NSG 3280 Pathophysiology I — Exam 2 Practice Questions with correct
answers and rationales 2026/2027 version /instant pdf
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size due to increased
workload?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of individual cells, commonly
caused by increased workload or hormonal stimulation.
2. A decrease in the size of a cell or tissue due to decreased workload is known
as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hypertrophy
Correct answer: C. Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy occurs when cells decrease in size, often due to disuse,
reduced blood supply, inadequate nutrition, or loss of hormonal stimulation.
3. Which cellular adaptation involves the replacement of one mature cell type
with another mature cell type?
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Necrosis
D. Apoptosis
Correct answer: A. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible adaptation in which one differentiated cell
type changes to another type better able to tolerate stress.
,4. Which type of cell death is a normal, programmed process?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
D. Infarction
Correct answer: B. Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death and helps remove damaged or
unnecessary cells without causing significant inflammation.
5. A patient with prolonged ischemia develops irreversible cell injury. Which
finding is most likely?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Cellular swelling
C. Rupture of the cell membrane
D. Increased protein synthesis
Correct answer: C. Rupture of the cell membrane
Rationale: Severe, irreversible cell injury causes membrane damage, leakage of
cellular contents, and ultimately cell death.
6. Which condition results from inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues?
A. Hyperemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Correct answer: B. Hypoxia
Rationale: Hypoxia is inadequate oxygen availability to cells and may result from
respiratory problems, anemia, ischemia, or reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.
7. What is the primary purpose of inflammation?
A. To destroy all body cells
B. To prevent immune responses
, C. To eliminate harmful stimuli and begin tissue repair
D. To decrease blood flow to injured tissues
Correct answer: C. To eliminate harmful stimuli and begin tissue repair
Rationale: Inflammation is a protective response that removes injurious agents
and initiates healing.
8. Which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for early vasodilation
and increased vascular permeability?
A. Histamine
B. Insulin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Albumin
Correct answer: A. Histamine
Rationale: Histamine released from mast cells causes vasodilation and increased
capillary permeability during inflammation.
9. Which sign is characteristic of acute inflammation?
A. Pallor
B. Coldness
C. Redness and warmth
D. Decreased blood flow
Correct answer: C. Redness and warmth
Rationale: Vasodilation increases blood flow to the area, producing redness and
warmth.
10. Which white blood cells are usually the first to arrive at an acute
inflammatory site?
A. Lymphocytes
B. Neutrophils
C. Eosinophils
D. Basophils
answers and rationales 2026/2027 version /instant pdf
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size due to increased
workload?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of individual cells, commonly
caused by increased workload or hormonal stimulation.
2. A decrease in the size of a cell or tissue due to decreased workload is known
as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hypertrophy
Correct answer: C. Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy occurs when cells decrease in size, often due to disuse,
reduced blood supply, inadequate nutrition, or loss of hormonal stimulation.
3. Which cellular adaptation involves the replacement of one mature cell type
with another mature cell type?
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Necrosis
D. Apoptosis
Correct answer: A. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible adaptation in which one differentiated cell
type changes to another type better able to tolerate stress.
,4. Which type of cell death is a normal, programmed process?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
D. Infarction
Correct answer: B. Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death and helps remove damaged or
unnecessary cells without causing significant inflammation.
5. A patient with prolonged ischemia develops irreversible cell injury. Which
finding is most likely?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Cellular swelling
C. Rupture of the cell membrane
D. Increased protein synthesis
Correct answer: C. Rupture of the cell membrane
Rationale: Severe, irreversible cell injury causes membrane damage, leakage of
cellular contents, and ultimately cell death.
6. Which condition results from inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues?
A. Hyperemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Correct answer: B. Hypoxia
Rationale: Hypoxia is inadequate oxygen availability to cells and may result from
respiratory problems, anemia, ischemia, or reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.
7. What is the primary purpose of inflammation?
A. To destroy all body cells
B. To prevent immune responses
, C. To eliminate harmful stimuli and begin tissue repair
D. To decrease blood flow to injured tissues
Correct answer: C. To eliminate harmful stimuli and begin tissue repair
Rationale: Inflammation is a protective response that removes injurious agents
and initiates healing.
8. Which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for early vasodilation
and increased vascular permeability?
A. Histamine
B. Insulin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Albumin
Correct answer: A. Histamine
Rationale: Histamine released from mast cells causes vasodilation and increased
capillary permeability during inflammation.
9. Which sign is characteristic of acute inflammation?
A. Pallor
B. Coldness
C. Redness and warmth
D. Decreased blood flow
Correct answer: C. Redness and warmth
Rationale: Vasodilation increases blood flow to the area, producing redness and
warmth.
10. Which white blood cells are usually the first to arrive at an acute
inflammatory site?
A. Lymphocytes
B. Neutrophils
C. Eosinophils
D. Basophils
