SCI225 Pathophysiology Final Exam Comprehensive R… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
SCI225 Pathophysiology Final Exam Comprehensive Review
2026/2027 UPDATE |Nightingale
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,SCI225 Pathophysiology Final Exam Comprehensive R… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which cellular adaptation process is characterized by an increase in the number of cells
resulting from an increased rate of cellular division?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells, whereas hypertrophy is an increase in
the size of existing cells. Metaplasia involves a change in cell type, and dysplasia is abnormal,
deranged growth. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client
safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these
questions. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem
gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
2. In the context of irreversible cell injury, which process involves the programmed suicide
of a cell without eliciting an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Coagulative necrosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is highly regulated and does not typically trigger
inflammation, unlike necrosis which involves cell bursting and inflammatory mediator release. This is
important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting
their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these questions. Remembering this
point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the
answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, SCI225 Pathophysiology Final Exam Comprehensive R… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient presents with significant peripheral edema. Which physiological change most
likely contributed to this fluid shift into the interstitial space?
A. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary oncotic pressure
D. Increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Edema is caused by factors that push fluid out of the vessels (increased hydrostatic
pressure) or pull fluid into the interstitium (decreased oncotic pressure, often due to low albumin).
Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on
the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level. Exam questions often test
whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what
the nurse can actually do right now.
4. Which acid-base imbalance is a patient at risk for if they are experiencing severe,
prolonged vomiting?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Vomiting results in the loss of gastric hydrochloric acid (HCl). The loss of hydrogen ions
leads to an increase in serum bicarbonate levels, causing metabolic alkalosis. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse
teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces
anxiety.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
SCI225 Pathophysiology Final Exam Comprehensive Review
2026/2027 UPDATE |Nightingale
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,SCI225 Pathophysiology Final Exam Comprehensive R… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which cellular adaptation process is characterized by an increase in the number of cells
resulting from an increased rate of cellular division?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells, whereas hypertrophy is an increase in
the size of existing cells. Metaplasia involves a change in cell type, and dysplasia is abnormal,
deranged growth. This is important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client
safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these
questions. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem
gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
2. In the context of irreversible cell injury, which process involves the programmed suicide
of a cell without eliciting an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Coagulative necrosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is highly regulated and does not typically trigger
inflammation, unlike necrosis which involves cell bursting and inflammatory mediator release. This is
important because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting
their basic needs. Always think about safety first when answering these questions. Remembering this
point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the
answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, SCI225 Pathophysiology Final Exam Comprehensive R… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient presents with significant peripheral edema. Which physiological change most
likely contributed to this fluid shift into the interstitial space?
A. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary oncotic pressure
D. Increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Edema is caused by factors that push fluid out of the vessels (increased hydrostatic
pressure) or pull fluid into the interstitium (decreased oncotic pressure, often due to low albumin).
Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on
the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level. Exam questions often test
whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what
the nurse can actually do right now.
4. Which acid-base imbalance is a patient at risk for if they are experiencing severe,
prolonged vomiting?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Vomiting results in the loss of gastric hydrochloric acid (HCl). The loss of hydrogen ions
leads to an increase in serum bicarbonate levels, causing metabolic alkalosis. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse
teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces
anxiety.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
