HSC 4555 Final Exam V1 | HSC 4555 Pathophysiology 1 | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (HSC4555 Final Exam) | University of Central Florida
1. A 55-year-old male with long-standing untreated hypertension undergoes an
echocardiogram. The results show increased thickness of the left ventricular wall. What is the
most likely cellular adaptation taking place?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Explanation: Cardiac hypertrophy occurs when myocytes increase in size rather than
number to compensate for an increased workload like high blood pressure. This process is
driven by increased protein synthesis and the addition of more myofibrils to the muscle
cells. Over time, this adaptation can lead to decreased chamber volume and impaired
cardiac filling.
2. Which type of cell death is characterized by cell shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, and the
maintenance of the plasma membrane, without eliciting an inflammatory response?
A. Liquefactive Necrosis
B. Coagulative Necrosis
C. Apoptosis
D. Autophagy
Answer: C
Explanation: Apoptosis is a programmed form of cell death that occurs under
physiological and pathological conditions. Unlike necrosis, the cellular contents do not leak
out because apoptotic bodies are quickly phagocytized by neighboring cells. This lack of
leakage prevents the activation of an inflammatory cascade in the surrounding tissue.
3. A patient experiences a myocardial infarction due to prolonged ischemia. The resulting
tissue death in the heart muscle is most commonly which type of necrosis?
A. Coagulative Necrosis
B. Caseous Necrosis
C. Fat Necrosis
D. Liquefactive Necrosis
,Answer: A
Explanation: Coagulative necrosis is the characteristic pattern of cell death associated
with hypoxic or ischemic injury in most solid organs except the brain. It is characterized by
the denaturation of proteins, including lysosomal enzymes, which prevents immediate
autolysis. This results in the preservation of the basic structural outline of the dead tissue
for several days.
4. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3- of 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Explanation: The pH level below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and the elevated PaCO2 level
above 45 mmHg suggests the respiratory system is the cause. Since the bicarbonate level is
within the normal range (22-26 mEq/L), there is currently no evidence of compensation.
This condition is commonly caused by hypoventilation resulting from COPD, drug
overdose, or neuromuscular disease.
5. Severe prolonged vomiting can lead to which of the following acid-base disturbances?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: A
Explanation: Vomiting causes a significant loss of hydrochloric acid (HCl) from the gastric
contents, leading to an excess of bicarbonate in the blood. As the body loses chloride ions,
the kidneys increase the reabsorption of bicarbonate to maintain electrical neutrality. This
results in an elevated pH and an elevated HCO3- concentration in the plasma.
6. A patient’s EKG shows peaked T waves and a widened QRS complex. Which electrolyte
abnormality should the clinician suspect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
, D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Explanation: Hyperkalemia, or elevated serum potassium, significantly affects the resting
membrane potential of cardiac cells. Peaked T waves are the earliest EKG sign of potassium
toxicity, followed by a prolonged PR interval and QRS widening. If untreated, hyperkalemia
can lead to lethal arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or asystole.
7. Which of the following is the most dangerous consequence of severe hyponatremia?
A. Muscle wasting
B. Cardiac Arrest
C. Cerebral Edema
D. Renal Failure
Answer: C
Explanation: Hyponatremia causes the extracellular fluid to become hypotonic compared
to the intracellular fluid. As a result, water moves via osmosis from the blood into the brain
cells, causing them to swell. This intracranial swelling can lead to confusion, seizures,
herniation, and death if not corrected appropriately.
8. The Chvostek sign and Trousseau sign are clinical indicators used to identify which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability by decreasing the
threshold for nerve stimulation. The Chvostek sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve,
while the Trousseau sign involves inducing a carpal spasm with a blood pressure cuff. Both
are signs of tetany, which can progress to laryngeal spasms and seizures.
9. Type I hypersensitivity reactions are mediated by which of the following antibodies?
A. IgG
B. IgE
C. IgM
D. IgA
with Rationale (HSC4555 Final Exam) | University of Central Florida
1. A 55-year-old male with long-standing untreated hypertension undergoes an
echocardiogram. The results show increased thickness of the left ventricular wall. What is the
most likely cellular adaptation taking place?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Explanation: Cardiac hypertrophy occurs when myocytes increase in size rather than
number to compensate for an increased workload like high blood pressure. This process is
driven by increased protein synthesis and the addition of more myofibrils to the muscle
cells. Over time, this adaptation can lead to decreased chamber volume and impaired
cardiac filling.
2. Which type of cell death is characterized by cell shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, and the
maintenance of the plasma membrane, without eliciting an inflammatory response?
A. Liquefactive Necrosis
B. Coagulative Necrosis
C. Apoptosis
D. Autophagy
Answer: C
Explanation: Apoptosis is a programmed form of cell death that occurs under
physiological and pathological conditions. Unlike necrosis, the cellular contents do not leak
out because apoptotic bodies are quickly phagocytized by neighboring cells. This lack of
leakage prevents the activation of an inflammatory cascade in the surrounding tissue.
3. A patient experiences a myocardial infarction due to prolonged ischemia. The resulting
tissue death in the heart muscle is most commonly which type of necrosis?
A. Coagulative Necrosis
B. Caseous Necrosis
C. Fat Necrosis
D. Liquefactive Necrosis
,Answer: A
Explanation: Coagulative necrosis is the characteristic pattern of cell death associated
with hypoxic or ischemic injury in most solid organs except the brain. It is characterized by
the denaturation of proteins, including lysosomal enzymes, which prevents immediate
autolysis. This results in the preservation of the basic structural outline of the dead tissue
for several days.
4. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3- of 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Explanation: The pH level below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and the elevated PaCO2 level
above 45 mmHg suggests the respiratory system is the cause. Since the bicarbonate level is
within the normal range (22-26 mEq/L), there is currently no evidence of compensation.
This condition is commonly caused by hypoventilation resulting from COPD, drug
overdose, or neuromuscular disease.
5. Severe prolonged vomiting can lead to which of the following acid-base disturbances?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: A
Explanation: Vomiting causes a significant loss of hydrochloric acid (HCl) from the gastric
contents, leading to an excess of bicarbonate in the blood. As the body loses chloride ions,
the kidneys increase the reabsorption of bicarbonate to maintain electrical neutrality. This
results in an elevated pH and an elevated HCO3- concentration in the plasma.
6. A patient’s EKG shows peaked T waves and a widened QRS complex. Which electrolyte
abnormality should the clinician suspect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
, D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Explanation: Hyperkalemia, or elevated serum potassium, significantly affects the resting
membrane potential of cardiac cells. Peaked T waves are the earliest EKG sign of potassium
toxicity, followed by a prolonged PR interval and QRS widening. If untreated, hyperkalemia
can lead to lethal arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or asystole.
7. Which of the following is the most dangerous consequence of severe hyponatremia?
A. Muscle wasting
B. Cardiac Arrest
C. Cerebral Edema
D. Renal Failure
Answer: C
Explanation: Hyponatremia causes the extracellular fluid to become hypotonic compared
to the intracellular fluid. As a result, water moves via osmosis from the blood into the brain
cells, causing them to swell. This intracranial swelling can lead to confusion, seizures,
herniation, and death if not corrected appropriately.
8. The Chvostek sign and Trousseau sign are clinical indicators used to identify which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability by decreasing the
threshold for nerve stimulation. The Chvostek sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve,
while the Trousseau sign involves inducing a carpal spasm with a blood pressure cuff. Both
are signs of tetany, which can progress to laryngeal spasms and seizures.
9. Type I hypersensitivity reactions are mediated by which of the following antibodies?
A. IgG
B. IgE
C. IgM
D. IgA
