NUR 376 Exam 1 V3 | NUR 376 Applied
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NUR376 Exam 1) | Concordia
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits an increase in the size of the left ventricular
myocardium. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical stimuli or
increased workload. In the heart, this often occurs as a compensatory mechanism for
chronic pressure overload from hypertension. Unlike hyperplasia, hypertrophy does not
involve the production of new cells but rather an increase in the synthesis of structural
proteins and organelles.
2. When a patient presents with a history of chronic smoking, the respiratory tract often
undergoes a change where ciliated columnar epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium. What is this process called?
A. Anaplasia
,B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: D
Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, usually less
differentiated, cell type. This process is often a response to chronic irritation or
inflammation, such as exposure to cigarette smoke. While the new squamous cells are more
resilient, they lack the protective ciliary function of the original columnar cells.
3. A biopsy of a patient’s cervix reveals abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization
of mature cells. Which term should the nurse use to document these findings?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C
Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells
and is often considered a precursor to malignancy. It is frequently encountered in epithelial
tissue, particularly in the cervix or respiratory tract. Although it is not cancer itself, severe
dysplasia is monitored closely as it may progress to carcinoma in situ.
, 4. A patient has suffered a myocardial infarction. Which mechanism is primarily responsible
for the cellular injury observed following the blockage of blood flow?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Osmotic lysis
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypoxic injury
Correct Answer: D
Hypoxia is the most common cause of cellular injury and is typically the result of ischemia
or reduced blood supply. When oxygen is unavailable, the cell cannot undergo oxidative
phosphorylation, leading to a decrease in ATP production. This failure of the sodium-
potassium pump results in cellular swelling and potential irreversible damage if oxygen is
not restored.
5. Which of the following characteristics are specifically associated with apoptosis rather than
necrosis?
A. Programmed cell death involving caspase activation
B. Significant inflammatory response
C. Cellular swelling and lysis
D. Passive cell death caused by external toxins
E. Random fragmentation of DNA
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NUR376 Exam 1) | Concordia
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits an increase in the size of the left ventricular
myocardium. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical stimuli or
increased workload. In the heart, this often occurs as a compensatory mechanism for
chronic pressure overload from hypertension. Unlike hyperplasia, hypertrophy does not
involve the production of new cells but rather an increase in the synthesis of structural
proteins and organelles.
2. When a patient presents with a history of chronic smoking, the respiratory tract often
undergoes a change where ciliated columnar epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium. What is this process called?
A. Anaplasia
,B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: D
Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, usually less
differentiated, cell type. This process is often a response to chronic irritation or
inflammation, such as exposure to cigarette smoke. While the new squamous cells are more
resilient, they lack the protective ciliary function of the original columnar cells.
3. A biopsy of a patient’s cervix reveals abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization
of mature cells. Which term should the nurse use to document these findings?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: C
Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells
and is often considered a precursor to malignancy. It is frequently encountered in epithelial
tissue, particularly in the cervix or respiratory tract. Although it is not cancer itself, severe
dysplasia is monitored closely as it may progress to carcinoma in situ.
, 4. A patient has suffered a myocardial infarction. Which mechanism is primarily responsible
for the cellular injury observed following the blockage of blood flow?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Osmotic lysis
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypoxic injury
Correct Answer: D
Hypoxia is the most common cause of cellular injury and is typically the result of ischemia
or reduced blood supply. When oxygen is unavailable, the cell cannot undergo oxidative
phosphorylation, leading to a decrease in ATP production. This failure of the sodium-
potassium pump results in cellular swelling and potential irreversible damage if oxygen is
not restored.
5. Which of the following characteristics are specifically associated with apoptosis rather than
necrosis?
A. Programmed cell death involving caspase activation
B. Significant inflammatory response
C. Cellular swelling and lysis
D. Passive cell death caused by external toxins
E. Random fragmentation of DNA
