Nur 2063 Final Exam 3 Pathophysiology 2026/2027 | Rasmussen Study Guide With Q&A

NUR 2063 FINAL EXAM 3
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2026/2027 |
RASMUSSEN STUDY GUIDE WITH Q&A
NUR 2063 FINAL EXAM 3 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2026/2027

RASMUSSEN STUDY GUIDE WITH Q&A



DOCUMENT OVERVIEW

• Comprehensive 200-Question Study Guide - Full coverage of pathophysiological
concepts, mechanisms, and clinical applications aligned with NUR 2063 curriculum
standards

• Study Strategy - Use this guide for progressive learning: first review concepts,
then test yourself with questions, study detailed rationales to reinforce
understanding, and retake to achieve mastery before final exam



SECTION 1: CELLULAR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & ADAPTATION



QUESTION 1: A 45-year-old patient experiences prolonged hypertension. Over
time, their heart muscle increases in size and mass in response to the chronic
workload. This adaptation is an example of which cellular process?

A) Atrophy

B) Necrosis

C) Hypertrophy

D) Metaplasia

E) Dysplasia

CORRECT ANSWER: C) Hypertrophy

Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size and tissue mass in response to
increased workload or stimulation. In this case, the heart muscle enlarges due to

,persistent high blood pressure. Atrophy would be a decrease in size. Necrosis is cell
death. Metaplasia is a change in cell type. Dysplasia is abnormal cell development.



QUESTION 2: A 72-year-old woman with chronic alcoholism develops atrophy
of the cerebral cortex. The neurons are unable to maintain their size due to
decreased functional demands and loss of stimulation. Which of the following
best describes this process?

A) Hypertrophy from disuse

B) Atrophy from decreased functional demand

C) Physiologic necrosis

D) Metaplastic transformation

E) Dystrophic calcification

CORRECT ANSWER: B) Atrophy from decreased functional demand

Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to decreased functional demand,
loss of innervation, inadequate nutrition, or disuse. In chronic alcoholism, neuronal
damage and loss of function lead to reduced cell size. This is a reversible change if
the causative factors are removed early. Hypertrophy would be an increase.
Necrosis implies cell death. Metaplasia is a change in cell type, not size reduction.



QUESTION 3: A 35-year-old patient has Barrett's esophagus, where stratified
squamous epithelium of the esophagus is replaced with columnar epithelium.
This is an example of what type of cellular adaptation?

A) Anaplasia

B) Dysplasia

C) Metaplasia

D) Hyperplasia

E) Aplasia

,CORRECT ANSWER: C) Metaplasia

Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one cell type with another
cell type, usually in response to chronic irritation. Barrett's esophagus occurs due to
chronic acid reflux, where the normal squamous epithelium is replaced with
columnar epithelium to better withstand acidic conditions. Dysplasia involves
abnormal development. Hyperplasia is increased number of cells. Anaplasia means
loss of differentiation.



QUESTION 4: A 50-year-old male smoker develops hyperplasia of the
respiratory epithelium in his bronchi. His airways become narrower due to
excessive cell proliferation. What stimulus most likely caused this
adaptation?

A) Decreased functional demand

B) Decreased innervation

C) Chronic irritation from smoke

D) Viral infection

E) Decreased blood supply

CORRECT ANSWER: C) Chronic irritation from smoke

Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in response to
increased physiologic demand or chronic stimulation. Chronic smoking causes
persistent irritation of the respiratory epithelium, stimulating compensatory cell
proliferation. While viral infections could cause temporary proliferation, chronic
irritation from smoking is the most consistent stimulus. The other options would
cause atrophy or decreased cell numbers.



QUESTION 5: A 28-year-old woman undergoes a partial mastectomy for breast
cancer. During healing, fibroblasts proliferate and deposit collagen, leading to
scar formation. This involves which cellular process?

, A) Hyperplasia and fibrosis

B) Hypertrophy only

C) Metaplasia

D) Atrophy with necrosis

E) Dysplasia with anaplasia

CORRECT ANSWER: A) Hyperplasia and fibrosis

Rationale: Scar formation involves hyperplasia (increased number of fibroblasts)
and the deposition of collagen, which is a form of fibrosis. This is the normal wound
healing process. Fibroblasts proliferate to replace damaged tissue with scar tissue.
While hypertrophy of fibroblasts may occur, hyperplasia (increased cell numbers) is
the dominant process. Metaplasia involves cell type changes, which is not the
primary process in scarring.



QUESTION 6: An 80-year-old patient with chronic kidney disease develops
calcification of arteries. Calcium deposits appear in the media of blood
vessels despite normal serum calcium levels. What is this process called?

A) Pathologic calcification

B) Dystrophic calcification

C) Metastatic calcification

D) Physiologic calcification

E) Heterotopic calcification

CORRECT ANSWER: B) Dystrophic calcification

Rationale: Dystrophic calcification occurs when calcium deposits form in injured or
damaged tissues despite normal serum calcium and phosphate levels. This is
common in chronic kidney disease where arterial damage occurs. Metastatic
calcification occurs when calcium deposits form in normal tissues due to elevated
serum calcium levels. Pathologic calcification is a broader term. Dystrophic