NUR 555 Quiz 1 | Complete Questions,
Correct Answers and Rationales | 2026
Updated | 100% Correct - SNHU
SECTION 1: CELLULAR FUNCTION, INJURY & ADAPTATION
Question 1
A cell is deprived of oxygen. What is the first immediate cellular response to this
hypoxia?
A) Shift to aerobic metabolism
B) Shift to anaerobic glycolysis
C) Immediate cell lysis
D) Activation of apoptosis
Answer: B
Rationale: When oxygen is depleted, the electron transport chain stops. The cell must
immediately shift to anaerobic glycolysis to generate minimal ATP required to maintain
basic membrane function, though this produces lactic acid and far less ATP .
,Question 2
What cellular structure contains digestive enzymes that, if ruptured, cause autodigestion
of the cell?
A) Ribosome
B) Lysosome
C) Golgi apparatus
D) Endoplasmic reticulum
Answer: B
Rationale: Lysosomes are membrane-bound vesicles containing acid hydrolases. If the
lysosomal membrane is damaged, these enzymes are released into the cytoplasm and
digest cellular components, leading to cell death .
Question 3
A patient has a myocardial infarction. The ischemic myocardial cells show swollen, pale
cytoplasm due to influx of sodium and water. What is this specific cellular injury called?
A) Coagulative necrosis
B) Liquefactive necrosis
C) Hydropic swelling
D) Fatty change
Answer: C
Rationale: Hydropic swelling (cloudy swelling) is the first manifestation of almost all
forms of cellular injury. It occurs because ATP depletion causes failure of the sodium-
potassium pump, allowing sodium and water to rush into the cell .
, Question 4
Which cellular organelle is most susceptible to injury from ischemia due to its high
calcium concentration and lipid content?
A) Nucleus
B) Mitochondria
C) Lysosome
D) Ribosome
Answer: B
Rationale: Mitochondria are highly susceptible to ischemic injury. Ischemia causes
calcium to accumulate in the mitochondria, opening the mitochondrial permeability
transition pore, which stops ATP production and ultimately leads to cell death .
Question 5
When blood flow is restored to ischemic tissue, additional cellular damage can occur.
What is this phenomenon called?
A) Coagulative necrosis
B) Reperfusion injury
C) Granulomatous inflammation
D) Free radical scavenging
Answer: B
Correct Answers and Rationales | 2026
Updated | 100% Correct - SNHU
SECTION 1: CELLULAR FUNCTION, INJURY & ADAPTATION
Question 1
A cell is deprived of oxygen. What is the first immediate cellular response to this
hypoxia?
A) Shift to aerobic metabolism
B) Shift to anaerobic glycolysis
C) Immediate cell lysis
D) Activation of apoptosis
Answer: B
Rationale: When oxygen is depleted, the electron transport chain stops. The cell must
immediately shift to anaerobic glycolysis to generate minimal ATP required to maintain
basic membrane function, though this produces lactic acid and far less ATP .
,Question 2
What cellular structure contains digestive enzymes that, if ruptured, cause autodigestion
of the cell?
A) Ribosome
B) Lysosome
C) Golgi apparatus
D) Endoplasmic reticulum
Answer: B
Rationale: Lysosomes are membrane-bound vesicles containing acid hydrolases. If the
lysosomal membrane is damaged, these enzymes are released into the cytoplasm and
digest cellular components, leading to cell death .
Question 3
A patient has a myocardial infarction. The ischemic myocardial cells show swollen, pale
cytoplasm due to influx of sodium and water. What is this specific cellular injury called?
A) Coagulative necrosis
B) Liquefactive necrosis
C) Hydropic swelling
D) Fatty change
Answer: C
Rationale: Hydropic swelling (cloudy swelling) is the first manifestation of almost all
forms of cellular injury. It occurs because ATP depletion causes failure of the sodium-
potassium pump, allowing sodium and water to rush into the cell .
, Question 4
Which cellular organelle is most susceptible to injury from ischemia due to its high
calcium concentration and lipid content?
A) Nucleus
B) Mitochondria
C) Lysosome
D) Ribosome
Answer: B
Rationale: Mitochondria are highly susceptible to ischemic injury. Ischemia causes
calcium to accumulate in the mitochondria, opening the mitochondrial permeability
transition pore, which stops ATP production and ultimately leads to cell death .
Question 5
When blood flow is restored to ischemic tissue, additional cellular damage can occur.
What is this phenomenon called?
A) Coagulative necrosis
B) Reperfusion injury
C) Granulomatous inflammation
D) Free radical scavenging
Answer: B
