SCI 225 Pathophysiology
SCI225 / SCI 225
Pathophysiology Final Exam
Nightingale College
Practice Exam Rated A | Latest 2026/27
Questions & Answers Plus Rationales
INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD | PDF
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS
• 100 Exam Questions & Answers Plus Rationales
• Instant Pdf Download
• 100% Verified Qs & Ans
• 100% Assured Pass
• Original Practice Exam
,SCI 225 Pathophysiology
SECTION 1: CORE CONCEPTS, CELLULAR INJURY & ADAPTATION
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1
The study of the underlying changes in body physiology (molecular, cellular,
and organ systems) that result from disease or injury is known as:
A) Pathology
B) Etiology
C) Pathophysiology
D) Epidemiology
Answer: C) Pathophysiology
Rationale: Pathophysiology is the study of the functional changes that occur in
the body as a result of disease or injury. Pathology is the investigation of
structural alterations in cells, tissues, and organs. Etiology is the study of the
cause of disease. Epidemiology is the study of tracking patterns of disease
occurrence and transmission among populations.
Question 2
A patient with chronic hypertension develops an enlarged left ventricle. This
cellular adaptation is best described as:
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Answer: B) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, resulting in an increase in
organ size. The increased workload from pumping against elevated pressure
(hypertension) causes cardiac muscle cells to enlarge. Atrophy is a decrease in
,SCI 225 Pathophysiology
cell size, hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, and metaplasia is the
replacement of one mature cell type with another.
Question 3
A patient with chronic GERD develops Barrett's esophagus, where the normal
squamous epithelium of the lower esophagus is replaced by columnar
epithelium. This is an example of:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often in response to chronic irritation or inflammation. Barrett's
esophagus is a classic example where chronic acid exposure causes the
esophageal lining to change from squamous to columnar epithelium to better
withstand the acidic environment.
Question 4
Liquefactive necrosis is best defined as which of the following?
A) Deposition of fibrin in blood vessels
B) Tissue that becomes firm and preserved
C) Tissue that loses structure and becomes a liquid mass
D) Death of fat cells with calcification
Answer: C) Tissue that loses structure and becomes a liquid mass
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs when dead tissue is digested by
enzymes, forming a liquid mass. This type of necrosis is commonly seen in the
brain following stroke and in bacterial infections where pus formation occurs.
, SCI 225 Pathophysiology
Question 5
What is the best definition of the term "prognosis"?
A) Precipitating factors causing an acute episode
B) Number of remissions to be expected during the course of a chronic illness
C) Predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery from a specific disease
D) Exacerbations occurring during chronic illness
Answer: C) Predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery from a specific
disease
Rationale: Prognosis refers to the predicted course and outcome of a disease. It
may state the chances for complete recovery, predict the permanent loss of
function, or give the probability of survival.
Question 6
Which statement best defines homeostasis?
A) A disease that will end in death
B) The process of identifying a disease or disorder
C) Relatively stable internal conditions under fluctuating environmental
conditions
D) The study of disease
Answer: C) Relatively stable internal conditions under fluctuating
environmental conditions
Rationale: Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain relatively stable
internal conditions despite changes in the external environment. The body's
organ systems normally maintain temperature, pH, blood composition, and fluid
levels within a precise range.
SCI225 / SCI 225
Pathophysiology Final Exam
Nightingale College
Practice Exam Rated A | Latest 2026/27
Questions & Answers Plus Rationales
INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD | PDF
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS
• 100 Exam Questions & Answers Plus Rationales
• Instant Pdf Download
• 100% Verified Qs & Ans
• 100% Assured Pass
• Original Practice Exam
,SCI 225 Pathophysiology
SECTION 1: CORE CONCEPTS, CELLULAR INJURY & ADAPTATION
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1
The study of the underlying changes in body physiology (molecular, cellular,
and organ systems) that result from disease or injury is known as:
A) Pathology
B) Etiology
C) Pathophysiology
D) Epidemiology
Answer: C) Pathophysiology
Rationale: Pathophysiology is the study of the functional changes that occur in
the body as a result of disease or injury. Pathology is the investigation of
structural alterations in cells, tissues, and organs. Etiology is the study of the
cause of disease. Epidemiology is the study of tracking patterns of disease
occurrence and transmission among populations.
Question 2
A patient with chronic hypertension develops an enlarged left ventricle. This
cellular adaptation is best described as:
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Answer: B) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, resulting in an increase in
organ size. The increased workload from pumping against elevated pressure
(hypertension) causes cardiac muscle cells to enlarge. Atrophy is a decrease in
,SCI 225 Pathophysiology
cell size, hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, and metaplasia is the
replacement of one mature cell type with another.
Question 3
A patient with chronic GERD develops Barrett's esophagus, where the normal
squamous epithelium of the lower esophagus is replaced by columnar
epithelium. This is an example of:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often in response to chronic irritation or inflammation. Barrett's
esophagus is a classic example where chronic acid exposure causes the
esophageal lining to change from squamous to columnar epithelium to better
withstand the acidic environment.
Question 4
Liquefactive necrosis is best defined as which of the following?
A) Deposition of fibrin in blood vessels
B) Tissue that becomes firm and preserved
C) Tissue that loses structure and becomes a liquid mass
D) Death of fat cells with calcification
Answer: C) Tissue that loses structure and becomes a liquid mass
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs when dead tissue is digested by
enzymes, forming a liquid mass. This type of necrosis is commonly seen in the
brain following stroke and in bacterial infections where pus formation occurs.
, SCI 225 Pathophysiology
Question 5
What is the best definition of the term "prognosis"?
A) Precipitating factors causing an acute episode
B) Number of remissions to be expected during the course of a chronic illness
C) Predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery from a specific disease
D) Exacerbations occurring during chronic illness
Answer: C) Predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery from a specific
disease
Rationale: Prognosis refers to the predicted course and outcome of a disease. It
may state the chances for complete recovery, predict the permanent loss of
function, or give the probability of survival.
Question 6
Which statement best defines homeostasis?
A) A disease that will end in death
B) The process of identifying a disease or disorder
C) Relatively stable internal conditions under fluctuating environmental
conditions
D) The study of disease
Answer: C) Relatively stable internal conditions under fluctuating
environmental conditions
Rationale: Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain relatively stable
internal conditions despite changes in the external environment. The body's
organ systems normally maintain temperature, pH, blood composition, and fluid
levels within a precise range.
