Davis Advantage for Pathophysiology 3rd Edition Practice Questions | Nursing Pathophysiology Clinical Judgment & Exam Prep
DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 3RD EDITION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS | NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
CLINICAL JUDGMENT & EXAM PREP
UNIT 1: THE CELL
CHAPTER 1: THE CELL IN HEALTH AND ILLNESS
CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
20 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question 1
A nursing student is reviewing the organization of a human cell and is asked to identify the
structure that controls which substances enter and leave the cell. Which structure should the
student select?
A. Nucleus
B. Plasma membrane
C. Ribosome
D. Mitochondrion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The plasma membrane forms the boundary between the intracellular and extracellular
environments. Its selective permeability allows the cell to regulate movement of substances into
1
,Davis Advantage for Pathophysiology 3rd Edition Practice Questions | Nursing Pathophysiology Clinical Judgment & Exam Prep
and out of the cell. This regulation is essential for maintaining the cell's internal environment and
supporting homeostasis.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Nucleus: The nucleus contains genetic material and regulates many cellular activities but does
not serve as the primary barrier controlling movement across the cell boundary.
B. Plasma membrane: Correct. It selectively regulates movement between the cell and its
surrounding environment.
C. Ribosome: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis rather than controlling membrane
transport.
D. Mitochondrion: Mitochondria are primarily involved in cellular energy production.
Chapter: Chapter 1: The Cell in Health and Illness
Topic: Cell Structure and Function
Subtopic: Plasma Membrane
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Question Type: MCQ
CJMM: Not applicable
Difficulty: Moderate
Question 2
A patient has a cellular disorder that interferes with the ability of cells to produce usable energy.
Dysfunction of which organelle would most directly explain this problem?
A. Lysosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Nucleolus
2
,Davis Advantage for Pathophysiology 3rd Edition Practice Questions | Nursing Pathophysiology Clinical Judgment & Exam Prep
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Mitochondria are the major organelles involved in aerobic energy production. They generate
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides energy needed for cellular activities. Impaired
mitochondrial function can therefore reduce the energy available for normal cellular processes.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Lysosome: Lysosomes contain enzymes involved in intracellular digestion and breakdown of
cellular materials.
B. Golgi apparatus: The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and other cellular
products.
C. Mitochondrion: Correct. Mitochondria generate much of the ATP used by cells.
D. Nucleolus: The nucleolus is associated with production of ribosomal components.
Chapter: Chapter 1: The Cell in Health and Illness
Topic: Cell Structure and Function
Subtopic: Mitochondria
Cognitive Level: Application
Question Type: MCQ
CJMM: Analyze Cues
Difficulty: Difficult
Question 3
A cell is actively producing a large amount of protein. Which cellular structure is most directly
responsible for assembling amino acids into proteins?
A. Ribosome
B. Lysosome
3
, Davis Advantage for Pathophysiology 3rd Edition Practice Questions | Nursing Pathophysiology Clinical Judgment & Exam Prep
C. Centriole
D. Peroxisome
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Ribosomes are the cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis. They translate
information encoded in messenger RNA into a sequence of amino acids that forms a protein.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Ribosome: Correct. Ribosomes are the primary sites of protein synthesis.
B. Lysosome: Lysosomes digest cellular materials and do not assemble proteins.
C. Centriole: Centrioles participate in organization of structures involved in cell division.
D. Peroxisome: Peroxisomes participate in metabolic processes and breakdown of certain
substances.
Chapter: Chapter 1: The Cell in Health and Illness
Topic: Cell Structure and Function
Subtopic: Protein Synthesis
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Question Type: MCQ
CJMM: Not applicable
Difficulty: Moderate
Question 4
A cell is exposed to a substance that damages its plasma membrane. Which consequence is most
likely to occur first?
A. Loss of control over movement of substances across the membrane
B. Increased production of ribosomal RNA
4
DAVIS ADVANTAGE FOR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 3RD EDITION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS | NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
CLINICAL JUDGMENT & EXAM PREP
UNIT 1: THE CELL
CHAPTER 1: THE CELL IN HEALTH AND ILLNESS
CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
20 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question 1
A nursing student is reviewing the organization of a human cell and is asked to identify the
structure that controls which substances enter and leave the cell. Which structure should the
student select?
A. Nucleus
B. Plasma membrane
C. Ribosome
D. Mitochondrion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The plasma membrane forms the boundary between the intracellular and extracellular
environments. Its selective permeability allows the cell to regulate movement of substances into
1
,Davis Advantage for Pathophysiology 3rd Edition Practice Questions | Nursing Pathophysiology Clinical Judgment & Exam Prep
and out of the cell. This regulation is essential for maintaining the cell's internal environment and
supporting homeostasis.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Nucleus: The nucleus contains genetic material and regulates many cellular activities but does
not serve as the primary barrier controlling movement across the cell boundary.
B. Plasma membrane: Correct. It selectively regulates movement between the cell and its
surrounding environment.
C. Ribosome: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis rather than controlling membrane
transport.
D. Mitochondrion: Mitochondria are primarily involved in cellular energy production.
Chapter: Chapter 1: The Cell in Health and Illness
Topic: Cell Structure and Function
Subtopic: Plasma Membrane
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Question Type: MCQ
CJMM: Not applicable
Difficulty: Moderate
Question 2
A patient has a cellular disorder that interferes with the ability of cells to produce usable energy.
Dysfunction of which organelle would most directly explain this problem?
A. Lysosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Nucleolus
2
,Davis Advantage for Pathophysiology 3rd Edition Practice Questions | Nursing Pathophysiology Clinical Judgment & Exam Prep
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Mitochondria are the major organelles involved in aerobic energy production. They generate
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which provides energy needed for cellular activities. Impaired
mitochondrial function can therefore reduce the energy available for normal cellular processes.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Lysosome: Lysosomes contain enzymes involved in intracellular digestion and breakdown of
cellular materials.
B. Golgi apparatus: The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and other cellular
products.
C. Mitochondrion: Correct. Mitochondria generate much of the ATP used by cells.
D. Nucleolus: The nucleolus is associated with production of ribosomal components.
Chapter: Chapter 1: The Cell in Health and Illness
Topic: Cell Structure and Function
Subtopic: Mitochondria
Cognitive Level: Application
Question Type: MCQ
CJMM: Analyze Cues
Difficulty: Difficult
Question 3
A cell is actively producing a large amount of protein. Which cellular structure is most directly
responsible for assembling amino acids into proteins?
A. Ribosome
B. Lysosome
3
, Davis Advantage for Pathophysiology 3rd Edition Practice Questions | Nursing Pathophysiology Clinical Judgment & Exam Prep
C. Centriole
D. Peroxisome
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Ribosomes are the cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis. They translate
information encoded in messenger RNA into a sequence of amino acids that forms a protein.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Ribosome: Correct. Ribosomes are the primary sites of protein synthesis.
B. Lysosome: Lysosomes digest cellular materials and do not assemble proteins.
C. Centriole: Centrioles participate in organization of structures involved in cell division.
D. Peroxisome: Peroxisomes participate in metabolic processes and breakdown of certain
substances.
Chapter: Chapter 1: The Cell in Health and Illness
Topic: Cell Structure and Function
Subtopic: Protein Synthesis
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Question Type: MCQ
CJMM: Not applicable
Difficulty: Moderate
Question 4
A cell is exposed to a substance that damages its plasma membrane. Which consequence is most
likely to occur first?
A. Loss of control over movement of substances across the membrane
B. Increased production of ribosomal RNA
4
