MSN 570 Final Exam | Questions and Answers
| 2026/2027 Updated | 100% Correct - USU.
MSN 570 Final Exam Practice Questions
Section 1: Genetics and Cellular Adaptation
1. A child is diagnosed with a genetic disorder. Both parents are healthy and
have no family history of the disorder. This pattern is most consistent with:
A. Autosomal dominant inheritance
B. Autosomal recessive inheritance
C. X-linked dominant inheritance
D. De novo mutation
Correct Answer: B. Autosomal recessive inheritance
Rationale: In autosomal recessive inheritance, both parents are carriers
(heterozygous) and do not express the disease. Each child has a 25% chance of
inheriting both copies of the mutated gene .
2. In X-linked recessive disorders, which gender is more commonly affected?
A. Males
B. Females
C. Both genders equally
D. Only females
Correct Answer: A. Males
Rationale: In X-linked recessive disorders, males are more commonly affected
because they have only one X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes
and are usually carriers .
3. A Pap smear reveals cells that vary in size and shape with large,
hyperchromatic nuclei. This finding is termed:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
, C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C. Dysplasia
Rationale: Dysplasia is characterized by cells that vary in size and shape, with large
nuclei and increased mitotic rate. It may result from chronic irritation and is
considered a precancerous change .
4. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an INCREASE in the NUMBER of
cells, resulting in enlarged tissue mass?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells resulting in enlarged
tissue mass. It may be a compensatory mechanism or pathologic (e.g., benign
prostatic hyperplasia) .
5. A patient has chronic hypoxia. Which cellular adaptation is most expected?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D. Atrophy
Rationale: Chronic hypoxia leads to decreased ATP, causing cells to shrink to
reduce metabolic demand. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size .
Section 2: Cell Injury and Necrosis
6. Which type of necrosis is typically seen in a myocardial infarction (heart
attack)?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
| 2026/2027 Updated | 100% Correct - USU.
MSN 570 Final Exam Practice Questions
Section 1: Genetics and Cellular Adaptation
1. A child is diagnosed with a genetic disorder. Both parents are healthy and
have no family history of the disorder. This pattern is most consistent with:
A. Autosomal dominant inheritance
B. Autosomal recessive inheritance
C. X-linked dominant inheritance
D. De novo mutation
Correct Answer: B. Autosomal recessive inheritance
Rationale: In autosomal recessive inheritance, both parents are carriers
(heterozygous) and do not express the disease. Each child has a 25% chance of
inheriting both copies of the mutated gene .
2. In X-linked recessive disorders, which gender is more commonly affected?
A. Males
B. Females
C. Both genders equally
D. Only females
Correct Answer: A. Males
Rationale: In X-linked recessive disorders, males are more commonly affected
because they have only one X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes
and are usually carriers .
3. A Pap smear reveals cells that vary in size and shape with large,
hyperchromatic nuclei. This finding is termed:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
, C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C. Dysplasia
Rationale: Dysplasia is characterized by cells that vary in size and shape, with large
nuclei and increased mitotic rate. It may result from chronic irritation and is
considered a precancerous change .
4. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an INCREASE in the NUMBER of
cells, resulting in enlarged tissue mass?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells resulting in enlarged
tissue mass. It may be a compensatory mechanism or pathologic (e.g., benign
prostatic hyperplasia) .
5. A patient has chronic hypoxia. Which cellular adaptation is most expected?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D. Atrophy
Rationale: Chronic hypoxia leads to decreased ATP, causing cells to shrink to
reduce metabolic demand. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size .
Section 2: Cell Injury and Necrosis
6. Which type of necrosis is typically seen in a myocardial infarction (heart
attack)?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
