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NSG3280 / NSG 3280 Pathophysiology for Nurses
I Guide 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 patient presents with left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to long-standing,
untreated hypertension. The cardiologist explains that the myocardial cells have increased in size
to generate the force needed to eject blood against the elevated systemic vascular resistance. This
specific adaptation is best described as which of the following?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy ✓ Correct Answer
D. Metaplasia
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of individual cells, such as cardiac
muscle cells, which allows the organ to handle an increased workload. Hyperplasia involves an
increase in the number of cells, which is not the primary mechanism in adult cardiac muscle
adaptation.
Question 2 of 50
A 70-year-old woman with a history of heavy smoking presents with a persistent cough and
hemoptysis. A bronchoscopy reveals stratified squamous epithelial cells in the lining of the
bronchi, replacing the normal ciliated columnar epithelium. This pathologic cellular change is
most accurately termed:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia ✓ Correct Answer
C. Anaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often in
response to chronic irritation or stress like smoking. Dysplasia refers to disordered cellular
growth and development, which is a precursor to cancer but not simply a replacement of cell
types.
Question 3 of 50
A 22-year-old male arrives at the emergency department after a severe motorcycle accident with
crush injuries to his lower extremities. The provider notes that the muscle tissue in the injured
area is swollen, painful, and appears dark due to significant blood flow disruption and bacterial
invasion. This type of necrosis is best characterized as:
, 3
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Fat necrosis
D. Gangrenous necrosis ✓ Correct Answer
Correct Answer: D
Gangrenous necrosis typically refers to the death of tissue due to a loss of blood supply, often
complicated by bacterial invasion, leading to the decay of body tissues. Coagulative necrosis is
the standard form of necrosis in ischemic injury but does not specifically imply the putrefaction
associated with trauma and bacterial infection seen here.
Question 4 of 50
During a lecture on cellular injury, the instructor explains that reactive oxygen species (ROS)
damage the cell membrane by attacking the phospholipid bilayer, leading to a loss of membrane
integrity. This self-perpetuating process of membrane degradation is known as:
A. Apoptosis
B. The citric acid cycle
C. Lipid peroxidation ✓ Correct Answer
D. Glycolysis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lipid peroxidation is the process in which free radicals steal electrons from the lipids
in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage and membrane rigidity. Apoptosis is programmed
cell death, which is a distinct process from the chemical degradation caused by ROS.
Question 5 of 50
NSG3280 / NSG 3280 Pathophysiology for Nurses
I Guide 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 patient presents with left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to long-standing,
untreated hypertension. The cardiologist explains that the myocardial cells have increased in size
to generate the force needed to eject blood against the elevated systemic vascular resistance. This
specific adaptation is best described as which of the following?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy ✓ Correct Answer
D. Metaplasia
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of individual cells, such as cardiac
muscle cells, which allows the organ to handle an increased workload. Hyperplasia involves an
increase in the number of cells, which is not the primary mechanism in adult cardiac muscle
adaptation.
Question 2 of 50
A 70-year-old woman with a history of heavy smoking presents with a persistent cough and
hemoptysis. A bronchoscopy reveals stratified squamous epithelial cells in the lining of the
bronchi, replacing the normal ciliated columnar epithelium. This pathologic cellular change is
most accurately termed:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia ✓ Correct Answer
C. Anaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often in
response to chronic irritation or stress like smoking. Dysplasia refers to disordered cellular
growth and development, which is a precursor to cancer but not simply a replacement of cell
types.
Question 3 of 50
A 22-year-old male arrives at the emergency department after a severe motorcycle accident with
crush injuries to his lower extremities. The provider notes that the muscle tissue in the injured
area is swollen, painful, and appears dark due to significant blood flow disruption and bacterial
invasion. This type of necrosis is best characterized as:
, 3
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Fat necrosis
D. Gangrenous necrosis ✓ Correct Answer
Correct Answer: D
Gangrenous necrosis typically refers to the death of tissue due to a loss of blood supply, often
complicated by bacterial invasion, leading to the decay of body tissues. Coagulative necrosis is
the standard form of necrosis in ischemic injury but does not specifically imply the putrefaction
associated with trauma and bacterial infection seen here.
Question 4 of 50
During a lecture on cellular injury, the instructor explains that reactive oxygen species (ROS)
damage the cell membrane by attacking the phospholipid bilayer, leading to a loss of membrane
integrity. This self-perpetuating process of membrane degradation is known as:
A. Apoptosis
B. The citric acid cycle
C. Lipid peroxidation ✓ Correct Answer
D. Glycolysis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lipid peroxidation is the process in which free radicals steal electrons from the lipids
in cell membranes, resulting in cell damage and membrane rigidity. Apoptosis is programmed
cell death, which is a distinct process from the chemical degradation caused by ROS.
Question 5 of 50
