NUR 641EA Exam 1 V2 | NUR 641EA Advanced
Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nurse
Educators | Actual Q&A with Rationale (NUR641EA
Exam 1) | Grand Canyon University
1. A nurse educator is explaining cellular adaptation. Which process describes a decrease in
cellular size caused by aging, disuse, or reduced blood supply?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. It can affect any organ, but
it is most common in skeletal muscle, the heart, secondary sex organs, and the brain.
Causes include decreased workload, pressure, use, blood supply, nutrition, hormonal
stimulation, and nervous stimulation.
2. When evaluating the effects of hypertension on the heart, the nurse understands that the
increase in size of the left ventricular myocardial cells is an example of:
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
,D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells and consequently in the size of
the affected organ. In the heart, this often occurs as an adaptive response to increased
workload, such as in chronic hypertension. Unlike hyperplasia, hypertrophy involves an
increase in the size of individual cells rather than an increase in the number of cells.
3. A patient has a long history of smoking, causing the ciliated columnar epithelium in the
airways to be replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This is known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Neoplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
sometimes less differentiated, cell type. In smokers, the normal ciliated columnar epithelial
cells of the bronchial airways are often replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells.
While this new cell type can survive the harsh environment of smoke, the patient loses the
protective benefit of cilia and mucus secretion.
, 4. Which of the following describes programmed cell death that prevents an inflammatory
response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Autolysis
D. Karyolysis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction, often referred to as
programmed cell death. It occurs in both normal and pathologic states to remove unwanted
or damaged cells without causing inflammation. In contrast, necrosis is accidental cell
death that typically results in the release of intracellular contents, triggering an
inflammatory response.
5. A patient experiences a Type I hypersensitivity reaction. Which of the following clinical
manifestations and mediators are associated with this reaction? (Select all that apply)
A. IgE antibodies binding to mast cells
B. Release of histamine
C. Bronchoconstriction
D. Urticaria (hives)
E. Delayed response occurring 48-72 hours later
Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nurse
Educators | Actual Q&A with Rationale (NUR641EA
Exam 1) | Grand Canyon University
1. A nurse educator is explaining cellular adaptation. Which process describes a decrease in
cellular size caused by aging, disuse, or reduced blood supply?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. It can affect any organ, but
it is most common in skeletal muscle, the heart, secondary sex organs, and the brain.
Causes include decreased workload, pressure, use, blood supply, nutrition, hormonal
stimulation, and nervous stimulation.
2. When evaluating the effects of hypertension on the heart, the nurse understands that the
increase in size of the left ventricular myocardial cells is an example of:
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
,D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells and consequently in the size of
the affected organ. In the heart, this often occurs as an adaptive response to increased
workload, such as in chronic hypertension. Unlike hyperplasia, hypertrophy involves an
increase in the size of individual cells rather than an increase in the number of cells.
3. A patient has a long history of smoking, causing the ciliated columnar epithelium in the
airways to be replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This is known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Neoplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
sometimes less differentiated, cell type. In smokers, the normal ciliated columnar epithelial
cells of the bronchial airways are often replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells.
While this new cell type can survive the harsh environment of smoke, the patient loses the
protective benefit of cilia and mucus secretion.
, 4. Which of the following describes programmed cell death that prevents an inflammatory
response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Autolysis
D. Karyolysis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction, often referred to as
programmed cell death. It occurs in both normal and pathologic states to remove unwanted
or damaged cells without causing inflammation. In contrast, necrosis is accidental cell
death that typically results in the release of intracellular contents, triggering an
inflammatory response.
5. A patient experiences a Type I hypersensitivity reaction. Which of the following clinical
manifestations and mediators are associated with this reaction? (Select all that apply)
A. IgE antibodies binding to mast cells
B. Release of histamine
C. Bronchoconstriction
D. Urticaria (hives)
E. Delayed response occurring 48-72 hours later
