NURS 283 Pathophysiology Complete Latest Exam Study Guide Exam 2026

Describe the research stages necessary to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of a new therapy. Basically a three-step process before a new therapy can be approved. First stage: "basic science" Second Stage: determination if therapy is safe for humans (clinical trials with a small number of human subjects) Third Stage: more clinical trials with double-blind studies Explain "off-label" use of a drug previously approved and give an example. An approved therapy may show additional benefits to treat a different disease. A recent example for "off-label" use is the use of hydroxychloroquine, a drug approved for the treatment and prevention of malaria and now also used by some physicians in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. Differentiate between an acute disease and a chronic disease. Acute disease: a short-term illness that develops quickly Chronic disease: a milder condition that develops gradually but persists for a long time and usually causes more permanent damage What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic? Epidemic: higher than expected number of cases of an infectious disease within a given area Pandemic: higher number of cases in many regions of the globe Cells adapt to environmental changes by changing their size, number, and type. For each of the following scenarios, identify the appropriate adaptive cellular change or changes that occur, using the following terms: atrophy hypertrophy hyperplasia metaplasia dysplasia NURS 283 neoplasia i. a decrease in the size of a leg after being in a cast for 6 weeks: ii. breast enlargement at puberty: iii. a dramatic increase in muscle mass in an Olympic weight lifter: iv. a very aggressively growing cancer mass: v. a benign tumor growing along the spine: vi. the changes that occur in the lower extremities of someone paralyzed below the waist: i. a decrease in the size of a leg after being in a cast for 6 weeks: ATROPHY ii. breast enlargement at puberty: HYPERPLASIA iii. a dramatic increase in muscle mass in an Olympic weight lifter: HYPERTROPHY iv. a very aggressively growing cancer mass: NEOPLASIA v. a benign tumor growing along the spine: NEOPLASIA vi. the changes that occur in the lower extremities of someone paralyzed below the waist: ATROPHY Cells adapt to environmental changes by changing their size, number, and type. For each of the following scenarios, identify the appropriate adaptive cellular change or changes that occur, using the following terms: atrophy hypertrophy hyperplasia metaplasia dysplasia neoplasia vii. a pressure area under a poorly fitting denture: viii. the changes that often occur over years in the respiratory tract of a smoker: ix. the changes responsible for an abnormal Pap smear: x. the response of the skeletal system to excessive growth hormone: xi. the thyroid gland's response to hypersecretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone: xii. the liver's response to prolonged drug intoxication (e.g., chronic alcohol abuse): vii. a pressure area under a poorly fitting denture: ATROPHY NURS 283 viii. the changes that often occur over years in the respiratory tract of a smoker: METAPLASIA ix. the changes responsible for an abnormal Pap smear: DYSPLASIA x. the response of the skeletal system to excessive growth hormone: HYPERPLASIA xi. the thyroid gland's response to hypersecretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone: METAPLASIA, DYSPLASIA, NEOPLASIA xii. the liver's response to prolonged drug intoxication (e.g., chronic alcohol abuse): HYPERPLASIA Cells adapt to environmental changes by changing their size, number, and type. For each of the following scenarios, identify the appropriate adaptive cellular change or changes that occur, using the following terms: atrophy hypertrophy hyperplasia metaplasia dysplasia neoplasia xiii. the changes that occur in the gallbladder with the development of gallstones: xiv. the thyroid gland's response to decreased iodine intake: xv. the effect of decreased pituitary function on the adrenal glands: xvi. the development of callus on the hands of an individual involved in heavy physical labor: xiii. the changes that occur in the gallbladder with the development of gallstones: HYPERTROPHY xiv. the thyroid gland's response to decreased iodine intake: HYPERPLASIA xv. the effect of decreased pituitary function on the adrenal glands: ATROPHY xvi. the development of callus on the hands of an individual involved in heavy physical labor: HYPERPLASIA Which of the cellular adaptations above is considered the most dangerous? Explain why. Dysplasia; may be the forerunner of neoplasia NURS 283 Explain the significance of anaplasia. failure of cells to differentiate or develop specialized features; term apply to grading malignant tumors List eight causes of cellular damage. 1. Ischemia 2. Physical agents (e.g.- excessive temperature, radiation) 3. Mechanical damage 4. Chemical toxins or foreign substances 5. Pathogens 6. Abnormal metabolites 7. Nutritional deficits 8. Fluid or electrolyte imbalances condition in which cells fail to develop specialized features Anaplasia a tumor Neoplasia number of new cases of a disease incidence worsening of a disease exacerbation death rate mortality tissue enlargement caused by an increase in cell number Hyperplasia development of a disease pathogenesis the study of the cause of a disease etiology a specific local change in tissue lesion condition that continues for a prolonged period chronic originating inside the body NURS 283 endogenous condition with sudden onset and severe symptoms acute subjective response to illness symptom tissue enlargement due to increased cell size hypertrophy shoveling snow on a cold day (may cause heart problems) precipitating factor unknown cause idiopathic condition resulting in atypical cervical cells dysplasia disease caused by a treatment procedure iatrogenic contagious condition communicable objective indicator of a disease sign substitution of one mature cell type with a different cell type metaplasia originating outside the body exogenous decreased O2 hypoxia Identify the following cellular adaptations: SEE IMAGE normal cells Identify the following cellular adaptations: SEE IMAGE atrophy Identify the following cellular adaptations: SEE IMAGE hyperplasia Identify the following cellular adaptations: SEE IMAGE neoplasia Identify the following cellular adaptations: SEE IMAGE hypertrophy Identify the following cellular adaptations: SEE IMAGE metaplasia Identify the following cellular adaptations: SEE IMAGE dysplasia neoplasm NURS 283 a tumor, a cellular growth that is no longer responding to normal body controls benign tumor of differentiated cells that reproduce at higher than normal rate but do not spread malignant tumor of undifferentiated, nonfunctional cells that reproduce rapidly, infiltrate surrounding areas, and may spread by metastases to other organs and tissues carcinoma malignant tumors of epithelial tissue sarcoma malignant tumors of connective tissue anaplasia growth of undifferentiated cells of varying size and shape Name three specific patho