,NUR 2063 Final Exam Essentials of Pathophysiology Questions and
Answers | 2026/2027 | Rasmussen University
Q1. Which term describes the maintenance of relatively stable
internal conditions despite external changes?
A) Metaplasia
B) Allostasis
C) Adaptation
D) Homeostasis
Correct Answer: D) Homeostasis
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a relatively stable
internal environment within physiologically acceptable limits.
Q2. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: A) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy increases the size of individual cells. The overall
tissue or organ may enlarge even though the number of cells does not
increase.
Q3. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of
cells?
A) Atrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia occurs when cells proliferate, increasing the total
number of cells within a tissue.
Q4. Which cellular adaptation involves a decrease in cell size?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
, C) Metaplasia
D) Atrophy
Correct Answer: D) Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a reduction in cell size and may occur when cells
experience decreased workload, reduced nutrition, loss of hormonal
stimulation, or impaired blood supply.
Q5. Which process involves replacement of one mature cell type
with another mature cell type better able to tolerate a chronic
stress?
A) Dysplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Apoptosis
D) Necrosis
Correct Answer: B) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is an adaptive change in which one differentiated cell
type is replaced by another that is better suited to the altered environment.
Q6. Which process represents regulated, programmed cell death?
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Hyperplasia
D) Ischemia
Correct Answer: B) Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is a controlled cellular process that removes cells
without the extensive inflammatory response typically associated with
necrosis.
Q7. Which statement best describes necrosis?
A) It is always a normal physiologic process
B) It involves programmed cellular removal without inflammation
C) It results from pathologic injury and may trigger inflammation
D) It always produces tissue regeneration
Correct Answer: C) It results from pathologic injury and may trigger
inflammation
Answers | 2026/2027 | Rasmussen University
Q1. Which term describes the maintenance of relatively stable
internal conditions despite external changes?
A) Metaplasia
B) Allostasis
C) Adaptation
D) Homeostasis
Correct Answer: D) Homeostasis
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a relatively stable
internal environment within physiologically acceptable limits.
Q2. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: A) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy increases the size of individual cells. The overall
tissue or organ may enlarge even though the number of cells does not
increase.
Q3. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of
cells?
A) Atrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia occurs when cells proliferate, increasing the total
number of cells within a tissue.
Q4. Which cellular adaptation involves a decrease in cell size?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
, C) Metaplasia
D) Atrophy
Correct Answer: D) Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a reduction in cell size and may occur when cells
experience decreased workload, reduced nutrition, loss of hormonal
stimulation, or impaired blood supply.
Q5. Which process involves replacement of one mature cell type
with another mature cell type better able to tolerate a chronic
stress?
A) Dysplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Apoptosis
D) Necrosis
Correct Answer: B) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is an adaptive change in which one differentiated cell
type is replaced by another that is better suited to the altered environment.
Q6. Which process represents regulated, programmed cell death?
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Hyperplasia
D) Ischemia
Correct Answer: B) Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is a controlled cellular process that removes cells
without the extensive inflammatory response typically associated with
necrosis.
Q7. Which statement best describes necrosis?
A) It is always a normal physiologic process
B) It involves programmed cellular removal without inflammation
C) It results from pathologic injury and may trigger inflammation
D) It always produces tissue regeneration
Correct Answer: C) It results from pathologic injury and may trigger
inflammation
