NR 283 Pathophysiology Midterm Exam
Practice Examination 2026–2027 |
Comprehensive Question Practice Test
with Answers & Rationales| Free Pdf
Access
1. Pathophysiology is best defined as the study of:
A. Normal body structure only
B. Disease processes and their effects on body function
C. Medication administration
D. Surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathophysiology examines the functional changes associated with disease and
injury and how these alterations affect normal physiological processes.
2. Homeostasis refers to:
A. Permanent organ failure
B. Maintenance of a stable internal environment
C. Cellular destruction
D. Genetic mutation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain internal balance despite external
and internal changes.
3. Which structure is considered the basic unit of life?
A. Tissue
B. Organ
C. Cell
D. Organ system
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of all living
organisms.
4. Cellular adaptation involving an increase in cell size is called:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy occurs when cells enlarge, leading to increased tissue or organ
size.
5. An increase in the number of cells is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Necrosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperplasia results from an increased number of cells in a tissue or organ.
6. Atrophy is characterized by:
A. Increased cell size
B. Increased cell number
C. Decreased cell size and function
D. Malignant transformation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy occurs when cells shrink due to decreased workload, aging, or
inadequate nutrition.
7. Metaplasia refers to:
, A. Cell death
B. Replacement of one mature cell type with another mature cell type
C. Increased cell size
D. Genetic mutation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible adaptation where one differentiated cell type replaces
another.
8. Dysplasia is best described as:
A. Normal cellular growth
B. Disordered cellular growth and development
C. Increased tissue perfusion
D. Cell enlargement only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia involves abnormal cellular development and may precede
malignancy.
9. Which type of cell death is considered programmed and controlled?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
D. Inflammation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs without causing inflammation.
10. Necrosis differs from apoptosis because necrosis:
A. Is a normal physiological process
B. Causes inflammation and cellular injury
C. Is genetically programmed
D. Does not affect surrounding tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Necrosis results from injury and often triggers inflammation in surrounding
tissues.
Practice Examination 2026–2027 |
Comprehensive Question Practice Test
with Answers & Rationales| Free Pdf
Access
1. Pathophysiology is best defined as the study of:
A. Normal body structure only
B. Disease processes and their effects on body function
C. Medication administration
D. Surgical procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathophysiology examines the functional changes associated with disease and
injury and how these alterations affect normal physiological processes.
2. Homeostasis refers to:
A. Permanent organ failure
B. Maintenance of a stable internal environment
C. Cellular destruction
D. Genetic mutation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain internal balance despite external
and internal changes.
3. Which structure is considered the basic unit of life?
A. Tissue
B. Organ
C. Cell
D. Organ system
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of all living
organisms.
4. Cellular adaptation involving an increase in cell size is called:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy occurs when cells enlarge, leading to increased tissue or organ
size.
5. An increase in the number of cells is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Necrosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperplasia results from an increased number of cells in a tissue or organ.
6. Atrophy is characterized by:
A. Increased cell size
B. Increased cell number
C. Decreased cell size and function
D. Malignant transformation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy occurs when cells shrink due to decreased workload, aging, or
inadequate nutrition.
7. Metaplasia refers to:
, A. Cell death
B. Replacement of one mature cell type with another mature cell type
C. Increased cell size
D. Genetic mutation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible adaptation where one differentiated cell type replaces
another.
8. Dysplasia is best described as:
A. Normal cellular growth
B. Disordered cellular growth and development
C. Increased tissue perfusion
D. Cell enlargement only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia involves abnormal cellular development and may precede
malignancy.
9. Which type of cell death is considered programmed and controlled?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
D. Inflammation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that occurs without causing inflammation.
10. Necrosis differs from apoptosis because necrosis:
A. Is a normal physiological process
B. Causes inflammation and cellular injury
C. Is genetically programmed
D. Does not affect surrounding tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Necrosis results from injury and often triggers inflammation in surrounding
tissues.
