NR 507 EXAM ONLINE PRACTICE EXAM 2026 |
ADVANCED PATHO | ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Unit 1: Cellular Biology and Genetics
1. A nurse practitioner is explaining the process of apoptosis to a patient. Which
of the following best describes the primary physiological role of apoptosis?
A. Pathological cell death resulting from severe injury
B. A process of programmed cell death essential for normal tissue development
and homeostasis
C. Uncontrolled cellular proliferation leading to tumor formation
D. A reversible state of cellular adaptation to stress
Correct Answer: B
B. A process of programmed cell death essential for normal tissue
development and homeostasis
Rationale:
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a normal, genetically regulated
process that eliminates senescent, damaged, or unnecessary cells. It is crucial for
normal development (e.g., shaping of organs, removal of webbing between
fingers) and maintaining tissue homeostasis (e.g., balancing cell division with cell
death). Option A describes necrosis, which is pathological and involves
inflammation. Option C describes neoplasia. Option D describes cellular
adaptation, such as hypertrophy or atrophy.
2. Which of the following are considered reversible cellular adaptations to
stress? (Select all that apply.)
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
,C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
E. Necrosis
Correct Answer: A, C, D
A. Hyperplasia, C. Metaplasia, D. Atrophy
Rationale:
Reversible cellular adaptations include atrophy (decrease in cell size),
hypertrophy (increase in cell size), hyperplasia (increase in cell number),
metaplasia (reversible replacement of one mature cell type with another), and
dysplasia (disordered growth). While dysplasia is often a precursor to cancer, it is
generally considered a reversible adaptation if the inciting stimulus is removed.
Necrosis is irreversible cell death. Therefore, hyperplasia, metaplasia, and atrophy
are the correct reversible adaptations from the list.
3. A patient with a history of chronic alcohol abuse is at high risk for developing
a fatty liver due to which of the following pathophysiological mechanisms?
A. Increased lipolysis in adipose tissue
B. Decreased hepatic triglyceride synthesis
C. Impaired mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and increased fatty acid synthesis
D. Enhanced secretion of very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
Correct Answer: C
C. Impaired mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and increased fatty acid
synthesis
Rationale:
Chronic alcohol consumption leads to hepatic steatosis (fatty liver)
through several mechanisms. Alcohol metabolism generates NADH, which inhibits
mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Simultaneously, it increases fatty acid
synthesis and decreases the secretion of VLDL, leading to an accumulation of
triglycerides in the liver. Option A is incorrect; lipolysis is increased but is not the
primary hepatic mechanism. Options B and D are incorrect as they would
decrease fat accumulation.
,4. Which of the following genetic principles is demonstrated by a child who has
sickle cell disease, an autosomal recessive disorder, when neither parent has
the disease?
A. Both parents are homozygous for the disease.
B. One parent is homozygous and the other is heterozygous.
C. Both parents are carriers (heterozygous).
D. The disease arose from a new mutation in the child.
Correct Answer: C
C. Both parents are carriers (heterozygous).
Rationale:
Autosomal recessive disorders require two copies of the mutated gene for
the disease to be expressed. If neither parent has the disease, they must each
carry one copy of the mutated gene and one normal gene. They are therefore
heterozygous carriers. There is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that two
carrier parents will have an affected child. Option A would mean both parents
have the disease. Option B would also result in an affected child. Option D is
possible but far less common than inheriting the mutation from carrier parents.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about the inheritance pattern of Huntington's
disease. Which statement by the patient indicates a correct understanding of
the disease?
A. "If I have the gene, I will definitely develop the disease at some point in my
life."
B. "Only males can inherit this disease."
C. "I can only get this disease if both my parents have it."
D. "This disease skips generations, so my grandchildren might get it."
Correct Answer: A
A. "If I have the gene, I will definitely develop the disease at some point
in my life."
, Rationale:
Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant disorder with complete
penetrance, meaning that anyone who inherits the mutated gene will eventually
develop the disease, typically in middle to late adulthood. It does not skip
generations (Option D). It affects both males and females equally (Option B). An
affected individual only needs one copy of the gene from one parent to inherit
the disease (Option C).
6. Which of the following are functions of the cell membrane? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Selective permeability
B. Synthesis of ATP
C. Cell-to-cell recognition
D. Receptor-mediated endocytosis
E. Storage of genetic information
Correct Answer: A, C, D
A. Selective permeability, C. Cell-to-cell recognition, D. Receptor-
mediated endocytosis
Rationale:
The cell membrane, or plasma membrane, acts as a selectively permeable
barrier, controlling what enters and exits the cell (A). It contains surface antigens
and receptors that allow for cell-to-cell recognition and communication (C). It is
also involved in various transport mechanisms, including receptor-mediated
endocytosis (D). ATP synthesis occurs in the mitochondria (B), and genetic
information is stored in the nucleus (E).
7. A patient asks why their wound is red and swollen. The nurse practitioner
explains that this is a normal part of the inflammatory response. Which of the
following are systemic manifestations of inflammation? (Select all that apply.)
A. Fever
B. Leukocytosis
C. Localized edema
ADVANCED PATHO | ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Unit 1: Cellular Biology and Genetics
1. A nurse practitioner is explaining the process of apoptosis to a patient. Which
of the following best describes the primary physiological role of apoptosis?
A. Pathological cell death resulting from severe injury
B. A process of programmed cell death essential for normal tissue development
and homeostasis
C. Uncontrolled cellular proliferation leading to tumor formation
D. A reversible state of cellular adaptation to stress
Correct Answer: B
B. A process of programmed cell death essential for normal tissue
development and homeostasis
Rationale:
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a normal, genetically regulated
process that eliminates senescent, damaged, or unnecessary cells. It is crucial for
normal development (e.g., shaping of organs, removal of webbing between
fingers) and maintaining tissue homeostasis (e.g., balancing cell division with cell
death). Option A describes necrosis, which is pathological and involves
inflammation. Option C describes neoplasia. Option D describes cellular
adaptation, such as hypertrophy or atrophy.
2. Which of the following are considered reversible cellular adaptations to
stress? (Select all that apply.)
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
,C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
E. Necrosis
Correct Answer: A, C, D
A. Hyperplasia, C. Metaplasia, D. Atrophy
Rationale:
Reversible cellular adaptations include atrophy (decrease in cell size),
hypertrophy (increase in cell size), hyperplasia (increase in cell number),
metaplasia (reversible replacement of one mature cell type with another), and
dysplasia (disordered growth). While dysplasia is often a precursor to cancer, it is
generally considered a reversible adaptation if the inciting stimulus is removed.
Necrosis is irreversible cell death. Therefore, hyperplasia, metaplasia, and atrophy
are the correct reversible adaptations from the list.
3. A patient with a history of chronic alcohol abuse is at high risk for developing
a fatty liver due to which of the following pathophysiological mechanisms?
A. Increased lipolysis in adipose tissue
B. Decreased hepatic triglyceride synthesis
C. Impaired mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and increased fatty acid synthesis
D. Enhanced secretion of very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
Correct Answer: C
C. Impaired mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and increased fatty acid
synthesis
Rationale:
Chronic alcohol consumption leads to hepatic steatosis (fatty liver)
through several mechanisms. Alcohol metabolism generates NADH, which inhibits
mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Simultaneously, it increases fatty acid
synthesis and decreases the secretion of VLDL, leading to an accumulation of
triglycerides in the liver. Option A is incorrect; lipolysis is increased but is not the
primary hepatic mechanism. Options B and D are incorrect as they would
decrease fat accumulation.
,4. Which of the following genetic principles is demonstrated by a child who has
sickle cell disease, an autosomal recessive disorder, when neither parent has
the disease?
A. Both parents are homozygous for the disease.
B. One parent is homozygous and the other is heterozygous.
C. Both parents are carriers (heterozygous).
D. The disease arose from a new mutation in the child.
Correct Answer: C
C. Both parents are carriers (heterozygous).
Rationale:
Autosomal recessive disorders require two copies of the mutated gene for
the disease to be expressed. If neither parent has the disease, they must each
carry one copy of the mutated gene and one normal gene. They are therefore
heterozygous carriers. There is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that two
carrier parents will have an affected child. Option A would mean both parents
have the disease. Option B would also result in an affected child. Option D is
possible but far less common than inheriting the mutation from carrier parents.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about the inheritance pattern of Huntington's
disease. Which statement by the patient indicates a correct understanding of
the disease?
A. "If I have the gene, I will definitely develop the disease at some point in my
life."
B. "Only males can inherit this disease."
C. "I can only get this disease if both my parents have it."
D. "This disease skips generations, so my grandchildren might get it."
Correct Answer: A
A. "If I have the gene, I will definitely develop the disease at some point
in my life."
, Rationale:
Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant disorder with complete
penetrance, meaning that anyone who inherits the mutated gene will eventually
develop the disease, typically in middle to late adulthood. It does not skip
generations (Option D). It affects both males and females equally (Option B). An
affected individual only needs one copy of the gene from one parent to inherit
the disease (Option C).
6. Which of the following are functions of the cell membrane? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Selective permeability
B. Synthesis of ATP
C. Cell-to-cell recognition
D. Receptor-mediated endocytosis
E. Storage of genetic information
Correct Answer: A, C, D
A. Selective permeability, C. Cell-to-cell recognition, D. Receptor-
mediated endocytosis
Rationale:
The cell membrane, or plasma membrane, acts as a selectively permeable
barrier, controlling what enters and exits the cell (A). It contains surface antigens
and receptors that allow for cell-to-cell recognition and communication (C). It is
also involved in various transport mechanisms, including receptor-mediated
endocytosis (D). ATP synthesis occurs in the mitochondria (B), and genetic
information is stored in the nucleus (E).
7. A patient asks why their wound is red and swollen. The nurse practitioner
explains that this is a normal part of the inflammatory response. Which of the
following are systemic manifestations of inflammation? (Select all that apply.)
A. Fever
B. Leukocytosis
C. Localized edema
