NR 507 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027. CHAMBERLAIN
1. A patient is diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy due to chronic hypertension.
Which cellular process describes this adaptation?
A. An increase in the number of cells within the tissue.
B. The replacement of one mature cell type by another less mature cell type.
C. An increase in the size of individual cells in response to increased workload.
D. The shrinkage of cells due to a lack of use or nutrition.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells (and consequently
the size of the organ) in response to mechanical stimuli or increased workload, common in
cardiac and skeletal muscle.
2. During cellular injury, the depletion of ATP leads to which of the following immediate
consequences?
A. Activation of the sodium-potassium pump.
B. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump, leading to intracellular sodium accumulation.
,C. Decrease in intracellular osmotic pressure.
D. Efflux of water out of the cell causing shrinkage.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ATP depletion causes the Na+/K+ pump to fail, leading to an
accumulation of intracellular sodium, which draws water into the cell (swelling).
3. Which process of cell death involves a controlled, programmed suicide that does not
typically trigger an inflammatory response?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Apoptosis
D. Autolysis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death characterized by nuclear
and cytoplasmic shrinkage, which prevents the release of intracellular contents and
subsequent inflammation.
4. A 55-year-old male with a history of smoking shows abnormal changes in the bronchial
epithelial cells from ciliated columnar to stratified squamous. This is known as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
, C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, usually as a protective mechanism against chronic irritation like smoke.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peak T-waves and a widened QRS
complex on an ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) affects cardiac conduction,
leading to peaked T-waves, PR prolongation, and eventually QRS widening.
6. Which condition is characterized by a pH of 7.28, a PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and a HCO3 of 26
mEq/L?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027. CHAMBERLAIN
1. A patient is diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy due to chronic hypertension.
Which cellular process describes this adaptation?
A. An increase in the number of cells within the tissue.
B. The replacement of one mature cell type by another less mature cell type.
C. An increase in the size of individual cells in response to increased workload.
D. The shrinkage of cells due to a lack of use or nutrition.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells (and consequently
the size of the organ) in response to mechanical stimuli or increased workload, common in
cardiac and skeletal muscle.
2. During cellular injury, the depletion of ATP leads to which of the following immediate
consequences?
A. Activation of the sodium-potassium pump.
B. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump, leading to intracellular sodium accumulation.
,C. Decrease in intracellular osmotic pressure.
D. Efflux of water out of the cell causing shrinkage.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ATP depletion causes the Na+/K+ pump to fail, leading to an
accumulation of intracellular sodium, which draws water into the cell (swelling).
3. Which process of cell death involves a controlled, programmed suicide that does not
typically trigger an inflammatory response?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Apoptosis
D. Autolysis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death characterized by nuclear
and cytoplasmic shrinkage, which prevents the release of intracellular contents and
subsequent inflammation.
4. A 55-year-old male with a history of smoking shows abnormal changes in the bronchial
epithelial cells from ciliated columnar to stratified squamous. This is known as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
, C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, usually as a protective mechanism against chronic irritation like smoke.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peak T-waves and a widened QRS
complex on an ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) affects cardiac conduction,
leading to peaked T-waves, PR prolongation, and eventually QRS widening.
6. Which condition is characterized by a pH of 7.28, a PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and a HCO3 of 26
mEq/L?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
