NR507 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|
100% CORRECT |GRADE A –
CHAMBERLAIN
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in an organ
or tissue resulting from an increased rate of cellular division?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells, whereas
hypertrophy is an increase in the size of existing cells. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size, and
metaplasia is the replacement of one mature cell type by another.
2. In the context of cellular injury, what is the primary mechanism of damage caused by free
radicals?
A. Decreased intracellular calcium
,B. Ribosomal detachment
C. Increased ATP production
D. Lipid peroxidation of membranes
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Free radicals cause cellular injury primarily through lipid
peroxidation, which destroys polyunsaturated lipids and damages membrane integrity.
3. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances is most likely to cause T-wave peaking and a
widened QRS complex on an EKG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high serum potassium) slows cardiac conduction
and causes characteristic EKG changes like peaked T-waves, PR interval prolongation, and
QRS widening.
4. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
, B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (acidosis) combined with a high PaCO2 (respiratory
component) indicates respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 is within or near normal, indicating
no full compensation.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and involves the
release of histamine from mast cells?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated and involves immediate
allergic reactions. Type II is tissue-specific, Type III is immune complex-mediated, and Type
IV is cell-mediated (delayed).
6. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|
100% CORRECT |GRADE A –
CHAMBERLAIN
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in an organ
or tissue resulting from an increased rate of cellular division?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells, whereas
hypertrophy is an increase in the size of existing cells. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size, and
metaplasia is the replacement of one mature cell type by another.
2. In the context of cellular injury, what is the primary mechanism of damage caused by free
radicals?
A. Decreased intracellular calcium
,B. Ribosomal detachment
C. Increased ATP production
D. Lipid peroxidation of membranes
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Free radicals cause cellular injury primarily through lipid
peroxidation, which destroys polyunsaturated lipids and damages membrane integrity.
3. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances is most likely to cause T-wave peaking and a
widened QRS complex on an EKG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high serum potassium) slows cardiac conduction
and causes characteristic EKG changes like peaked T-waves, PR interval prolongation, and
QRS widening.
4. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
, B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (acidosis) combined with a high PaCO2 (respiratory
component) indicates respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 is within or near normal, indicating
no full compensation.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and involves the
release of histamine from mast cells?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated and involves immediate
allergic reactions. Type II is tissue-specific, Type III is immune complex-mediated, and Type
IV is cell-mediated (delayed).
6. What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
