NU 641 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
EXPLANATIONS | LATEST - REGIS
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often less differentiated, cell type?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, usually in response to chronic irritation.
2. In the mechanism of hypoxic cell injury, what is the primary cause of cellular swelling?
A. Activation of lysosomal enzymes
B. Increased protein synthesis in the cytoplasm
C. Failure of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump due to ATP depletion
,D. Release of calcium from the mitochondria
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, causing the sodium-potassium
pump to fail. Sodium then accumulates inside the cell, pulling water in via osmosis.
3. Which process is considered ‘programmed cell death’ and does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Autophagy
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a highly regulated, programmed process of cell
death that avoids the release of inflammatory cellular contents.
4. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L. How
would you classify this acid-base imbalance?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A high PaCO2 (>45)
combined with acidosis confirms a respiratory cause.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause U-waves on an ECG and muscle
weakness?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia typically presents with muscle weakness, U-waves,
and flattened T-waves on the ECG.
6. In the context of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the direct
effect of Angiotensin II?
A. Systemic vasoconstriction and stimulation of aldosterone
B. Inhibition of ADH release
C. Systemic vasodilation
D. Excretion of sodium by the kidneys
Answer: A
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
EXPLANATIONS | LATEST - REGIS
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often less differentiated, cell type?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, usually in response to chronic irritation.
2. In the mechanism of hypoxic cell injury, what is the primary cause of cellular swelling?
A. Activation of lysosomal enzymes
B. Increased protein synthesis in the cytoplasm
C. Failure of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump due to ATP depletion
,D. Release of calcium from the mitochondria
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, causing the sodium-potassium
pump to fail. Sodium then accumulates inside the cell, pulling water in via osmosis.
3. Which process is considered ‘programmed cell death’ and does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Autophagy
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a highly regulated, programmed process of cell
death that avoids the release of inflammatory cellular contents.
4. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L. How
would you classify this acid-base imbalance?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A high PaCO2 (>45)
combined with acidosis confirms a respiratory cause.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause U-waves on an ECG and muscle
weakness?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia typically presents with muscle weakness, U-waves,
and flattened T-waves on the ECG.
6. In the context of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the direct
effect of Angiotensin II?
A. Systemic vasoconstriction and stimulation of aldosterone
B. Inhibition of ADH release
C. Systemic vasodilation
D. Excretion of sodium by the kidneys
Answer: A
