component is made of proteins
Correct answer: A, B, C
RATIONALE:
The cell membrane's main structure is a lipid bilayer; proteins are embedded but not the main
component.
Question 8
What is the difference between morphology and histology?
Correct answer:
Morphology is the fundamental structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology is the
study of the cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
RATIONALE:
Morphology is macroscopic or microscopic shape; histology is microscopic tissue composition.
, Question 9
Describe the difference between signs and symptoms and give an example of each.
Correct answer:
Symptom – subjective (e.g., pain, dizziness); Sign – objective (e.g., fever, rash).
RATIONALE:
Symptoms are reported, signs are observed.
Question 10
T/F: Cell proliferation is the process in which proliferating cells become more specialized
cell types.
Correct answer: False – that is differentiation.
RATIONALE:
Proliferation is increase in cell number; differentiation is specialization.
Question 11
T/F: Cell differentiation is the process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell division.
Correct answer: False – that is proliferation.
RATIONALE:
Differentiation is acquisition of specialized function.
Question 12
What are two important properties that stem cells possess?
Correct answer: Potency and self‑renewal.
RATIONALE:
Stem cells can differentiate into multiple cell types and divide indefinitely.
NURS 231 – Pathophysiology
NURS 231 Pathophysiology
Academic Year: Final Exam Review – All Questions
Question 1
What are the 2 types of risk factors?
Correct answer: Congenital (present at birth) or acquired (occurring after birth).
RATIONALE:
Risk factors can be inherited or develop from environmental or lifestyle influences.
Question 2
T/F: Metaplastic cells are not better prepared to survive under stressful circumstances.
Correct answer: False
RATIONALE:
Metaplasia is an adaptive change where one cell type is replaced by another that is better able to
withstand the adverse environment.
,Question 3
Which are true of the mitochondria? Select all that apply.
A. It is involved in cellular respiration
B. They play a role in apoptosis
C. They are the site of protein synthesis
D. They contain their own DNA
Correct answer: A, B
RATIONALE:
Mitochondria produce ATP via cellular respiration and participate in apoptosis. They also
contain their own DNA, but protein synthesis occurs on ribosomes (mostly cytoplasmic).
Question 4
What is the definition of "pathophysiology"?
Correct answer:
Pathophysiology is defined as not only the cellular and organ changes that occur with
disease, but also the effects that these changes have on total body function.
RATIONALE:
It bridges the gap between basic science and clinical medicine.
Question 5
T/F: Hypertrophy can occur under normal and pathological conditions.
Correct answer: True
RATIONALE:
Physiologic hypertrophy (e.g., exercise) and pathologic hypertrophy (e.g., hypertension) both
occur.
,Question 6
Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed.
Correct answer:
Biologic agents (bacteria, viruses), physical forces (trauma, burns, radiation), chemical
agents (poisons, alcohol), genetic inheritance, and nutritional excesses or deficiencies.
RATIONALE:
These are the broad categories of disease causes.
Question 7
Which are true of the cell membrane? Select all that apply.
A. Controls the transport of materials from the outside fluids to within
B. Helps with the conduction of electrical currents in nerve and muscle cells
C. Aids in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation
D. The main structural component is made of proteins
Correct answer: A, B, C
RATIONALE:
The cell membrane's main structure is a lipid bilayer; proteins are embedded but not the main
component.
Question 8
What is the difference between morphology and histology?
Correct answer:
Morphology is the fundamental structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology is the
study of the cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
RATIONALE:
Morphology is macroscopic or microscopic shape; histology is microscopic tissue composition.
, Question 9
Describe the difference between signs and symptoms and give an example of each.
Correct answer:
Symptom – subjective (e.g., pain, dizziness); Sign – objective (e.g., fever, rash).
RATIONALE:
Symptoms are reported, signs are observed.
Question 10
T/F: Cell proliferation is the process in which proliferating cells become more specialized
cell types.
Correct answer: False – that is differentiation.
RATIONALE:
Proliferation is increase in cell number; differentiation is specialization.
Question 11
T/F: Cell differentiation is the process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell division.
Correct answer: False – that is proliferation.
RATIONALE:
Differentiation is acquisition of specialized function.
Question 12
What are two important properties that stem cells possess?
Correct answer: Potency and self‑renewal.
RATIONALE:
Stem cells can differentiate into multiple cell types and divide indefinitely.
