NSG 3113 Pathophysiology Exam 1 Study Guide
2026/2027 | Complete Review | Graded A+
Question 1
Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and metabolic
activity?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Answer: C - Atrophy is a decrease in cell size that occurs when cells are exposed to
decreased workload, nutrition, or blood supply. It allows for less metabolic demand and
more efficient functioning compatible with survival .
Question 2
A patient with chronic hypertension develops an enlarged left ventricle. This is an
example of:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Answer: B - Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size due to increased workload. The heart
responds to chronic pressure overload by enlarging individual myocytes, leading to
ventricular hypertrophy. In long-standing hypertension, this adaptation is pathological
as the ventricle can outgrow its blood supply .
Question 3
In response to chronic irritation from cigarette smoke, the normal ciliated columnar
epithelium of the bronchi is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This process is
called:
,A) Dysplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Anaplasia
D) Metaplasia
Answer: D - Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with
another. It is an adaptive response to chronic irritation but can predispose to
malignancy if the irritant persists .
Question 4
During pregnancy, the breast tissue enlarges due to an increase in the number of cells.
This is known as:
A) Physiologic hyperplasia
B) Pathologic hyperplasia
C) Compensatory hypertrophy
D) Hormonal metaplasia
Answer: A - Hormonal stimulation causes an increase in cell number in breast and
uterine tissue during pregnancy. This is a normal, controlled process (physiologic
hyperplasia) .
Question 5
A patient with a history of chronic alcohol abuse develops liver cirrhosis. The liver cells
undergo necrosis and are replaced by fibrous tissue. This type of cell death is called:
A) Apoptosis
B) Necrosis
C) Autolysis
D) Pyknosis
Answer: B - Necrosis is unprogrammed cell death resulting from injury, characterized
by cellular swelling, membrane rupture, and inflammation. It is premature cell death due
to lack of blood supply, disease, or injury .
,Question 6
Which cellular adaptation is considered ALWAYS pathologic?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Answer: D - Dysplasia is always pathologic. It is an abnormal change in size, shape, or
organization of cells and is considered a precancerous condition. Cervical dysplasia
detected by Pap test is a classic example .
Question 7
A client's lab report reveals cells that vary in size and shape with abnormal organization.
The nurse recognizes this finding as:
A) Metaplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Hypertrophy
Answer: C - Dysplasia is characterized by deranged cellular growth where cells vary in
size, shape, and organization compared with normal cells. It is often a result of chronic
inflammation or a precancerous condition .
Question 8
The nurse is caring for a client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Uncontrolled GERD can lead to which cellular change that increases cancer risk?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
, Answer: C - GERD can lead to metaplasia, where lower esophageal cells transform from
squamous epithelium to columnar stomach-like cells (Barrett's esophagus). This cellular
change is a precancerous condition that increases the risk of esophageal cancer .
Question 9
A client asks the nurse to explain the difference between hypertrophy and hyperplasia.
Which statement by the nurse is correct?
A) "Hypertrophy is an increase in cell number; hyperplasia is an increase in cell size"
B) "Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size; hyperplasia is an increase in cell number"
C) "Both involve an increase in cell size"
D) "Both involve an increase in cell number"
Answer: B - Hypertrophy is an increase in cell SIZE, resulting in an increase in tissue size.
Hyperplasia is an increase in the NUMBER of cells, resulting in increased tissue mass .
Question 10
Apoptosis can best be described as:
A) Premature cell death due to injury
B) Programmed cell death that is normal and does not cause inflammation
C) Uncontrolled cell growth
D) Cell death due to lack of blood supply
Answer: B - Apoptosis is genetically programmed cell death that is meant to happen
and carries no adverse effects. It is normal cell turnover. Ovarian cells undergoing
apoptosis during menopause is a classic example .
Question 11
Which type of gangrene is characterized by black, dry, mummified tissue?
A) Wet gangrene
B) Dry gangrene
C) Gas gangrene
D) Necrotizing fasciitis
2026/2027 | Complete Review | Graded A+
Question 1
Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and metabolic
activity?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Answer: C - Atrophy is a decrease in cell size that occurs when cells are exposed to
decreased workload, nutrition, or blood supply. It allows for less metabolic demand and
more efficient functioning compatible with survival .
Question 2
A patient with chronic hypertension develops an enlarged left ventricle. This is an
example of:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Answer: B - Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size due to increased workload. The heart
responds to chronic pressure overload by enlarging individual myocytes, leading to
ventricular hypertrophy. In long-standing hypertension, this adaptation is pathological
as the ventricle can outgrow its blood supply .
Question 3
In response to chronic irritation from cigarette smoke, the normal ciliated columnar
epithelium of the bronchi is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This process is
called:
,A) Dysplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Anaplasia
D) Metaplasia
Answer: D - Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with
another. It is an adaptive response to chronic irritation but can predispose to
malignancy if the irritant persists .
Question 4
During pregnancy, the breast tissue enlarges due to an increase in the number of cells.
This is known as:
A) Physiologic hyperplasia
B) Pathologic hyperplasia
C) Compensatory hypertrophy
D) Hormonal metaplasia
Answer: A - Hormonal stimulation causes an increase in cell number in breast and
uterine tissue during pregnancy. This is a normal, controlled process (physiologic
hyperplasia) .
Question 5
A patient with a history of chronic alcohol abuse develops liver cirrhosis. The liver cells
undergo necrosis and are replaced by fibrous tissue. This type of cell death is called:
A) Apoptosis
B) Necrosis
C) Autolysis
D) Pyknosis
Answer: B - Necrosis is unprogrammed cell death resulting from injury, characterized
by cellular swelling, membrane rupture, and inflammation. It is premature cell death due
to lack of blood supply, disease, or injury .
,Question 6
Which cellular adaptation is considered ALWAYS pathologic?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Answer: D - Dysplasia is always pathologic. It is an abnormal change in size, shape, or
organization of cells and is considered a precancerous condition. Cervical dysplasia
detected by Pap test is a classic example .
Question 7
A client's lab report reveals cells that vary in size and shape with abnormal organization.
The nurse recognizes this finding as:
A) Metaplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Hypertrophy
Answer: C - Dysplasia is characterized by deranged cellular growth where cells vary in
size, shape, and organization compared with normal cells. It is often a result of chronic
inflammation or a precancerous condition .
Question 8
The nurse is caring for a client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Uncontrolled GERD can lead to which cellular change that increases cancer risk?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
, Answer: C - GERD can lead to metaplasia, where lower esophageal cells transform from
squamous epithelium to columnar stomach-like cells (Barrett's esophagus). This cellular
change is a precancerous condition that increases the risk of esophageal cancer .
Question 9
A client asks the nurse to explain the difference between hypertrophy and hyperplasia.
Which statement by the nurse is correct?
A) "Hypertrophy is an increase in cell number; hyperplasia is an increase in cell size"
B) "Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size; hyperplasia is an increase in cell number"
C) "Both involve an increase in cell size"
D) "Both involve an increase in cell number"
Answer: B - Hypertrophy is an increase in cell SIZE, resulting in an increase in tissue size.
Hyperplasia is an increase in the NUMBER of cells, resulting in increased tissue mass .
Question 10
Apoptosis can best be described as:
A) Premature cell death due to injury
B) Programmed cell death that is normal and does not cause inflammation
C) Uncontrolled cell growth
D) Cell death due to lack of blood supply
Answer: B - Apoptosis is genetically programmed cell death that is meant to happen
and carries no adverse effects. It is normal cell turnover. Ovarian cells undergoing
apoptosis during menopause is a classic example .
Question 11
Which type of gangrene is characterized by black, dry, mummified tissue?
A) Wet gangrene
B) Dry gangrene
C) Gas gangrene
D) Necrotizing fasciitis
