NR507 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and is often associated
with diminished workload or lack of hormonal stimulation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Atrophy is the shrinkage in cell size due to loss of cell substance.
It can occur under physiologic conditions (e.g., loss of hormonal stimulation in menopause)
or pathologic conditions (e.g., disuse or denervation).
,2. A patient with persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) shows a change in the
esophageal lining from stratified squamous epithelium to simple columnar epithelium. What
is this process called?
A. Anaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation or
inflammation.
3. In the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, which organelle plays a central role by releasing pro-
apoptotic proteins like Cytochrome c?
A. Lysosome
B. Endoplasmic reticulum
C. Mitochondria
D. Golgi apparatus
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: The intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway of apoptosis is triggered
by increased permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane, leading to the release of
Cytochrome c into the cytosol.
4. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by free radicals?
A. Inhibition of protein synthesis
B. Osmotic swelling due to sodium influx
C. Direct damage to lysosomal enzymes
D. Lipid peroxidation of membranes
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Free radicals cause damage through lipid peroxidation of
membranes, oxidative modification of proteins, and DNA damage.
5. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and is often associated
with diminished workload or lack of hormonal stimulation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Atrophy is the shrinkage in cell size due to loss of cell substance.
It can occur under physiologic conditions (e.g., loss of hormonal stimulation in menopause)
or pathologic conditions (e.g., disuse or denervation).
,2. A patient with persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) shows a change in the
esophageal lining from stratified squamous epithelium to simple columnar epithelium. What
is this process called?
A. Anaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation or
inflammation.
3. In the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, which organelle plays a central role by releasing pro-
apoptotic proteins like Cytochrome c?
A. Lysosome
B. Endoplasmic reticulum
C. Mitochondria
D. Golgi apparatus
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: The intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway of apoptosis is triggered
by increased permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane, leading to the release of
Cytochrome c into the cytosol.
4. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by free radicals?
A. Inhibition of protein synthesis
B. Osmotic swelling due to sodium influx
C. Direct damage to lysosomal enzymes
D. Lipid peroxidation of membranes
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Free radicals cause damage through lipid peroxidation of
membranes, oxidative modification of proteins, and DNA damage.
5. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
