NURS 231/NURS231 Module 1 V1 |
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale | Portage
Learning
1. A clinician is examining a patient with long-term cigarette smoking history and notes that
the respiratory tract cells have transitioned from columnar to stratified squamous
epithelium. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metaplasia represents a reversible change in which one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type. This typically occurs in response to chronic irritation or
inflammation to allow the tissue to survive better. In smokers, the fragile ciliated columnar
epithelium is replaced by tougher stratified squamous epithelium, though this results in the
loss of mucus secretion and ciliary clearance.
2. Which organelle is primarily responsible for the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
through oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Mitochondria
B. Lysosomes
,C. Ribosomes
D. Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell because they
produce the majority of cellular ATP. They utilize oxygen to transform energy-rich
nutrients into a form the cell can use for mechanical or biochemical work. Without
functioning mitochondria, cells would be unable to maintain the ionic gradients necessary
for survival.
3. During a pathology review, a student identifies tissue damage characterized by cells that
have lost their nuclei but maintain their basic structural outline for several days. This is most
indicative of:
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Coagulative necrosis is characterized by the preservation of the structural
outline of the dead cell for a few days. It typically results from a sudden cutoff in blood
supply (ischemia) to organs like the heart, kidneys, or spleen. The denaturation of
structural proteins and enzymes prevents the immediate proteolysis of the cell.
, 4. Which statement correctly describes the process of apoptosis?
A. It is always a pathological process resulting from external injury.
B. It triggers a massive inflammatory response in surrounding tissues.
C. It involves programmed cell death without the leakage of cytosolic enzymes.
D. It causes the cell to swell and eventually burst due to osmotic pressure.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Apoptosis is a highly regulated form of programmed cell death used to
eliminate unwanted or damaged cells. Unlike necrosis, it does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response because the cell components are contained within apoptotic bodies.
This process is essential for normal development and the maintenance of tissue
homeostasis.
5. A 45-year-old male with chronic high blood pressure shows an increase in the size of his
left ventricular myocardial cells. This is an example of:
A. Physiologic hyperplasia
B. Compensatory atrophy
C. Pathologic hypertrophy
D. Benign neoplasia
Correct Answer: C
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale | Portage
Learning
1. A clinician is examining a patient with long-term cigarette smoking history and notes that
the respiratory tract cells have transitioned from columnar to stratified squamous
epithelium. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metaplasia represents a reversible change in which one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type. This typically occurs in response to chronic irritation or
inflammation to allow the tissue to survive better. In smokers, the fragile ciliated columnar
epithelium is replaced by tougher stratified squamous epithelium, though this results in the
loss of mucus secretion and ciliary clearance.
2. Which organelle is primarily responsible for the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
through oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Mitochondria
B. Lysosomes
,C. Ribosomes
D. Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell because they
produce the majority of cellular ATP. They utilize oxygen to transform energy-rich
nutrients into a form the cell can use for mechanical or biochemical work. Without
functioning mitochondria, cells would be unable to maintain the ionic gradients necessary
for survival.
3. During a pathology review, a student identifies tissue damage characterized by cells that
have lost their nuclei but maintain their basic structural outline for several days. This is most
indicative of:
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Coagulative necrosis is characterized by the preservation of the structural
outline of the dead cell for a few days. It typically results from a sudden cutoff in blood
supply (ischemia) to organs like the heart, kidneys, or spleen. The denaturation of
structural proteins and enzymes prevents the immediate proteolysis of the cell.
, 4. Which statement correctly describes the process of apoptosis?
A. It is always a pathological process resulting from external injury.
B. It triggers a massive inflammatory response in surrounding tissues.
C. It involves programmed cell death without the leakage of cytosolic enzymes.
D. It causes the cell to swell and eventually burst due to osmotic pressure.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Apoptosis is a highly regulated form of programmed cell death used to
eliminate unwanted or damaged cells. Unlike necrosis, it does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response because the cell components are contained within apoptotic bodies.
This process is essential for normal development and the maintenance of tissue
homeostasis.
5. A 45-year-old male with chronic high blood pressure shows an increase in the size of his
left ventricular myocardial cells. This is an example of:
A. Physiologic hyperplasia
B. Compensatory atrophy
C. Pathologic hypertrophy
D. Benign neoplasia
Correct Answer: C
