NSG 533 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1: 100%
EXPERT VERIFIED STUDY GUIDE 2026|2027 QUESTIONS
DETAILED ANSWERS AND INSTRUCTOR NOTE FOR A+
GUARANTEED PASS
Liquefactive necrosis
Commonly results from ischemic injury to neurons and glial cells in the brain. Brain cells contain
digestive hydrolytic enzymes and lipids. As cells are digested by their own hydrolases, the tissue
becomes soft, liquefies, and is walled off from healthy tissue in cysts.
Coagulative necrosis (most common)
Occurs primarily in the kidneys, heart, and adrenal glands from hypoxia. Protein denaturation
causes albumin to change into a firm, opaque state. Area of coagulation is called an infarct.
Caseous necrosis
Combination of coagulative and liquefactive necrosis commonly resulting from TB. Dead cells
disintegrate but the debris is not entirely digested by hydrolases, so the tissue is soft and
granular, resembling clumped cheese.
Fat necrosis
Occurs in the breast, pancreas, and other abdominal structures. Cellular dissolution caused by
lipases that break down triglycerides, releasing free fatty acids to combine with calcium,
magnesium, and sodium. This creates soaps (saponification) that appear opaque and chalk
white.
Dry gangrene
A necrotic area that is free from infection where the line of demarcation between live and dead
tissue is apparent. Tissue appears dry and shrunken.
Wet gangrene
A necrotic area in which an infection is present between the area of live and dead tissue. Often
malodorous and the line of demarcation between live and dead tissue is unclear until the
infection is arrested.
Gas gangrene
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, The term associated with wet gangrene caused by Clostridium perfringens, an organism that
produces gas within the destroyed tissue. Results in crepitus upon palpation.
Type I programmed cell death is known as _______ , type II programmed cell death is known
as _______ .
apoptosis; autophagy
Pyknosis
Clumping of nuclear material that results from a drop in pH
Karyorrhexis
Fragmentation of nuclear material that occurs after clumping (pyknosis)
Karyolysis
Dissolution of nuclear material
Kinicterus
Bilirubin-induced neurologic damage in infants
Definition and examples of atrophy
A decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. Physiologic: atrophy of the thymus gland during early
childhood. Pathologic: skeletal muscle atrophy from immobilization, brain cell atrophy with
aging.
Definition and examples of hypertrophy
An increase in the size of cells that consequently increases the size of the affected organ.
Physiologic: hypertrophy in skeletal muscles with exercise, hypertrophy of the uterus in
pregnancy. Pathologic: cardiac hypertrophy from chronic hemodynamic overload
Definition and examples of hyperplasia
An increase in the number of normal cells in an organ or tissue resulting from an increased rate
of cellular division. Physiologic: regeneration of the liver, estrogen-stimulated breast
enlargement during puberty. Pathologic: benign prostatic hyperplasia, hyperplasia of the
endometrium causing excessive menstruation
Definition and examples of dysplasia
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EXPERT VERIFIED STUDY GUIDE 2026|2027 QUESTIONS
DETAILED ANSWERS AND INSTRUCTOR NOTE FOR A+
GUARANTEED PASS
Liquefactive necrosis
Commonly results from ischemic injury to neurons and glial cells in the brain. Brain cells contain
digestive hydrolytic enzymes and lipids. As cells are digested by their own hydrolases, the tissue
becomes soft, liquefies, and is walled off from healthy tissue in cysts.
Coagulative necrosis (most common)
Occurs primarily in the kidneys, heart, and adrenal glands from hypoxia. Protein denaturation
causes albumin to change into a firm, opaque state. Area of coagulation is called an infarct.
Caseous necrosis
Combination of coagulative and liquefactive necrosis commonly resulting from TB. Dead cells
disintegrate but the debris is not entirely digested by hydrolases, so the tissue is soft and
granular, resembling clumped cheese.
Fat necrosis
Occurs in the breast, pancreas, and other abdominal structures. Cellular dissolution caused by
lipases that break down triglycerides, releasing free fatty acids to combine with calcium,
magnesium, and sodium. This creates soaps (saponification) that appear opaque and chalk
white.
Dry gangrene
A necrotic area that is free from infection where the line of demarcation between live and dead
tissue is apparent. Tissue appears dry and shrunken.
Wet gangrene
A necrotic area in which an infection is present between the area of live and dead tissue. Often
malodorous and the line of demarcation between live and dead tissue is unclear until the
infection is arrested.
Gas gangrene
1|Page
, The term associated with wet gangrene caused by Clostridium perfringens, an organism that
produces gas within the destroyed tissue. Results in crepitus upon palpation.
Type I programmed cell death is known as _______ , type II programmed cell death is known
as _______ .
apoptosis; autophagy
Pyknosis
Clumping of nuclear material that results from a drop in pH
Karyorrhexis
Fragmentation of nuclear material that occurs after clumping (pyknosis)
Karyolysis
Dissolution of nuclear material
Kinicterus
Bilirubin-induced neurologic damage in infants
Definition and examples of atrophy
A decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. Physiologic: atrophy of the thymus gland during early
childhood. Pathologic: skeletal muscle atrophy from immobilization, brain cell atrophy with
aging.
Definition and examples of hypertrophy
An increase in the size of cells that consequently increases the size of the affected organ.
Physiologic: hypertrophy in skeletal muscles with exercise, hypertrophy of the uterus in
pregnancy. Pathologic: cardiac hypertrophy from chronic hemodynamic overload
Definition and examples of hyperplasia
An increase in the number of normal cells in an organ or tissue resulting from an increased rate
of cellular division. Physiologic: regeneration of the liver, estrogen-stimulated breast
enlargement during puberty. Pathologic: benign prostatic hyperplasia, hyperplasia of the
endometrium causing excessive menstruation
Definition and examples of dysplasia
2|Page
