SCI 225 Final Exam: Pathophysiology Updated and
Latest Questions and Correct Answers -
Nightingale College (Version 1)
1. A patient has been bedridden for several weeks following surgery. The nurse
notices the calf muscles have decreased in size. This cellular adaptation is
known as:
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Atrophy is the decrease in cell size due to a decrease in work demand or
adverse environmental conditions.
2. Which of the following processes involves the programmed, controlled death
of a cell without an inflammatory response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Gangrene
C. Necrosis
D. Ischemia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that eliminates injured or aged cells
without triggering an inflammatory response, unlike necrosis.
,3. A 55-year-old male with long-standing hypertension has developed thickening
of the left ventricular wall. This is an example of:
A. Physiologic hypertrophy
B. Compensatory hyperplasia
C. Pathologic hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Pathologic hypertrophy occurs in response to a disease state, such as the
heart pumping against high pressure in hypertension.
4. Metaplasia is characterized by:
A. An increase in the total number of cells in an organ
B. Abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization
C. The replacement of one adult cell type by another adult cell type
D. The death of cells due to lack of oxygen
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another cell type that can better endure the stressor.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Hypoxia
B. Chemical toxins
C. Physical agents
D. Genetic defects
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, is the most common cause of cell injury and
can result from ischemia, anemia, or respiratory disease.
, 6. During the inflammatory process, which chemical mediator is primarily
responsible for increasing capillary permeability and vasodilation early on?
A. Cytokines
B. Complement proteins
C. Leukotrienes
D. Histamine
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Histamine is one of the first mediators released in an inflammatory response,
causing rapid vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.
7. A patient presents with redness, warmth, and swelling of the right ankle after
a sprain. These ‘cardinal signs’ of inflammation are primarily caused by:
A. Decreased blood flow to the area
B. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
C. Vasodilation and increased microvascular permeability
D. Increased oxygen consumption by tissues
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The cardinal signs of inflammation (redness, heat, swelling) are caused by
increased blood flow (vasodilation) and fluid leaking into tissues (permeability).
8. Which type of white blood cell is the first to arrive at the site of an acute
infection?
A. Monocytes
B. Lymphocytes
C. Neutrophils
D. Eosinophils
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Neutrophils are the primary early arrival cells in acute inflammation, usually
appearing within 90 minutes of injury.
Latest Questions and Correct Answers -
Nightingale College (Version 1)
1. A patient has been bedridden for several weeks following surgery. The nurse
notices the calf muscles have decreased in size. This cellular adaptation is
known as:
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Atrophy is the decrease in cell size due to a decrease in work demand or
adverse environmental conditions.
2. Which of the following processes involves the programmed, controlled death
of a cell without an inflammatory response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Gangrene
C. Necrosis
D. Ischemia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that eliminates injured or aged cells
without triggering an inflammatory response, unlike necrosis.
,3. A 55-year-old male with long-standing hypertension has developed thickening
of the left ventricular wall. This is an example of:
A. Physiologic hypertrophy
B. Compensatory hyperplasia
C. Pathologic hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Pathologic hypertrophy occurs in response to a disease state, such as the
heart pumping against high pressure in hypertension.
4. Metaplasia is characterized by:
A. An increase in the total number of cells in an organ
B. Abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization
C. The replacement of one adult cell type by another adult cell type
D. The death of cells due to lack of oxygen
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another cell type that can better endure the stressor.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Hypoxia
B. Chemical toxins
C. Physical agents
D. Genetic defects
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, is the most common cause of cell injury and
can result from ischemia, anemia, or respiratory disease.
, 6. During the inflammatory process, which chemical mediator is primarily
responsible for increasing capillary permeability and vasodilation early on?
A. Cytokines
B. Complement proteins
C. Leukotrienes
D. Histamine
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Histamine is one of the first mediators released in an inflammatory response,
causing rapid vasodilation and increased vascular permeability.
7. A patient presents with redness, warmth, and swelling of the right ankle after
a sprain. These ‘cardinal signs’ of inflammation are primarily caused by:
A. Decreased blood flow to the area
B. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
C. Vasodilation and increased microvascular permeability
D. Increased oxygen consumption by tissues
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The cardinal signs of inflammation (redness, heat, swelling) are caused by
increased blood flow (vasodilation) and fluid leaking into tissues (permeability).
8. Which type of white blood cell is the first to arrive at the site of an acute
infection?
A. Monocytes
B. Lymphocytes
C. Neutrophils
D. Eosinophils
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Neutrophils are the primary early arrival cells in acute inflammation, usually
appearing within 90 minutes of injury.
