NURS 231/NURS231 Module 1 V3 |
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale | Portage
Learning
1. A patient presents with a decrease in the size of their leg muscles following several weeks
in a cast. Which cellular adaptation is this most representative of?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Atrophy refers to a decrease in cell size, which often occurs due to disuse,
denervation, or loss of endocrine stimulation. In this scenario, the lack of mechanical
loading on the muscle while in a cast leads to disuse atrophy. This is a reversible process if
the stimulus for movement is restored.
2. Which organelle is primarily responsible for the synthesis of proteins that are destined for
secretion or for use in the plasma membrane?
A. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Lysosomes
C. Peroxisomes
,D. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) is studded with ribosomes, which
are the sites of protein synthesis. These proteins are typically intended for export from the
cell or for integration into cellular membranes. The Smooth ER, by contrast, is involved in
lipid synthesis and detoxification.
3. During cellular hypoxia, what is the primary reason for the failure of the sodium-potassium
(Na+/K+) pump?
A. Increase in intracellular calcium
B. Lactic acid accumulation
C. Reduced availability of ATP
D. Damage to the cell membrane
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypoxia limits the production of ATP via aerobic metabolism in the
mitochondria. Since the Na+/K+ pump is an active transport mechanism, it requires ATP to
function against concentration gradients. Without sufficient ATP, the pump fails, leading to
cellular swelling as sodium and water enter the cell.
, 4. A long-term smoker undergoes a biopsy of the airway, which reveals that normal ciliated
columnar epithelium has been replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This is an
example of:
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one adult cell type is replaced by
another adult cell type. This usually occurs in response to chronic irritation or
inflammation, such as cigarette smoke. While the new cell type is more resilient, it often
loses specialized functions like cilia and mucus secretion.
5. Which process is characterized by programmed cell death that does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Infarction
C. Apoptosis
D. Autolysis
Correct Answer: C
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale | Portage
Learning
1. A patient presents with a decrease in the size of their leg muscles following several weeks
in a cast. Which cellular adaptation is this most representative of?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Atrophy refers to a decrease in cell size, which often occurs due to disuse,
denervation, or loss of endocrine stimulation. In this scenario, the lack of mechanical
loading on the muscle while in a cast leads to disuse atrophy. This is a reversible process if
the stimulus for movement is restored.
2. Which organelle is primarily responsible for the synthesis of proteins that are destined for
secretion or for use in the plasma membrane?
A. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
B. Lysosomes
C. Peroxisomes
,D. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) is studded with ribosomes, which
are the sites of protein synthesis. These proteins are typically intended for export from the
cell or for integration into cellular membranes. The Smooth ER, by contrast, is involved in
lipid synthesis and detoxification.
3. During cellular hypoxia, what is the primary reason for the failure of the sodium-potassium
(Na+/K+) pump?
A. Increase in intracellular calcium
B. Lactic acid accumulation
C. Reduced availability of ATP
D. Damage to the cell membrane
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypoxia limits the production of ATP via aerobic metabolism in the
mitochondria. Since the Na+/K+ pump is an active transport mechanism, it requires ATP to
function against concentration gradients. Without sufficient ATP, the pump fails, leading to
cellular swelling as sodium and water enter the cell.
, 4. A long-term smoker undergoes a biopsy of the airway, which reveals that normal ciliated
columnar epithelium has been replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This is an
example of:
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one adult cell type is replaced by
another adult cell type. This usually occurs in response to chronic irritation or
inflammation, such as cigarette smoke. While the new cell type is more resilient, it often
loses specialized functions like cilia and mucus secretion.
5. Which process is characterized by programmed cell death that does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Infarction
C. Apoptosis
D. Autolysis
Correct Answer: C
