NSG 3280 Pathophysiology for Nurses – Final
Exam Review (2026/2027 Update)
Pathophysiology for Nurses I | Review
Questions and Answers | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Solutions) Instant pdf -
Galen
Based on the search results and course curriculum, the NSG 3280 Final
Exam is comprehensive, covering content from Exams 1-4, with an
emphasis on cumulative knowledge. Key focus areas include reproductive
and genitourinary disorders, sexually transmitted infections, aging-related
changes, endocrine disorders, and overarching pathophysiology concepts
from the entire course. Below is a comprehensive practice exam with
verified answers and detailed rationales.
: Cellular Adaptation, Genetics & Cancer
1. A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding.
The physician identified endometrial changes that are due to
hormonal imbalances. These cellular changes would be referred to as:
A) Physiologic hyperplasia
B) Pathologic hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Pathologic hyperplasia is an abnormal increase in the number of cells
,resulting from hormonal imbalances or chronic irritation. In this case,
hormonal imbalances causing endometrial changes represent pathologic
hyperplasia, which can progress to dysplasia and cancer if the stimulus
persists .
2. A 34-year-old was diagnosed with malignant tumor (cancer). The
nurse teaches the patient about malignant cells. Which of the
following is most appropriate explanation when describing malignant
cells?
A) Malignant cells are dysplastic cells and are irreversible
B) Malignant cells are well-differentiated and slow-growing
C) Malignant cells are encapsulated and easily removed
D) Malignant cells are benign cells that have become inflamed
Correct Answer: A
Malignant cells are characterized by dysplasia (abnormal cell growth) and
are irreversible. Unlike benign tumors, malignant cells invade surrounding
tissues, are poorly differentiated, and can metastasize to distant sites .
3. A characteristic of a malignant tumor includes that it:
A) Remains confined to the tissue of origin
B) Can spread far from the tissue of origin
C) Grows slowly and is encapsulated
D) Is composed of well-differentiated cells
Correct Answer: B
The ability to metastasize—spreading far from the tissue of origin—is a
hallmark of malignancy. Malignant cells detach from the primary tumor,
,invade blood or lymph vessels, and establish secondary tumors in distant
organs .
4. A 25-year-old male develops cancer of the breast glandular tissue.
What type of cancer does he have?
A) Sarcoma
B) Adenocarcinoma
C) Squamous cell carcinoma
D) Lymphoma
Correct Answer: B
Adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelial
tissue. Breast cancer developing from glandular tissue would be classified as
adenocarcinoma, regardless of the patient's gender .
5. When planning care for a cardiac patient, the nurse knows that in
response to an increased workload, cardiac myocardial cells will:
A) Increase in number
B) Increase in size
C) Decrease in size
D) Change cell type
Correct Answer: B
In response to increased workload (such as hypertension), cardiac myocardial
cells undergo hypertrophy—an increase in cell size without an increase in cell
number. This is an adaptive mechanism to generate greater contractile force .
, 6. The term apoptosis is appropriately defined as:
A) Unregulated cell death causing inflammation
B) Programmed cell death that does not cause inflammation
C) Cell swelling and membrane rupture
D) Cellular adaptation to chronic injury
Correct Answer: B
Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is clean, orderly, and does not cause
inflammation. It is essential for normal development, tissue homeostasis, and
removal of damaged cells. Necrosis is unregulated and causes inflammation .
7. A report comes back indicating that muscular atrophy has occurred.
A nurse recalls that muscular atrophy involves a decrease in muscle
cell:
A) Number
B) Size
C) Function
D) Blood supply
Correct Answer: B
Atrophy is a decrease in cell size resulting in reduced tissue mass. Muscle
atrophy occurs due to decreased workload, disuse, or loss of innervation,
where muscle cells reduce protein synthesis and increase protein
degradation .
8. A nursing student is studying about cancer and the associated risks
for cancer. The instructor knows the student understands cancer when
which of the following are associated risks for cancer? (Select all that
apply)
Exam Review (2026/2027 Update)
Pathophysiology for Nurses I | Review
Questions and Answers | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Solutions) Instant pdf -
Galen
Based on the search results and course curriculum, the NSG 3280 Final
Exam is comprehensive, covering content from Exams 1-4, with an
emphasis on cumulative knowledge. Key focus areas include reproductive
and genitourinary disorders, sexually transmitted infections, aging-related
changes, endocrine disorders, and overarching pathophysiology concepts
from the entire course. Below is a comprehensive practice exam with
verified answers and detailed rationales.
: Cellular Adaptation, Genetics & Cancer
1. A 24-year-old female presents with excessive menstrual bleeding.
The physician identified endometrial changes that are due to
hormonal imbalances. These cellular changes would be referred to as:
A) Physiologic hyperplasia
B) Pathologic hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Pathologic hyperplasia is an abnormal increase in the number of cells
,resulting from hormonal imbalances or chronic irritation. In this case,
hormonal imbalances causing endometrial changes represent pathologic
hyperplasia, which can progress to dysplasia and cancer if the stimulus
persists .
2. A 34-year-old was diagnosed with malignant tumor (cancer). The
nurse teaches the patient about malignant cells. Which of the
following is most appropriate explanation when describing malignant
cells?
A) Malignant cells are dysplastic cells and are irreversible
B) Malignant cells are well-differentiated and slow-growing
C) Malignant cells are encapsulated and easily removed
D) Malignant cells are benign cells that have become inflamed
Correct Answer: A
Malignant cells are characterized by dysplasia (abnormal cell growth) and
are irreversible. Unlike benign tumors, malignant cells invade surrounding
tissues, are poorly differentiated, and can metastasize to distant sites .
3. A characteristic of a malignant tumor includes that it:
A) Remains confined to the tissue of origin
B) Can spread far from the tissue of origin
C) Grows slowly and is encapsulated
D) Is composed of well-differentiated cells
Correct Answer: B
The ability to metastasize—spreading far from the tissue of origin—is a
hallmark of malignancy. Malignant cells detach from the primary tumor,
,invade blood or lymph vessels, and establish secondary tumors in distant
organs .
4. A 25-year-old male develops cancer of the breast glandular tissue.
What type of cancer does he have?
A) Sarcoma
B) Adenocarcinoma
C) Squamous cell carcinoma
D) Lymphoma
Correct Answer: B
Adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumor arising from glandular epithelial
tissue. Breast cancer developing from glandular tissue would be classified as
adenocarcinoma, regardless of the patient's gender .
5. When planning care for a cardiac patient, the nurse knows that in
response to an increased workload, cardiac myocardial cells will:
A) Increase in number
B) Increase in size
C) Decrease in size
D) Change cell type
Correct Answer: B
In response to increased workload (such as hypertension), cardiac myocardial
cells undergo hypertrophy—an increase in cell size without an increase in cell
number. This is an adaptive mechanism to generate greater contractile force .
, 6. The term apoptosis is appropriately defined as:
A) Unregulated cell death causing inflammation
B) Programmed cell death that does not cause inflammation
C) Cell swelling and membrane rupture
D) Cellular adaptation to chronic injury
Correct Answer: B
Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is clean, orderly, and does not cause
inflammation. It is essential for normal development, tissue homeostasis, and
removal of damaged cells. Necrosis is unregulated and causes inflammation .
7. A report comes back indicating that muscular atrophy has occurred.
A nurse recalls that muscular atrophy involves a decrease in muscle
cell:
A) Number
B) Size
C) Function
D) Blood supply
Correct Answer: B
Atrophy is a decrease in cell size resulting in reduced tissue mass. Muscle
atrophy occurs due to decreased workload, disuse, or loss of innervation,
where muscle cells reduce protein synthesis and increase protein
degradation .
8. A nursing student is studying about cancer and the associated risks
for cancer. The instructor knows the student understands cancer when
which of the following are associated risks for cancer? (Select all that
apply)
