NUR-2063 | Exam 1 Practice Page 1
, NUR-2063 EXAM 1
Essentials of Pathophysiology
Rasmussen University
100-Question Original Practice Examination 2026/2027 Edition
1. What does pathophysiology primarily study?
A) Only normal anatomy
B) Hospital scheduling
C) How disease alters normal body function
D) Medication branding
Correct Answer: How disease alters normal body function
Rationale: Pathophysiology explains functional changes produced by disease processes.
2. What does homeostasis describe?
A) Constantly increasing temperature
B) Permanent absence of illness
C) Complete elimination of stress responses
D) Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
Correct Answer: Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
Rationale: Feedback systems help keep internal conditions within viable ranges.
3. Which feedback mechanism normally regulates blood glucose?
A) Positive feedback without limits
B) Independent random hormone release
C) Permanent suppression of insulin
D) Negative feedback involving insulin and glucagon
Correct Answer: Negative feedback involving insulin and glucagon
Rationale: Opposing hormonal responses restore glucose toward a regulated range.
4. Which condition can directly reduce cellular oxygen delivery?
A) Normal oxygenation
B) Normal hemoglobin function
C) Adequate perfusion
D) Ischemia
Correct Answer: Ischemia
Rationale: Restricted blood flow limits oxygen and nutrient delivery.
Rationale:
NUR-2063 | Exam 1 Practice Page 2
, 5. How does hypoxia differ from ischemia?
A) Ischemia only occurs in the lungs
B) The terms refer only to infection
C) Hypoxia is inadequate oxygen availability whereas ischemia is inadequate blood flow
D) Hypoxia always means elevated oxygen
Correct Answer: Hypoxia is inadequate oxygen availability whereas ischemia is inadequate blood flow Rationale: Ischemia
usually combines oxygen deprivation with poor waste removal.
6. What is a major early consequence of ATP depletion in cells?
A) Instant immune memory
B) Immediate increased ATP synthesis
C) Failure of ion pumps and cellular swelling
D) Permanent normalization of calcium levels
Correct Answer: Failure of ion pumps and cellular swelling
Rationale: Energy failure impairs sodium-potassium pump function and osmotic regulation.
7. What is a reversible form of cell injury?
A) Hydropic cellular swelling
B) Complete membrane rupture
C) Loss of cellular architecture after death
D) Extensive coagulative necrosis
Correct Answer: Hydropic cellular swelling
Rationale: Mild energy failure may cause swelling that resolves if the insult is removed.
8. What is necrosis?
A) Unregulated cell death associated with membrane disruption and inflammation
B) Decrease in cell size
C) Controlled physiologic cell removal without leakage
D) Increase in cell number
Correct Answer: Unregulated cell death associated with membrane disruption and inflammation Rationale: Necrotic cells
release contents that provoke inflammation.
9. What is apoptosis?
A) Generalized edema
B) Bacterial reproduction
C) Regulated programmed cell death
D) Rapid growth of the cell
Correct Answer: Regulated programmed cell death
Apoptosis dismantles cells in an organized manner with limited inflammation.
NUR-2063 | Exam 1 Practice Page 3
, NUR-2063 EXAM 1
Essentials of Pathophysiology
Rasmussen University
100-Question Original Practice Examination 2026/2027 Edition
1. What does pathophysiology primarily study?
A) Only normal anatomy
B) Hospital scheduling
C) How disease alters normal body function
D) Medication branding
Correct Answer: How disease alters normal body function
Rationale: Pathophysiology explains functional changes produced by disease processes.
2. What does homeostasis describe?
A) Constantly increasing temperature
B) Permanent absence of illness
C) Complete elimination of stress responses
D) Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
Correct Answer: Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment
Rationale: Feedback systems help keep internal conditions within viable ranges.
3. Which feedback mechanism normally regulates blood glucose?
A) Positive feedback without limits
B) Independent random hormone release
C) Permanent suppression of insulin
D) Negative feedback involving insulin and glucagon
Correct Answer: Negative feedback involving insulin and glucagon
Rationale: Opposing hormonal responses restore glucose toward a regulated range.
4. Which condition can directly reduce cellular oxygen delivery?
A) Normal oxygenation
B) Normal hemoglobin function
C) Adequate perfusion
D) Ischemia
Correct Answer: Ischemia
Rationale: Restricted blood flow limits oxygen and nutrient delivery.
Rationale:
NUR-2063 | Exam 1 Practice Page 2
, 5. How does hypoxia differ from ischemia?
A) Ischemia only occurs in the lungs
B) The terms refer only to infection
C) Hypoxia is inadequate oxygen availability whereas ischemia is inadequate blood flow
D) Hypoxia always means elevated oxygen
Correct Answer: Hypoxia is inadequate oxygen availability whereas ischemia is inadequate blood flow Rationale: Ischemia
usually combines oxygen deprivation with poor waste removal.
6. What is a major early consequence of ATP depletion in cells?
A) Instant immune memory
B) Immediate increased ATP synthesis
C) Failure of ion pumps and cellular swelling
D) Permanent normalization of calcium levels
Correct Answer: Failure of ion pumps and cellular swelling
Rationale: Energy failure impairs sodium-potassium pump function and osmotic regulation.
7. What is a reversible form of cell injury?
A) Hydropic cellular swelling
B) Complete membrane rupture
C) Loss of cellular architecture after death
D) Extensive coagulative necrosis
Correct Answer: Hydropic cellular swelling
Rationale: Mild energy failure may cause swelling that resolves if the insult is removed.
8. What is necrosis?
A) Unregulated cell death associated with membrane disruption and inflammation
B) Decrease in cell size
C) Controlled physiologic cell removal without leakage
D) Increase in cell number
Correct Answer: Unregulated cell death associated with membrane disruption and inflammation Rationale: Necrotic cells
release contents that provoke inflammation.
9. What is apoptosis?
A) Generalized edema
B) Bacterial reproduction
C) Regulated programmed cell death
D) Rapid growth of the cell
Correct Answer: Regulated programmed cell death
Apoptosis dismantles cells in an organized manner with limited inflammation.
NUR-2063 | Exam 1 Practice Page 3
