, NR 507 Final Exam 2026, Advanced Pathophysiology
Chamberlain Study Guide, Exam-Style Questions With
Answers
PART I: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY, AND DEATH
1. A patient with chronic hypoxia develops an increase in red blood cell
production. This is an example of which type of cellular adaptation?
• A. Atrophy
• B. Hypertrophy
• C. Hyperplasia
• D. Metaplasia
Answer: C – Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in response to a stimulus,
such as chronic hypoxia stimulating erythropoietin production and increased RBC
production.
2. Which of the following cellular adaptations is characterized by a decrease in cell
size and function?
• A. Hypertrophy
• B. Hyperplasia
• C. Atrophy
• D. Metaplasia
, Answer: C – Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size, often due to disuse, denervation,
ischemia, or malnutrition.
3. Barrett's esophagus, where the normal squamous epithelium is replaced by
columnar epithelium, is an example of:
• A. Dysplasia
• B. Metaplasia
• C. Hyperplasia
• D. Anaplasia
Answer: B – Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often in response to chronic irritation or inflammation.
4. Reversible cellular injury is most commonly caused by:
• A. ATP depletion and loss of cell membrane integrity
• B. Permanent genetic mutations
• C. Uncontrolled cell division
• D. Apoptosis
Answer: A – ATP depletion and loss of cell membrane integrity
Rationale: ATP depletion leads to failure of the sodium-potassium pump, cellular
swelling, and loss of membrane integrity—hallmarks of reversible injury.
5. Which type of cell death is genetically programmed and does not trigger an
inflammatory response?
• A. Necrosis
• B. Apoptosis
, • C. Coagulative necrosis
• D. Liquefactive necrosis
Answer: B – Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is orderly, energy-dependent, and
does not elicit inflammation.
6. Coagulative necrosis is most commonly associated with:
• A. Brain tissue
• B. Ischemic infarction of the heart or kidney
• C. Tuberculosis
• D. Pancreatic tissue
Answer: B – Ischemic infarction of the heart or kidney
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs in solid organs (heart, kidney) following ischemia,
where cell proteins are denatured but tissue architecture is preserved.
7. Liquefactive necrosis is characteristic of:
• A. Myocardial infarction
• B. Pulmonary tuberculosis
• C. Brain tissue after stroke
• D. Chronic liver disease
Answer: C – Brain tissue after stroke
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain due to the high lipid content and
enzymatic digestion, resulting in a soft, fluid-filled cavity.
8. Caseous necrosis is classically seen in:
• A. Acute pancreatitis
• B. Tuberculosis
Chamberlain Study Guide, Exam-Style Questions With
Answers
PART I: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY, AND DEATH
1. A patient with chronic hypoxia develops an increase in red blood cell
production. This is an example of which type of cellular adaptation?
• A. Atrophy
• B. Hypertrophy
• C. Hyperplasia
• D. Metaplasia
Answer: C – Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in response to a stimulus,
such as chronic hypoxia stimulating erythropoietin production and increased RBC
production.
2. Which of the following cellular adaptations is characterized by a decrease in cell
size and function?
• A. Hypertrophy
• B. Hyperplasia
• C. Atrophy
• D. Metaplasia
, Answer: C – Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size, often due to disuse, denervation,
ischemia, or malnutrition.
3. Barrett's esophagus, where the normal squamous epithelium is replaced by
columnar epithelium, is an example of:
• A. Dysplasia
• B. Metaplasia
• C. Hyperplasia
• D. Anaplasia
Answer: B – Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often in response to chronic irritation or inflammation.
4. Reversible cellular injury is most commonly caused by:
• A. ATP depletion and loss of cell membrane integrity
• B. Permanent genetic mutations
• C. Uncontrolled cell division
• D. Apoptosis
Answer: A – ATP depletion and loss of cell membrane integrity
Rationale: ATP depletion leads to failure of the sodium-potassium pump, cellular
swelling, and loss of membrane integrity—hallmarks of reversible injury.
5. Which type of cell death is genetically programmed and does not trigger an
inflammatory response?
• A. Necrosis
• B. Apoptosis
, • C. Coagulative necrosis
• D. Liquefactive necrosis
Answer: B – Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is orderly, energy-dependent, and
does not elicit inflammation.
6. Coagulative necrosis is most commonly associated with:
• A. Brain tissue
• B. Ischemic infarction of the heart or kidney
• C. Tuberculosis
• D. Pancreatic tissue
Answer: B – Ischemic infarction of the heart or kidney
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs in solid organs (heart, kidney) following ischemia,
where cell proteins are denatured but tissue architecture is preserved.
7. Liquefactive necrosis is characteristic of:
• A. Myocardial infarction
• B. Pulmonary tuberculosis
• C. Brain tissue after stroke
• D. Chronic liver disease
Answer: C – Brain tissue after stroke
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain due to the high lipid content and
enzymatic digestion, resulting in a soft, fluid-filled cavity.
8. Caseous necrosis is classically seen in:
• A. Acute pancreatitis
• B. Tuberculosis
