NURS 6501N Midterm V1 | NURS 6501N
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS6501N Midterm) |
Walden University
1. A 45-year-old male with a history of long-standing hypertension presents with an enlarged
heart on imaging. This increase in the size of the myocardial cells is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy represents an increase in the size of cells, which leads to an
increase in the size of the affected organ. In the heart, this is often a compensatory
response to increased workload such as systemic hypertension. Unlike hyperplasia, which
involves an increase in cell number, hypertrophy occurs in cells that are not capable of
mitotic division.
2. Which of the following cellular changes is considered a ‘precancerous’ condition because it
involves abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells?
A. Atrophy
,B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells and is often called atypical hyperplasia. While it is not a true adaptive process,
it is strongly associated with neoplastic transformation. If the inciting stimulus is removed,
dysplastic changes may be reversible, but persistent dysplasia can lead to invasive cancer.
3. During an inflammatory response, which mediator is primarily responsible for inducing
pain and increasing vascular permeability?
A. Leukotrienes
B. Complement proteins
C. Interferons
D. Prostaglandins
Answer: D
Rationale: Prostaglandins are produced via the cyclooxygenase pathway during the
inflammatory process. They cause increased vascular permeability, neutrophil chemotaxis,
and induce pain by sensitizing pain receptors. This makes them a primary target for
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which inhibit their synthesis.
, 4. A patient has a total serum calcium level of 12.5 mg/dL. Which of the following clinical
manifestations would the examiner expect to observe?
A. Positive Chvostek sign
B. Muscle weakness and constipation
C. Muscle tetany
D. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypercalcemia typically leads to decreased neuromuscular excitability, which
manifests as muscle weakness, fatigue, and constipation. In contrast, hypocalcemia
increases excitability, leading to symptoms like tetany or the Chvostek sign. Severe
hypercalcemia can also result in cardiac arrhythmias and renal stones.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury that leads to mitochondrial dysfunction
and ATP depletion?
A. Chemical agents
B. Free radicals
C. Hypoxia
D. Genetic factors
Answer: C
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS6501N Midterm) |
Walden University
1. A 45-year-old male with a history of long-standing hypertension presents with an enlarged
heart on imaging. This increase in the size of the myocardial cells is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy represents an increase in the size of cells, which leads to an
increase in the size of the affected organ. In the heart, this is often a compensatory
response to increased workload such as systemic hypertension. Unlike hyperplasia, which
involves an increase in cell number, hypertrophy occurs in cells that are not capable of
mitotic division.
2. Which of the following cellular changes is considered a ‘precancerous’ condition because it
involves abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells?
A. Atrophy
,B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells and is often called atypical hyperplasia. While it is not a true adaptive process,
it is strongly associated with neoplastic transformation. If the inciting stimulus is removed,
dysplastic changes may be reversible, but persistent dysplasia can lead to invasive cancer.
3. During an inflammatory response, which mediator is primarily responsible for inducing
pain and increasing vascular permeability?
A. Leukotrienes
B. Complement proteins
C. Interferons
D. Prostaglandins
Answer: D
Rationale: Prostaglandins are produced via the cyclooxygenase pathway during the
inflammatory process. They cause increased vascular permeability, neutrophil chemotaxis,
and induce pain by sensitizing pain receptors. This makes them a primary target for
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which inhibit their synthesis.
, 4. A patient has a total serum calcium level of 12.5 mg/dL. Which of the following clinical
manifestations would the examiner expect to observe?
A. Positive Chvostek sign
B. Muscle weakness and constipation
C. Muscle tetany
D. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypercalcemia typically leads to decreased neuromuscular excitability, which
manifests as muscle weakness, fatigue, and constipation. In contrast, hypocalcemia
increases excitability, leading to symptoms like tetany or the Chvostek sign. Severe
hypercalcemia can also result in cardiac arrhythmias and renal stones.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury that leads to mitochondrial dysfunction
and ATP depletion?
A. Chemical agents
B. Free radicals
C. Hypoxia
D. Genetic factors
Answer: C
