NR 283 Pathophysiology Final Exam Comprehensive
Practice With 75 Multiple-Choice Questions With Verified
Answers & Rationales | 2026/2027 Updates Test
Chamberlain University
Question 1.
According to 2026 cellular biology updates, which organelle is primarily responsible for
regulating apoptosis via the release of cytochrome c?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Mitochondria
C. Lysosome
D. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Mitochondria release cytochrome c, which triggers the caspase cascade leading to apoptosis.
The Golgi apparatus (A) modifies and packages proteins. Lysosomes (C) are responsible for
intracellular digestion and waste removal. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (D) is the site of
protein synthesis .
Question 2.
A student nurse is reviewing 2026 pathology concepts regarding cellular adaptation.
Which of the following best describes metaplasia?
A. An increase in the size of existing cells
B. A reversible replacement of one adult cell type by another
C. An abnormal change in the size, shape, and organization of cells
D. Programmed cell death of damaged tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
,Metaplasia is a reversible substitution of one differentiated cell type for another, often in
response to chronic stress (e.g., Barrett's esophagus). Option A describes hypertrophy. Option C
describes dysplasia. Option D describes apoptosis .
Question 3.
A decrease in the size of a leg after being in a cast for 6 weeks indicates which adaptive
cellular change?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Atrophy is a decrease in the size of cells, leading to reduced tissue mass. Disuse atrophy occurs
when a muscle is not used, such as during immobilization in a cast. Hyperplasia (A) is an increase
in cell number; hypertrophy (C) is an increase in cell size; dysplasia (D) is abnormal cell growth .
Question 4.
Which term refers to new cell growth that usually indicates cancer?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Neoplasia
C. Acute disease
D. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Neoplasia is new cell growth and typically refers to cancer (tumor formation). Hypertrophy (D) is
an increase in cell size, atrophy is a decrease in cell size, and acute disease (C) is a condition with
rapid onset and short duration .
Question 5.
,Which term means tissue death due to irreversible damage?
A. Atrophy
B. Ischemia
C. Necrosis
D. Morbidity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Necrosis is the passive death of a cell due to irreversible damage. Atrophy (A) is a decrease in
cell size; ischemia (B) is reduced blood flow; morbidity (D) refers to disease burden .
Question 6.
Which of the following is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Hypoxia
B. Physical trauma
C. Genetic mutation
D. Nutritional deficiency
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) is the most common cause of cellular injury, leading to ATP depletion,
failure of ion pumps, and ultimately cell death if prolonged .
Question 7.
A patient with long-standing, untreated hypertension undergoes an echocardiogram. The
results reveal significant thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation
has occurred?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale:
Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of individual cells, often caused by an increased
mechanical workload or stress, such as the heart pumping against high systemic vascular
resistance .
Question 8.
A tissue biopsy of a chronic smoker's bronchi reveals that normal ciliated columnar
epithelial cells have been replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This is an
example of which process?
A. Anaplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature cell type,
usually as an adaptive response to chronic irritation or injury .
Question 9.
A biopsy of the cervix reveals abnormal variations in cellular size, shape, and organization,
along with an increased rate of mitosis. How should the nurse classify these specific
cellular changes?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells. It is
not a true adaptation and is frequently considered a precancerous change .
Practice With 75 Multiple-Choice Questions With Verified
Answers & Rationales | 2026/2027 Updates Test
Chamberlain University
Question 1.
According to 2026 cellular biology updates, which organelle is primarily responsible for
regulating apoptosis via the release of cytochrome c?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Mitochondria
C. Lysosome
D. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Mitochondria release cytochrome c, which triggers the caspase cascade leading to apoptosis.
The Golgi apparatus (A) modifies and packages proteins. Lysosomes (C) are responsible for
intracellular digestion and waste removal. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (D) is the site of
protein synthesis .
Question 2.
A student nurse is reviewing 2026 pathology concepts regarding cellular adaptation.
Which of the following best describes metaplasia?
A. An increase in the size of existing cells
B. A reversible replacement of one adult cell type by another
C. An abnormal change in the size, shape, and organization of cells
D. Programmed cell death of damaged tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
,Metaplasia is a reversible substitution of one differentiated cell type for another, often in
response to chronic stress (e.g., Barrett's esophagus). Option A describes hypertrophy. Option C
describes dysplasia. Option D describes apoptosis .
Question 3.
A decrease in the size of a leg after being in a cast for 6 weeks indicates which adaptive
cellular change?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Atrophy is a decrease in the size of cells, leading to reduced tissue mass. Disuse atrophy occurs
when a muscle is not used, such as during immobilization in a cast. Hyperplasia (A) is an increase
in cell number; hypertrophy (C) is an increase in cell size; dysplasia (D) is abnormal cell growth .
Question 4.
Which term refers to new cell growth that usually indicates cancer?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Neoplasia
C. Acute disease
D. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Neoplasia is new cell growth and typically refers to cancer (tumor formation). Hypertrophy (D) is
an increase in cell size, atrophy is a decrease in cell size, and acute disease (C) is a condition with
rapid onset and short duration .
Question 5.
,Which term means tissue death due to irreversible damage?
A. Atrophy
B. Ischemia
C. Necrosis
D. Morbidity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Necrosis is the passive death of a cell due to irreversible damage. Atrophy (A) is a decrease in
cell size; ischemia (B) is reduced blood flow; morbidity (D) refers to disease burden .
Question 6.
Which of the following is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Hypoxia
B. Physical trauma
C. Genetic mutation
D. Nutritional deficiency
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) is the most common cause of cellular injury, leading to ATP depletion,
failure of ion pumps, and ultimately cell death if prolonged .
Question 7.
A patient with long-standing, untreated hypertension undergoes an echocardiogram. The
results reveal significant thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation
has occurred?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale:
Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of individual cells, often caused by an increased
mechanical workload or stress, such as the heart pumping against high systemic vascular
resistance .
Question 8.
A tissue biopsy of a chronic smoker's bronchi reveals that normal ciliated columnar
epithelial cells have been replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This is an
example of which process?
A. Anaplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature cell type,
usually as an adaptive response to chronic irritation or injury .
Question 9.
A biopsy of the cervix reveals abnormal variations in cellular size, shape, and organization,
along with an increased rate of mitosis. How should the nurse classify these specific
cellular changes?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells. It is
not a true adaptation and is frequently considered a precancerous change .
