Page 1 of 24
NSG 530 EXAM 1 – 2026 WILKES ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NSG
Prepare for the NSG 530 Exam 1 – Wilkes Advanced Pathophysiology with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to strengthen your understanding of
advanced disease processes and clinical concepts. It features exam-style questions
covering cellular adaptations, inflammation, immune responses, genetic influences,
fluid and electrolyte balance, homeostasis, and foundational pathophysiological
mechanisms. Use it to reinforce essential concepts, assess your understanding, and
build confidence before test day. An excellent study aid for Wilkes University nursing
students preparing for the NSG 530 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATIONS & INJURY (Questions 1–25)
Question 1: A cell is exposed to a toxin that damages mitochondrial DNA.
Which cellular function will be most immediately impaired?
A) Protein synthesis
B) ATP production
C) Lipid synthesis
D) DNA replication
Correct answer: B) ATP production
Rationale: Mitochondria are the primary site of oxidative phosphorylation and
ATP production. Damage to mitochondrial DNA impairs the electron transport
chain, reducing ATP synthesis. Cells with high energy demands (neurons,
cardiac muscle) are most vulnerable .
Question 2: Which type of cellular adaptation involves an increase in the
number of cells in a tissue?
A) Hypertrophy
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B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct answer: B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number due to increased mitotic
division. It occurs in tissues capable of mitosis (e.g., endometrium during the
menstrual cycle, liver regeneration). Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size .
Question 3: A patient with chronic hypoxia develops increased red blood cell
production. This is an example of:
A) Physiologic hypertrophy
B) Pathologic hyperplasia
C) Physiologic hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct answer: C) Physiologic hyperplasia
Rationale: Increased erythropoietin production in response to hypoxia
stimulates bone marrow hyperplasia, increasing RBC production. This is a
compensatory, physiologic response .
Question 4: Which cellular change is considered a reversible response to
injury?
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Cellular swelling
D) Karyolysis
Correct answer: C) Cellular swelling
Rationale: Cellular swelling (hydropic change) is the earliest and most
reversible manifestation of cell injury. It results from failure of the Na⁺/K⁺
pump, leading to intracellular water accumulation .
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Question 5: A patient with chronic GERD develops Barrett esophagus. This is
an example of which cellular adaptation?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct answer: D) Metaplasia
Rationale: Barrett esophagus is metaplasia—replacement of normal
squamous epithelium with columnar epithelium in response to chronic acid
irritation. Metaplasia is reversible if the irritant is removed .
Question 6: Which of the following is a characteristic feature of apoptosis?
A) Cell swelling and membrane rupture
B) Cell shrinkage and formation of apoptotic bodies
C) Inflammatory response
D) Random DNA degradation
Correct answer: B) Cell shrinkage and formation of apoptotic bodies
Rationale: Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is characterized by cell
shrinkage, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, and formation of
apoptotic bodies without inflammation. Necrosis causes inflammation .
Question 7: A 55-year-old male with chronic alcoholism is found to have liver
cirrhosis. Which type of necrosis is typically seen in this condition?
A) Coagulative necrosis
B) Liquefactive necrosis
C) Fat necrosis
D) Apoptosis
Correct answer: D) Apoptosis
Rationale: In alcoholic liver disease, hepatocytes undergo apoptosis due to
oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, leading to fibrosis and eventual
cirrhosis .
NSG 530 EXAM 1 – 2026 WILKES ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NSG
Prepare for the NSG 530 Exam 1 – Wilkes Advanced Pathophysiology with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to strengthen your understanding of
advanced disease processes and clinical concepts. It features exam-style questions
covering cellular adaptations, inflammation, immune responses, genetic influences,
fluid and electrolyte balance, homeostasis, and foundational pathophysiological
mechanisms. Use it to reinforce essential concepts, assess your understanding, and
build confidence before test day. An excellent study aid for Wilkes University nursing
students preparing for the NSG 530 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATIONS & INJURY (Questions 1–25)
Question 1: A cell is exposed to a toxin that damages mitochondrial DNA.
Which cellular function will be most immediately impaired?
A) Protein synthesis
B) ATP production
C) Lipid synthesis
D) DNA replication
Correct answer: B) ATP production
Rationale: Mitochondria are the primary site of oxidative phosphorylation and
ATP production. Damage to mitochondrial DNA impairs the electron transport
chain, reducing ATP synthesis. Cells with high energy demands (neurons,
cardiac muscle) are most vulnerable .
Question 2: Which type of cellular adaptation involves an increase in the
number of cells in a tissue?
A) Hypertrophy
, Page 2 of 24
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct answer: B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number due to increased mitotic
division. It occurs in tissues capable of mitosis (e.g., endometrium during the
menstrual cycle, liver regeneration). Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size .
Question 3: A patient with chronic hypoxia develops increased red blood cell
production. This is an example of:
A) Physiologic hypertrophy
B) Pathologic hyperplasia
C) Physiologic hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct answer: C) Physiologic hyperplasia
Rationale: Increased erythropoietin production in response to hypoxia
stimulates bone marrow hyperplasia, increasing RBC production. This is a
compensatory, physiologic response .
Question 4: Which cellular change is considered a reversible response to
injury?
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Cellular swelling
D) Karyolysis
Correct answer: C) Cellular swelling
Rationale: Cellular swelling (hydropic change) is the earliest and most
reversible manifestation of cell injury. It results from failure of the Na⁺/K⁺
pump, leading to intracellular water accumulation .
, Page 3 of 24
Question 5: A patient with chronic GERD develops Barrett esophagus. This is
an example of which cellular adaptation?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct answer: D) Metaplasia
Rationale: Barrett esophagus is metaplasia—replacement of normal
squamous epithelium with columnar epithelium in response to chronic acid
irritation. Metaplasia is reversible if the irritant is removed .
Question 6: Which of the following is a characteristic feature of apoptosis?
A) Cell swelling and membrane rupture
B) Cell shrinkage and formation of apoptotic bodies
C) Inflammatory response
D) Random DNA degradation
Correct answer: B) Cell shrinkage and formation of apoptotic bodies
Rationale: Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is characterized by cell
shrinkage, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, and formation of
apoptotic bodies without inflammation. Necrosis causes inflammation .
Question 7: A 55-year-old male with chronic alcoholism is found to have liver
cirrhosis. Which type of necrosis is typically seen in this condition?
A) Coagulative necrosis
B) Liquefactive necrosis
C) Fat necrosis
D) Apoptosis
Correct answer: D) Apoptosis
Rationale: In alcoholic liver disease, hepatocytes undergo apoptosis due to
oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, leading to fibrosis and eventual
cirrhosis .
