ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
(NURS 6501) FINAL EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE PREP QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often less differentiated, cell type?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell by
another, usually in response to chronic irritation or inflammation, such as the change in
bronchial lining in smokers.
,2. In the context of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the primary
stimulus for the release of renin from the juxtaglomerular cells?
A. High serum potassium
B. High serum sodium
C. Increased blood volume
D. Decreased renal perfusion pressure
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Renin is released primarily in response to a decrease in renal
blood flow or low pressure in the afferent arteriole, detected by the juxtaglomerular cells.
3. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves the release of
histamine from mast cells?
A. Type III
B. Type II
C. Type I
D. Type IV
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is immediate and IgE-mediated, leading
to mast cell degranulation and the release of inflammatory mediators like histamine.
, 4. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The low pH indicates acidosis, and the high PCO2 identifies the
cause as respiratory in nature, with a normal bicarbonate suggesting no compensation yet.
5. What is the pathophysiological hallmark of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway
B. Accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques
C. Demyelination of the central nervous system axons
D. Loss of lower motor neurons in the spinal cord
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: MS is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation
and destruction of the myelin sheath in the CNS, leading to impaired nerve impulse
transmission.
(NURS 6501) FINAL EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE PREP QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often less differentiated, cell type?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell by
another, usually in response to chronic irritation or inflammation, such as the change in
bronchial lining in smokers.
,2. In the context of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the primary
stimulus for the release of renin from the juxtaglomerular cells?
A. High serum potassium
B. High serum sodium
C. Increased blood volume
D. Decreased renal perfusion pressure
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Renin is released primarily in response to a decrease in renal
blood flow or low pressure in the afferent arteriole, detected by the juxtaglomerular cells.
3. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves the release of
histamine from mast cells?
A. Type III
B. Type II
C. Type I
D. Type IV
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is immediate and IgE-mediated, leading
to mast cell degranulation and the release of inflammatory mediators like histamine.
, 4. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The low pH indicates acidosis, and the high PCO2 identifies the
cause as respiratory in nature, with a normal bicarbonate suggesting no compensation yet.
5. What is the pathophysiological hallmark of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway
B. Accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques
C. Demyelination of the central nervous system axons
D. Loss of lower motor neurons in the spinal cord
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: MS is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation
and destruction of the myelin sheath in the CNS, leading to impaired nerve impulse
transmission.
