NUR 376 Exam 1 V1 | NUR 376 Applied
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NUR376 Exam 1) | Concordia
1. A patient with a history of chronic cigarette smoking undergoes a bronchoscopy. The
pathology report indicates that the normal ciliated columnar epithelium of the bronchi has
been replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often less
differentiated, cell type to better withstand a harsh environment. In smokers, the columnar
cells of the airway are replaced by squamous cells which lack cilia and mucus production.
This change, while protective against irritation, predisposes the patient to respiratory
infections and potential malignancy.
,2. An elderly patient experiences muscle wasting in the lower extremities following several
months of being bedridden. This reduction in cell size is primarily caused by which of the
following mechanisms?
A. Apoptosis
B. Atrophy
C. Autophagy
D. Necrosis
Correct Answer: B
Atrophy is the decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often resulting from decreased
workload, pressure, use, or blood supply. In this bedridden patient, disuse atrophy occurs
because the metabolic needs of the muscle cells decrease. This leads to a reduction in
protein synthesis and an increase in protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome
pathway.
3. Following a myocardial infarction, the heart muscle cells that died are replaced by what
type of tissue, and what is this process called?
A. Functional cardiac tissue; Regeneration
B. Fibrous connective tissue; Hyperplasia
C. Non-functional scar tissue; Fibrosis
D. Lipid deposits; Steatosis
, Correct Answer: C
Myocytes are permanent cells that do not undergo mitosis; therefore, when they die
during an infarction, they cannot be replaced by new muscle. Instead, the area is repaired
through the deposition of collagen by fibroblasts, a process known as fibrosis. This result is
a non-contractile scar that can impair the overall pumping efficiency of the heart.
4. Which statement best describes the difference between hypertrophy and hyperplasia?
A. Hypertrophy involves an increase in cell number, while hyperplasia involves cell size.
B. Hypertrophy is always pathological, while hyperplasia is always physiological.
C. Hypertrophy involves an increase in cell size, whereas hyperplasia is an increase in the
number of cells.
D. Hyperplasia only occurs in non-dividing cells like cardiac muscle.
Correct Answer: C
Hypertrophy refers to the increase in the size of individual cells, typically due to increased
protein content in the cell organelles. Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of
cells resulting from an increased rate of cellular division. While both can occur
simultaneously in responsive tissues like the uterus during pregnancy, hypertrophy is the
only option for permanent cells like cardiomyocytes.
5. A 28-year-old female’s Pap smear reveals ‘atypical’ cells that vary in size and shape with
large, darkly stained nuclei. The nurse understands this condition is:
A. Atrophy
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NUR376 Exam 1) | Concordia
1. A patient with a history of chronic cigarette smoking undergoes a bronchoscopy. The
pathology report indicates that the normal ciliated columnar epithelium of the bronchi has
been replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often less
differentiated, cell type to better withstand a harsh environment. In smokers, the columnar
cells of the airway are replaced by squamous cells which lack cilia and mucus production.
This change, while protective against irritation, predisposes the patient to respiratory
infections and potential malignancy.
,2. An elderly patient experiences muscle wasting in the lower extremities following several
months of being bedridden. This reduction in cell size is primarily caused by which of the
following mechanisms?
A. Apoptosis
B. Atrophy
C. Autophagy
D. Necrosis
Correct Answer: B
Atrophy is the decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often resulting from decreased
workload, pressure, use, or blood supply. In this bedridden patient, disuse atrophy occurs
because the metabolic needs of the muscle cells decrease. This leads to a reduction in
protein synthesis and an increase in protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome
pathway.
3. Following a myocardial infarction, the heart muscle cells that died are replaced by what
type of tissue, and what is this process called?
A. Functional cardiac tissue; Regeneration
B. Fibrous connective tissue; Hyperplasia
C. Non-functional scar tissue; Fibrosis
D. Lipid deposits; Steatosis
, Correct Answer: C
Myocytes are permanent cells that do not undergo mitosis; therefore, when they die
during an infarction, they cannot be replaced by new muscle. Instead, the area is repaired
through the deposition of collagen by fibroblasts, a process known as fibrosis. This result is
a non-contractile scar that can impair the overall pumping efficiency of the heart.
4. Which statement best describes the difference between hypertrophy and hyperplasia?
A. Hypertrophy involves an increase in cell number, while hyperplasia involves cell size.
B. Hypertrophy is always pathological, while hyperplasia is always physiological.
C. Hypertrophy involves an increase in cell size, whereas hyperplasia is an increase in the
number of cells.
D. Hyperplasia only occurs in non-dividing cells like cardiac muscle.
Correct Answer: C
Hypertrophy refers to the increase in the size of individual cells, typically due to increased
protein content in the cell organelles. Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of
cells resulting from an increased rate of cellular division. While both can occur
simultaneously in responsive tissues like the uterus during pregnancy, hypertrophy is the
only option for permanent cells like cardiomyocytes.
5. A 28-year-old female’s Pap smear reveals ‘atypical’ cells that vary in size and shape with
large, darkly stained nuclei. The nurse understands this condition is:
A. Atrophy
