NSG 3160 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
EXPLANATIONS
1. A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) undergoes an endoscopy,
which reveals that the stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus has been replaced by
columnar epithelium. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one adult cell type
by another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen in hypoxic injury?
A. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump due to ATP depletion
,B. Increased intracellular calcium leading to enzyme activation
C. Lactic acid accumulation causing protein denaturation
D. Ribosomal detachment and decreased protein synthesis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, which causes the Na+/K+ pump
to fail. Sodium enters the cell, followed by water, resulting in cellular swelling.
3. During an inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for
inducing pain and increasing vascular permeability?
A. Leukotrienes
B. Interleukin-1
C. Prostaglandins
D. Tumor Necrosis Factor
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Prostaglandins are involved in inducing pain by sensitizing
nociceptors and also contribute to vasodilation and increased permeability.
4. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change is most
characteristic of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
, C. Flattened ST segment
D. Peaked T waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an ECG
as narrow, peaked T waves due to faster repolarization.
5. Which of the following processes involves the programmed cell death of specific cells
without triggering an inflammatory response?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed cell death process that
clears cells without rupturing the plasma membrane, thus avoiding inflammation.
6. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L.
How should this be interpreted?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
EXPLANATIONS
1. A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) undergoes an endoscopy,
which reveals that the stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus has been replaced by
columnar epithelium. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one adult cell type
by another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen in hypoxic injury?
A. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump due to ATP depletion
,B. Increased intracellular calcium leading to enzyme activation
C. Lactic acid accumulation causing protein denaturation
D. Ribosomal detachment and decreased protein synthesis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, which causes the Na+/K+ pump
to fail. Sodium enters the cell, followed by water, resulting in cellular swelling.
3. During an inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for
inducing pain and increasing vascular permeability?
A. Leukotrienes
B. Interleukin-1
C. Prostaglandins
D. Tumor Necrosis Factor
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Prostaglandins are involved in inducing pain by sensitizing
nociceptors and also contribute to vasodilation and increased permeability.
4. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change is most
characteristic of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
, C. Flattened ST segment
D. Peaked T waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an ECG
as narrow, peaked T waves due to faster repolarization.
5. Which of the following processes involves the programmed cell death of specific cells
without triggering an inflammatory response?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed cell death process that
clears cells without rupturing the plasma membrane, thus avoiding inflammation.
6. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L.
How should this be interpreted?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
