HIM 1126C MODULE 6 FINAL EXAM | QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS.
SECTION 1: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND CELLULAR INJURY
Question 1: A direct result of anaerobic metabolism during hypoxic cell injury is:
• A) Increased ATP production
• B) Metabolic acidosis
• C) Tissue ischemia
• D) Increased cellular hydration
Answer: B
Rationale: When oxygen is not available, cells switch to anaerobic metabolism,
which yields an acid called lactate, or lactic acid, leading to metabolic acidosis .
Question 2: Accumulation of which of the following molecules results in
irreversible cell injury?
• A) Melanin
• B) Lipids
• C) Calcium
• D) Water
Answer: C
Rationale: The accumulation of calcium causes irreversible mitochondrial injury.
When calcium pumps fail due to mitochondrial injury, calcium accumulates in the
cytoplasm and contributes to irreversible cellular injury and cell death .
,Question 3: The process of muscle hypertrophy involves an increase in:
• A) Cell division
• B) Plasma membrane thickness
• C) Protein synthesis
• D) Cellular water content
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size resulting from increased protein
synthesis, not an increase in cell division .
Question 4: Adaptive cellular mechanisms function to:
• A) Speed up cellular death
• B) Prevent cellular aging
• C) Protect cells from injury
• D) Increase cellular mutations
Answer: C
Rationale: Adaptive cellular mechanisms function to protect cells from injury.
These mechanisms allow cells to adjust to changing conditions and survive in the
presence of stressors .
Question 5: Which of the following cellular processes occurs during apoptosis?
• A) Cell lysis
• B) Cellular swelling
• C) Cleavage of key cellular proteins
• D) Activation of inflammation
, Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that involves the cleavage of key
cellular proteins. Unlike necrosis, apoptosis does not involve cell lysis, swelling, or
inflammation .
Question 6: Which of the following molecules is likely to accumulate in any dead
or dying tissues?
• A) Calcium
• B) Uric acid
• C) Melanin
• D) Protein
Answer: A
Rationale: When calcium pumps fail due to mitochondrial injury, calcium
accumulates in the cytoplasm and contributes to irreversible cellular injury and cell
death. This accumulation is common in dead or dying tissues .
Question 7: The most common cause of hypoxic injury is:
• A) Chemical toxicity
• B) Free radicals
• C) Malnutrition
• D) Ischemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypoxic injury results from a lack of oxygen. The most common cause of
this type of cell injury is ischemia—a decrease in blood flow to the tissue .
AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS.
SECTION 1: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND CELLULAR INJURY
Question 1: A direct result of anaerobic metabolism during hypoxic cell injury is:
• A) Increased ATP production
• B) Metabolic acidosis
• C) Tissue ischemia
• D) Increased cellular hydration
Answer: B
Rationale: When oxygen is not available, cells switch to anaerobic metabolism,
which yields an acid called lactate, or lactic acid, leading to metabolic acidosis .
Question 2: Accumulation of which of the following molecules results in
irreversible cell injury?
• A) Melanin
• B) Lipids
• C) Calcium
• D) Water
Answer: C
Rationale: The accumulation of calcium causes irreversible mitochondrial injury.
When calcium pumps fail due to mitochondrial injury, calcium accumulates in the
cytoplasm and contributes to irreversible cellular injury and cell death .
,Question 3: The process of muscle hypertrophy involves an increase in:
• A) Cell division
• B) Plasma membrane thickness
• C) Protein synthesis
• D) Cellular water content
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size resulting from increased protein
synthesis, not an increase in cell division .
Question 4: Adaptive cellular mechanisms function to:
• A) Speed up cellular death
• B) Prevent cellular aging
• C) Protect cells from injury
• D) Increase cellular mutations
Answer: C
Rationale: Adaptive cellular mechanisms function to protect cells from injury.
These mechanisms allow cells to adjust to changing conditions and survive in the
presence of stressors .
Question 5: Which of the following cellular processes occurs during apoptosis?
• A) Cell lysis
• B) Cellular swelling
• C) Cleavage of key cellular proteins
• D) Activation of inflammation
, Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that involves the cleavage of key
cellular proteins. Unlike necrosis, apoptosis does not involve cell lysis, swelling, or
inflammation .
Question 6: Which of the following molecules is likely to accumulate in any dead
or dying tissues?
• A) Calcium
• B) Uric acid
• C) Melanin
• D) Protein
Answer: A
Rationale: When calcium pumps fail due to mitochondrial injury, calcium
accumulates in the cytoplasm and contributes to irreversible cellular injury and cell
death. This accumulation is common in dead or dying tissues .
Question 7: The most common cause of hypoxic injury is:
• A) Chemical toxicity
• B) Free radicals
• C) Malnutrition
• D) Ischemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypoxic injury results from a lack of oxygen. The most common cause of
this type of cell injury is ischemia—a decrease in blood flow to the tissue .
