NUR631 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another adult cell type. It is often a response to chronic irritation, such as the change in
bronchial lining cells due to smoking.
2. A patient presents with a karyotype of 45,X. Which clinical manifestation is most consistent
with this genetic finding?
A. Severe intellectual disability and polydactyly
B. Tall stature and gynecomastia
,C. Trisomy 21 features
D. Short stature and webbed neck
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: 45,X indicates Turner Syndrome, characterized by a missing X
chromosome in females, resulting in short stature, webbed neck, and rudimentary ovaries.
3. In the context of epigenetics, how does DNA methylation generally affect gene expression?
A. It activates gene transcription.
B. It has no effect on gene expression.
C. It causes gene silencing by preventing transcription.
D. It increases the rate of translation.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to
cytosine, which typically leads to the silencing of genes by preventing the binding of
transcription factors.
4. Which mechanism of cell death is characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation,
and the formation of cytoplasmic blebs without an inflammatory response?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Coagulative necrosis
, D. Autophagy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is highly regulated and
does not trigger inflammation, unlike necrosis.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3- 28 mEq/L. How would you
interpret this acid-base imbalance?
A. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
B. Compensated metabolic acidosis
C. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause),
and the HCO3- is slightly elevated, indicating the kidneys are attempting to compensate.
6. 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. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another adult cell type. It is often a response to chronic irritation, such as the change in
bronchial lining cells due to smoking.
2. A patient presents with a karyotype of 45,X. Which clinical manifestation is most consistent
with this genetic finding?
A. Severe intellectual disability and polydactyly
B. Tall stature and gynecomastia
,C. Trisomy 21 features
D. Short stature and webbed neck
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: 45,X indicates Turner Syndrome, characterized by a missing X
chromosome in females, resulting in short stature, webbed neck, and rudimentary ovaries.
3. In the context of epigenetics, how does DNA methylation generally affect gene expression?
A. It activates gene transcription.
B. It has no effect on gene expression.
C. It causes gene silencing by preventing transcription.
D. It increases the rate of translation.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to
cytosine, which typically leads to the silencing of genes by preventing the binding of
transcription factors.
4. Which mechanism of cell death is characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation,
and the formation of cytoplasmic blebs without an inflammatory response?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Coagulative necrosis
, D. Autophagy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is highly regulated and
does not trigger inflammation, unlike necrosis.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 55 mmHg, HCO3- 28 mEq/L. How would you
interpret this acid-base imbalance?
A. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
B. Compensated metabolic acidosis
C. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause),
and the HCO3- is slightly elevated, indicating the kidneys are attempting to compensate.
6. 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. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
