TEST BANK UNDERSTANDING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 7TH EDITION BY SUE HUETHER AND KATHRYN MCCANCETable of Contents Chapter 1. Cellular Biology.................................................................................................................. 2
Chapter 2. Genes and Genetic Diseases ............................................................................................ 19 Chapter 3. Epigenetics and Disease .................................................................................................. 36 Chapter 4. Altered Cellular and Tissue Biology ................................................................................ 40 Chapter 5. Fluids and Electrolytes, Acids and Bases ........................................................................ 57 Chapter 6. Innate Immunity: Inflammation and Wound Healing ................................................... 77 Chapter 7. Adaptive Immunity ......................................................................................................... 93 Chapter 9. Infection and Defects in Mechanisms of Defense .......................................................... 114 Chapter 10. Stress and Disease ....................................................................................................... 134 Chapter 11. Biology of Cancer ......................................................................................................... 143 Chapter 12. Cancer Epidemiology ................................................................................................... 152 Chapter 13. Cancer in Children and Adolescents ............................................................................ 161 Chapter 14. Structure and Function of the Neurologic System ...................................................... 166 Chapter 15. Pain, Temperature, Sleep, and Sensory Function ....................................................... 188 Chapter 16. Alterations in Cognitive Systems, Cerebral Hemodynamics, and Motor Function .... 209
Chapter 17. Disorders of the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems and Neuromuscular Junction ......................................................................................................................................................... 229 Chapter 18. Alterations of Neurologic Function in Children .......................................................... 251 Chapter 19. Mechanisms of Hormonal Regulation......................................................................... 267 Chapter 20. Alterations of Hormonal Regulation .......................................................................... 282 Chapter 21. Obesity and Disorders of Nutrition ............................................................................. 305 Chapter 22. Structure and Function of the Hematologic System ................................................... 309 Chapter 23. Alterations of Hematologic Function .......................................................................... 324 Chapter 24. Alterations of Hematologic Function in Children....................................................... 353 Chapter 25. Structure and Function of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems ..................... 370 Chapter 26. Alterations of Cardiovascular Function ...................................................................... 388 Chapter 27. Alterations of Cardiovascular Function in Children ................................................... 405 Chapter 28. Structure and Function of the Pulmonary System ..................................................... 419 Chapter 29. Alterations of Pulmonary Function ............................................................................ 436 Chapter 30. Alterations of Pulmonary Function in Children ......................................................... 459 Chapter 31. Structure and Function of the Renal and Urologic Systems ....................................... 474 Chapter 32. Alterations of Renal and Urinary Tract Function ....................................................... 489 Chapter 33. Alterations of Renal and Urinary Tract Function in Children .................................... 507 Chapter 34. Structure and Function of the Reproductive Systems ................................................. 517 Chapter 35. Alterations of the Female Reproductive System ......................................................... 536
1 | P a g eChapter 36. Alterations of the Male Reproductive System............................................................. 550
Chapter 37. Structure and Function of the Digestive System ......................................................... 560
Chapter 38. Alterations of Digestive Function ............................................................................... 576
Chapter 39. Alterations of Digestive Function in Children ............................................................ 597
Chapter 40. Structure and Function of the Musculoskeletal System ............................................. 613
Chapter 41. Alterations of Musculoskeletal Function ..................................................................... 630
Chapter 42. Alterations of Musculoskeletal Function in Children ................................................. 650
Chapter 43. Structure, Function, and Disorders of the Integument .............................................. 662
Chapter 44. Alterations of the Integument in Children .................................................................. 676
Chapter 1. Cellular Biology
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A student is observing a cell under the microscope. It is observed to have supercoiled DNA
with histones. Which of the following would also be observed by the student?
a. A single circular chromosome
b. A nucleus
c. Free-floating nuclear material
d. No organelles
ANS: B
The cell described is a eukaryotic cell, so it has histones and a supercoiled DNA within its
nucleus; thus, the nucleus should be observed.
A single circular chromosome is characteristic of prokaryotic cells, which do not have histones.
Free-floating nuclear material describes a prokaryotic cell, which would not have a
distinct nucleus.
Eukaryotic cells have membrane bounded cellular components called organelles. No
organelles describes a prokaryotic cell.
2. A nurse is instructing the staff about cellular functions. Which cellular function is the
nurse describing when an isolated cell absorbs oxygen and uses it to transform nutrients to
energy?
2 | P a g ea. Metabolic absorption
b. Communication
c. Secretion
d. Respiration
ANS: D
The ability of the cell to absorb oxygen refers to the cells function of respiration.
The ability of the cell to function within a society of cells refers to its function of
communication.
The ability of the cell to take in nutrients refers to the cells function of metabolic absorption.
The ability of the cell to synthesize new substances and secrete these elsewhere refers to the cells
function of secretion.
3. A eukaryotic cell is undergoing DNA replication. In which region of the cell would most of
the genetic information be contained?
a. Mitochondria
b. Ribosome
c. Nucleolus
d. Nucleus
ANS: C
The region of the cell that contains genetic material, including a large amount of
ribonucleic acid, most of the DNA, and DNA-binding proteins, is the nucleolus.
The mitochondria is the site of cellular respiration.
The ribosomes are involved in manufacturing of proteins within the cell.
The nucleus contains the nucleolus, and it is the nucleolus that contains genetic material.
4. The fluid mosaic model for biologic membranes describes membrane behavior. According to
this model, which of the following float singly or as aggregates in the fluid lipid bilayer?
a. Peripheral membrane proteins
b. Integral membrane proteins
c. Glycoproteins
3 | P a g ed. Cell adhesion molecules
ANS: B
Integral membrane proteins float freely in the fluid lipid bilayer.
Peripheral membrane proteins are not embedded in the layer, but reside at the
surface. Glycoproteins act as cell surface markers.
Cell adhesion molecules are on the outside of the membrane and allow cells to hook together.
5. Which of the following can bind to plasma membrane receptors?
a. Oxygen
b. Ribosomes
c. Amphipathic lipids
d. Ligands
ANS: D
Ligands are specific molecules that can bind with receptors on the cell
membrane. Oxygen moves by diffusion; it does not bind to receptors.
Ribosomes make proteins and are not involved in
binding. Amphipathic lipids are a portion of the cell
membrane.
6. A nurse is reviewing a report from a patient with metastatic cancer. What finding
would support the diagnosis of metastatic cancer? Alterations in extracellular matrix that
include:
a. Decreased fibronectin
b. Increased collagen
c. Decreased elastin
d. Increased glycoproteins
ANS: A
4 | P a g eReduced amounts of fibronectin are found in some types of cancerous cells, allowing cancer
cells to travel, or metastasize.
Collagen provides strength, and its breakdown is associated with osteoarthritis, not cancer.
Elastin is found in the lungs and allows tissues to stretch; it is not associated with
cancerous cells.
Decreased, not increased, glycoproteins are associated with cancerous cells.
7. Which form of cell communication is used to relate to other cells in direct physical contact?
a. Cell junction
b. Gap junction
c. Desmosomes
d. Tight junctions
ANS: A
Cell junctions hold cells together and permit molecules to pass from cell to cell.
Gap junctions allow communication from the inside of one cell to the inside of
another. Desmosomes are not involved in communication, but allow cells to hold
together.
Tight junctions are barriers that prevent movement of some substances and leakages of others.
8. Pancreatic beta cells secrete insulin, which inhibits secretion of glucagon from
neighboring alpha cells. This action is an example of which of the following signaling types?
a. Paracrine
b. Autocrine
c. Neurohormonal
d. Hormonal
ANS: A
Paracrine signaling involves the release of local chemical mediators that are quickly taken
up, destroyed, or immobilized, as in the case of insulin and the inhibition of the secretion of
5 | P a g eglucagon.
When cells produce signals that they themselves respond to, autocrine signaling is used.
Neurohormonal signaling involves secretion of hormones into the bloodstream by
neurosecretory hormones.
Hormonal signaling involves specialized endocrine cells that secrete hormone chemicals
released by one set of cells that travel through the tissue through the bloodstream to produce a
response in other sets of cells.
9. In cellular metabolism, each enzyme has a high affinity for a:
a. Solute
b. Substrate
c. Receptor
d. Ribosome
ANS: B
Each enzyme has a high affinity for a substrate, a specific substance converted to a product of
the reaction.
Solutes are small particles that pass through the cell membrane.
A receptor is a site on the cell wall that allows transport into the cell.
Ribosomes are located inside the cell and are not related to the work of enzymes.
10. An athlete runs a marathon, after which his muscles feel fatigued and unable to contract.
The athlete asks the nurse why this happened. How should the nurse respond? A deficiency in
can cause impaired muscle contraction.
a. GTP
b. AMP
c. ATP
d. GMP
ANS: C
The cell uses ATP for muscle contraction. when it is deficient, impaired muscle contraction
results.
6 | P a g eGTP is involved in cell signaling, not muscle contraction.
AMP is not involved in muscle contraction.
GMP is not involved in muscle contraction.
11. Which phase of catabolism produces the most ATP?
a. Digestion
b. Glycolysis
c. Oxidation
d. Citric acid cycle
ANS: D
Most of the ATP is generated during the citric acid cycle.
Larger molecules are broken down into smaller units during digestion; no ATP is
produced during this cycle.
During glycolysis, two molecules of ATP are produced from each glucose molecule, but the
most ATP is produced during the citric acid cycle.
Oxidation is part of the glycolysis process and ATP is produced, but more ATP is produced
during the citric acid cycle.
12. A nurse is teaching the staff about the three phases of cellular catabolism. Which of
the following should the nurse include?
a. Digestion, glycolysis and oxidation, and the citric acid cycle
b. Diffusion, osmosis, and mediated transport
c. S phase, G phase, and M phase
d. Metabolic absorption, respiration, and excretion
ANS: A
Digestion, glycolysis and oxidation, and the citric acid cycle are the three phases of cellular
catabolism.
Diffusion, osmosis, and mediated transport are parts of the movement of fluids in and out
7 | P a g eof cells.
The S, G, and M phases are phases of cellular division, not catabolism.
Metabolic absorption, respiration, and excretion are functions of the
cell.
13. A runner has depleted all the oxygen available for muscle energy. Which of the following
will facilitate his continued muscle performance?
a. Electron-transport chain
b. Aerobic glycolysis
c. Anaerobic glycolysis
d. Oxidative
phosphorylation ANS: C
When no oxygen is available, anaerobic glycolysis occurs.
The electron-transport chain is part of the citric acid
cycle. Aerobic glycolysis involves the presence of oxygen.
Oxidative phosphorylation is the mechanism by which the energy produced from
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins is transferred to ATP. It is not part of muscle performance.
14. The faculty member asked the student to identify the appropriate term for the movement
of small, electrically uncharged molecules through a semipermeable barrier. Which answer
indicates the nursing student understood the teaching?
a. Osmosis
b. Diffusion
c. Hydrostatic pressure
d. Active transport
ANS: B
Diffusion is the movement of a solute molecule from an area of greater solute concentration to
8 | P a g ean area of lesser solute concentration.
Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of
higher water concentration to one of lower concentration.
Hydrostatic pressure is the force of fluid against a cell membrane. Within the vascular
system, this pressure is the blood pressure.
In active transport, molecules move up a concentration gradient. This process requires energy.
15. A nurse is teaching a patient about fluid and electrolytes. Which of the following indicates
the teaching was successful regarding electrolytes? Electrolytes are:
a. Small lipid-soluble molecules
b. Large protein molecules
c. Micronutrients used to produce ATP
d. Electrically charged molecules
ANS: D
Electrolytes are electrically charged molecules.
Electrolytes are not lipid soluble.
Electrolytes are not made up of protein.
Electrolytes do not have a role in the production of ATP.
16. A nurse is reading a chart and sees the term oncotic pressure. The nurse recalls that
oncotic pressure (colloid osmotic pressure) is determined by:
a. Concentration of sodium
b. Plasma proteins
c. Hydrostatic pressure
d. Availability of membrane transporter proteins
ANS: B
Oncotic pressure is determined by the effect of colloids or plasma
proteins. The concentration of sodium plays a role in tonicity.
9 | P a g eHydrostatic pressure is the force within a vessel.
Membrane transporter proteins are involved in active transport within a concentration gradient.
17. A patient has a body fluid of 300 mOsm/kg. This lab result is measuring:
a. Osmolality
b. Osmolarity
c. Osmotic pressure
d. Oncotic pressure
ANS: A
Osmolality measures the number of milliosmoles per kilogram of water, or the concentration
of molecules per weight of water.
Osmolarity measures the number of milliosmoles per liter of solution, or the
concentration of molecules per volume of solution.
Osmotic pressure is the amount of hydrostatic pressure required to oppose the
osmotic movement of water.
Oncotic pressure is from plasma proteins, not body fluids.
18. In teaching a patient with cirrhosis, which information should the nurse include
regarding cholesterol?
a. Cholesterol decreases the membrane fluidity of the erythrocyte, which reduces
its ability to carry oxygen.
b. Cholesterol decreases the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes, which reduces
its ability to carry hemoglobin.
c. Cholesterol increases the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes, which allows
binding of excess glucose.
d. Cholesterol increases the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes, which prolongs
its life span beyond 120 days.
ANS: A
In cirrhosis, the cholesterol content of the red blood cells plasma membrane increases, causing
a decrease in membrane fluidity that seriously affects the cells ability to transport oxygen.
10 | P a g eIn cirrhosis, for example, the cholesterol content of the red blood cells plasma membrane
increases, causing a decrease in membrane fluidity that seriously affects the cells ability
to transport oxygen, not hemoglobin; the hemoglobin carries the oxygen.
In cirrhosis, for example, the cholesterol content of the red blood cells plasma membrane
increases, causing a decrease in membrane fluidity that seriously affects the cells ability
to transport oxygen; it does not bind excess glucose.
In cirrhosis, for example, the cholesterol content of the red blood cells plasma membrane
increases, causing a decrease in membrane fluidity that seriously affects the cells ability
to transport oxygen. It does not prolong the life of the RBC and could decrease it.
19. A nurse is discussing the movement of fluid across the arterial end of capillary membranes
into the interstitial fluid surrounding the capillary. Which process of fluid movement is the
nurse describing?
a. Hydrostatic pressure
b. Osmosis
c. Diffusion
d. Active transport
ANS: A
Blood reaching the capillary bed has a hydrostatic pressure of 25 to 30 mm Hg, which is
sufficient force to push water across the thin capillary membranes into the interstitial space.
Osmosis involves the movement of fluid from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower
concentration. It does not involve pressure or force. It is related to hydrostatic pressure.
Diffusion is the passive movement of a solute from an area of higher solute concentration to
an area of lower solute concentration.
Active transport involves movement up a concentration gradient.
20. A patient who has diarrhea receives a hypertonic saline solution intravenously to replace
the sodium and chloride lost in the stool. What effect will this fluid replacement have on cells?
a. Cells will become hydrated.
b. Cells will swell or burst.
c. Cells will shrink.
11 | P a g ed. Cells will divide.
ANS: C
The hypertonic saline will cause fluid to leave the intracellular space and enter the
vascular space, causing cells to shrink.
Intravenous hypertonic solutions lead to cell dehydration.
Intravenous hypertonic solutions cause fluid to leave cells; thus, they would shrink, not
swell. Intravenous hypertonic solutions do not affect cellular division.
21. A nurse is teaching a patient with diabetes how glucose is transported from the blood to
the cell. What type of transport system should the nurse discuss with the patient?
a. Active-mediated transport (active transport)
b. Active diffusion
c. Passive osmosis
d. Passive-mediated transport (facilitated diffusion)
ANS: D
A well-known passive-mediated transport system is that for glucose in erythrocytes (red
blood cells).
The transport of glucose does not require energy, so active-mediated transport is not
correct. The transport of glucose does not require energy, so active diffusion is not correct.
Osmosis involves the movement of water.
22. How are potassium and sodium transported across plasma membranes?
a. By passive electrolyte channels
b. By coupled channels
c. By adenosine triphosphate enzyme (ATPase)
d. By diffusion
ANS: C
12 | P a g eA carrier mechanism in the plasma membrane mediates the transport of ions and nutrients.
The best-known pump is the Na+-K+dependent ATPase pump.
Electrolyte movements require energy and do not move passively.
Enzymes, not electrolytes, are passed via coupled channels.
Electrolytes are not transported by diffusion.
23. Why is potassium able to diffuse easily in and out of cells?
a. Because potassium has a greater concentration in the intracellular fluid (ICF)
b. Because sodium has a greater concentration in the extracellular fluid (ECF)
c. Because the resting plasma membrane is more permeable to potassium
d. Because there is an excess of anions inside the cell
ANS: C
The resting membrane is more permeable to potassium because potassium is more
easily transported inward.
Potassium is greater in concentration in the ICF, but this is not why it is transported more easily.
Sodium does have a greater concentration, but this is not why potassium moves easily when
the membrane potential is at rest.
It is cations, not anions, that are involved in membrane potential activity.
24. The ion transporter that moves Na+ and Ca2+ simultaneously in the same direction is
an example of which of the following types of transport?
a. Biport
b. Uniport
c. Antiport
d. Symport
ANS: D
When ions are transported in one direction, it is termed
symport. There is no such term as biport.
13 | P a g eUniport refers to the movement of a single molecule.
Antiport refers to movement of molecules in the opposite direction.
25. During which process can lysosomal enzymes be released to degrade engulfed particles?
a. Endocytosis
b. Pinocytosis
c. Phagocytosis
d. Exocytosis
ANS: C
Engulfment of particles occurs by phagocytosis.
Endocytosis involves the formation of vesicles to facilitate movement into the cell.
Pinocytosis is a type of endocytosis in which fluids and solute molecules are ingested through
formation of small vesicles.
Exocytosis occurs when coated pits invaginate and internalize ligand-receptor complexes
in coated vesicles.
26. A nurse is teaching the staff about cholesterol. Which information should be taught?
The cellular uptake of cholesterol depends on:
a. Active-mediated transport
b. The antiport system
c. Receptor-mediated endocytosis
d. Passive transport
ANS: C
The cellular uptake of cholesterol depends on receptor-mediated endocytosis.
The cellular uptake of cholesterol depends on receptor-mediated endocytosis; it is not
dependent on active-mediated transport.
The cellular uptake of cholesterol depends on receptor-mediated endocytosis; it is not a part
of the antiport system.
The cellular uptake of cholesterol depends on receptor-mediated endocytosis; it requires
14 | P a g eenergy and is not passive in transport.
27. Some cancer drugs work during the cell cycle phase where nuclear and cytoplasmic division
occurs. What is this cell cycle phase called?
a. G1
b. S
c. M
d. G2
ANS: C
The M phase includes both nuclear and cytoplasmic division.
The G1 phase includes the period between the M phase and the start of DNA
synthesis. The S phase include synthesis of DNA in the cell nucleus.
The G2 phase includes RNA and protein synthesis.
28. What causes the rapid change in the resting membrane potential that initiates an
action potential?
a. Potassium gates open, and potassium rushes into the cell, changing the
membrane potential from negative to positive.
b. Sodium gates open, and sodium rushes into the cell, changing the
membrane potential from negative to positive.
c. Sodium gates close, allowing potassium into the cell to change the
membrane potential from positive to negative.
d. Potassium gates close, allowing sodium into the cell to change the
membrane potential from positive to negative.
ANS: B
When the threshold is reached, the cell will continue to depolarize with no further
stimulation. The sodium gates open, and sodium rushes into the cell, causing the membrane
potential to reduce to zero and then become positive (depolarization).
Sodium is involved in creating the action potential, not potassium.
The sodium gate must be open, not closed.
15 | P a g eThe sodium channel must be open; this is not affected by a change in the potassium gate.
29. A cell is isolated, and electrophysiology studies reveal that the resting membrane potential
is 70 millivolts. The predominant intracellular ion is Na+, and the predominant extracellular ion
is K+. With voltage change, which of the following would result in an action potential?
a. K+ rushing into the cell
b. Na+ rushing into the cell
c. Na+ rushing out of the cell
d. K+ rushing out of the cell
ANS: A
With voltage change, potassium rushes into the cell.
Potassium, not sodium, rushes into the cell.
Potassium, not sodium, is involved in the process, and potassium moves into the cells, not
out. Potassium rushes into the cell, not out.
30. A nurse is teaching the staff about platelet-derived growth factor. Which information
should the nurse include? Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates the production of:
a. Platelets
b. Epidermal cells
c. Connective tissue cells
d. Fibroblast cells
ANS: C
Different types of cells require different growth factors; for example, PDGF stimulates the
production of connective tissue cells.
The factor stimulates the production of connective tissue, not platelets.
The factor stimulates the production of connective tissue, not epidermal
cells. The factor stimulates the production of connective tissue, not fibroblast
cells.
16 | P a g e31. The phase of the cell cycle during which the centromeres split and the sister chromatids
are pulled apart is referred to as:
a. Anaphase
b. Telophase
c. Prophase
d. Metaphase
ANS: A
Anaphase begins when the centromeres split and the sister chromatids are pulled apart.
During telophase, the final stage, a new nuclear membrane is formed around each group of
46 chromosomes, the spindle fibers disappear, and the chromosomes begin to uncoil.
During prophase, the first appearance of chromosomes occurs.
Metaphase occurs when two centrioles located at opposite poles of the cell pull the
chromosomes to opposite sides of the cell.
32. What is the role of cytokines in cell reproduction?
a. Provide growth factor for tissue growth and development
b. Block progress of cell reproduction through the cell cycle
c. Restrain cell growth and development
d. Provide nutrients for cell growth and development
ANS: A
Cytokines play a major role in the regulation of tissue growth and development.
Cytokines help overcome intracellular braking mechanisms that restrain cell
growth. Cytokines promote cell growth, not restrain it.
Cytokines regulate growth; they do not provide nutrients.
33. A biopsy of the lung bronchi revealed ciliated epithelial cells that are capable of secretion
and absorption. These cells are called
columnar epithelium.
a. Simple
17 | P a g eb. Ciliated simple
c. Stratified
d. Pseudostratified ciliated
ANS: B
Ciliated simple columnar epithelium are found in the lungs.
Simple columnar epithelium are found from the stomach to the anus.
Stratified columnar epithelium are found in the linings of epiglottis, part of pharynx, anus,
and male urethra.
Pseudostratified ciliate columnar epithelium is found in the linings of large ducts of some
glands (parotid, salivary), male urethra, respiratory passages, and eustachian tubes of ears.
34. The nurse would be correct in identifying the predominant extracellular cation as:
a. Sodium
b. Potassium
c. Chloride
d. Glucose
ANS: A
The predominant extracellular cation is sodium.
Potassium is the predominant intracellular
cation. Chloride is an anion. Urea is a
nonelectrolyte.
Glucose is a nonelectrolyte.
35. The student is reviewing functions of the cell. The student would be correct in identifying the
primary function of the nerve cell as:
a. Sensory interpretation
b. Conductivity
c. Maintenance of homeostasis
18 | P a g ed. Communicatio
n ANS: B
Conduction as a response to a stimulus is manifested by a wave of excitation; an electrical
potential that passes along the surface of the cell to reach its other parts. Conductivity is the
chief function of nerve cells.
Nerve cells assist with sensory interpretation, but their primary function is conductivity.
Nerve cells assist with maintenance of homeostasis, but their primary function is
conductivity. Nerve cells assist with communication, but their primary function is
conductivity.
Chapter 2. Genes and Genetic Diseases
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse recalls the basic components of DNA are:
a. Pentose sugars and four phosphate bases
b. A phosphate molecule, deoxyribose, and four nitrogenous bases
c. Adenine, guanine, and purine
d. Codons, oxygen, and cytosine
ANS: B
DNA has three basic components: the pentose sugar molecule, deoxyribose; a
phosphate molecule; and four types of nitrogenous bases.
DNA contains four nitrogenous bases, not phosphate bases.
Adenine and quinine are purines and are only a portion of the components of DNA.
DNA synthesizes body protein, of which a codon is a component.
2. Which of the following mutations have the most significant effect on protein synthesis?
a. Base pair substitutions
19 | P a g eb. Silent mutations
c. Intron mutations
d. Frameshift mutations
ANS: D
The frameshift mutation involves the insertion or deletion of one or more base pairs of the
DNA molecule. They alter the amino acid sequence.
The base pair substitution is a type of mutation in which one base pair replaces another.
Silent mutations do not change amino acids or protein synthesis.
Intron mutations are part of RNA sequencing.
3. The base components of DNA are:
a. A, G, C, and U
b. P, G, C, and T
c. A, G, C, and T
d. X, XX, XY, and YY
ANS: C
The four base components of DNA are cytosine, thymine, adenine, and guanine and are
commonly represented by their first letters: A, C, T, and G.
The four base components of DNA are cytosine, thymine, adenine, and guanine and
are commonly represented by their first letters: A, C, T, and G. U is not included.
The four base components of DNA are cytosine, thymine, adenine, and guanine and are
commonly represented by their first letters: A, C, T, and G. P is not included.
X, XX, XY and YY are components of human chromosomes.
4. A DNA strand has a region with the sequence ATCGGAT. Which of the following would be a
complementary strand?
a. CGATACGT
b. TAGCCTAG
c. TUGCCTUG
20 | P a g ed. UAGCCUAG
ANS: B
The consistent pairing of adenine with thymine and of guanine with cytosine is known as
complementary base pairing; thus, A complements to T and C to G and vice versa throughout
the strand.
A complements to T; thus, the first letter must be a
T. U does not represent a complement in the
sequence. U does not represent a complement in the
sequence.
5. A biologist is explaining how RNA directs the synthesis of protein. Which process is the
biologist describing?
a. Termination
b. Transcription
c. Translocation
d. Translation
ANS: D
In translation, RNA directs the synthesis of a polypeptide, interacting with transfer RNA (tRNA),
a cloverleaf-shaped strand of about 80 nucleotides.
At a termination signal, translation and polypeptide formation cease. This does not
involve synthesis of protein.
Transcription is the process by which DNA specifies a sequence of messenger RNA (mRNA).
Translocation is the interchange of genetic material between nonhomologous chromosomes.
6. When homologous chromosomes fail to separate during meiosis, which of the following
occurs?
a. Neurofibromatosis
b. Nondisjunction
21 | P a g ec. Polyploidy
d. Conjoined twins
ANS: B
Nondisjunction is an error in which homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids fail
to separate normally during meiosis or mitosis.
Neurofibromatosis is a dominant disorder. It is not due to chromosome failure during
meiosis. Polyploidy occurs when a euploid cell has more than the diploid number of
chromosomes.
Conjoined twins are not due to chromosome failure during meiosis.
7. A cell that does not contain a multiple of 23 chromosomes is called a
cell.
a. diploid
b. euploid
c. polyploid
d. haploid
ANS: C
A polyploid cell is one in which a euploid cell has more than the diploid number of
chromosomes.
A diploid cell is when the somatic cell nucleus has 46 chromosomes in 23 pairs.
A euploid cell is a cell with multiples of the normal number of chromosomes.
A haploid cell has only one member of each chromosome pair, for a total of 23 chromosomes.
8. A 20-year-old pregnant female gives birth to a stillborn child. Autopsy reveals that the
fetus has 92 chromosomes. What term may be on the autopsy report to describe this
condition?
a. Biploidy
b. Triploidy
c. Tetraploidy
22 | P a g ed. Aneuploidy
ANS: C
Tetraploidy is a condition in which euploid cells have 92 chromosomes.
Biploidy is a euploid cell with 2 times more chromosomes, or 46.
Triploidy is a zygote that has three copies of each chromosome, rather than the usual
two. Aneuploidy is when an aneuploid cell does not contain a multiple of 23
chromosomes.
9. The condition in which an extra portion of a chromosome is present in each cell is called:
a. Reciprocal translocation
b. Partial trisomy
c. Inversion
d. Down syndrome
ANS: B
Partial trisomy is a condition in which only an extra portion of a chromosome is present in
each cell.
A reciprocal translocation occurs when breaks take place in two different chromosomes and
the material is exchanged.
An inversion occurs when two breaks take place on a chromosome, followed by the reinsertion
of the missing fragment at its original site, but in inverted order.
Down syndrome is an aneuploidy of the twenty-first chromosome.
10. After a geneticist talks to the patient about being a chromosomal mosaic, the patient asks
the nurse what that means. How should the nurse respond? You may genetic disease(s).
a. Only be a carrier of the
b. Have a mild form of the
c. Have two
d. Be sterile as a result of the
23 | P a g eANS: B
A chromosomal mosaic means the body has two or more different cell lines, each of which has a
different karyotype; thus, the person has a mild form of the disease.
Mosaics are not only carriers; they have the disease.
Mosaics have two different lines but not two different diseases.
Mosaics are not sterile.
11. The nurse is teaching staff about the most common cause of Down syndrome. What is
the nurse describing?
a. Paternal nondisjunction
b. Maternal translocations
c. Maternal nondisjunction
d. Paternal translocations
ANS: C
The most common cause of Down syndrome is maternal nondisjunction.
Down syndrome is not related to paternal nondisjunction.
Down syndrome is related to the maternal side, but not due to
translocation. Down syndrome is not related to paternal abnormalities.
12. A patient wants to know the risk factors for Down syndrome. What is the nurses
best response?
a. Fetal exposure to mutagens in the uterus
b. Increased paternal age
c. Family history of Down syndrome
d. Pregnancy in women over age 35
ANS: D
The primary risk for Down syndrome is pregnancy in women over 35.
24 | P a g eDown syndrome is a trisomy and not due to fetal exposure.
Paternal age is not a risk factor in Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality and is not related to family history.
13. A 13-year-old girl has a karyotype that reveals an absent homologous X chromosome with
only a single X chromosome present. What medical diagnosis will the nurse observe on the
chart?
a. Down syndrome
b. Cri du chat syndrome
c. Turner syndrome
d. Fragile X syndrome
ANS: C
A condition with the presence of a single X chromosome and no homologous X or Y
chromosome, so the individual has a total of 45 chromosomes, is known as Turner
syndrome.
Down syndrome is a change in one arm of a chromosome.
Cri du chat syndrome is due to a chromosome deletion.
Fragile X syndrome is due to a break or a gap in a chromosome.
14. An XXY person asks the nurse what this genetic disorder is called. What is the nurses best
response? This disorder is
syndrome.
a. Turner
b. Klinefelter
c. Down
d. Fragile X
ANS: B
Individuals with at least two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome in each cell (47 XXY
karyotype) have a disorder known as Klinefelter syndrome.
25 | P a g eA condition with the presence of a single X chromosome and no homologous X or Y
chromosome, so the individual has a total of 45 chromosomes, is known as Turner
syndrome.
Down syndrome is a trisomy.
Fragile X syndrome is due to a break or a gap in a chromosome, not an extra chromosome.
15. A patient has severe mental retardation caused by a deletion of part of chromosome 5.
What genetic disorder will the nurse see documented in the chart?
a. Prader-Willi syndrome
b. Down syndrome
c. Cri du chat syndrome
d. Trisomy X
ANS: C
Cri du chat syndrome means cry of the cat and describes the characteristic cry of the
affected child. Another symptom of the disorder is mental retardation.
Prader-Willi syndrome is characterized by short stature, obesity, and hypogonadism.
Down syndrome does cause mental retardation, but is due to chromosome 21, not
chromosome 5.
Trisomy X can result in mental retardation, but is due to an extra X chromosome.
16. A couple has three offspring: one child with an autosomal dominant disease trait and two
who are normal. The father is affected by the autosomal dominant disease, but the mother
does not have the disease gene. What is the recurrence risk of this autosomal dominant
disease for their next child?
a. 50%
b. 33%
c. 25%
d. Impossible to determine
ANS: A
26 | P a g eFor each child with an autosomal dominant disease parent there is a 1 in 2, or 50%, risk.
The risk is 50%.
The risk is 50%.
The risk can be determined and the risk is 50%.
17. An aide asks the nurse why people who have neurofibromatosis will show varying degrees of
the disease. Which genetic principle should the nurse explain to the aide?
a. Penetrance
b. Expressivity
c. Dominance
d. Recessiveness
ANS: B
Expressivity is the extent of variation in phenotype associated with a particular genotype.
For neurofibromatosis, a variety of manifestations occur among individuals.
The penetrance of a trait is the percentage of individuals with a specific genotype who also
exhibit the expected phenotype.
Dominance refers to observable traits and risk of transmission.
Recessiveness refers to silent strains with reduced risk of occurrence.
18. When a patient asks what causes cystic fibrosis, how should the nurse respond?
Cystic fibrosis is caused by an gene.
a. X-linked dominant
b. X-linked recessive
c. Autosomal dominant
d. Autosomal recessive
ANS: D
Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder.
Cystic fibrosis is not X linked, but autosomal.
27 | P a g eCystic fibrosis is not X linked, but recessive.
Cystic fibrosis is not dominant.
19. A 15-year-old female is diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome. This condition is an example
of:
a. Gene imprinting
b. An autosomal recessive trait
c. An autosomal dominant trait
d. A sex-linked trait
ANS: A
Prader-Willi is an example of gene imprinting.
Prader-Willi is not an autosomal recessive trait, but due to gene
imprinting. Prader-Willi is not an autosomal dominant train, but due to
gene imprinting. Prader-Willi is not a sex-linked trait, but due to gene
imprinting.
20. A patient, age 9, is admitted to a pediatric unit with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
When planning care the nurse recalls the patient inherited this condition through a
trait.
a. Sex-linked dominant
b. Sex-influenced
c. Sex-limited
d. Sex-linked recessive
ANS: D
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a relatively common X-linked recessive
disorder. Duchenne is a recessive trait, not dominant.
Duchenne is a sex-linked, not sex-influenced,
28 | P a g etrait. Duchenne is a sex-linked, not sex-limited,
trait.
21. A child is born with blue eyes (bb). The childs mother has blue eyes and the father has
brown eyes. Which of the following represents the father?
a. Bb
b. Bb
c. BB
d. Bbb
ANS: B
The father would need to have one b and one B because blue eyes are recessive and the father
has a dominant eye color.
bb is incorrect because, with this description, the father could not have brown eyes.
BB would describe the fathers brown eyes, but without a b he could not father a blue-eyed child.
The father would have only two, not three.
22. A child is diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. History reveals that the childs parents are siblings.
Cystic fibrosis was most likely the result of:
a. X inactivation
b. Genomic imprinting
c. Consanguinity
d. Obligate carriers
ANS: C
Consanguinity refers to the mating of two related individuals, and the offspring of such
matings are said to be inbred. Consanguineous matings produce a significant increase in
recessive disorders and are seen most often in pedigrees for rare recessive disorders.
X inactivation occurs when one X chromosome in the somatic cells of females is permanently
inactivated.
29 | P a g eGenomic imprinting is related to methylation and other changes.
Obligate carriers are those who have an affected parent and affected children and, therefore,
must themselves carry the mutation.
23. A 12-year-old male is diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. His karyotype would reveal
which of the following?
a. XY
b. XX
c. XYY
d. XXY
ANS: D
A person with Klinefelter syndrome has an XXY karyotype.
An XY is a normal male.
An XX is a normal female.
An XYY is an aneuploid karyotype.
24. To express a polygenic trait:
a. Genes must interact with the environment.
b. Several genes must act together.
c. Multiple mutations must occur in the same family.
d. Penetrance must occur.
ANS: B
Polygenic traits are those that result from several genes acting together.
When environmental factors influence the expression of the trait, the term
multifactorial inheritance is used.
When multiple mutations occur in the same family, the mechanism most likely responsible
is termed germline mosaicism.
Penetrance of a trait is the percentage of individuals with a specific genotype who also exhibit
the expected phenotype.
30 | P a g e25. What is the diagnosis of a 13-year-old female who has a karyotype that reveals an absent
homologous X chromosome with only a single X chromosome present? Her features include a
short stature, widely spaced nipples, reduced carrying angle at the elbow, and sparse body
hair.
a. Down syndrome
b. Cri du chat syndrome
c. Turner syndrome
d. Klinefelter syndrome
ANS: C
Turner syndrome is characterized by short stature, female genitalia, webbed neck,
shieldlike chest with underdeveloped breasts and widely spaced nipples, and imperfectly
developed ovaries.
Down syndrome is characterized by distinctive characteristics: low nasal bridge,
epicanthal folds, protruding tongue, and low-set ears.
Cri du chat syndrome is characterized by low birth weight, severe mental
retardation, microcephaly (smaller than normal head size), and heart defects.
Klinefelter syndrome is characterized by small testes, some development of the breasts,
sparse body hair, and long limbs.
26. A normal male and a female carrier for red-green color blindness mate. Given that red-
green color blindness is an X-linked recessive trait, what is the likelihood of their children being
affected?
a. 25%
b. 50%
c. Females most affected; no males affected
d. Males most affected; no females affected
ANS: D
Because a single copy of an X-linked recessive gene will cause disease in a male, whereas two
copies are required for disease expression in females, more males are affected by X-linked
31 | P a g erecessive diseases than are females.
Males are more often affected at a greater than 25%
rate. Males are more often affected at a greater than 50%
rate. Males are most often affected.
27. The gradual increase in height among the human population over the past 100 years is
an example of:
a. A polygenic trait
b. A multifactorial trait
c. Crossing over
d. Recombination
ANS: B
The gradual increase in height is an example of multifactorial traits influenced by genes and
also by environment.
Polygenic traits result from several genes acting
together. Crossing over is an abnormal chromosome
structure.
Recombination results from new arrangements of alleles.
28. When discussing DNA replication, which enzyme is most important?
a. RNA polymerase
b. Transfer RNA
c. Messenger RNA
d. DNA polymerase
ANS: D
DNA polymerase is the primary enzyme involved in replication. It adds bases to the new DNA
strand and performs proofreading functions.
32 | P a g eIt is DNA polymerase, not RNA polymerase, that is most important for DNA replication.
It is DNA polymerase, not transfer RNA, that is most important for DNA replication.
It is DNA polymerase, not messenger RNA, that is most important for DNA replication.
29. The regions of the heterogeneous nuclear RNA that must be spliced out to form
functional RNA are called:
a. Promoter sites
b. Introns
c. Exons
d. Anticodon
ANS: B
Introns are spliced from the mRNA before the mRNA leaves the nucleus.
A promoter site is a sequence of DNA that specifies the beginning of a gene.
In eukaryotes, many RNA sequences are removed by nuclear enzymes; the sequences that
are left to code for proteins are called exons.
In translation, RNA directs the synthesis of a polypeptide, a cloverleaf-shaped strand of about
80 nucleotides. The tRNA molecule has a site where an amino acid attaches. The three-
nucleotide sequence at the opposite side of the cloverleaf is called the anticodon.
30. A 5-year-old male presents with mental retardation and is diagnosed with fragile X
syndrome. When the parents ask what caused this, how should the geneticist respond? This
was most probably caused from:
a. Translocation
b. Inversion
c. Nondisjunction
d. Duplication at fragile sites
ANS: D
Unaffected transmitting males have been shown to have more than about 50 repeated
DNA sequences near the beginning of the fragile X gene.
33 | P a g eTranslocation effects do not result in mental
retardation. Inversions have no physical effects.
Fragile X is not related to nondisjunction.
31. A 50-year-old male was recently diagnosed with Huntington disease. Transmission of
this disease is associated with:
a. Penetrance
b. Recurrence risk
c. Expressivity
d. Delayed age of onset
ANS: D
A key feature of Huntington disease is its delayed age of onset such that symptoms are not
seen until 40 years of age or later.
The penetrance of a trait is the percentage of individuals with a specific genotype who also
exhibit the expected phenotype.
Recurrence risk is the percentage of family members that will inherit the disease.
Expressivity is the extent of variation in phenotype associated with a particular
genotype.
32. Mutations that do not change the amino acid sequence and thus have no consequence
are termed mutations.
a. Frameshift
b. Spontaneous
c. Silent
d. Missense
ANS: C
Silent mutations do not change the amino acid sequence and have no consequences.
34 | P a g eFrameshift mutation involves the insertion or deletion of one or more base pairs of the
DNA molecule. They alter the amino acid sequence.
Spontaneous mutations occur in the absence of exposure to a mutagen and produce changes
in amino acid sequence.
Missense mutations, a form of base pair substitution, alter amino acids, which produce a
change (i.e., the sense) in a single amino acid.
33. A nurse is reviewing the pedigree chart. When checking for a proband, what is the
nurse looking for?
a. The person who is first diagnosed with a genetic disease
b. The individual who has a disease gene but is phenotypically normal
c. The phenotype of genetic material
d. The codominance
ANS: A
The pedigree chart summarizes family relationships and shows which members of a family
are affected by a genetic disease. The pedigree begins with the proband.
The person who has a disease gene but is phenotypically normal is a carrier.
The phenotype is the result of both genotype and environment; it is not a proband.
Codominance is not represented by proband, but it occurs when the heterozygote
is distinguishable from both homozygotes.
34. Which of the following disorders is manifested primarily in males?
a. Cystic fibrosis
b. Neurofibromatosis
c. Muscular dystrophy
d. Klinefelter syndrome
ANS: C
Muscular dystrophy is manifested primarily in
35 | P a g emales. Cystic fibrosis is manifested in males and
females.
Neurofibromatosis is manifested in males and females.
Klinefelter syndrome is manifested in males and
females.
Chapter 3. Epigenetics and Disease
1. Genetic disorders that involve a single gene trait are characterized by:
A)
B)
C)
D)
multifactorial gene mutations.
chromosome rearrangements.
Mendelian patterns of transmission.
abnormal numbers of chromosomes.
2. In addition to having a 50% chance of inheriting an autosomal dominant disorder from
an affected parent, such a disorder is characterized by:
A)
B)
C)
D)
aneuploidy of genes in all cells.
deficiencies in enzyme synthesis.
affected X transmission to daughters.
varied gene penetration and expression.
A)
3. Autosomal recessive disorders are characterized by:
age of onset later in life.
B)
C)
D)
abnormal protein structure.
inborn errors of metabolism.
one in two risk of a carrier child.
A)
4. When a male child inherits an X-linked disorder from his heterozygous carrier mother,
his sons will be carriers.
B)
C)
D)
his father has the disorder.
some of his sisters will be carriers.
his daughters will have the disorder.
5. Multifactorial inheritance disorders, such as cleft palate, are often
36 | P a g ecaused by
during fetal development.
A)
B)
C)
D)
multiple gene mutations
dominant gene expression
X-linked crossover problem
polyploidy of chromosomes
6. The newborn has the distinctive physical features of trisomy 21, Down syndrome, which
includes:
A)
B)
C)
D)
upward slanting of eyes.
large, protruding ears.
thin lips and small tongue.
long fingers with extra creases.
7. Aneuploidy of the X chromosome can result in a monosomy or polysomy disorder. The
manifestations of monosomy X, Turner syndrome, differ from polysomy X disorders
in numerous ways that include:
A)
B)
C)
D)
short-stature female individual..
mental retardation.
enlarged breasts.
early onset puberty.
A)
8. A teratogenic environmental agent can cause birth defects when:
inherited as a recessive trait.
B)
C)
D)
intense exposure occurs at birth.
disjunction occurs during meiosis.
retained during early pregnancy.
9. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is unlike other teratogens in that the harmful effects on
the fetus:
A)
B)
C)
D)
directly result in liver damage.
extend throughout the pregnancy.
is most noticeable in adulthood.
cause death in early childhood.
10. Prenatal diagnosis methods include the use of ultrasonography for identifying
abnormalities.
A)
37 | P a g e
cytogenicB)
C)
D)
skeletal
chromosomal
a-fetoprotein
11. A woman who is a carrier for which of the following diseases possesses the greatest
likelihood of passing the disease to her future children when heterozygous pairing
exists?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Tay-Sachs disease
Neurofibromatosis
Cystic fibrosis
12. Which of the following statements is true of autosomal recessive disorders?
A)
Onset is typically late in childhood or early in adulthood.
B)
C)
D)
Symptomatology is less uniform than with autosomal dominant disorders.
Mitochondrial DNA is normally the site of genetic alteration.
Effects are typically the result of alterations in enzyme function.
13. The parents of a newborn infant are relieved that their baby was born healthy, with the
exception of a cleft lip that will be surgically corrected in 10 or 12 weeks. Which of the
nurses following statements to the parents best conveys the probable cause of the
infants cleft lip?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Though you are both healthy, you likely both carry the gene for a cleft lip.
Provided one of you had the gene for a cleft lip, your baby likely faced a 50/50
chance of having one.
Your childs cleft lip likely results from the interplay between environment
and genes.
A cleft lip can sometimes result from taking prescription drugs, even when
theyre taken as ordered.
14. Which of the following practitioners is most likely to be of assistance in the early care of
an infant with a cleft lip?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Lactation consultant
Respiratory therapist
Occupational therapist
Social worker
15. A 41-year-old woman has made the recent decision to start a family, and is eager to
undergo testing to mitigate the possibility of having a child with Down syndrome. Which
of the following tests is most likely to provide the data the woman seeks?
38 | P a g eA)
B)
C)
D)
Genetic testing of the woman
Genetic testing of the woman and the father
Prenatal blood tests
Ultrasonography
16. Genetic testing has revealed that a male infant has been born with an extra
X chromosome. What are the most likely implications of this finding?
A)
B)
C)
D)
The child is unlikely to survive infancy
The child is likely to have no manifestations of this chromosomal abnormality
The child will have significant neurological and cognitive defects
The child will be unable to reproduce
17. Which of the following variables determine the extent of teratogenic drug effects? Select
all that apply.
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Maternal health history
Molecular weight of the drug
Stage of pregnancy when the drug was taken
Duration of drug exposure
Fetal blood type
18. A woman who has just learned that she is pregnant for the first time has sought advice
from her healthcare provider about the safe use of alcohol during pregnancy. What
advice should the clinician provide to the woman?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Its likely best to eliminate alcohol from your diet while youre pregnant.
Moderation in alcohol use is critical while you are pregnant.
You should limit yourself to a maximum of one drink daily while youre pregnant.
You should drink no alcohol until you are in your second trimester.
19. Which of the following health problems may be identified by a TORCH screening test?
A)
Rubella and herpes
B)
C)
D)
Tenovaginitis and human papillomavirus
Rhinovirus and Ormond disease
Chlamydia and rickets
20. Ultrasonography is most likely to detect which of the following fetal abnormalities?
A)
Neural tube defects
B)
39 | P a g e
Skeletal abnormalitiesC)
D)
Chromosomal defects
Single-gene disorders
Answer Key
1. C
2. D
3. C
4. C
5. A
6. A
7. A
8. D
9. B
10. B
11. C
12. D
13. C
14. A
15. C
16. B
17. B, C, D
18. A
19. A
20. B
Chapter 4. Altered Cellular and Tissue Biology
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A report comes back indicating that muscular atrophy has occurred. A nurse recalls
that muscular atrophy involves a decrease in muscle cell:
40 | P a g ea. Number
b. Size
c. Vacuoles
d. Lipofuscin
ANS: B
Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size.
Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells.
Vacuoles are membrane-bound vesicles within the cell that contain cellular debris and
hydrolytic enzymes.
Lipofuscin is the yellow-brown age pigment.
2. During childhood, the thymus decreases in size, and this is referred to as
atrophy.
a. Physiologic
b. Pathologic
c. Disuse
d. Neurogenic
ANS: A
A normal decrease in cell size is physiologic atrophy.
When cell size decrease due to disease, it is termed pathologic atrophy.
When cells undergo disuse, the cells shrink in size, and this is disuse
atrophy.
Neurogenic atrophy is injury or disease affecting the nerves that connect to the muscle.
3. When planning care for a cardiac patient, the nurse knows that in response to an
increased workload, cardiac myocardial cells will:
a. Increase in size
b. Decrease in length
c. Increase in excitability
41 | P a g ed. Increase in number
ANS: A
Organ cells respond to increased workload by increasing in size, much as a muscle when it is
exercised.
Organ cells increase in size with increased workload; they do not decrease in length.
A deficiency of electrolytes or minerals could lead to an increase in excitability; it is not due to
increased workload.
Increase in cell numbers is referred to as hyperplasia and is not related to increased workload.
4. A 55-year-old male with a 30-year history of smoking is examined for respiratory
disturbance. Examination of his airway (bronchial) reveals that stratified squamous epithelial
cells have replaced the normal columnar ciliated cells. This type of cellular adaptation is called:
a. Anaplasia
b. Hyperplasia
c. Metaplasia
d. Dysplasia
ANS: C
Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, sometimes a
less differentiated cell type.
Anaplasia is loss of cellular differentiation.
Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells resulting from an increased rate of
cellular division.
Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells.
5. When planning care for the pregnant patient, the nurse will recall that the mammary
glands enlarge as a consequence of:
a. Compensatory hyperplasia
b. Hormonal hyperplasia
c. Hormonal anaplasia
42 | P a g ed. Compensatory anaplasia
ANS: B
An increase in the mammary glands during pregnancy is a result of hormonal changes.
The number of mammary cells increases in response to increased hormone levels.
Hyperplasia is correct, but it is not a compensatory response, but a hormonal response.
Hormonal is correct, but the growth is due to an increased number of cells, not enlargement.
Compensatory is not correct, nor is anaplasia, a reversal to more immature cells.
Mammary enlargement is a normal response.
6. A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding. The physician identified
endometrial changes that are due to hormonal imbalances. These cellular changes would be
referred to as:
a. Dysplasia
b. Pathologic dysplasia
c. Hyperplasia
d. Pathologic hyperplasia
ANS: D
Because the changes are due to an imbalance, they would be considered pathologic
hyperplasia. The endometrial changes were not abnormal in size and shape; thus, it is not
dysplasia.
The description of alteration in hormone levels is pathologic.
Hyperplasia is not as accurate as pathologic because there is an imbalance of hormone levels.
7. A 55-year-old male is diagnosed with hepatocellular cancer secondary to hepatitis C. If the
cancerous region of the liver were removed, the remaining cells would undergo:
a. Pathologic hyperplasia
b. Pathologic metaplasia
c. Compensatory hyperplasia
43 | P a g ed. Compensatory aplasia
ANS: C
Compensatory hyperplasia is an adaptive mechanism that enables certain organs to
regenerate. The cells become compensatory and would not be pathologic.
Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, sometimes
less differentiated, cell type.
Aplasia is not a compensatory mechanism.
8. A 40-year-old female is diagnosed with cervical cancer after a Pap smear. Which of the
following cellular changes would the nurse most likely see on the report?
a. Metaplasia
b. Atrophy
c. Hypertrophy
d. Dysplasia
ANS: D
When cervical cells become cancerous, they have undergone dysplasia, a change in the size and
shape of cells.
The cells have changed; they have not been replaced, so metaplasia is not the correct
choice. The cells have not decreased in size; therefore, atrophy is incorrect.
The cells have not increased in size; therefore, they have not hypertrophied.
9. A 75-year-old male presents with chest pain on exertion. The chest pain is most likely due to
hypoxic injury secondary to:
a. Malnutrition
b. Free radicals
c. Ischemia
d. Chemical toxicity
ANS: C
44 | P a g eThe cardiac cells are deprived of oxygen leading to ischemia, a reduction in blood supply to
tissues.
The cells are deprived of oxygen; they are not malnourished.
Free radicals are electrically uncharged atoms or groups of atoms that have an unpaired
electron. Chemical toxicity is not a factor in the chest pain; the pain is related to a lack of
oxygen.
10. A patient has a heart attack that leads to progressive cell injury that causes cell death with
severe cell swelling and breakdown of organelles. What term would the nurse use to define
this process?
a. Adaptation
b. Pathologic calcification
c. Apoptosis
d. Necrosis
ANS: D
Necrosis is the sum of cellular changes after local cell death.
Cellular adaptation is a reversible, structural, or functional response to both normal or
physiologic conditions and adverse or pathologic conditions.
Calcification is an accumulation of calcium salts.
Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction.
11. Sodium and water accumulation in an injured cell are a direct result of:
a. Decreased ATP production
b. Karyorrhexis
c. Ribosome detachment
d. Dehydration
ANS: A
45 | P a g eA reduction in ATP levels causes the plasma membranes sodium-potassium (Na+-K+) pump
and sodium-calcium exchange to fail. Sodium and water can then enter the cell freely.
Karyorrhexis means fragmentation of the nucleus into smaller particles or nuclear
dust. Ribosome detachment reduces protein synthesis.
Dehydration leads to loss of sodium and water.
12. The early dilation (swelling) of the cells endoplasmic reticulum results in:
a. Increased aerobic metabolism
b. Failure of DNA
c. Reduced protein synthesis
d. Decreased Na+-K+ pump function
ANS: C
Early dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum causes the ribosomes to detach from the
rough endoplasmic reticulum, reducing protein synthesis.
Aerobic metabolism is a normal process and would not lead to swelling.
Cellular swelling will not alter cellular DNA.
A reduction, not an increase, in the Na+-K+ pump leads to an intracellular accumulation of
sodium and calcium and diffusion of potassium out of the cell. Sodium and water can then
enter the cell freely, and cellular swelling results.
13. A 52-year-old male suffered a myocardial infarction secondary to atherosclerosis and
ischemia. Once oxygen returned to the damaged heart, reperfusion injury occurred as a result
of:
a. Free radical formation
b. Vacuolation
c. Increased metabolic state
d. Lipid acceptor proteins
ANS: A
46 | P a g eReperfusion injury results from radicals that cause further membrane damage and
mitochondrial calcium overload.
Vacuolation leads to cellular swelling and is not associated with reperfusion.
Lactic acid increases as a result of damage due to necrosis, and necrosis would interfere
with reperfusion, not initiate it.
Lipid acceptor proteins bind with triglycerides to create fatty liver, and they do not affect
the myocardium.
14. A family presents to their primary care provider reporting headache, nausea, weakness,
and vomiting. Which of the following would be the most likely explanation for these
symptoms?
a. Lead exposure
b. Carbon monoxide poisoning
c. Ethanol exposure
d. Mercury poisoning
ANS: B
Symptoms related to carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, giddiness, tinnitus
(ringing in the ears), nausea, weakness, and vomiting.
Although nausea and vomiting can occur with lead exposure, lead toxicity is primarily
manifested by convulsions and delirium and, with peripheral nerve involvement, wrist,
finger, and sometimes foot paralysis.
Ethanol exposure has CNS effects and would not affect the whole family.
Mercury poisoning is manifested by CNS effects and would not lead to nausea and vomiting.
15. A common pathway of irreversible cell injury involves increased intracellular:
a. Sodium
b. Potassium
c. Magnesium
d. Calcium
ANS: D
47 | P a g eIrreversible cellular injury is due to increased intracellular calcium and loss of calcium
steady state.
It is calcium, not sodium, that is involved in cellular injury.
It is calcium, not potassium, that is involved in cellular injury.
It is calcium, not magnesium, that is involved in cellular
injury.
16. A 50-year-old male sustained a closed head injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident. CT
scan revealed a collection of blood between the inner surface of the dura mater and the surface
of the brain. Which type of injury will the nurse be caring for?
a. Subdural hematoma
b. Epidural hematoma
c. Contusion
d. Abrasion
ANS: A
A subdural hematoma occurs when blood is between the inner surface of the dura mater and
the surface of the brain; it can result from blows, falls, or sudden acceleration/deceleration of
the head.
An epidural hematoma is a collection of blood between the inner surface of the skull and
the dura; it is most often associated with a skull fracture.
A contusion is bleeding into the skin or underlying tissues.
An abrasion (scrape) results from removal of the superficial layers of the skin caused by friction
between the skin and injuring object.
17. A 20-year-old male presents to the emergen