NR507 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|
100% CORRECT |GRADE A –
CHAMBERLAIN
1. A patient is diagnosed with a condition where the replacement of one mature cell type by
another less mature cell type occurs. Which term describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often less differentiated, cell type. Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in
size/shape (pre-cancerous), while hyperplasia is an increase in cell number.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a flattened T-wave and the presence of
a U-wave on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
,B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) characteristic ECG changes
include flattened or inverted T-waves and the appearance of U-waves. Hyperkalemia
typically causes peaked T-waves.
3. A 45-year-old male presents with severe chest pain. Lab results show elevated Troponin I
and T. This indicates which type of cellular injury?
A. Reversible ischemic injury
B. Irreversible hypoxic injury (Necrosis)
C. Autophagy
D. Apoptosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Elevated troponins indicate leakage of intracellular proteins
across a damaged plasma membrane, signaling irreversible cell death (necrosis) of
myocardial cells.
, 4. Which process is the primary driver of edema in a patient with liver failure and low
albumin levels?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the main protein responsible for maintaining plasma
oncotic pressure. In liver failure, albumin production drops, leading to decreased oncotic
pressure and fluid leaking into the interstitial space.
5. An arterial blood gas (ABG) shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. How is
this interpreted?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|
100% CORRECT |GRADE A –
CHAMBERLAIN
1. A patient is diagnosed with a condition where the replacement of one mature cell type by
another less mature cell type occurs. Which term describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often less differentiated, cell type. Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in
size/shape (pre-cancerous), while hyperplasia is an increase in cell number.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a flattened T-wave and the presence of
a U-wave on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
,B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) characteristic ECG changes
include flattened or inverted T-waves and the appearance of U-waves. Hyperkalemia
typically causes peaked T-waves.
3. A 45-year-old male presents with severe chest pain. Lab results show elevated Troponin I
and T. This indicates which type of cellular injury?
A. Reversible ischemic injury
B. Irreversible hypoxic injury (Necrosis)
C. Autophagy
D. Apoptosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Elevated troponins indicate leakage of intracellular proteins
across a damaged plasma membrane, signaling irreversible cell death (necrosis) of
myocardial cells.
, 4. Which process is the primary driver of edema in a patient with liver failure and low
albumin levels?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the main protein responsible for maintaining plasma
oncotic pressure. In liver failure, albumin production drops, leading to decreased oncotic
pressure and fluid leaking into the interstitial space.
5. An arterial blood gas (ABG) shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. How is
this interpreted?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
