NUR 376 Pathophysiology Exam 1 – 2025-2026 Updated 100% A+
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Questions with answers
Brian, age 28, began an aerobic exercise program 2 years ago. Brian now competes in long-
distance cycling events and considers himself to be an endurance athlete who is in the "best
shape of his life." An echocardiogram reveals a slightly enlarged left ventricle. What cellular
change or injury that is best exemplified by the case scenario. Physiologic hypertrophy
An ADAPTIVE type of hypertrophy that occurs due to extensive exercise, whereby the heart
will create new blood vessel branches (angiogenesis) and there is increased mitochondria, ATP,
and actin/myosin filaments in the muscle. CORRECT ANSWER Recently, Karen learned that
not only does HIV directly attack CD4 cells, but the presence of the virus seems to activate
pathways responsible for programmed cell death in CD4 cells. Thus, HIV infection appears to
increase the rate of "suicide" for CD4 cells. Apoptosis CORRECT ANSWER Define
dysplasia Compared to normal cells, cells demonstrating dysplasia are atypical in size and
shape. Dysplasia does not mean the cells are cancerous. However, some screening tests, such as
the Pap smear, examine tissues to determine if any cellular changes are taking place. Any
changes in the cells can then be monitored over time. CORRECT ANSWER A biopsy of a
skin lesion is conducted on Leann, a 48-year-old woman. Biopsy results revealed proliferating
cells that were well-differentiated and resembled surrounding cells. The cells were contained
within a well-defined area. Benign neoplasia.
Neoplasia is uncontrolled and unregulated cell growth. The mass of tissue resulting is known as a
"neoplasm." In a benign neoplasm, the cells do not have the characteristics associated with
malignancy. The cells, although cancerous, are well-differentiated, meaning they resemble
normal, mature cells. The cells are also in a contained area and are unlikely to spread.
,CORRECT ANSWER Miguel, a retired warehouse supervisor, had a myocardial infarction.
Further evaluation revealed he had significant blockage in his left descending coronary artery.
The blockage resulted in ischemia and cell death for those cells served by the artery.
Necrosis
Necrosis is premature cell death caused by cell injury. Necrosis differs from apoptosis, in that the
cellular destruction results from some form of trauma, rather than genetic programming. May
lead to GANGRENE which is when dead tissue houses bacteria. CORRECT ANSWER
Julianne, who suffers from familial hypercholesterolemia, presents with xanthomas. Xanthomas
are excess cholesterol deposits, which appear as yellow skin lesions. What cell process is this
Intracellular accumulation.
Some disease processes stimulate intracellular accumulations of particles, such as calcium,
cholesterol, and triglycerides, glucose, among other substances. In familial hypercholesterolemia,
a genetic defect causes decreased cellular uptake of cholesterol, resulting in high serum
cholesterol levels. Cholesterol deposits, known as xanthomas, may appear to form under the
skin. CORRECT ANSWER Janae experienced a frightening ATV accident, in which her
ATV flipped over and she ended up catching a portion of her upper arm on a barbed wire fence.
Although Janae's injuries healed fully, enlarged, keloid scar formations remain at the injury site.
Hyperplasia
cell proliferation, known as hyperplasia, was stimulated as a result of her injury. A keloid results
from overgrowth of granulation tissue during the wound repair process. CORRECT ANSWER
Hypertension that leads to workload on the left ventricle and thus enlargement would be
deemed? Pathological hypertrophy.
No blood vessel growth and increased workload would lead to ischemia and enlargement of the
heart.
, NCLEX TIP: Left ventricular hypertrophy would lead to displacement of the PMI during chest
palpation. CORRECT ANSWER Hyperplasia occurs from which two mechanisms? An
INCREASE in the number of cells in a tissue or organ.
1) hormonal (estrogen stimulating the mitotic division of breast gland cells; also BPH in older
males)
2) overcompensation during regeneration (keloid scars) CORRECT ANSWER Andy has
undergone a colonoscopy because his family has a history of colon cancer. Biopsy of the colon
reveals poorly differentiated cells in the samples. Cells were abnormally organized, with
distorted borders. Infiltration of the abnormal cells occurred throughout several samples.
Malignant neoplasia
Neoplasia is uncontrolled, unregulated cell growth. Malignancy, when applied to neoplasm,
indicates the cancerous cells are likely to infiltrate other tissues and spread. The appearance of
malignant cells is far from normal. Such cells are poorly differentiated and appear to have a
random organization. Biopsy samples of malignant neoplasia reveal cells moving beyond the
borders or edges of the growth. CORRECT ANSWER Walter, age 62, had to undergo an
endoscopic examination of his esophagus due to his complaint of frequent "heartburn" after most
meals. Examination of the cells shows that rather than normal squamous cells lining the
esophagus, Walter had columnar cells Metaplasia CORRECT ANSWER Cardiac
catheterization results for Beatrice, a 54-year-old patient, show plaque build-up, appearing as
hardened areas in the coronary arteries. Beatrice, who is overweight and leads a sedentary
lifestyle, has several risk factors for atherosclerosis. A coronary calcium scan is conducted to
help analyze the state of the arterial plaques. Pathologic calcification CORRECT ANSWER
What are types of cellular injury changes? 1) Dysfunction of the sodium potassium pump
2) Loss of plasma membrane integrity (Ex: during an MI)
Success Guaranteed Complete Study Guide & Verified Practice
Questions with answers
Brian, age 28, began an aerobic exercise program 2 years ago. Brian now competes in long-
distance cycling events and considers himself to be an endurance athlete who is in the "best
shape of his life." An echocardiogram reveals a slightly enlarged left ventricle. What cellular
change or injury that is best exemplified by the case scenario. Physiologic hypertrophy
An ADAPTIVE type of hypertrophy that occurs due to extensive exercise, whereby the heart
will create new blood vessel branches (angiogenesis) and there is increased mitochondria, ATP,
and actin/myosin filaments in the muscle. CORRECT ANSWER Recently, Karen learned that
not only does HIV directly attack CD4 cells, but the presence of the virus seems to activate
pathways responsible for programmed cell death in CD4 cells. Thus, HIV infection appears to
increase the rate of "suicide" for CD4 cells. Apoptosis CORRECT ANSWER Define
dysplasia Compared to normal cells, cells demonstrating dysplasia are atypical in size and
shape. Dysplasia does not mean the cells are cancerous. However, some screening tests, such as
the Pap smear, examine tissues to determine if any cellular changes are taking place. Any
changes in the cells can then be monitored over time. CORRECT ANSWER A biopsy of a
skin lesion is conducted on Leann, a 48-year-old woman. Biopsy results revealed proliferating
cells that were well-differentiated and resembled surrounding cells. The cells were contained
within a well-defined area. Benign neoplasia.
Neoplasia is uncontrolled and unregulated cell growth. The mass of tissue resulting is known as a
"neoplasm." In a benign neoplasm, the cells do not have the characteristics associated with
malignancy. The cells, although cancerous, are well-differentiated, meaning they resemble
normal, mature cells. The cells are also in a contained area and are unlikely to spread.
,CORRECT ANSWER Miguel, a retired warehouse supervisor, had a myocardial infarction.
Further evaluation revealed he had significant blockage in his left descending coronary artery.
The blockage resulted in ischemia and cell death for those cells served by the artery.
Necrosis
Necrosis is premature cell death caused by cell injury. Necrosis differs from apoptosis, in that the
cellular destruction results from some form of trauma, rather than genetic programming. May
lead to GANGRENE which is when dead tissue houses bacteria. CORRECT ANSWER
Julianne, who suffers from familial hypercholesterolemia, presents with xanthomas. Xanthomas
are excess cholesterol deposits, which appear as yellow skin lesions. What cell process is this
Intracellular accumulation.
Some disease processes stimulate intracellular accumulations of particles, such as calcium,
cholesterol, and triglycerides, glucose, among other substances. In familial hypercholesterolemia,
a genetic defect causes decreased cellular uptake of cholesterol, resulting in high serum
cholesterol levels. Cholesterol deposits, known as xanthomas, may appear to form under the
skin. CORRECT ANSWER Janae experienced a frightening ATV accident, in which her
ATV flipped over and she ended up catching a portion of her upper arm on a barbed wire fence.
Although Janae's injuries healed fully, enlarged, keloid scar formations remain at the injury site.
Hyperplasia
cell proliferation, known as hyperplasia, was stimulated as a result of her injury. A keloid results
from overgrowth of granulation tissue during the wound repair process. CORRECT ANSWER
Hypertension that leads to workload on the left ventricle and thus enlargement would be
deemed? Pathological hypertrophy.
No blood vessel growth and increased workload would lead to ischemia and enlargement of the
heart.
, NCLEX TIP: Left ventricular hypertrophy would lead to displacement of the PMI during chest
palpation. CORRECT ANSWER Hyperplasia occurs from which two mechanisms? An
INCREASE in the number of cells in a tissue or organ.
1) hormonal (estrogen stimulating the mitotic division of breast gland cells; also BPH in older
males)
2) overcompensation during regeneration (keloid scars) CORRECT ANSWER Andy has
undergone a colonoscopy because his family has a history of colon cancer. Biopsy of the colon
reveals poorly differentiated cells in the samples. Cells were abnormally organized, with
distorted borders. Infiltration of the abnormal cells occurred throughout several samples.
Malignant neoplasia
Neoplasia is uncontrolled, unregulated cell growth. Malignancy, when applied to neoplasm,
indicates the cancerous cells are likely to infiltrate other tissues and spread. The appearance of
malignant cells is far from normal. Such cells are poorly differentiated and appear to have a
random organization. Biopsy samples of malignant neoplasia reveal cells moving beyond the
borders or edges of the growth. CORRECT ANSWER Walter, age 62, had to undergo an
endoscopic examination of his esophagus due to his complaint of frequent "heartburn" after most
meals. Examination of the cells shows that rather than normal squamous cells lining the
esophagus, Walter had columnar cells Metaplasia CORRECT ANSWER Cardiac
catheterization results for Beatrice, a 54-year-old patient, show plaque build-up, appearing as
hardened areas in the coronary arteries. Beatrice, who is overweight and leads a sedentary
lifestyle, has several risk factors for atherosclerosis. A coronary calcium scan is conducted to
help analyze the state of the arterial plaques. Pathologic calcification CORRECT ANSWER
What are types of cellular injury changes? 1) Dysfunction of the sodium potassium pump
2) Loss of plasma membrane integrity (Ex: during an MI)
