NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology Quizzes Weeks 1–10 |
2026/2027 Updated 300 Practice Questions, Correct Answers
& Detailed Rationales
WEEK 1 — CELLULAR INJURY, ADAPTATION & HOMEOSTASIS
Questions 1–30
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size rather
than cell number?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in individual cell size, commonly
occurring when cells experience increased workload. Hyperplasia
involves increased cell number.
2. A patient develops skeletal muscle enlargement after resistance
training. Which adaptation is primarily responsible?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
,Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Increased workload stimulates enlargement of existing
skeletal muscle fibers, producing hypertrophy.
3. Which cellular adaptation occurs when mature cells are replaced by
another mature cell type better able to tolerate chronic stress?
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: B. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one differentiated
cell type is replaced by another differentiated cell type.
4. Chronic cigarette smoke exposure can cause replacement of normal
respiratory epithelium with stratified squamous epithelium. This is an
example of:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: C. Metaplasia
Rationale: Chronic irritation can induce metaplasia as an adaptive
response. Persistent injury may increase the risk of dysplastic and
malignant changes.
,5. Which process describes a decrease in cell size caused by reduced
workload or inadequate nutrition?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: A. Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy involves reduction in cell size and sometimes cell
number, commonly associated with disuse, malnutrition, aging, or
decreased blood supply.
6. What is the primary purpose of cellular adaptation?
A. To permanently damage the cell
B. To allow cells to survive altered conditions
C. To initiate malignant transformation
D. To destroy neighboring cells
Answer: B. To allow cells to survive altered conditions
Rationale: Cellular adaptations are usually reversible changes that help
cells maintain function when exposed to altered environmental
demands.
7. Which organelle is primarily responsible for ATP production?
A. Lysosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Ribosome
, Answer: C. Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria generate most cellular ATP through oxidative
phosphorylation.
8. A major consequence of cellular ATP depletion is failure of which
process?
A. DNA transcription only
B. Sodium-potassium pump function
C. Protein digestion in lysosomes
D. Collagen synthesis only
Answer: B. Sodium-potassium pump function
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase requires ATP. ATP depletion causes
intracellular sodium and water accumulation and potassium loss.
9. Which finding is characteristic of reversible cellular injury?
A. Cellular swelling
B. Complete nuclear dissolution
C. Extensive membrane rupture
D. Irreversible mitochondrial destruction
Answer: A. Cellular swelling
Rationale: Cellular swelling is an early manifestation of reversible injury
caused by failure of energy-dependent ion pumps.
10. Why does intracellular sodium accumulation cause cellular
swelling?
2026/2027 Updated 300 Practice Questions, Correct Answers
& Detailed Rationales
WEEK 1 — CELLULAR INJURY, ADAPTATION & HOMEOSTASIS
Questions 1–30
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size rather
than cell number?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in individual cell size, commonly
occurring when cells experience increased workload. Hyperplasia
involves increased cell number.
2. A patient develops skeletal muscle enlargement after resistance
training. Which adaptation is primarily responsible?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
,Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Increased workload stimulates enlargement of existing
skeletal muscle fibers, producing hypertrophy.
3. Which cellular adaptation occurs when mature cells are replaced by
another mature cell type better able to tolerate chronic stress?
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: B. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one differentiated
cell type is replaced by another differentiated cell type.
4. Chronic cigarette smoke exposure can cause replacement of normal
respiratory epithelium with stratified squamous epithelium. This is an
example of:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: C. Metaplasia
Rationale: Chronic irritation can induce metaplasia as an adaptive
response. Persistent injury may increase the risk of dysplastic and
malignant changes.
,5. Which process describes a decrease in cell size caused by reduced
workload or inadequate nutrition?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: A. Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy involves reduction in cell size and sometimes cell
number, commonly associated with disuse, malnutrition, aging, or
decreased blood supply.
6. What is the primary purpose of cellular adaptation?
A. To permanently damage the cell
B. To allow cells to survive altered conditions
C. To initiate malignant transformation
D. To destroy neighboring cells
Answer: B. To allow cells to survive altered conditions
Rationale: Cellular adaptations are usually reversible changes that help
cells maintain function when exposed to altered environmental
demands.
7. Which organelle is primarily responsible for ATP production?
A. Lysosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Ribosome
, Answer: C. Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria generate most cellular ATP through oxidative
phosphorylation.
8. A major consequence of cellular ATP depletion is failure of which
process?
A. DNA transcription only
B. Sodium-potassium pump function
C. Protein digestion in lysosomes
D. Collagen synthesis only
Answer: B. Sodium-potassium pump function
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase requires ATP. ATP depletion causes
intracellular sodium and water accumulation and potassium loss.
9. Which finding is characteristic of reversible cellular injury?
A. Cellular swelling
B. Complete nuclear dissolution
C. Extensive membrane rupture
D. Irreversible mitochondrial destruction
Answer: A. Cellular swelling
Rationale: Cellular swelling is an early manifestation of reversible injury
caused by failure of energy-dependent ion pumps.
10. Why does intracellular sodium accumulation cause cellular
swelling?
