ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
MIDTERM MASTERY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|
100% CORRECT |GRADE A –
CHAMBERLAIN
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a chronic cough. Biopsy of the bronchial
epithelium reveals a change from ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. What is
the most likely cellular adaptation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen in hypoxic injury?
A. Inactivation of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Increased protein synthesis
,C. Decreased intracellular osmotic pressure
D. Activation of the complement cascade
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, which shuts down the Na+/K+
pump, causing sodium to accumulate inside the cell, followed by water.
3. A patient has a large surgical wound. During the proliferative phase of wound healing,
which cell type is most critical for secreting collagen?
A. Neutrophils
B. Macrophages
C. Fibroblasts
D. Platelets
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Fibroblasts are the primary cells responsible for synthesizing
and secreting collagen and other connective tissue proteins.
4. A child is diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, an autosomal recessive disorder. Both parents are
asymptomatic carriers. What is the probability that their next child will be affected?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
, D. 100%
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For autosomal recessive disorders, two carrier parents (Aa x Aa)
have a 25% chance of having an affected (aa) child.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a shortened QT interval and muscle
weakness?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypercalcemia shortens the QT interval and decreases
neuromuscular excitability, leading to weakness.
6. In the context of the acid-base balance, how does the body compensate for metabolic
acidosis?
A. Decreasing respiratory rate to retain CO2
B. Increasing respiratory rate to blow off CO2
C. Kidneys secreting more bicarbonate
D. Kidneys retaining hydrogen ions
MIDTERM MASTERY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|
100% CORRECT |GRADE A –
CHAMBERLAIN
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a chronic cough. Biopsy of the bronchial
epithelium reveals a change from ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. What is
the most likely cellular adaptation?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen in hypoxic injury?
A. Inactivation of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Increased protein synthesis
,C. Decreased intracellular osmotic pressure
D. Activation of the complement cascade
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, which shuts down the Na+/K+
pump, causing sodium to accumulate inside the cell, followed by water.
3. A patient has a large surgical wound. During the proliferative phase of wound healing,
which cell type is most critical for secreting collagen?
A. Neutrophils
B. Macrophages
C. Fibroblasts
D. Platelets
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Fibroblasts are the primary cells responsible for synthesizing
and secreting collagen and other connective tissue proteins.
4. A child is diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, an autosomal recessive disorder. Both parents are
asymptomatic carriers. What is the probability that their next child will be affected?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
, D. 100%
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For autosomal recessive disorders, two carrier parents (Aa x Aa)
have a 25% chance of having an affected (aa) child.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a shortened QT interval and muscle
weakness?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypercalcemia shortens the QT interval and decreases
neuromuscular excitability, leading to weakness.
6. In the context of the acid-base balance, how does the body compensate for metabolic
acidosis?
A. Decreasing respiratory rate to retain CO2
B. Increasing respiratory rate to blow off CO2
C. Kidneys secreting more bicarbonate
D. Kidneys retaining hydrogen ions
