Chamberlain University Nursing NR-283
Pathophysiology: Complete Exam Review
200 Exam Questions with Answers & Detailed
Rationales | 2026-2027 Update
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION & INJURY (Questions
140)
Question 1:
A patient with long-standing, untreated hypertension develops
significant thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which cellular
adaptation has occurred?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Answer: C) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the SIZE of individual
cells, resulting in enlarged tissue mass. Cardiac muscle cells
,(cardiomyocytes) enlarge in response to increased workload
(e.g., hypertension), but this is pathological hypertrophy and can
lead to heart failure. Unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle does
not undergo hyperplasia .
Question 2:
A patient has had a leg cast for 6 weeks. Upon removal, the
muscles appear smaller. This is an example of:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Answer: C) Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell SIZE, resulting in reduced
tissue mass. It occurs when cells are not used (disuse atrophy),
such as in a limb immobilized by a cast. Other causes include
denervation, ischemia, malnutrition, and aging. Atrophy is
reversible if the stimulus is removed (e.g., muscle regrowth after
cast removal) .
, Question 3:
A chronic smoker develops a change in the respiratory tract
where normal ciliated columnar epithelium is replaced by
stratified squamous epithelium. This is known as:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Anaplasia
Answer: B) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one
mature cell type by another mature cell type, usually as an
adaptive response to chronic irritation or injury. In smokers, the
normal ciliated columnar epithelium of the bronchi is replaced by
stratified squamous epithelium, which is more resistant to irritation
but loses protective functions .
Question 4:
A Pap smear reveals abnormal changes in cervical cells with
variation in size and shape and increased mitotic figures. This is
characteristic of:
Pathophysiology: Complete Exam Review
200 Exam Questions with Answers & Detailed
Rationales | 2026-2027 Update
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION & INJURY (Questions
140)
Question 1:
A patient with long-standing, untreated hypertension develops
significant thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which cellular
adaptation has occurred?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Answer: C) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the SIZE of individual
cells, resulting in enlarged tissue mass. Cardiac muscle cells
,(cardiomyocytes) enlarge in response to increased workload
(e.g., hypertension), but this is pathological hypertrophy and can
lead to heart failure. Unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle does
not undergo hyperplasia .
Question 2:
A patient has had a leg cast for 6 weeks. Upon removal, the
muscles appear smaller. This is an example of:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Answer: C) Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell SIZE, resulting in reduced
tissue mass. It occurs when cells are not used (disuse atrophy),
such as in a limb immobilized by a cast. Other causes include
denervation, ischemia, malnutrition, and aging. Atrophy is
reversible if the stimulus is removed (e.g., muscle regrowth after
cast removal) .
, Question 3:
A chronic smoker develops a change in the respiratory tract
where normal ciliated columnar epithelium is replaced by
stratified squamous epithelium. This is known as:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Anaplasia
Answer: B) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one
mature cell type by another mature cell type, usually as an
adaptive response to chronic irritation or injury. In smokers, the
normal ciliated columnar epithelium of the bronchi is replaced by
stratified squamous epithelium, which is more resistant to irritation
but loses protective functions .
Question 4:
A Pap smear reveals abnormal changes in cervical cells with
variation in size and shape and increased mitotic figures. This is
characteristic of:
