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NSG 530 Exam 1 – Wilkes Advanced Pathophysiology (2026)
– Actual Questions & Study Guide Guaranteed Pass | Graded
A+ | Advanced Pathophysiology – Wilkes University
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION & INJURY
1 A 55-year-old client with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy. Which of the
following cellular adaptations best describes this finding?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size leading to an increase in organ size, occurring
in response to increased workload. The left ventricle undergoes hypertrophy to compensate for increased
afterload caused by chronic hypertension. Atrophy (A) is decreased cell size. Hyperplasia (C) is increased
cell number. Metaplasia (D) is replacement of one cell type with another.
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2 A client with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease develops Barrett's esophagus. Which cellular
adaptation is responsible for this change?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another.
In Barrett's esophagus, normal squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar epithelium in response to
chronic acid exposure. This adaptation is protective but increases the risk of esophageal
adenocarcinoma.
3 A 45-year-old woman experiences a myocardial infarction. The irreversible cell death of cardiac muscle
cells is best described as:
A. Apoptosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Caseous necrosis
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Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Coagulative necrosis is the most common type of necrosis in solid organs such as the
heart, kidneys, and liver. It is characterized by protein denaturation, preservation of cell architecture, and
an inflammatory response. Apoptosis (A) is programmed cell death without inflammation. Liquefactive
necrosis (C) occurs in the brain. Caseous necrosis (D) is characteristic of tuberculosis.
4 A client is diagnosed with cerebral ischemia following a stroke. Which of the following events occurs
during reperfusion injury?
A. Decreased production of reactive oxygen species
B. Increased production of reactive oxygen species
C. Decreased inflammation
D. Increased cellular repair
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Reperfusion injury is caused by the production of reactive oxygen species (free
radicals) when blood flow is restored to ischemic tissue, leading to further cellular damage. It is
characterized by increased inflammation and oxidative stress.
, 4
5 A client's liver biopsy reveals cellular swelling with accumulation of water and lipids. This type of
cellular injury is best described as:
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Hydropic degeneration
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hydropic degeneration (cellular swelling) is a reversible cellular injury caused by
failure of the sodium-potassium pump, leading to water accumulation and cellular swelling. It is the
earliest manifestation of cellular injury. Apoptosis (A) is programmed cell death. Necrosis (B) is
irreversible. Metaplasia (D) is a cellular adaptation.
6 Which of the following is a characteristic of apoptosis?
A. Cell swelling
B. Inflammation
C. Cell shrinkage and fragmentation
D. Uncontrolled cell division
NSG 530 Exam 1 – Wilkes Advanced Pathophysiology (2026)
– Actual Questions & Study Guide Guaranteed Pass | Graded
A+ | Advanced Pathophysiology – Wilkes University
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION & INJURY
1 A 55-year-old client with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy. Which of the
following cellular adaptations best describes this finding?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size leading to an increase in organ size, occurring
in response to increased workload. The left ventricle undergoes hypertrophy to compensate for increased
afterload caused by chronic hypertension. Atrophy (A) is decreased cell size. Hyperplasia (C) is increased
cell number. Metaplasia (D) is replacement of one cell type with another.
,2
2 A client with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease develops Barrett's esophagus. Which cellular
adaptation is responsible for this change?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another.
In Barrett's esophagus, normal squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar epithelium in response to
chronic acid exposure. This adaptation is protective but increases the risk of esophageal
adenocarcinoma.
3 A 45-year-old woman experiences a myocardial infarction. The irreversible cell death of cardiac muscle
cells is best described as:
A. Apoptosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Caseous necrosis
,3
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Coagulative necrosis is the most common type of necrosis in solid organs such as the
heart, kidneys, and liver. It is characterized by protein denaturation, preservation of cell architecture, and
an inflammatory response. Apoptosis (A) is programmed cell death without inflammation. Liquefactive
necrosis (C) occurs in the brain. Caseous necrosis (D) is characteristic of tuberculosis.
4 A client is diagnosed with cerebral ischemia following a stroke. Which of the following events occurs
during reperfusion injury?
A. Decreased production of reactive oxygen species
B. Increased production of reactive oxygen species
C. Decreased inflammation
D. Increased cellular repair
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Reperfusion injury is caused by the production of reactive oxygen species (free
radicals) when blood flow is restored to ischemic tissue, leading to further cellular damage. It is
characterized by increased inflammation and oxidative stress.
, 4
5 A client's liver biopsy reveals cellular swelling with accumulation of water and lipids. This type of
cellular injury is best described as:
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Hydropic degeneration
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hydropic degeneration (cellular swelling) is a reversible cellular injury caused by
failure of the sodium-potassium pump, leading to water accumulation and cellular swelling. It is the
earliest manifestation of cellular injury. Apoptosis (A) is programmed cell death. Necrosis (B) is
irreversible. Metaplasia (D) is a cellular adaptation.
6 Which of the following is a characteristic of apoptosis?
A. Cell swelling
B. Inflammation
C. Cell shrinkage and fragmentation
D. Uncontrolled cell division
