SCI 225 – Pathophysiology Midterm Exam Study Guide
2026/2027 | Latest Practice Exam Questions with Correct
Answers and Explanations |Nightingale College
Question 1
Pathophysiology is the study of:
A. How diseases develop and alter normal body functions
B. Normal anatomy only
C. Drug manufacturing processes
D. Surgical techniques only
Correct Answer: A. How diseases develop and alter normal body
functions
Explanation:
Pathophysiology examines the changes that occur in the body as a result of
disease or injury. It connects normal physiological processes with abnormal
changes that produce signs, symptoms, and complications.
Question 2
Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to:
A. Maintain a stable internal environment
B. Eliminate all diseases
C. Stop cellular activity
D. Prevent aging completely
Correct Answer: A. Maintain a stable internal environment
Explanation:
Homeostasis is the maintenance of balance within the body, including
temperature, blood pressure, glucose levels, fluid balance, and pH. The body
uses feedback mechanisms to keep internal conditions within acceptable
ranges.
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,Question 3
A disease process that develops rapidly and lasts for a short period is
described as:
A. Acute
B. Chronic
C. Latent
D. Congenital
Correct Answer: A. Acute
Explanation:
Acute conditions develop quickly and usually have a short duration. Examples
include acute infections, injuries, and sudden inflammatory responses.
Question 4
A chronic disease is characterized by:
A. Long-term progression and persistent effects
B. Immediate resolution
C. No cellular changes
D. Only genetic causes
Correct Answer: A. Long-term progression and persistent effects
Explanation:
Chronic diseases often develop gradually and may continue for months or
years. Examples include diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.
Question 5
The basic structural and functional unit of the human body is the:
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,A. Cell
B. Tissue
C. Organ
D. System
Correct Answer: A. Cell
Explanation:
Cells are the smallest living units responsible for carrying out essential
functions. Tissues, organs, and body systems are formed from groups of
specialized cells.
Question 6
Cellular adaptation occurs when cells:
A. Adjust to changes in their environment
B. Immediately die
C. Lose all function
D. Become cancerous automatically
Correct Answer: A. Adjust to changes in their environment
Explanation:
Cells adapt to stress through processes such as hypertrophy, hyperplasia,
atrophy, and metaplasia. These changes help cells survive under altered
conditions.
Question 7
Hypertrophy is defined as:
A. Increase in cell size
B. Increase in cell number
C. Decrease in cell size
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
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, Correct Answer: A. Increase in cell size
Explanation:
Hypertrophy occurs when individual cells become larger. It commonly occurs
in muscles responding to increased workload, such as skeletal muscle growth
with exercise.
Question 8
Hyperplasia refers to:
A. Increase in the number of cells
B. Decrease in organ size
C. Cell death
D. Abnormal protein formation only
Correct Answer: A. Increase in the number of cells
Explanation:
Hyperplasia involves increased cell production. It may be a normal response,
such as increased breast tissue during pregnancy, or abnormal, such as certain
hormone-related conditions.
Question 9
Atrophy occurs when:
A. Cells decrease in size or function
B. Cells multiply rapidly
C. Tissues become infected
D. Cells become malignant
Correct Answer: A. Cells decrease in size or function
Explanation:
Atrophy results from decreased workload, aging, poor nutrition, loss of nerve
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2026/2027 | Latest Practice Exam Questions with Correct
Answers and Explanations |Nightingale College
Question 1
Pathophysiology is the study of:
A. How diseases develop and alter normal body functions
B. Normal anatomy only
C. Drug manufacturing processes
D. Surgical techniques only
Correct Answer: A. How diseases develop and alter normal body
functions
Explanation:
Pathophysiology examines the changes that occur in the body as a result of
disease or injury. It connects normal physiological processes with abnormal
changes that produce signs, symptoms, and complications.
Question 2
Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to:
A. Maintain a stable internal environment
B. Eliminate all diseases
C. Stop cellular activity
D. Prevent aging completely
Correct Answer: A. Maintain a stable internal environment
Explanation:
Homeostasis is the maintenance of balance within the body, including
temperature, blood pressure, glucose levels, fluid balance, and pH. The body
uses feedback mechanisms to keep internal conditions within acceptable
ranges.
1|Page
,Question 3
A disease process that develops rapidly and lasts for a short period is
described as:
A. Acute
B. Chronic
C. Latent
D. Congenital
Correct Answer: A. Acute
Explanation:
Acute conditions develop quickly and usually have a short duration. Examples
include acute infections, injuries, and sudden inflammatory responses.
Question 4
A chronic disease is characterized by:
A. Long-term progression and persistent effects
B. Immediate resolution
C. No cellular changes
D. Only genetic causes
Correct Answer: A. Long-term progression and persistent effects
Explanation:
Chronic diseases often develop gradually and may continue for months or
years. Examples include diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.
Question 5
The basic structural and functional unit of the human body is the:
2|Page
,A. Cell
B. Tissue
C. Organ
D. System
Correct Answer: A. Cell
Explanation:
Cells are the smallest living units responsible for carrying out essential
functions. Tissues, organs, and body systems are formed from groups of
specialized cells.
Question 6
Cellular adaptation occurs when cells:
A. Adjust to changes in their environment
B. Immediately die
C. Lose all function
D. Become cancerous automatically
Correct Answer: A. Adjust to changes in their environment
Explanation:
Cells adapt to stress through processes such as hypertrophy, hyperplasia,
atrophy, and metaplasia. These changes help cells survive under altered
conditions.
Question 7
Hypertrophy is defined as:
A. Increase in cell size
B. Increase in cell number
C. Decrease in cell size
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
3|Page
, Correct Answer: A. Increase in cell size
Explanation:
Hypertrophy occurs when individual cells become larger. It commonly occurs
in muscles responding to increased workload, such as skeletal muscle growth
with exercise.
Question 8
Hyperplasia refers to:
A. Increase in the number of cells
B. Decrease in organ size
C. Cell death
D. Abnormal protein formation only
Correct Answer: A. Increase in the number of cells
Explanation:
Hyperplasia involves increased cell production. It may be a normal response,
such as increased breast tissue during pregnancy, or abnormal, such as certain
hormone-related conditions.
Question 9
Atrophy occurs when:
A. Cells decrease in size or function
B. Cells multiply rapidly
C. Tissues become infected
D. Cells become malignant
Correct Answer: A. Cells decrease in size or function
Explanation:
Atrophy results from decreased workload, aging, poor nutrition, loss of nerve
4|Page
