NRS 455 Exam 1 V3 | NRS 455 Pathophysiology |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NRS455 Exam 1) |
Grand Canyon University
1. A patient has experienced a decrease in the size of the leg muscle cells after being in a cast
for six weeks. Which term best describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size that can affect any organ. It
is commonly seen in skeletal muscle when the workload is decreased, such as during
immobilization in a cast. If atrophy occurs in a sufficient number of an organ’s cells, the
entire organ shrinks.
2. Which of the following cellular changes is considered a precancerous condition?
A. Physiologic hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
,Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells. It is often called atypical hyperplasia and is not a true adaptive process.
Importantly, dysplastic changes are frequently encountered in epithelial tissue of the cervix
and respiratory tract, where they are strongly associated with common neoplastic growths.
3. Which clinical manifestations are considered local signs of acute inflammation? (Select all
that apply)
A. Heat (calor)
B. Redness (rubor)
C. Swelling (tumor)
D. Pain (dolor)
E. Fever
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: The local manifestations of inflammation result from vascular changes and
the subsequent leakage of circulating components into the tissue. The classic symptoms are
redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Fever is a systemic manifestation of inflammation rather
than a local one.
4. Metaplasia is best defined as which of the following?
A. An increase in the number of cells resulting from an increased rate of cellular division.
, B. The reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature cell type.
C. The deranged cellular growth of a specific tissue.
D. A decrease in the size and function of a cell.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Metaplasia involves the reprogramming of stem cells that exist in most
epithelia or of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. This process allows for the replacement
of a cell type that is sensitive to a particular stress with one that can better withstand it. An
example is the replacement of ciliated columnar epithelial cells by stratified squamous
epithelial cells in the airways of smokers.
5. A nurse is educating a patient about the effects of hypoxia. Which statement accurately
describes the cellular response to a lack of oxygen?
A. ATP production increases significantly to compensate.
B. Lactic acid production decreases because the cell stops metabolizing glucose.
C. The sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to cellular swelling.
D. Intracellular calcium levels decrease as the cell attempts to preserve energy.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypoxia leads to a decrease in mitochondrial phosphorylation and a
subsequent reduction in ATP production. Without sufficient ATP, the sodium-potassium
pump fails, allowing sodium to accumulate inside the cell while potassium exits. The
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NRS455 Exam 1) |
Grand Canyon University
1. A patient has experienced a decrease in the size of the leg muscle cells after being in a cast
for six weeks. Which term best describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size that can affect any organ. It
is commonly seen in skeletal muscle when the workload is decreased, such as during
immobilization in a cast. If atrophy occurs in a sufficient number of an organ’s cells, the
entire organ shrinks.
2. Which of the following cellular changes is considered a precancerous condition?
A. Physiologic hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
,Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells. It is often called atypical hyperplasia and is not a true adaptive process.
Importantly, dysplastic changes are frequently encountered in epithelial tissue of the cervix
and respiratory tract, where they are strongly associated with common neoplastic growths.
3. Which clinical manifestations are considered local signs of acute inflammation? (Select all
that apply)
A. Heat (calor)
B. Redness (rubor)
C. Swelling (tumor)
D. Pain (dolor)
E. Fever
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: The local manifestations of inflammation result from vascular changes and
the subsequent leakage of circulating components into the tissue. The classic symptoms are
redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Fever is a systemic manifestation of inflammation rather
than a local one.
4. Metaplasia is best defined as which of the following?
A. An increase in the number of cells resulting from an increased rate of cellular division.
, B. The reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature cell type.
C. The deranged cellular growth of a specific tissue.
D. A decrease in the size and function of a cell.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Metaplasia involves the reprogramming of stem cells that exist in most
epithelia or of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. This process allows for the replacement
of a cell type that is sensitive to a particular stress with one that can better withstand it. An
example is the replacement of ciliated columnar epithelial cells by stratified squamous
epithelial cells in the airways of smokers.
5. A nurse is educating a patient about the effects of hypoxia. Which statement accurately
describes the cellular response to a lack of oxygen?
A. ATP production increases significantly to compensate.
B. Lactic acid production decreases because the cell stops metabolizing glucose.
C. The sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to cellular swelling.
D. Intracellular calcium levels decrease as the cell attempts to preserve energy.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypoxia leads to a decrease in mitochondrial phosphorylation and a
subsequent reduction in ATP production. Without sufficient ATP, the sodium-potassium
pump fails, allowing sodium to accumulate inside the cell while potassium exits. The
