1
NSG3280 / NSG 3280 Pathophysiology for Nurses
I Review Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Complete
Exam-Style Questions | 100% Verified – Detailed
Rationales – Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Cellular Adaptation, Injury, and Inflammation | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Immune System Disorders and Infection | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Cardiovascular and Respiratory Pathophysiology | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Renal, Endocrine, and Neurological Pathophysiology | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 80% in 90 minutes
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY, AND INFLAMMATION Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 45-year-old male bodybuilder presents with painless enlargement of the left calf muscle after
months of intense training. The nurse recognizes this increase in muscle mass as a physiological
adaptation resulting from an increase in the size of individual cells. Which specific cellular
adaptation is responsible for this change?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia ✓ Correct Answer
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertrophy is the correct term for the increase in the size of cells, leading to tissue
enlargement, which occurs in skeletal muscle due to increased workload or exercise. Hyperplasia
involves an increase in the number of cells, not the size, while dysplasia refers to disordered
cellular growth often associated with cancer. This is a classic example of how cells adapt to
functional demand.
Question 2 of 50
A 68-year-old female with a history of smoking presents with chronic bronchitis and a biopsy
reveals columnar ciliated epithelial cells being replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells in
her trachea. The nurse understands that this reversible cellular adaptation is a protective
mechanism against chronic irritation. What is the term for this adaptation?
A. Anaplasia
B. Metaplasia ✓ Correct Answer
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often in
response to chronic irritation, such as the conversion of ciliated columnar cells to squamous cells
in smokers. Anaplasia refers to undifferentiated cells characteristic of cancer, and hyperplasia is
an increase in the number of cells. This change represents the tissue's attempt to survive a hostile
environment.
Question 3 of 50
A 22-year-old male arrives at the emergency department with severe pain, swelling, and redness
in his right leg following a deep puncture wound. Blood work reveals an elevated white blood
cell count with a predominance of neutrophils. Which primary chemical mediator is responsible
for recruiting these neutrophils to the site of injury?
, 3
A. Histamine
B. Bradykinin
C. Prostaglandins
D. Chemotactic factors ✓ Correct Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Chemotactic factors are the specific chemical mediators that attract neutrophils and
other white blood cells to the site of inflammation to fight infection. Histamine is primarily
responsible for vasodilation and increased vascular permeability causing redness and swelling.
This targeted recruitment is essential for the body's defense against bacterial pathogens.
Question 4 of 50
A 70-year-old bedridden patient develops a pressure ulcer on the sacrum. The nurse notes the
tissue appears necrotic with a firm, dry texture and distinct outlines. This type of necrosis
typically results from ischemic injury in coagulative tissue. Which specific form of necrosis is
most likely present?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Fat necrosis
C. Coagulative necrosis ✓ Correct Answer
D. Caseous necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis is the most common type of necrosis, occurring in ischemic
injury where the cell architecture is preserved but the tissue becomes firm and dry. Liquefactive
necrosis results in liquid tissue due to digestive enzymes, often seen in the brain. This distinct
texture helps clinicians differentiate ischemic injury from other necrotic processes.
NSG3280 / NSG 3280 Pathophysiology for Nurses
I Review Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Complete
Exam-Style Questions | 100% Verified – Detailed
Rationales – Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | Cellular Adaptation, Injury, and Inflammation | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Immune System Disorders and Infection | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Cardiovascular and Respiratory Pathophysiology | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Renal, Endocrine, and Neurological Pathophysiology | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 80% in 90 minutes
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY, AND INFLAMMATION Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 45-year-old male bodybuilder presents with painless enlargement of the left calf muscle after
months of intense training. The nurse recognizes this increase in muscle mass as a physiological
adaptation resulting from an increase in the size of individual cells. Which specific cellular
adaptation is responsible for this change?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia ✓ Correct Answer
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertrophy is the correct term for the increase in the size of cells, leading to tissue
enlargement, which occurs in skeletal muscle due to increased workload or exercise. Hyperplasia
involves an increase in the number of cells, not the size, while dysplasia refers to disordered
cellular growth often associated with cancer. This is a classic example of how cells adapt to
functional demand.
Question 2 of 50
A 68-year-old female with a history of smoking presents with chronic bronchitis and a biopsy
reveals columnar ciliated epithelial cells being replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells in
her trachea. The nurse understands that this reversible cellular adaptation is a protective
mechanism against chronic irritation. What is the term for this adaptation?
A. Anaplasia
B. Metaplasia ✓ Correct Answer
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often in
response to chronic irritation, such as the conversion of ciliated columnar cells to squamous cells
in smokers. Anaplasia refers to undifferentiated cells characteristic of cancer, and hyperplasia is
an increase in the number of cells. This change represents the tissue's attempt to survive a hostile
environment.
Question 3 of 50
A 22-year-old male arrives at the emergency department with severe pain, swelling, and redness
in his right leg following a deep puncture wound. Blood work reveals an elevated white blood
cell count with a predominance of neutrophils. Which primary chemical mediator is responsible
for recruiting these neutrophils to the site of injury?
, 3
A. Histamine
B. Bradykinin
C. Prostaglandins
D. Chemotactic factors ✓ Correct Answer
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Chemotactic factors are the specific chemical mediators that attract neutrophils and
other white blood cells to the site of inflammation to fight infection. Histamine is primarily
responsible for vasodilation and increased vascular permeability causing redness and swelling.
This targeted recruitment is essential for the body's defense against bacterial pathogens.
Question 4 of 50
A 70-year-old bedridden patient develops a pressure ulcer on the sacrum. The nurse notes the
tissue appears necrotic with a firm, dry texture and distinct outlines. This type of necrosis
typically results from ischemic injury in coagulative tissue. Which specific form of necrosis is
most likely present?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Fat necrosis
C. Coagulative necrosis ✓ Correct Answer
D. Caseous necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis is the most common type of necrosis, occurring in ischemic
injury where the cell architecture is preserved but the tissue becomes firm and dry. Liquefactive
necrosis results in liquid tissue due to digestive enzymes, often seen in the brain. This distinct
texture helps clinicians differentiate ischemic injury from other necrotic processes.
