NUR 376 Exam 1 V2 | NUR 376 Applied
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NUR376 Exam 1) | Concordia
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which
cellular adaptation is most likely occurring?
A. Metaplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: D
Hypertrophy represents an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an increase in the size
of the organ. In this clinical scenario, the cardiac myocytes increase in size to compensate
for the increased workload of pumping against high pressure. This process is distinct from
hyperplasia, which involves an increase in the number of cells.
2. A 55-year-old male with a history of smoking shows a change in the epithelial lining of his
bronchi from ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. What is this process called?
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
,D. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: A
Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by another adult
cell type. This typically occurs in response to chronic irritation, such as cigarette smoke in
the bronchial tubes. While the new cells are more rugged, the loss of cilia and mucus
secretion predisposes the patient to infection.
3. Which cellular change is considered a precursor to cancer but is not yet a neoplastic
process?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: D
Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells.
It is frequently seen in the cervix and respiratory tract, where it is strongly associated with
neoplastic transformation. Although dysplasia can be reversible if the stimulus is removed,
it is often monitored closely as a pre-cancerous lesion.
4. During hypoxic cell injury, what is the primary cause of cellular swelling?
A. Increased intracellular protein synthesis
, B. Increased extracellular potassium
C. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
D. Decreased intracellular osmotic pressure
Correct Answer: C
Hypoxia leads to a decrease in ATP production because aerobic metabolism fails. Without
ATP, the Na+/K+ ATPase pump cannot function, leading to an accumulation of sodium
inside the cell. Water follows the sodium via osmosis, causing the cell to swell and
potentially rupture.
5. Which of the following are potential causes of cellular injury? (Select all that apply)
A. Hypoxia
B. Chemical agents and toxins
C. Genetics
D. Nutritional imbalances
E. Physical agents (trauma)
F. Infectious agents
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F
Cellular injury can result from a wide variety of stressors that disrupt homeostasis.
Hypoxia remains the most common cause, but physical trauma, chemical exposure, and
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NUR376 Exam 1) | Concordia
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits thickening of the left ventricular wall. Which
cellular adaptation is most likely occurring?
A. Metaplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: D
Hypertrophy represents an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an increase in the size
of the organ. In this clinical scenario, the cardiac myocytes increase in size to compensate
for the increased workload of pumping against high pressure. This process is distinct from
hyperplasia, which involves an increase in the number of cells.
2. A 55-year-old male with a history of smoking shows a change in the epithelial lining of his
bronchi from ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. What is this process called?
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
,D. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: A
Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by another adult
cell type. This typically occurs in response to chronic irritation, such as cigarette smoke in
the bronchial tubes. While the new cells are more rugged, the loss of cilia and mucus
secretion predisposes the patient to infection.
3. Which cellular change is considered a precursor to cancer but is not yet a neoplastic
process?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: D
Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells.
It is frequently seen in the cervix and respiratory tract, where it is strongly associated with
neoplastic transformation. Although dysplasia can be reversible if the stimulus is removed,
it is often monitored closely as a pre-cancerous lesion.
4. During hypoxic cell injury, what is the primary cause of cellular swelling?
A. Increased intracellular protein synthesis
, B. Increased extracellular potassium
C. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
D. Decreased intracellular osmotic pressure
Correct Answer: C
Hypoxia leads to a decrease in ATP production because aerobic metabolism fails. Without
ATP, the Na+/K+ ATPase pump cannot function, leading to an accumulation of sodium
inside the cell. Water follows the sodium via osmosis, causing the cell to swell and
potentially rupture.
5. Which of the following are potential causes of cellular injury? (Select all that apply)
A. Hypoxia
B. Chemical agents and toxins
C. Genetics
D. Nutritional imbalances
E. Physical agents (trauma)
F. Infectious agents
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F
Cellular injury can result from a wide variety of stressors that disrupt homeostasis.
Hypoxia remains the most common cause, but physical trauma, chemical exposure, and
