Pathophysiology: Disease Processes Exam 2026: Comprehensive
University/College Health Sciences Practice Examination — Cellular
Injury, Inflammation, Immune Disorders, Cardiovascular,
Respiratory, Renal, Endocrine, Neurological & Multisystem Disease
Processes — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY, AND DEATH (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or
organ?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hyperplasia involves an increase in cell number due to mitotic division, often in
response to hormonal stimulation or chronic irritation.
Question 2
A 45-year-old weightlifter develops increased muscle mass in his biceps after months of
resistance training. Which cellular adaptation is responsible?
A. Hyperplasia
,B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, common in skeletal muscle and cardiac
muscle in response to increased workload.
Question 3
Which term describes the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature
cell type?
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one differentiated cell type replaces
another, often as an adaptive response to chronic stress.
Question 4
A smoker's bronchial epithelium changes from ciliated columnar to stratified squamous
epithelium. This is an example of:
,A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Chronic smoking irritates airways, causing metaplastic transformation to a more
protective stratified squamous epithelium, though this impairs mucociliary clearance.
Question 5
Which cellular change is considered a precursor to malignancy and involves disordered
growth and maturation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Dysplasia features abnormal cell size, shape, and organization; it is not
necessarily reversible and can progress to carcinoma in situ.
Question 6
A patient with a fractured femur has their leg immobilized in a cast for eight weeks. Which
cellular adaptation occurs in the quadriceps muscle?
, A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to reduced workload, disuse, or
denervation, leading to diminished tissue mass.
Question 7
Which mechanism of cell injury involves the generation of reactive oxygen species that
damage lipids, proteins, and DNA?
A. ATP depletion
B. Oxidative stress
C. Calcium influx
D. Membrane pump failure
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Oxidative stress from free radicals causes peroxidation of membrane lipids and
oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules, leading to cell death.
Question 8
University/College Health Sciences Practice Examination — Cellular
Injury, Inflammation, Immune Disorders, Cardiovascular,
Respiratory, Renal, Endocrine, Neurological & Multisystem Disease
Processes — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY, AND DEATH (Questions 1–20)
Question 1
Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or
organ?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hyperplasia involves an increase in cell number due to mitotic division, often in
response to hormonal stimulation or chronic irritation.
Question 2
A 45-year-old weightlifter develops increased muscle mass in his biceps after months of
resistance training. Which cellular adaptation is responsible?
A. Hyperplasia
,B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, common in skeletal muscle and cardiac
muscle in response to increased workload.
Question 3
Which term describes the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature
cell type?
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one differentiated cell type replaces
another, often as an adaptive response to chronic stress.
Question 4
A smoker's bronchial epithelium changes from ciliated columnar to stratified squamous
epithelium. This is an example of:
,A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Chronic smoking irritates airways, causing metaplastic transformation to a more
protective stratified squamous epithelium, though this impairs mucociliary clearance.
Question 5
Which cellular change is considered a precursor to malignancy and involves disordered
growth and maturation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Dysplasia features abnormal cell size, shape, and organization; it is not
necessarily reversible and can progress to carcinoma in situ.
Question 6
A patient with a fractured femur has their leg immobilized in a cast for eight weeks. Which
cellular adaptation occurs in the quadriceps muscle?
, A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to reduced workload, disuse, or
denervation, leading to diminished tissue mass.
Question 7
Which mechanism of cell injury involves the generation of reactive oxygen species that
damage lipids, proteins, and DNA?
A. ATP depletion
B. Oxidative stress
C. Calcium influx
D. Membrane pump failure
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Oxidative stress from free radicals causes peroxidation of membrane lipids and
oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules, leading to cell death.
Question 8
