NSG 5140 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits an increase in the size of the left ventricular
cardiomyocytes without an increase in cell number. Which term best describes this cellular
adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an
increase in the size of the organ. In the heart, cardiomyocytes cannot divide, so they
undergo hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia in response to increased workload.
,2. During an EKG, a nurse notes tall, peaked T-waves. Which electrolyte imbalance is most
likely responsible for this finding?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high serum potassium) decreases the resting
membrane potential, leading to characteristic EKG changes including tall, peaked T-waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest.
3. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
severe liver failure and hypoalbuminemia?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
C. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for maintaining
capillary oncotic (colloid) pressure. Liver failure leads to decreased albumin synthesis,
causing fluid to shift from the intravascular space to the interstitial space.
4. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a cough. A biopsy shows that the normal ciliated
columnar epithelium of the bronchi has been replaced by stratified squamous epithelium.
This is an example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation, such as cigarette smoke.
5. Which chromosome abnormality is characterized by the presence of an extra copy of
chromosome 21?
A. Klinefelter syndrome
B. Turner syndrome
C. Down syndrome
D. Edwards syndrome
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits an increase in the size of the left ventricular
cardiomyocytes without an increase in cell number. Which term best describes this cellular
adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an
increase in the size of the organ. In the heart, cardiomyocytes cannot divide, so they
undergo hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia in response to increased workload.
,2. During an EKG, a nurse notes tall, peaked T-waves. Which electrolyte imbalance is most
likely responsible for this finding?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high serum potassium) decreases the resting
membrane potential, leading to characteristic EKG changes including tall, peaked T-waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest.
3. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
severe liver failure and hypoalbuminemia?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
C. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for maintaining
capillary oncotic (colloid) pressure. Liver failure leads to decreased albumin synthesis,
causing fluid to shift from the intravascular space to the interstitial space.
4. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a cough. A biopsy shows that the normal ciliated
columnar epithelium of the bronchi has been replaced by stratified squamous epithelium.
This is an example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation, such as cigarette smoke.
5. Which chromosome abnormality is characterized by the presence of an extra copy of
chromosome 21?
A. Klinefelter syndrome
B. Turner syndrome
C. Down syndrome
D. Edwards syndrome
