SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Guide 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Guide 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 Midterm Exam Guide 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that the normal ciliated columnar cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often as a
response to chronic irritation like smoking. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect
the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. 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. During hypoxic cell injury, the failure of the Sodium-Potassium (Na+/K+) pump leads
directly to which of the following?
A. Intracellular dehydration
B. Extracellular edema
C. Increased ATP production
D. Intracellular swelling and oncosis
Answer: D
Rationale: ATP depletion causes the Na+/K+ pump to fail, leading to an accumulation of sodium
inside the cell, which draws water in, causing cellular swelling (oncosis). 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. Knowing the reason behind the correct answer makes it
easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects the client and matches
the priority need.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Guide 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain because brain tissue is rich in digestive hydrolytic
enzymes and lipids. 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 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. A patient has a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation is most
critical to monitor for?
A. Skeletal muscle hyper-excitability
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Polyuria
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) decreases the resting membrane potential, leading to
life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and potential cardiac arrest. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Guide 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 Midterm Exam Guide 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that the normal ciliated columnar cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often as a
response to chronic irritation like smoking. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect
the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. 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. During hypoxic cell injury, the failure of the Sodium-Potassium (Na+/K+) pump leads
directly to which of the following?
A. Intracellular dehydration
B. Extracellular edema
C. Increased ATP production
D. Intracellular swelling and oncosis
Answer: D
Rationale: ATP depletion causes the Na+/K+ pump to fail, leading to an accumulation of sodium
inside the cell, which draws water in, causing cellular swelling (oncosis). 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. Knowing the reason behind the correct answer makes it
easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects the client and matches
the priority need.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, SCI225 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Guide 2026/20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain because brain tissue is rich in digestive hydrolytic
enzymes and lipids. 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 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. A patient has a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation is most
critical to monitor for?
A. Skeletal muscle hyper-excitability
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Polyuria
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) decreases the resting membrane potential, leading to
life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and potential cardiac arrest. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
