NRS 455 Exam 1 V3 | NRS 455
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NRS455 Exam 1) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A patient with a history of chronic limb ischemia exhibits a decrease in the size of the
skeletal muscle cells in the affected leg. Which cellular adaptation is the nurse observing?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size that occurs when workload,
blood supply, or nerve stimulation is reduced. In chronic ischemia, the lack of oxygen and
nutrients leads to muscle cell shrinkage to survive the environment. This process is distinct
from hypertrophy, which involves an increase in cell size rather than a decrease.
2. A nurse is assessing a localized inflammatory response in a patient with a wound. Which of
the following are considered cardinal signs of local inflammation? (Select All That Apply)
A. Redness (Erythema)
B. Heat (Calor)
,C. Swelling (Edema)
D. Pain (Dolor)
E. Loss of function (Functio Laesa)
F. Fever
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: The cardinal signs of inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, and pain,
which are caused by vascular changes and exudation. Loss of function is also recognized as
a primary sign when the inflammatory response is significant enough to hinder movement
or usage. Fever is considered a systemic manifestation of inflammation rather than a local
sign.
3. A smoker is diagnosed with changes in the bronchial lining where normal ciliated columnar
epithelial cells are replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This process is known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often less differentiated, cell type. In the case of smokers, the body replaces delicate ciliated
, cells with tougher squamous cells to withstand the irritation of smoke. While protective,
this change results in the loss of the protective mucus-clearing mechanism of the cilia.
4. When assessing a patient with prolonged hypertension, the nurse notes thickening of the
left ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation is most likely responsible for this finding?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
E. Atrophy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of cells, which consequently
increases the size of the organ. In hypertension, the cardiac myocytes must work harder
against high pressure, leading to an increase in protein synthesis and cell volume. Unlike
skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle cells do not typically undergo hyperplasia to a significant
degree.
5. Which process is a programmed cell death that prevents an inflammatory response in the
surrounding tissue?
A. Autolysis
B. Necrosis
Pathophysiology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NRS455 Exam 1) | Grand
Canyon University
1. A patient with a history of chronic limb ischemia exhibits a decrease in the size of the
skeletal muscle cells in the affected leg. Which cellular adaptation is the nurse observing?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size that occurs when workload,
blood supply, or nerve stimulation is reduced. In chronic ischemia, the lack of oxygen and
nutrients leads to muscle cell shrinkage to survive the environment. This process is distinct
from hypertrophy, which involves an increase in cell size rather than a decrease.
2. A nurse is assessing a localized inflammatory response in a patient with a wound. Which of
the following are considered cardinal signs of local inflammation? (Select All That Apply)
A. Redness (Erythema)
B. Heat (Calor)
,C. Swelling (Edema)
D. Pain (Dolor)
E. Loss of function (Functio Laesa)
F. Fever
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: The cardinal signs of inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, and pain,
which are caused by vascular changes and exudation. Loss of function is also recognized as
a primary sign when the inflammatory response is significant enough to hinder movement
or usage. Fever is considered a systemic manifestation of inflammation rather than a local
sign.
3. A smoker is diagnosed with changes in the bronchial lining where normal ciliated columnar
epithelial cells are replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This process is known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often less differentiated, cell type. In the case of smokers, the body replaces delicate ciliated
, cells with tougher squamous cells to withstand the irritation of smoke. While protective,
this change results in the loss of the protective mucus-clearing mechanism of the cilia.
4. When assessing a patient with prolonged hypertension, the nurse notes thickening of the
left ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation is most likely responsible for this finding?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
E. Atrophy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of cells, which consequently
increases the size of the organ. In hypertension, the cardiac myocytes must work harder
against high pressure, leading to an increase in protein synthesis and cell volume. Unlike
skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle cells do not typically undergo hyperplasia to a significant
degree.
5. Which process is a programmed cell death that prevents an inflammatory response in the
surrounding tissue?
A. Autolysis
B. Necrosis
