Pathophysiology Exam 1
Fall 2026 Practice Test: Cellular Biology, Inflammation & Homeostasis
INFLAMMATION & WOUND HEALING
1. A client has a long-standing history of hypertension, leading to
an increase in the size of the left ventricular myocardial cells.
This cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells (not number),
often in response to increased workload, such as the heart pumping
against high pressure.
FLUID & ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES
2. Which of the following processes occurs during the vascular
phase of acute inflammation?
A. Vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Leukocyte marginization
D. Inhibition of prostaglandins
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The vascular phase involves immediate brief vasoconstriction
followed by rapid vasodilation, which increases blood flow and causes
redness and warmth (rubor/calor).
Pathophysiology Exam 1 - Page 1
,ACID-BASE HOMEOSTASIS
3. A patient is experiencing 'Type I Hypersensitivity.' Which
immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for this allergic
response?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgE
D. IgA
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, triggering the release of
histamine in Type I hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, hay
fever).
GENETIC & GENOMIC DISORDERS
4. What is the primary cause of edema in a client with liver failure
and low albumin levels?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
C. Increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin provides the 'pulling' force (oncotic pressure) that
keeps fluid in the vessels. Low albumin leads to decreased oncotic
pressure, allowing fluid to leak into tissues.
Pathophysiology Exam 1 - Page 2
,IMMUNITY & HYPERSENSITIVITY
5. A client's ABG results show: pH 7.28, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18. This is
interpreted as:
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pH is low (<7.35 = Acidosis). The HCO3 is low (<22 =
Metabolic). The PaCO2 is normal, indicating no respiratory cause.
THE STRESS RESPONSE (GAS)
6. Pathophysiology Question 6: During the The Stress Response
(GAS), what is the underlying mechanism responsible for clinical
manifestations?
A. Alteration in cellular metabolism
B. Homeostatic compensation
C. Genetic mutation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In The Stress Response (GAS), the disruption typically begins at
the cellular level, where metabolic changes lead to the dysfunction seen in
the host.
Pathophysiology Exam 1 - Page 3
, NEOPLASIA & CANCER BIOLOGY
7. Pathophysiology Question 7: During the Neoplasia & Cancer
Biology, what is the underlying mechanism responsible for
clinical manifestations?
A. Alteration in cellular metabolism
B. Homeostatic compensation
C. Genetic mutation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In Neoplasia & Cancer Biology, the disruption typically begins
at the cellular level, where metabolic changes lead to the dysfunction seen
in the host.
INFECTIOUS PROCESSES
8. Pathophysiology Question 8: During the Infectious Processes,
what is the underlying mechanism responsible for clinical
manifestations?
A. Alteration in cellular metabolism
B. Homeostatic compensation
C. Genetic mutation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In Infectious Processes, the disruption typically begins at the
cellular level, where metabolic changes lead to the dysfunction seen in the
host.
Pathophysiology Exam 1 - Page 4
Fall 2026 Practice Test: Cellular Biology, Inflammation & Homeostasis
INFLAMMATION & WOUND HEALING
1. A client has a long-standing history of hypertension, leading to
an increase in the size of the left ventricular myocardial cells.
This cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells (not number),
often in response to increased workload, such as the heart pumping
against high pressure.
FLUID & ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES
2. Which of the following processes occurs during the vascular
phase of acute inflammation?
A. Vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Leukocyte marginization
D. Inhibition of prostaglandins
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The vascular phase involves immediate brief vasoconstriction
followed by rapid vasodilation, which increases blood flow and causes
redness and warmth (rubor/calor).
Pathophysiology Exam 1 - Page 1
,ACID-BASE HOMEOSTASIS
3. A patient is experiencing 'Type I Hypersensitivity.' Which
immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for this allergic
response?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgE
D. IgA
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, triggering the release of
histamine in Type I hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, hay
fever).
GENETIC & GENOMIC DISORDERS
4. What is the primary cause of edema in a client with liver failure
and low albumin levels?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
C. Increased interstitial hydrostatic pressure
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin provides the 'pulling' force (oncotic pressure) that
keeps fluid in the vessels. Low albumin leads to decreased oncotic
pressure, allowing fluid to leak into tissues.
Pathophysiology Exam 1 - Page 2
,IMMUNITY & HYPERSENSITIVITY
5. A client's ABG results show: pH 7.28, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18. This is
interpreted as:
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pH is low (<7.35 = Acidosis). The HCO3 is low (<22 =
Metabolic). The PaCO2 is normal, indicating no respiratory cause.
THE STRESS RESPONSE (GAS)
6. Pathophysiology Question 6: During the The Stress Response
(GAS), what is the underlying mechanism responsible for clinical
manifestations?
A. Alteration in cellular metabolism
B. Homeostatic compensation
C. Genetic mutation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In The Stress Response (GAS), the disruption typically begins at
the cellular level, where metabolic changes lead to the dysfunction seen in
the host.
Pathophysiology Exam 1 - Page 3
, NEOPLASIA & CANCER BIOLOGY
7. Pathophysiology Question 7: During the Neoplasia & Cancer
Biology, what is the underlying mechanism responsible for
clinical manifestations?
A. Alteration in cellular metabolism
B. Homeostatic compensation
C. Genetic mutation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In Neoplasia & Cancer Biology, the disruption typically begins
at the cellular level, where metabolic changes lead to the dysfunction seen
in the host.
INFECTIOUS PROCESSES
8. Pathophysiology Question 8: During the Infectious Processes,
what is the underlying mechanism responsible for clinical
manifestations?
A. Alteration in cellular metabolism
B. Homeostatic compensation
C. Genetic mutation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In Infectious Processes, the disruption typically begins at the
cellular level, where metabolic changes lead to the dysfunction seen in the
host.
Pathophysiology Exam 1 - Page 4
