NSG 530 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam
1, 2, 3 & 4 Study Guide 2026/2027 |
Comprehensive Practice Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Wilkes
University | Updated Exam Preparation
Resource
Which cellular adaptation occurs when a tissue increases in size because
individual cells become larger?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B. Hypertrophy
**Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in individual cell size, resulting in
enlargement of the affected tissue or organ. Hyperplasia involves an increase in
cell number.
Which mechanism is primarily responsible for cellular injury during severe
hypoxia?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Increased oxidative phosphorylation
C. Failure of ATP-dependent cellular processes
D. Increased protein synthesis
Answer: C. Failure of ATP-dependent cellular processes
,**Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production.
Loss of ATP impairs ion pumps, membrane integrity, protein synthesis, and other
essential cellular functions.
Which finding is most characteristic of apoptosis?
A. Extensive surrounding inflammation
B. Cell swelling and rupture
C. Programmed cellular death with cellular fragmentation
D. Uncontrolled tissue destruction
Answer: C. Programmed cellular death with cellular fragmentation
**Rationale: Apoptosis is regulated programmed cell death. Cells shrink and
fragment into apoptotic bodies that are removed with minimal inflammation.
Which mediator plays a major role in vasodilation and increased vascular
permeability during acute inflammation?
A. Histamine
B. Albumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Insulin
Answer: A. Histamine
**Rationale: Histamine released primarily from mast cells promotes arteriolar
vasodilation and increases vascular permeability, contributing to redness, warmth,
and edema.
Which leukocyte is typically the predominant cell during the early phase of acute
inflammation?
A. Lymphocyte
B. Neutrophil
C. Plasma cell
D. Eosinophil
,Answer: B. Neutrophil
**Rationale: Neutrophils are generally the first circulating leukocytes recruited to
sites of acute inflammation, where they phagocytose microorganisms and cellular
debris.
What is the primary purpose of fever during an inflammatory response?
A. Completely eliminate all microorganisms
B. Increase metabolic and immune activity
C. Prevent leukocyte migration
D. Suppress cytokine production
Answer: B. Increase metabolic and immune activity
**Rationale: Fever is mediated largely by cytokines that increase hypothalamic
temperature regulation. Moderate fever can enhance immune responses and
inhibit growth of some pathogens.
Which immunoglobulin is primarily associated with allergic reactions and defense
against helminths?
A. IgA
B. IgG
C. IgM
D. IgE
Answer: D. IgE
**Rationale: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils and participates in immediate
hypersensitivity reactions. It also contributes to immune responses against
parasitic helminths.
Which immunoglobulin is the predominant antibody found in the circulation?
A. IgG
B. IgE
, C. IgA
D. IgD
Answer: A. IgG
**Rationale: IgG is the most abundant immunoglobulin in serum and provides
important systemic immune protection, including neutralization and opsonization.
Which hypersensitivity reaction is mediated primarily by IgE?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A. Type I
**Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate reaction involving IgE, mast-
cell activation, and release of mediators such as histamine.
Which hypersensitivity reaction is primarily mediated by T lymphocytes rather
than antibodies?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: D. Type IV
**Rationale: Type IV hypersensitivity is delayed and cell-mediated. Sensitized T
lymphocytes release cytokines and activate other immune cells.
Which laboratory finding is most consistent with systemic inflammation?
A. Decreased C-reactive protein
B. Increased C-reactive protein
1, 2, 3 & 4 Study Guide 2026/2027 |
Comprehensive Practice Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Wilkes
University | Updated Exam Preparation
Resource
Which cellular adaptation occurs when a tissue increases in size because
individual cells become larger?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B. Hypertrophy
**Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in individual cell size, resulting in
enlargement of the affected tissue or organ. Hyperplasia involves an increase in
cell number.
Which mechanism is primarily responsible for cellular injury during severe
hypoxia?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Increased oxidative phosphorylation
C. Failure of ATP-dependent cellular processes
D. Increased protein synthesis
Answer: C. Failure of ATP-dependent cellular processes
,**Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production.
Loss of ATP impairs ion pumps, membrane integrity, protein synthesis, and other
essential cellular functions.
Which finding is most characteristic of apoptosis?
A. Extensive surrounding inflammation
B. Cell swelling and rupture
C. Programmed cellular death with cellular fragmentation
D. Uncontrolled tissue destruction
Answer: C. Programmed cellular death with cellular fragmentation
**Rationale: Apoptosis is regulated programmed cell death. Cells shrink and
fragment into apoptotic bodies that are removed with minimal inflammation.
Which mediator plays a major role in vasodilation and increased vascular
permeability during acute inflammation?
A. Histamine
B. Albumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Insulin
Answer: A. Histamine
**Rationale: Histamine released primarily from mast cells promotes arteriolar
vasodilation and increases vascular permeability, contributing to redness, warmth,
and edema.
Which leukocyte is typically the predominant cell during the early phase of acute
inflammation?
A. Lymphocyte
B. Neutrophil
C. Plasma cell
D. Eosinophil
,Answer: B. Neutrophil
**Rationale: Neutrophils are generally the first circulating leukocytes recruited to
sites of acute inflammation, where they phagocytose microorganisms and cellular
debris.
What is the primary purpose of fever during an inflammatory response?
A. Completely eliminate all microorganisms
B. Increase metabolic and immune activity
C. Prevent leukocyte migration
D. Suppress cytokine production
Answer: B. Increase metabolic and immune activity
**Rationale: Fever is mediated largely by cytokines that increase hypothalamic
temperature regulation. Moderate fever can enhance immune responses and
inhibit growth of some pathogens.
Which immunoglobulin is primarily associated with allergic reactions and defense
against helminths?
A. IgA
B. IgG
C. IgM
D. IgE
Answer: D. IgE
**Rationale: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils and participates in immediate
hypersensitivity reactions. It also contributes to immune responses against
parasitic helminths.
Which immunoglobulin is the predominant antibody found in the circulation?
A. IgG
B. IgE
, C. IgA
D. IgD
Answer: A. IgG
**Rationale: IgG is the most abundant immunoglobulin in serum and provides
important systemic immune protection, including neutralization and opsonization.
Which hypersensitivity reaction is mediated primarily by IgE?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A. Type I
**Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate reaction involving IgE, mast-
cell activation, and release of mediators such as histamine.
Which hypersensitivity reaction is primarily mediated by T lymphocytes rather
than antibodies?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: D. Type IV
**Rationale: Type IV hypersensitivity is delayed and cell-mediated. Sensitized T
lymphocytes release cytokines and activate other immune cells.
Which laboratory finding is most consistent with systemic inflammation?
A. Decreased C-reactive protein
B. Increased C-reactive protein
