Page 1 of 69
NSG5003 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS 2026 EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology — Questions
MODULE 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY & DEATH (Q1–Q30)
1. A decrease in the size of cells is termed:
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size,
hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, and dysplasia is variable cell size/shape
within a tissue.
2. An increase in cell size is called:
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size (e.g., cardiac muscle in hypertension).
Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, metaplasia is replacement of one mature cell
type by another, and anaplasia is undifferentiated cells.
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3. An increase in the number of cells is:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number. Hypertrophy is larger cells, not
more cells. Atrophy is shrinkage of cells, and metaplasia is conversion to another
mature cell type.
4. Replacement of a mature cell type by a different mature cell type is:
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the replacement of a mature cell type by another mature type
(e.g., Barrett's esophagus). Dysplasia is disordered variation in size/shape, hyperplasia
is more cells of the same type, and neoplasia is new growth/tumor.
5. Cells that vary in size and shape within a tissue describe:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dysplasia is characterized by cells that vary in size and shape. Metaplasia is
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orderly replacement by another mature type, hypertrophy is uniform enlargement, and
anaplasia is complete lack of differentiation.
6. Undifferentiated cells with variable nuclear and cellular structure are:
A. Anaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anaplasia refers to undifferentiated cells and is a hallmark of malignancy.
Dysplasia involves abnormal but still differentiated cells, metaplasia is mature
replacement, and hyperplasia is increased number of normal cells.
7. The term "neoplasm" means:
A. Tumor
B. Cyst
C. Scar
D. Ulcer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Neoplasm means tumor or new uncontrolled growth. A cyst is a fluid-filled
sac, a scar is fibrous healing tissue, and an ulcer is loss of surface epithelium.
8. Oxygen deficit due to respiratory or circulatory problems is:
A. Ischemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Infarction
D. Anoxia
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Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ischemia is an oxygen deficit due to respiratory or circulatory problems.
Hypoxia is reduced oxygen in tissue (result), infarction is an area of necrosis from
prolonged ischemia, and anoxia is total absence of oxygen.
9. Reduced oxygen in tissue is termed:
A. Hypoxia
B. Ischemia
C. Hypercapnia
D. Anoxia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia is reduced oxygen in tissue. Ischemia is the cause (decreased blood
flow), hypercapnia is increased CO₂, and anoxia is complete absence of oxygen.
10. Programmed cell death controlled by genetics is:
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Ischemia
D. Infarction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is energy-dependent, does not
cause inflammation, and is controlled by genetics. Necrosis is unprogrammed cell
death with membrane rupture and inflammation.
11. A 68-year-old male with a 40-year history of smoking presents with chronic
cough and weight loss. Biopsy of a lung mass reveals squamous cell carcinoma.
Which cellular adaptation most likely preceded the development of this
malignancy?
NSG5003 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS 2026 EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology — Questions
MODULE 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY & DEATH (Q1–Q30)
1. A decrease in the size of cells is termed:
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size,
hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, and dysplasia is variable cell size/shape
within a tissue.
2. An increase in cell size is called:
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size (e.g., cardiac muscle in hypertension).
Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, metaplasia is replacement of one mature cell
type by another, and anaplasia is undifferentiated cells.
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3. An increase in the number of cells is:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number. Hypertrophy is larger cells, not
more cells. Atrophy is shrinkage of cells, and metaplasia is conversion to another
mature cell type.
4. Replacement of a mature cell type by a different mature cell type is:
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the replacement of a mature cell type by another mature type
(e.g., Barrett's esophagus). Dysplasia is disordered variation in size/shape, hyperplasia
is more cells of the same type, and neoplasia is new growth/tumor.
5. Cells that vary in size and shape within a tissue describe:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dysplasia is characterized by cells that vary in size and shape. Metaplasia is
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orderly replacement by another mature type, hypertrophy is uniform enlargement, and
anaplasia is complete lack of differentiation.
6. Undifferentiated cells with variable nuclear and cellular structure are:
A. Anaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anaplasia refers to undifferentiated cells and is a hallmark of malignancy.
Dysplasia involves abnormal but still differentiated cells, metaplasia is mature
replacement, and hyperplasia is increased number of normal cells.
7. The term "neoplasm" means:
A. Tumor
B. Cyst
C. Scar
D. Ulcer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Neoplasm means tumor or new uncontrolled growth. A cyst is a fluid-filled
sac, a scar is fibrous healing tissue, and an ulcer is loss of surface epithelium.
8. Oxygen deficit due to respiratory or circulatory problems is:
A. Ischemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Infarction
D. Anoxia
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Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ischemia is an oxygen deficit due to respiratory or circulatory problems.
Hypoxia is reduced oxygen in tissue (result), infarction is an area of necrosis from
prolonged ischemia, and anoxia is total absence of oxygen.
9. Reduced oxygen in tissue is termed:
A. Hypoxia
B. Ischemia
C. Hypercapnia
D. Anoxia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia is reduced oxygen in tissue. Ischemia is the cause (decreased blood
flow), hypercapnia is increased CO₂, and anoxia is complete absence of oxygen.
10. Programmed cell death controlled by genetics is:
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Ischemia
D. Infarction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is energy-dependent, does not
cause inflammation, and is controlled by genetics. Necrosis is unprogrammed cell
death with membrane rupture and inflammation.
11. A 68-year-old male with a 40-year history of smoking presents with chronic
cough and weight loss. Biopsy of a lung mass reveals squamous cell carcinoma.
Which cellular adaptation most likely preceded the development of this
malignancy?
