NUR 631 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. A patient experiencing cellular injury from hypoxia shows decreased ATP production.
Which process is directly triggered by the failure of the sodium-potassium pump?
A. Cellular shrinkage due to water efflux
B. Inactivation of lysosomal enzymes
C. Decrease in intracellular osmotic pressure
D. Increased intracellular calcium concentration
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Failure of the ATP-dependent Na+/K+ pump leads to sodium
accumulation inside the cell and potassium loss. This results in cellular swelling and the
failure of the calcium pump, leading to increased intracellular calcium which activates
destructive enzymes.
2. Barrett’s esophagus involves the replacement of normal stratified squamous epithelium
with columnar epithelium. This is an example of which cellular adaptation?
A. Metaplasia
,B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another mature cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation.
3. Which chromosomal abnormality is characterized by the presence of a single X
chromosome (45,X) resulting in female sterility?
A. Klinefelter Syndrome
B. Down Syndrome
C. Turner Syndrome
D. Cri du Chat Syndrome
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Turner syndrome (45,X) is a monosomy of the X chromosome,
causing short stature, webbing of the neck, and infertility.
4. If two parents are carriers of an autosomal recessive disorder, what is the probability that
their child will be affected?
A. 0%
B. 25%
, C. 75%
D. 50%
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In autosomal recessive inheritance, if both parents are carriers
(Aa), there is a 25% chance the child will be affected (aa).
5. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. What is
the primary acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PCO2 is high (>45 mmHg),
indicating the primary cause is respiratory retention of CO2.
6. Hyperkalemia is particularly dangerous because of its effect on which physiological
system?
A. Renal filtration
B. Cardiac conduction
C. Hepatic metabolism
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. A patient experiencing cellular injury from hypoxia shows decreased ATP production.
Which process is directly triggered by the failure of the sodium-potassium pump?
A. Cellular shrinkage due to water efflux
B. Inactivation of lysosomal enzymes
C. Decrease in intracellular osmotic pressure
D. Increased intracellular calcium concentration
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Failure of the ATP-dependent Na+/K+ pump leads to sodium
accumulation inside the cell and potassium loss. This results in cellular swelling and the
failure of the calcium pump, leading to increased intracellular calcium which activates
destructive enzymes.
2. Barrett’s esophagus involves the replacement of normal stratified squamous epithelium
with columnar epithelium. This is an example of which cellular adaptation?
A. Metaplasia
,B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another mature cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation.
3. Which chromosomal abnormality is characterized by the presence of a single X
chromosome (45,X) resulting in female sterility?
A. Klinefelter Syndrome
B. Down Syndrome
C. Turner Syndrome
D. Cri du Chat Syndrome
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Turner syndrome (45,X) is a monosomy of the X chromosome,
causing short stature, webbing of the neck, and infertility.
4. If two parents are carriers of an autosomal recessive disorder, what is the probability that
their child will be affected?
A. 0%
B. 25%
, C. 75%
D. 50%
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In autosomal recessive inheritance, if both parents are carriers
(Aa), there is a 25% chance the child will be affected (aa).
5. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. What is
the primary acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PCO2 is high (>45 mmHg),
indicating the primary cause is respiratory retention of CO2.
6. Hyperkalemia is particularly dangerous because of its effect on which physiological
system?
A. Renal filtration
B. Cardiac conduction
C. Hepatic metabolism
