NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology
Walden University Midterm Exam
(2025/2026) | Actual Exam + Practice Test
Bank | 120 Questions
Midterm Exam (2025/2026)
120 Questions & Correct Answers
📘 SECTION A — Cellular & Molecular
Pathophysiology (1–20)
1. A cell placed in a hypoxic environment switches to anaerobic glycolysis primarily because:
Answer: C. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation becomes impaired.
2. The primary mechanism of hypertrophy in cardiac muscle is:
Answer: D. Increased protein synthesis in existing myocytes.
3. Free radical injury is most strongly associated with which mechanism?
Answer: B. Lipid peroxidation of cell membranes.
4. Reperfusion injury occurs because reoxygenation leads to:
Answer: A. Massive ROS generation by mitochondria.
5. Metaplasia is best defined as:
Answer: C. Replacement of one mature cell type with another mature cell type.
, 6. The unfolded protein response is triggered during:
Answer: D. Endoplasmic reticulum stress.
7. Necroptosis differs from apoptosis because:
Answer: A. It is caspase-independent but regulated.
8. A mutation in proto-oncogenes results in cancer primarily through:
Answer: D. Gain-of-function alterations promoting proliferation.
9. The Warburg effect supports cancer cell growth by:
Answer: B. Increasing glycolysis even in oxygen-rich environments.
10. Telomerase activation in tumor cells leads to:
Answer: C. Cellular immortality.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause cell membrane depolarization?
Answer: A. Hyperkalemia.
12. Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability due to:
Answer: B. Lower threshold potential.
13. A patient with chronic alcoholism is at highest risk for which type of cell injury?
Answer: C. Fatty liver (steatosis).
14. What is the earliest sign of reversible cell injury?
Answer: D. Cellular swelling.
15. Autophagy is stimulated under which condition?
Answer: A. Nutrient deprivation.
16. DNA mismatch repair defects are most associated with:
Answer: C. Microsatellite instability.
17. Ionizing radiation damages DNA primarily via:
Answer: D. Hydroxyl radical formation.
18. A patient with chronic hypoxia will develop:
Answer: C. Increased erythropoietin release.
19. Senescent cells promote chronic inflammation through:
Answer: A. SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype).
20. Protein misfolding disorders such as Alzheimer disease involve accumulation of:
Answer: B. β-amyloid plaques.
Walden University Midterm Exam
(2025/2026) | Actual Exam + Practice Test
Bank | 120 Questions
Midterm Exam (2025/2026)
120 Questions & Correct Answers
📘 SECTION A — Cellular & Molecular
Pathophysiology (1–20)
1. A cell placed in a hypoxic environment switches to anaerobic glycolysis primarily because:
Answer: C. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation becomes impaired.
2. The primary mechanism of hypertrophy in cardiac muscle is:
Answer: D. Increased protein synthesis in existing myocytes.
3. Free radical injury is most strongly associated with which mechanism?
Answer: B. Lipid peroxidation of cell membranes.
4. Reperfusion injury occurs because reoxygenation leads to:
Answer: A. Massive ROS generation by mitochondria.
5. Metaplasia is best defined as:
Answer: C. Replacement of one mature cell type with another mature cell type.
, 6. The unfolded protein response is triggered during:
Answer: D. Endoplasmic reticulum stress.
7. Necroptosis differs from apoptosis because:
Answer: A. It is caspase-independent but regulated.
8. A mutation in proto-oncogenes results in cancer primarily through:
Answer: D. Gain-of-function alterations promoting proliferation.
9. The Warburg effect supports cancer cell growth by:
Answer: B. Increasing glycolysis even in oxygen-rich environments.
10. Telomerase activation in tumor cells leads to:
Answer: C. Cellular immortality.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause cell membrane depolarization?
Answer: A. Hyperkalemia.
12. Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability due to:
Answer: B. Lower threshold potential.
13. A patient with chronic alcoholism is at highest risk for which type of cell injury?
Answer: C. Fatty liver (steatosis).
14. What is the earliest sign of reversible cell injury?
Answer: D. Cellular swelling.
15. Autophagy is stimulated under which condition?
Answer: A. Nutrient deprivation.
16. DNA mismatch repair defects are most associated with:
Answer: C. Microsatellite instability.
17. Ionizing radiation damages DNA primarily via:
Answer: D. Hydroxyl radical formation.
18. A patient with chronic hypoxia will develop:
Answer: C. Increased erythropoietin release.
19. Senescent cells promote chronic inflammation through:
Answer: A. SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype).
20. Protein misfolding disorders such as Alzheimer disease involve accumulation of:
Answer: B. β-amyloid plaques.
