NUR 5461 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 1
Quiz William Paterson University Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Complete Exam-Style Questions with
Detailed Rationales | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section I: Cellular Adaptation (Hypertrophy, Hyperplasia, Atrophy,
Metaplasia, Dysplasia)
Q1: A client with long-standing, uncontrolled hypertension develops progressive
thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation best explains this
myocardial change?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy [CORRECT]
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in individual cell size in response to increased
workload; the sustained pressure overload of hypertension forces ventricular
myocytes—which cannot divide—to enlarge.
Q2: Which statement accurately describes hyperplasia?
A. An increase in individual cell size secondary to increased workload
B. The reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another
C. An increase in the number of cells, often in response to hormonal stimulation
[CORRECT]
D. A decrease in cell size resulting from disuse or denervation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This matches NUR 5461 Module 1 content; hyperplasia is an increase in cell
number driven by hormonal or growth-factor stimulation, as seen in benign prostatic
hyperplasia and endometrial hyperplasia.
, Q3: Following 8 weeks of immobilization in a cast, a client's calf muscles are visibly
reduced in size. Which cellular adaptation has occurred?
A. Atrophy [CORRECT]
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size caused by disuse, denervation, ischemia,
malnutrition, or aging; immobilization in a cast is a classic example of disuse atrophy.
Q4: Endoscopy of a client with a 15-year history of uncontrolled GERD reveals columnar
epithelium replacing the normal squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus (Barrett's
esophagus). This change is an example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia [CORRECT]
D. Coagulative necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type by
another better suited to withstand chronic stress; repeated acid exposure converts
esophageal squamous epithelium to acid-resistant columnar epithelium.
Q5: Which statement correctly characterizes dysplasia?
A. It is a true adaptive change that restores normal homeostasis
B. It is disordered cellular growth that serves as a precursor to malignancy [CORRECT]
C. It is an irreversible increase in both cell size and cell number
D. It represents programmed cell death within stressed tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia is disordered cellular growth with variation in cell size, shape, and
architectural organization; it is not a true adaptive change and is recognized as a
precursor to malignancy.
Quiz William Paterson University Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Complete Exam-Style Questions with
Detailed Rationales | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section I: Cellular Adaptation (Hypertrophy, Hyperplasia, Atrophy,
Metaplasia, Dysplasia)
Q1: A client with long-standing, uncontrolled hypertension develops progressive
thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation best explains this
myocardial change?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy [CORRECT]
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in individual cell size in response to increased
workload; the sustained pressure overload of hypertension forces ventricular
myocytes—which cannot divide—to enlarge.
Q2: Which statement accurately describes hyperplasia?
A. An increase in individual cell size secondary to increased workload
B. The reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another
C. An increase in the number of cells, often in response to hormonal stimulation
[CORRECT]
D. A decrease in cell size resulting from disuse or denervation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This matches NUR 5461 Module 1 content; hyperplasia is an increase in cell
number driven by hormonal or growth-factor stimulation, as seen in benign prostatic
hyperplasia and endometrial hyperplasia.
, Q3: Following 8 weeks of immobilization in a cast, a client's calf muscles are visibly
reduced in size. Which cellular adaptation has occurred?
A. Atrophy [CORRECT]
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size caused by disuse, denervation, ischemia,
malnutrition, or aging; immobilization in a cast is a classic example of disuse atrophy.
Q4: Endoscopy of a client with a 15-year history of uncontrolled GERD reveals columnar
epithelium replacing the normal squamous epithelium of the distal esophagus (Barrett's
esophagus). This change is an example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia [CORRECT]
D. Coagulative necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type by
another better suited to withstand chronic stress; repeated acid exposure converts
esophageal squamous epithelium to acid-resistant columnar epithelium.
Q5: Which statement correctly characterizes dysplasia?
A. It is a true adaptive change that restores normal homeostasis
B. It is disordered cellular growth that serves as a precursor to malignancy [CORRECT]
C. It is an irreversible increase in both cell size and cell number
D. It represents programmed cell death within stressed tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia is disordered cellular growth with variation in cell size, shape, and
architectural organization; it is not a true adaptive change and is recognized as a
precursor to malignancy.
