NSG 1520 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A biopsy of the uterine cervix reveals cells that vary in size and shape and show an
increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and
organization of mature cells, often considered a precursor to neoplasia.
2. A patient is diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder. From which parent was the genetic
defect inherited?
A. The father
B. The mother
,C. Both parents equally
D. The paternal grandmother
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Mitochondrial DNA is inherited exclusively from the mother
because the sperm’s mitochondria are typically destroyed during fertilization.
3. Which cellular process is characterized by programmed cell death without triggering an
inflammatory response?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Apoptosis
D. Autophagy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed process of cell self-
destruction that avoids leakage of cellular contents and thus does not trigger inflammation.
4. During reperfusion injury, what is the primary cause of further cellular damage?
A. Excessive ATP production
B. Free radical formation
C. Depletion of calcium
, D. Lactic acid buildup
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Reperfusion injury occurs when oxygen is restored to ischemic
tissue, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that damage
membranes.
5. Skeletal muscle atrophy in a patient with a limb in a cast is primarily driven by:
A. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway
B. Increased protein synthesis
C. Mitochondrial proliferation
D. Activation of the mTOR pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Muscle atrophy occurs via the degradation of proteins through
the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway during periods of disuse or nutrient deprivation.
6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by T-lymphocytes and occurs 48 to 72
hours after exposure?
A. Type I
B. Type IV
C. Type III
D. Type II
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A biopsy of the uterine cervix reveals cells that vary in size and shape and show an
increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and
organization of mature cells, often considered a precursor to neoplasia.
2. A patient is diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder. From which parent was the genetic
defect inherited?
A. The father
B. The mother
,C. Both parents equally
D. The paternal grandmother
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Mitochondrial DNA is inherited exclusively from the mother
because the sperm’s mitochondria are typically destroyed during fertilization.
3. Which cellular process is characterized by programmed cell death without triggering an
inflammatory response?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Apoptosis
D. Autophagy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed process of cell self-
destruction that avoids leakage of cellular contents and thus does not trigger inflammation.
4. During reperfusion injury, what is the primary cause of further cellular damage?
A. Excessive ATP production
B. Free radical formation
C. Depletion of calcium
, D. Lactic acid buildup
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Reperfusion injury occurs when oxygen is restored to ischemic
tissue, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that damage
membranes.
5. Skeletal muscle atrophy in a patient with a limb in a cast is primarily driven by:
A. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway
B. Increased protein synthesis
C. Mitochondrial proliferation
D. Activation of the mTOR pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Muscle atrophy occurs via the degradation of proteins through
the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway during periods of disuse or nutrient deprivation.
6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by T-lymphocytes and occurs 48 to 72
hours after exposure?
A. Type I
B. Type IV
C. Type III
D. Type II
