NURS6501 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A+
1. Which cellular adaptation process is characterized by an increase in the number of cells
resulting from an increased rate of cellular division?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in an organ or
tissue. Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size, metaplasia is the replacement of one
cell type with another, and dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in size, shape, and
organization.
2. A patient with chronic hypoxia due to COPD develops polycythemia. This is an example of
which type of hyperplasia?
A. Pathologic hyperplasia
,B. Dysplastic hyperplasia
C. Hormonal hyperplasia
D. Compensatory hyperplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Compensatory hyperplasia is an adaptive mechanism that
enables certain organs to regenerate or respond to increased demand, such as the bone
marrow producing more RBCs in response to low oxygen.
3. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by free radicals?
A. Direct inhibition of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Lactic acid accumulation in the cytosol
C. Destruction of cell membrane via lipid peroxidation
D. Lysosomal enzyme leakage
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Free radicals cause oxidative stress, leading to lipid
peroxidation, which destroys the unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes.
4. In the process of programmed cell death (apoptosis), which enzymes are responsible for
cleaving intracellular proteins?
A. Amylases
B. Kinases
, C. Caspases
D. Polymerases
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Caspases are a family of protease enzymes that play essential
roles in programmed cell death (apoptosis) and inflammation.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the presence of Chvostek
and Trousseau signs?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
muscle spasms and the characteristic signs of Chvostek (facial twitch) and Trousseau
(carpal spasm).
6. A patient’s ABG results show: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-
base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A+
1. Which cellular adaptation process is characterized by an increase in the number of cells
resulting from an increased rate of cellular division?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in an organ or
tissue. Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size, metaplasia is the replacement of one
cell type with another, and dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in size, shape, and
organization.
2. A patient with chronic hypoxia due to COPD develops polycythemia. This is an example of
which type of hyperplasia?
A. Pathologic hyperplasia
,B. Dysplastic hyperplasia
C. Hormonal hyperplasia
D. Compensatory hyperplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Compensatory hyperplasia is an adaptive mechanism that
enables certain organs to regenerate or respond to increased demand, such as the bone
marrow producing more RBCs in response to low oxygen.
3. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by free radicals?
A. Direct inhibition of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Lactic acid accumulation in the cytosol
C. Destruction of cell membrane via lipid peroxidation
D. Lysosomal enzyme leakage
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Free radicals cause oxidative stress, leading to lipid
peroxidation, which destroys the unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes.
4. In the process of programmed cell death (apoptosis), which enzymes are responsible for
cleaving intracellular proteins?
A. Amylases
B. Kinases
, C. Caspases
D. Polymerases
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Caspases are a family of protease enzymes that play essential
roles in programmed cell death (apoptosis) and inflammation.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the presence of Chvostek
and Trousseau signs?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
muscle spasms and the characteristic signs of Chvostek (facial twitch) and Trousseau
(carpal spasm).
6. A patient’s ABG results show: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-
base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
