Pathophysiology Midterm Exam
(AGACNP-C) 2026–2027 |
Comprehensive Question Practice Test
with Answers & Rationales| Free Pdf
Access
1. Pathophysiology is the study of:
A. Normal anatomy of the body
B. Functional changes associated with disease processes
C. Drug classifications
D. Surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathophysiology examines the physiological changes that occur because of
disease or injury.
2. Homeostasis refers to:
A. Abnormal cell growth
B. The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment
C. Cell death
D. Blood clot formation
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis maintains a constant internal environment despite external
changes.
3. Which process is considered programmed cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Inflammation
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is a controlled process of programmed cell death that does not usually
trigger inflammation.
4. Which type of cell injury is irreversible?
A. Cellular swelling
B. Fatty change
C. Necrosis
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Necrosis is irreversible cell death caused by severe injury.
5. Hypertrophy is defined as:
A. Increase in cell size
B. Increase in cell number
,C. Decrease in cell size
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy occurs when cells enlarge, increasing organ size.
6. Hyperplasia is characterized by:
A. Increased cell number
B. Cell destruction
C. Decreased cell size
D. Cell mutation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperplasia results from an increase in the number of cells.
7. Atrophy refers to:
A. Enlargement of cells
B. Reduction in cell size
C. Cancer formation
D. Tissue inflammation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrophy occurs when cells shrink because of decreased workload or nutrient
supply.
8. Metaplasia is:
, A. Irreversible cell death
B. Replacement of one mature cell type by another
C. Cell swelling
D. Cell rupture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible adaptation in which one differentiated cell type is
replaced by another.
9. Dysplasia is best described as:
A. Normal cell growth
B. Abnormal cell growth and organization
C. Cell death
D. Increased blood flow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia involves abnormal cellular development and may precede cancer.
10. Which electrolyte is the primary intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Chloride
C. Potassium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: C
(AGACNP-C) 2026–2027 |
Comprehensive Question Practice Test
with Answers & Rationales| Free Pdf
Access
1. Pathophysiology is the study of:
A. Normal anatomy of the body
B. Functional changes associated with disease processes
C. Drug classifications
D. Surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathophysiology examines the physiological changes that occur because of
disease or injury.
2. Homeostasis refers to:
A. Abnormal cell growth
B. The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment
C. Cell death
D. Blood clot formation
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis maintains a constant internal environment despite external
changes.
3. Which process is considered programmed cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Inflammation
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is a controlled process of programmed cell death that does not usually
trigger inflammation.
4. Which type of cell injury is irreversible?
A. Cellular swelling
B. Fatty change
C. Necrosis
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Necrosis is irreversible cell death caused by severe injury.
5. Hypertrophy is defined as:
A. Increase in cell size
B. Increase in cell number
,C. Decrease in cell size
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy occurs when cells enlarge, increasing organ size.
6. Hyperplasia is characterized by:
A. Increased cell number
B. Cell destruction
C. Decreased cell size
D. Cell mutation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperplasia results from an increase in the number of cells.
7. Atrophy refers to:
A. Enlargement of cells
B. Reduction in cell size
C. Cancer formation
D. Tissue inflammation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrophy occurs when cells shrink because of decreased workload or nutrient
supply.
8. Metaplasia is:
, A. Irreversible cell death
B. Replacement of one mature cell type by another
C. Cell swelling
D. Cell rupture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible adaptation in which one differentiated cell type is
replaced by another.
9. Dysplasia is best described as:
A. Normal cell growth
B. Abnormal cell growth and organization
C. Cell death
D. Increased blood flow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia involves abnormal cellular development and may precede cancer.
10. Which electrolyte is the primary intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Chloride
C. Potassium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: C
