NURS 6501N Midterm V2 | NURS 6501N
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS6501N Midterm) |
Walden University
1. A patient is diagnosed with cellular atrophy. Which of the following best describes the
physiological process occurring in this patient’s cells?
A. A decrease in cell size and functional capacity due to reduced protein synthesis or
increased protein catabolism.
B. An increase in cell size due to increased workload.
C. Replacement of one mature cell type by another less mature cell type.
D. Deranged cellular growth resulting in variations of size and shape.
Answer: A
Rationale: Cellular atrophy involves a reduction in the size of cells, which ultimately leads
to a reduction in the size of the organ. This is often caused by disuse, denervation, loss of
endocrine stimulation, or inadequate nutrition. It is characterized by a balance shift where
protein degradation exceeds protein synthesis.
2. When evaluating a patient with persistent high blood pressure, the nurse practitioner
notes enlargement of the left ventricular muscle. This is an example of which cellular
adaptation?
A. Metaplasia
,B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to increased
mechanical load or stress. In the case of hypertension, the heart muscle must work harder
to pump blood, leading to the enlargement of individual myocardial cells. Unlike
hyperplasia, hypertrophy does not involve the creation of new cells, but rather the growth
of existing ones.
3. A biopsy reveals that a patient’s bronchial lining has replaced normal ciliated columnar
epithelium with stratified squamous epithelium. What is this process called?
A. Anaplasia
B. Neoplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as an adaptive response to chronic irritation. In smokers, the delicate ciliated
epithelium is replaced by tougher squamous cells to withstand smoke, though this results
, in a loss of protective mucus secretion. If the irritating stimulus is removed, the tissue can
potentially return to its original state.
4. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs primarily in the brain due to the high
concentration of hydrolytic enzymes and lipids. As brain cells die, these enzymes digest the
tissue into a liquid mass, which is eventually walled off into cysts. Coagulative necrosis is
more common in the heart and kidneys, while caseous is typical of tuberculosis.
5. A patient experiences programmed cell death after a specific physiological stimulus. The
nurse knows this process is referred to as:
A. Autophagy
B. Apoptosis
C. Necrosis
D. Ischemia
Answer: B
Advanced Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NURS6501N Midterm) |
Walden University
1. A patient is diagnosed with cellular atrophy. Which of the following best describes the
physiological process occurring in this patient’s cells?
A. A decrease in cell size and functional capacity due to reduced protein synthesis or
increased protein catabolism.
B. An increase in cell size due to increased workload.
C. Replacement of one mature cell type by another less mature cell type.
D. Deranged cellular growth resulting in variations of size and shape.
Answer: A
Rationale: Cellular atrophy involves a reduction in the size of cells, which ultimately leads
to a reduction in the size of the organ. This is often caused by disuse, denervation, loss of
endocrine stimulation, or inadequate nutrition. It is characterized by a balance shift where
protein degradation exceeds protein synthesis.
2. When evaluating a patient with persistent high blood pressure, the nurse practitioner
notes enlargement of the left ventricular muscle. This is an example of which cellular
adaptation?
A. Metaplasia
,B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to increased
mechanical load or stress. In the case of hypertension, the heart muscle must work harder
to pump blood, leading to the enlargement of individual myocardial cells. Unlike
hyperplasia, hypertrophy does not involve the creation of new cells, but rather the growth
of existing ones.
3. A biopsy reveals that a patient’s bronchial lining has replaced normal ciliated columnar
epithelium with stratified squamous epithelium. What is this process called?
A. Anaplasia
B. Neoplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as an adaptive response to chronic irritation. In smokers, the delicate ciliated
epithelium is replaced by tougher squamous cells to withstand smoke, though this results
, in a loss of protective mucus secretion. If the irritating stimulus is removed, the tissue can
potentially return to its original state.
4. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs primarily in the brain due to the high
concentration of hydrolytic enzymes and lipids. As brain cells die, these enzymes digest the
tissue into a liquid mass, which is eventually walled off into cysts. Coagulative necrosis is
more common in the heart and kidneys, while caseous is typical of tuberculosis.
5. A patient experiences programmed cell death after a specific physiological stimulus. The
nurse knows this process is referred to as:
A. Autophagy
B. Apoptosis
C. Necrosis
D. Ischemia
Answer: B
