Pathophysiology for Nursing Midterm
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1.
A nurse is explaining the concept of homeostasis to a student. Which statement
best describes homeostasis?
A. The complete absence of physiologic changes in the body
B. The ability of the body to maintain a relatively stable internal environment
C. The body's permanent adaptation to all external environmental changes
D. The process by which damaged cells are immediately replaced
B. The ability of the body to maintain a relatively stable internal environment
Rationale: Homeostasis is the dynamic maintenance of relatively stable internal
conditions despite continuous internal and external changes. The nervous and
endocrine systems are major regulators of homeostasis. Homeostasis does not
mean that physiologic variables remain absolutely constant; instead, they fluctuate
within an acceptable range.
2.
Which mechanism is most commonly responsible for maintaining homeostasis
when a physiologic variable moves away from its normal range?
A. Positive feedback
B. Negative feedback
C. Cellular necrosis
D. Genetic mutation
B. Negative feedback
,Rationale: Negative feedback counteracts a change and moves a physiologic
variable toward its normal range. For example, when blood glucose rises, insulin
secretion promotes glucose uptake and storage, lowering blood glucose. Positive
feedback amplifies a change rather than correcting it.
3.
A patient develops a fever during an infection. Which mechanism most directly
contributes to the elevation of body temperature?
A. Decreased hypothalamic temperature set point
B. Increased hypothalamic temperature set point
C. Suppression of inflammatory mediators
D. Complete inhibition of prostaglandin production
B. Increased hypothalamic temperature set point
Rationale: During many infections, pyrogens stimulate production of prostaglandin
E2, which raises the hypothalamic temperature set point. The body then responds
as though its temperature is too low, producing vasoconstriction and shivering until
the new set point is reached.
4.
Which cellular adaptation occurs when a tissue increases the size of individual cells
in response to increased workload?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, resulting in enlargement of the
affected tissue or organ. It commonly occurs in tissues such as skeletal and cardiac
muscle when workload increases. Hyperplasia involves an increase in cell number.
5.
,A patient has decreased muscle mass after several weeks of immobilization. Which
cellular adaptation has occurred?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
B. Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a reduction in cell size and often results in decreased tissue or
organ size. Disuse, inadequate nutrition, loss of nerve stimulation, reduced blood
supply, and aging can contribute to atrophy.
6.
Which term describes a reversible change in which one mature cell type is replaced
by another mature cell type better able to tolerate a persistent stress?
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Necrosis
D. Apoptosis
A. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible adaptive change in which one differentiated
cell type changes to another differentiated cell type. It can protect tissue from
chronic irritation but may increase the risk of dysplasia and malignancy if the
underlying stress persists.
7.
A patient has prolonged cigarette smoke exposure that causes chronic irritation of
the respiratory tract. Which cellular adaptation may develop?
A. Metaplasia
B. Apoptosis only
, C. Immediate necrosis
D. Complete cellular regeneration
A. Metaplasia
Rationale: Chronic irritation can stimulate metaplasia, in which one mature
epithelial cell type is replaced by another that is more resistant to the stress.
Persistent exposure can eventually produce dysplastic changes and increase cancer
risk.
8.
Which process involves programmed, regulated cell death without the extensive
inflammation typically associated with tissue injury?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
D. Infarction
B. Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that removes unwanted, damaged,
or aged cells in a controlled manner. Cell contents are generally packaged into
apoptotic bodies, limiting inflammation. Necrosis usually involves uncontrolled cell
injury and membrane disruption.
9.
Which finding is most characteristic of necrotic cell injury?
A. Controlled cellular fragmentation
B. Preservation of the cell membrane
C. Leakage of intracellular contents
D. Absence of inflammation
C. Leakage of intracellular contents
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1.
A nurse is explaining the concept of homeostasis to a student. Which statement
best describes homeostasis?
A. The complete absence of physiologic changes in the body
B. The ability of the body to maintain a relatively stable internal environment
C. The body's permanent adaptation to all external environmental changes
D. The process by which damaged cells are immediately replaced
B. The ability of the body to maintain a relatively stable internal environment
Rationale: Homeostasis is the dynamic maintenance of relatively stable internal
conditions despite continuous internal and external changes. The nervous and
endocrine systems are major regulators of homeostasis. Homeostasis does not
mean that physiologic variables remain absolutely constant; instead, they fluctuate
within an acceptable range.
2.
Which mechanism is most commonly responsible for maintaining homeostasis
when a physiologic variable moves away from its normal range?
A. Positive feedback
B. Negative feedback
C. Cellular necrosis
D. Genetic mutation
B. Negative feedback
,Rationale: Negative feedback counteracts a change and moves a physiologic
variable toward its normal range. For example, when blood glucose rises, insulin
secretion promotes glucose uptake and storage, lowering blood glucose. Positive
feedback amplifies a change rather than correcting it.
3.
A patient develops a fever during an infection. Which mechanism most directly
contributes to the elevation of body temperature?
A. Decreased hypothalamic temperature set point
B. Increased hypothalamic temperature set point
C. Suppression of inflammatory mediators
D. Complete inhibition of prostaglandin production
B. Increased hypothalamic temperature set point
Rationale: During many infections, pyrogens stimulate production of prostaglandin
E2, which raises the hypothalamic temperature set point. The body then responds
as though its temperature is too low, producing vasoconstriction and shivering until
the new set point is reached.
4.
Which cellular adaptation occurs when a tissue increases the size of individual cells
in response to increased workload?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, resulting in enlargement of the
affected tissue or organ. It commonly occurs in tissues such as skeletal and cardiac
muscle when workload increases. Hyperplasia involves an increase in cell number.
5.
,A patient has decreased muscle mass after several weeks of immobilization. Which
cellular adaptation has occurred?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
B. Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a reduction in cell size and often results in decreased tissue or
organ size. Disuse, inadequate nutrition, loss of nerve stimulation, reduced blood
supply, and aging can contribute to atrophy.
6.
Which term describes a reversible change in which one mature cell type is replaced
by another mature cell type better able to tolerate a persistent stress?
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Necrosis
D. Apoptosis
A. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible adaptive change in which one differentiated
cell type changes to another differentiated cell type. It can protect tissue from
chronic irritation but may increase the risk of dysplasia and malignancy if the
underlying stress persists.
7.
A patient has prolonged cigarette smoke exposure that causes chronic irritation of
the respiratory tract. Which cellular adaptation may develop?
A. Metaplasia
B. Apoptosis only
, C. Immediate necrosis
D. Complete cellular regeneration
A. Metaplasia
Rationale: Chronic irritation can stimulate metaplasia, in which one mature
epithelial cell type is replaced by another that is more resistant to the stress.
Persistent exposure can eventually produce dysplastic changes and increase cancer
risk.
8.
Which process involves programmed, regulated cell death without the extensive
inflammation typically associated with tissue injury?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
D. Infarction
B. Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that removes unwanted, damaged,
or aged cells in a controlled manner. Cell contents are generally packaged into
apoptotic bodies, limiting inflammation. Necrosis usually involves uncontrolled cell
injury and membrane disruption.
9.
Which finding is most characteristic of necrotic cell injury?
A. Controlled cellular fragmentation
B. Preservation of the cell membrane
C. Leakage of intracellular contents
D. Absence of inflammation
C. Leakage of intracellular contents
