1
NSG 530 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 1
Comprehensive 150-Question Practice Test
with Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales — Cellular Biology, Genetics,
Inflammation, Immunity, Fluid/Electrolyte
Balance, and Acid-Base Disorders
(2025/2026 Updated Edition for Wilkes
University Graduate Nursing Program)
SECTION 1: CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND FUNCTION
Question 1
A cell is exposed to a toxin that damages mitochondrial DNA. Which cellular function
will be most immediately impaired?
• A) Protein synthesis
• B) ATP production
• C) Lipid synthesis
• D) DNA replication
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- B) ATP production
Rationale: Mitochondria are the primary site of oxidative phosphorylation and ATP
production. Damage to mitochondrial DNA impairs the electron transport chain,
reducing ATP synthesis. Cells with high energy demands (neurons, cardiac muscle) are
most vulnerable. Protein synthesis occurs at ribosomes, lipid synthesis in the smooth
endoplasmic reticulum, and DNA replication in the nucleus.
,2
Question 2
Which of the following are the three major components of eukaryotic cells?
• A) Nucleus, ribosomes, and cell membrane
• B) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria
• C) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
• D) Cell membrane, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- C) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
Rationale: The three major components of eukaryotic cells are the nucleus (control
center containing DNA), cytoplasm (contains water, electrolytes, proteins, and fats), and
cell membrane (semipermeable phospholipid bilayer with protein receptor sites).
Ribosomes and mitochondria are organelles found within the cytoplasm, not primary
cellular components.
Question 3
Which organelle is responsible for creating ATP and is known as the "powerhouse of the
cell"?
• A) Ribosomes
• B) Golgi apparatus
• C) Lysosomes
• D) Mitochondria
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- D) Mitochondria
Rationale: Mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration and ATP production
through oxidative phosphorylation. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, the Golgi apparatus
packages substances for excretion, and lysosomes break down substances for reuse.
,3
Question 4
During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
• A) Prophase
• B) G1 phase
• C) S phase
• D) Telophase
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- C) S phase
Rationale: The S phase (synthesis phase) of interphase is when DNA replication occurs,
duplicating the genetic material in preparation for cell division. During G1, the cell
grows and performs normal functions; during G2, it prepares for mitosis. Prophase and
telophase are stages of mitosis.
Question 5
Which organelle packages substances to be excreted from the cell?
• A) Ribosomes
• B) Mitochondria
• C) Endoplasmic reticulum
• D) Golgi apparatus
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- D) Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus packages proteins and other substances for secretion
from the cell. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, mitochondria produce ATP, and the
endoplasmic reticulum is involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
Question 6
A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy. This is an
example of which type of cellular adaptation?
, 4
• A) Hyperplasia
• B) Metaplasia
• C) Hypertrophy
• D) Dysplasia
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- C) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size in response to increased workload or
stress. In chronic hypertension, the left ventricle pumps against increased afterload,
causing myocardial cells to enlarge. This initially compensates but eventually leads to
decreased compliance if workload persists.
Question 7
Which type of cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells in a tissue?
• A) Hypertrophy
• B) Hyperplasia
• C) Atrophy
• D) Metaplasia
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number due to increased mitotic division. It
occurs in tissues capable of mitosis (e.g., endometrium during the menstrual cycle, liver
regeneration). Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size. Metaplasia is a change in cell type.
Atrophy is a decrease in cell size.
Question 8
A patient with chronic hypoxia develops increased red blood cell production. This is an
example of:
• A) Physiologic hypertrophy
NSG 530 Advanced Pathophysiology Exam 1
Comprehensive 150-Question Practice Test
with Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales — Cellular Biology, Genetics,
Inflammation, Immunity, Fluid/Electrolyte
Balance, and Acid-Base Disorders
(2025/2026 Updated Edition for Wilkes
University Graduate Nursing Program)
SECTION 1: CELLULAR BIOLOGY AND FUNCTION
Question 1
A cell is exposed to a toxin that damages mitochondrial DNA. Which cellular function
will be most immediately impaired?
• A) Protein synthesis
• B) ATP production
• C) Lipid synthesis
• D) DNA replication
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- B) ATP production
Rationale: Mitochondria are the primary site of oxidative phosphorylation and ATP
production. Damage to mitochondrial DNA impairs the electron transport chain,
reducing ATP synthesis. Cells with high energy demands (neurons, cardiac muscle) are
most vulnerable. Protein synthesis occurs at ribosomes, lipid synthesis in the smooth
endoplasmic reticulum, and DNA replication in the nucleus.
,2
Question 2
Which of the following are the three major components of eukaryotic cells?
• A) Nucleus, ribosomes, and cell membrane
• B) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria
• C) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
• D) Cell membrane, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- C) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
Rationale: The three major components of eukaryotic cells are the nucleus (control
center containing DNA), cytoplasm (contains water, electrolytes, proteins, and fats), and
cell membrane (semipermeable phospholipid bilayer with protein receptor sites).
Ribosomes and mitochondria are organelles found within the cytoplasm, not primary
cellular components.
Question 3
Which organelle is responsible for creating ATP and is known as the "powerhouse of the
cell"?
• A) Ribosomes
• B) Golgi apparatus
• C) Lysosomes
• D) Mitochondria
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- D) Mitochondria
Rationale: Mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration and ATP production
through oxidative phosphorylation. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, the Golgi apparatus
packages substances for excretion, and lysosomes break down substances for reuse.
,3
Question 4
During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
• A) Prophase
• B) G1 phase
• C) S phase
• D) Telophase
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- C) S phase
Rationale: The S phase (synthesis phase) of interphase is when DNA replication occurs,
duplicating the genetic material in preparation for cell division. During G1, the cell
grows and performs normal functions; during G2, it prepares for mitosis. Prophase and
telophase are stages of mitosis.
Question 5
Which organelle packages substances to be excreted from the cell?
• A) Ribosomes
• B) Mitochondria
• C) Endoplasmic reticulum
• D) Golgi apparatus
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- D) Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus packages proteins and other substances for secretion
from the cell. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, mitochondria produce ATP, and the
endoplasmic reticulum is involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
Question 6
A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy. This is an
example of which type of cellular adaptation?
, 4
• A) Hyperplasia
• B) Metaplasia
• C) Hypertrophy
• D) Dysplasia
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- C) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size in response to increased workload or
stress. In chronic hypertension, the left ventricle pumps against increased afterload,
causing myocardial cells to enlarge. This initially compensates but eventually leads to
decreased compliance if workload persists.
Question 7
Which type of cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells in a tissue?
• A) Hypertrophy
• B) Hyperplasia
• C) Atrophy
• D) Metaplasia
- detailed 100% correctanswer :- B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number due to increased mitotic division. It
occurs in tissues capable of mitosis (e.g., endometrium during the menstrual cycle, liver
regeneration). Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size. Metaplasia is a change in cell type.
Atrophy is a decrease in cell size.
Question 8
A patient with chronic hypoxia develops increased red blood cell production. This is an
example of:
• A) Physiologic hypertrophy
