BIO 322 Exam 1 V1 | BIO 322 Applied
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(BIO322 Exam 1) | Grand Canyon University
1. A patient presents with a decrease in muscle size in the right leg after being in a cast for six
weeks. Which cellular adaptation is the nurse observing?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often caused by disuse,
denervation, or lack of endocrine stimulation. In this case, the immobilization of the limb in
a cast leads to disuse atrophy of the skeletal muscles. This process allows the cell to survive
under conditions of decreased resource demand by reducing its functional components.
2. A nurse is evaluating a patient with lower extremity edema. Which of the following factors
contribute to the formation of edema? (Select All That Apply)
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
,D. Lymphatic obstruction
E. Decreased interstitial hydrostatic pressure
F. Sodium retention
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, F
Explanation: Edema is the accumulation of fluid within the interstitial spaces caused by a
disturbance in Starling forces. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure pushes fluid out of
the vessels, while decreased plasma oncotic pressure (low albumin) reduces the force
pulling fluid back in. Additionally, lymphatic obstruction prevents the drainage of excess
interstitial fluid, and increased permeability allows proteins and fluid to leak into the
tissues.
3. Which cellular process is characterized by programmed cell death and does not typically
trigger an inflammatory response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Autophagy
C. Necrosis
D. Infarction
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction, often referred to as
programmed cell death. Unlike necrosis, which involves cell swelling and membrane
,rupture that spills contents into the extracellular space, apoptosis involves cell shrinkage
and fragmentation into vesicles. These vesicles are quickly phagocytized, which prevents
the release of intracellular enzymes and avoids triggering an inflammatory response.
4. A biopsy of the uterine cervix reveals cells that vary in size and shape, with large nuclei and
an increased rate of mitosis. This condition is best described as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells. It is often considered atypical hyperplasia and is frequently found in the
epithelial cells of the cervix or respiratory tract. While dysplasia is not a true adaptive
process, it is strongly associated with neoplastic growth and requires close clinical
monitoring.
5. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Mitochondrial swelling leading to increased energy
C. Cellular dehydration
, D. Sodium-potassium pump failure
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Hypoxia leads to a decrease in mitochondrial oxygenation, which reduces the
production of ATP. Without sufficient ATP, the sodium-potassium (Na+/K+) pump fails,
causing sodium to accumulate inside the cell and potassium to exit. The resulting osmotic
pressure draws water into the cell, causing acute cellular swelling and potential membrane
damage.
6. Which of the following is a characteristic of the acute inflammatory response?
A. Long duration lasting months
B. Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
C. Granuloma formation
D. Predominance of lymphocytes and macrophages
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Acute inflammation is a rapid, short-term response to injury characterized
by vascular changes and leukocyte infiltration. Vasodilation occurs to increase blood flow
to the area, resulting in redness and heat. Increased capillary permeability allows fluid and
plasma proteins to leak into the tissues, causing edema and bringing immune components
to the site of injury.
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(BIO322 Exam 1) | Grand Canyon University
1. A patient presents with a decrease in muscle size in the right leg after being in a cast for six
weeks. Which cellular adaptation is the nurse observing?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often caused by disuse,
denervation, or lack of endocrine stimulation. In this case, the immobilization of the limb in
a cast leads to disuse atrophy of the skeletal muscles. This process allows the cell to survive
under conditions of decreased resource demand by reducing its functional components.
2. A nurse is evaluating a patient with lower extremity edema. Which of the following factors
contribute to the formation of edema? (Select All That Apply)
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
,D. Lymphatic obstruction
E. Decreased interstitial hydrostatic pressure
F. Sodium retention
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, F
Explanation: Edema is the accumulation of fluid within the interstitial spaces caused by a
disturbance in Starling forces. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure pushes fluid out of
the vessels, while decreased plasma oncotic pressure (low albumin) reduces the force
pulling fluid back in. Additionally, lymphatic obstruction prevents the drainage of excess
interstitial fluid, and increased permeability allows proteins and fluid to leak into the
tissues.
3. Which cellular process is characterized by programmed cell death and does not typically
trigger an inflammatory response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Autophagy
C. Necrosis
D. Infarction
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction, often referred to as
programmed cell death. Unlike necrosis, which involves cell swelling and membrane
,rupture that spills contents into the extracellular space, apoptosis involves cell shrinkage
and fragmentation into vesicles. These vesicles are quickly phagocytized, which prevents
the release of intracellular enzymes and avoids triggering an inflammatory response.
4. A biopsy of the uterine cervix reveals cells that vary in size and shape, with large nuclei and
an increased rate of mitosis. This condition is best described as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells. It is often considered atypical hyperplasia and is frequently found in the
epithelial cells of the cervix or respiratory tract. While dysplasia is not a true adaptive
process, it is strongly associated with neoplastic growth and requires close clinical
monitoring.
5. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Mitochondrial swelling leading to increased energy
C. Cellular dehydration
, D. Sodium-potassium pump failure
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Hypoxia leads to a decrease in mitochondrial oxygenation, which reduces the
production of ATP. Without sufficient ATP, the sodium-potassium (Na+/K+) pump fails,
causing sodium to accumulate inside the cell and potassium to exit. The resulting osmotic
pressure draws water into the cell, causing acute cellular swelling and potential membrane
damage.
6. Which of the following is a characteristic of the acute inflammatory response?
A. Long duration lasting months
B. Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
C. Granuloma formation
D. Predominance of lymphocytes and macrophages
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Acute inflammation is a rapid, short-term response to injury characterized
by vascular changes and leukocyte infiltration. Vasodilation occurs to increase blood flow
to the area, resulting in redness and heat. Increased capillary permeability allows fluid and
plasma proteins to leak into the tissues, causing edema and bringing immune components
to the site of injury.
