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NUR 2063 FINAL EXAM REVIEW (2026) – ESSENTIALS OF
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 120 QUESTIONS WITH 100 % CORRECT
ANSWERS & RATIONALES ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size,
often seen in cardiac muscle due to hypertension?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, commonly seen in
cardiac hypertrophy from pressure overload.
2. Which of the following is an example of physiologic apoptosis?
A. Necrosis from myocardial infarction
B. Endometrial shedding during menstruation
C. Gangrene of the foot
D. Stroke-induced brain tissue death
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death; menstrual shedding is a
normal physiologic process.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient with renal failure?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Impaired renal excretion leads to potassium retention and
hyperkalemia.
4. A patient with COPD retains CO₂. Which acid-base disorder is expected?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CO₂ retention leads to respiratory acidosis due to increased
carbonic acid.
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5. Which lab finding is most consistent with metabolic acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, HCO₃ 30
B. pH 7.30, HCO₃ 18
C. pH 7.46, PaCO₂ 32
D. pH 7.38, HCO₃ 25
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low pH and low bicarbonate indicate metabolic acidosis.
6. Which mechanism regulates water movement between intracellular and
extracellular compartments?
A. Active transport
B. Osmosis
C. Diffusion
D. Endocytosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Water moves by osmosis, driven by concentration gradients.
7. Which fluid imbalance occurs with excessive ADH secretion (SIADH)?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SIADH causes water retention, diluting sodium and resulting in
hyponatremia.
8. Which type of necrosis is commonly seen in myocardial infarction?
A. Coagulative
B. Liquefactive
C. Caseous
D. Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs in hypoxic injury, especially in the
heart and kidneys.
9. Which of the following is a hallmark of cancer cells?
A. Controlled proliferation
B. Apoptosis activation
C. Unlimited cell division (immortality)
D. Decreased angiogenesis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cancer cells evade apoptosis and divide indefinitely.
NUR 2063 FINAL EXAM REVIEW (2026) – ESSENTIALS OF
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 120 QUESTIONS WITH 100 % CORRECT
ANSWERS & RATIONALES ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size,
often seen in cardiac muscle due to hypertension?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, commonly seen in
cardiac hypertrophy from pressure overload.
2. Which of the following is an example of physiologic apoptosis?
A. Necrosis from myocardial infarction
B. Endometrial shedding during menstruation
C. Gangrene of the foot
D. Stroke-induced brain tissue death
,2|Page
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death; menstrual shedding is a
normal physiologic process.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient with renal failure?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Impaired renal excretion leads to potassium retention and
hyperkalemia.
4. A patient with COPD retains CO₂. Which acid-base disorder is expected?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CO₂ retention leads to respiratory acidosis due to increased
carbonic acid.
,3|Page
5. Which lab finding is most consistent with metabolic acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, HCO₃ 30
B. pH 7.30, HCO₃ 18
C. pH 7.46, PaCO₂ 32
D. pH 7.38, HCO₃ 25
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low pH and low bicarbonate indicate metabolic acidosis.
6. Which mechanism regulates water movement between intracellular and
extracellular compartments?
A. Active transport
B. Osmosis
C. Diffusion
D. Endocytosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Water moves by osmosis, driven by concentration gradients.
7. Which fluid imbalance occurs with excessive ADH secretion (SIADH)?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
, 4|Page
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SIADH causes water retention, diluting sodium and resulting in
hyponatremia.
8. Which type of necrosis is commonly seen in myocardial infarction?
A. Coagulative
B. Liquefactive
C. Caseous
D. Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs in hypoxic injury, especially in the
heart and kidneys.
9. Which of the following is a hallmark of cancer cells?
A. Controlled proliferation
B. Apoptosis activation
C. Unlimited cell division (immortality)
D. Decreased angiogenesis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cancer cells evade apoptosis and divide indefinitely.
