NR283 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1
ADVANCED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient who has smoked for 20 years shows a change in the bronchial epithelium from
ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the replacement of one mature cell type by another
mature cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which of the following describes a cellular change that results in an increased number of
cells due to increased physiological demand?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
,C. Neoplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells resulting from
an increased rate of cellular division.
3. Which type of cell death is characterized by the programmed ‘suicide’ of cells without
inducing an inflammatory response?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is a normal, non-
inflammatory process for removing old or damaged cells.
4. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation is
most likely to be observed?
A. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Thirst and dry mucous membranes
, D. Confusion and seizures
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyponatremia (low sodium) leads to cerebral edema, which
manifests as confusion, lethargy, and potentially seizures.
5. In the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), which stage involves the mobilization of the
body’s resources to respond to a stressor via the sympathetic nervous system?
A. Resistance stage
B. Exhaustion stage
C. Alarm stage
D. Recovery stage
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The alarm stage is the initial ‘fight or flight’ response where the
hypothalamus, sympathetic nervous system, and adrenal glands are activated.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause T-wave peaking and potential cardiac
arrest?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
ADVANCED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient who has smoked for 20 years shows a change in the bronchial epithelium from
ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the replacement of one mature cell type by another
mature cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which of the following describes a cellular change that results in an increased number of
cells due to increased physiological demand?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
,C. Neoplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells resulting from
an increased rate of cellular division.
3. Which type of cell death is characterized by the programmed ‘suicide’ of cells without
inducing an inflammatory response?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is a normal, non-
inflammatory process for removing old or damaged cells.
4. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation is
most likely to be observed?
A. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Thirst and dry mucous membranes
, D. Confusion and seizures
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyponatremia (low sodium) leads to cerebral edema, which
manifests as confusion, lethargy, and potentially seizures.
5. In the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), which stage involves the mobilization of the
body’s resources to respond to a stressor via the sympathetic nervous system?
A. Resistance stage
B. Exhaustion stage
C. Alarm stage
D. Recovery stage
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The alarm stage is the initial ‘fight or flight’ response where the
hypothalamus, sympathetic nervous system, and adrenal glands are activated.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause T-wave peaking and potential cardiac
arrest?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
