NURS 328 COMPREHENSIVE
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAMINATION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s muscle mass has decreased significantly following several weeks in a cast. This
cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to reduced functional
demand or disuse, such as immobilization in a cast.
2. Which type of cellular adaptation involves the replacement of one adult cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Anaplasia
,D. Hyperplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another mature cell type better able to withstand environmental stress.
3. In the early stages of the inflammatory response, which cells are the first to arrive at the
site of injury?
A. Macrophages
B. Lymphocytes
C. Neutrophils
D. Eosinophils
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Neutrophils are the primary early responders in acute
inflammation, arriving within 6 to 12 hours.
4. Which immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for Type I hypersensitivity reactions, such
as allergic rhinitis or anaphylaxis?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgA
D. IgE
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, triggering the release of
histamine in Type I immediate hypersensitivity reactions.
5. A patient presents with a ‘butterfly rash’ across the bridge of the nose and cheeks. This is a
classic clinical manifestation of:
A. Scleroderma
B. Rheumatoid Arthritis
C. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
D. Psoriasis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The malar or butterfly rash is a hallmark symptom of SLE, a
chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease.
6. Which of the following is a characteristic sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Absent deep tendon reflexes
C. Trousseau’s sign
D. Polyuria
Answer: C
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAMINATION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s muscle mass has decreased significantly following several weeks in a cast. This
cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to reduced functional
demand or disuse, such as immobilization in a cast.
2. Which type of cellular adaptation involves the replacement of one adult cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Anaplasia
,D. Hyperplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another mature cell type better able to withstand environmental stress.
3. In the early stages of the inflammatory response, which cells are the first to arrive at the
site of injury?
A. Macrophages
B. Lymphocytes
C. Neutrophils
D. Eosinophils
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Neutrophils are the primary early responders in acute
inflammation, arriving within 6 to 12 hours.
4. Which immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for Type I hypersensitivity reactions, such
as allergic rhinitis or anaphylaxis?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgA
D. IgE
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, triggering the release of
histamine in Type I immediate hypersensitivity reactions.
5. A patient presents with a ‘butterfly rash’ across the bridge of the nose and cheeks. This is a
classic clinical manifestation of:
A. Scleroderma
B. Rheumatoid Arthritis
C. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
D. Psoriasis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The malar or butterfly rash is a hallmark symptom of SLE, a
chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease.
6. Which of the following is a characteristic sign of hypocalcemia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Absent deep tendon reflexes
C. Trousseau’s sign
D. Polyuria
Answer: C
