NUR 611 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
REVIEW
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous cells. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Atrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which of the following describes the mechanism of cell death characterized by regulated or
programmed cell process, typically without an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
,B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Karyolysis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction, often
called programmed cell death, and does not typically trigger inflammation.
3. In a patient with chronic renal failure, which of the following electrolyte imbalances is most
expected?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The kidneys are responsible for excreting potassium; in renal
failure, potassium builds up, leading to hyperkalemia, which is life-threatening.
4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves the release of
histamine from mast cells?
A. Type IV
B. Type II
, C. Type III
D. Type I
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivities are immediate reactions mediated by
IgE binding to mast cells, common in allergies and asthma.
5. A patient has a blood gas result of pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. How
would you interpret this?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (>45)
indicates a respiratory cause.
6. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive glucagon secretion by alpha cells
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM
REVIEW
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous cells. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Atrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which of the following describes the mechanism of cell death characterized by regulated or
programmed cell process, typically without an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
,B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Karyolysis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction, often
called programmed cell death, and does not typically trigger inflammation.
3. In a patient with chronic renal failure, which of the following electrolyte imbalances is most
expected?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The kidneys are responsible for excreting potassium; in renal
failure, potassium builds up, leading to hyperkalemia, which is life-threatening.
4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves the release of
histamine from mast cells?
A. Type IV
B. Type II
, C. Type III
D. Type I
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivities are immediate reactions mediated by
IgE binding to mast cells, common in allergies and asthma.
5. A patient has a blood gas result of pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. How
would you interpret this?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (>45)
indicates a respiratory cause.
6. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive glucagon secretion by alpha cells
