NR 507: Advanced Pathophysiology – Midterm Exam – Chamberlain
University – 2026/2027 – Questions with 100% Accurate Answers
Prepare for the NR 507 Advanced Pathophysiology Midterm Exam with latest,
verified multiple-choice questions covering cellular adaptation, genetics,
immunology, fluid/electrolyte/acid-base balance, hematology, cardiovascular,
pulmonary, and renal pathophysiology. Each question includes a bold italic correct
answer and a detailed bold italic explanation for fast, high-yield review. Ideal for
Chamberlain University MSN students and advanced practice nursing candidates
seeking an updated, concise study guide for the NR 507 midterm exam.
Cellular Adaptation, Injury & Death
1. A patient exhibits an increase in the size of the heart cells due to
increased workload from hypertension. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
*Answer: C. Hypertrophy *
*Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to
mechanical stimuli such as increased workload, whereas hyperplasia is an
increase in the number of cells. *
2. Which type of cell death is characterized by programmed cell suicide that
does not trigger an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
,B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Coagulative necrosis
*Answer: C. Apoptosis *
*Explanation: Apoptosis is a distinct type of programmed cell death that
occurs normally during development and throughout life to maintain
homeostasis; it is quiet and does not cause inflammation, unlike necrosis. *
3. What is the earliest reversible morphologic sign of cell injury?
A. Nuclear fragmentation
B. Cellular swelling (hydropic change)
C. Karyolysis
D. Fatty change
*Answer: B. Cellular swelling (hydropic change) *
*Explanation: Cellular swelling is the earliest reversible sign of cell injury,
caused by ATP depletion leading to failure of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump and
subsequent water influx. *
4. The irreversible marker of cell death on electron microscopy is:
A. Cellular swelling
B. Nuclear pyknosis
C. Mitochondrial amorphous (flocculent) densities
D. Membrane blebbing
*Answer: C. Mitochondrial amorphous (flocculent) densities *
*Explanation: Flocculent densities in the mitochondrial matrix are an
irreversible marker of cell death, indicating severe membrane damage. This
is the "point of no return" where cell death is inevitable even if the stressor
is removed. *
,5. Which process describes the decrease in cellular size caused by aging,
disuse, or reduced blood supply?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
*Answer: B. Atrophy *
*Explanation: Atrophy is the decrease in cellular size due to aging, disuse,
or reduced blood supply. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size; hyperplasia
is an increase in cell number; metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type
with another. *
6. A client presents with cellular swelling due to hypoxic injury. This is an
example of:
A. Irreversible cell injury
B. Reversible cell injury (hydropic swelling)
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Gangrenous necrosis
*Answer: B. Reversible cell injury (hydropic swelling) *
*Explanation: Hydropic swelling is a reversible form of cell injury caused by
failure of the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump, leading to sodium influx and osmotic
water entry. *
7. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Cellular dehydration
C. Decreased ATP production
D. Excessive protein synthesis
, *Answer: C. Decreased ATP production *
*Explanation: Hypoxia leads to decreased oxidative phosphorylation and ATP
production, causing failure of ion pumps and cellular swelling. *
8. Which type of cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of
cells in response to hormonal stimulation or increased functional demand?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
*Answer: D. Hyperplasia *
*Explanation: Hyperplasia is characterized by an increase in cell number.
Physiologic hyperplasia occurs in response to hormonal stimulation, while
pathologic hyperplasia occurs in response to excessive hormonal
stimulation. *
9. A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) undergoes
an endoscopy, and the esophageal squamous epithelium has been replaced
by columnar epithelium. This finding is an example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Neoplasia
*Answer: B. Metaplasia *
*Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one differentiated
cell type is replaced by another. In Barrett esophagus, the normal
squamous epithelium of the esophagus is replaced by columnar epithelium
as a protective response to acid exposure. *
University – 2026/2027 – Questions with 100% Accurate Answers
Prepare for the NR 507 Advanced Pathophysiology Midterm Exam with latest,
verified multiple-choice questions covering cellular adaptation, genetics,
immunology, fluid/electrolyte/acid-base balance, hematology, cardiovascular,
pulmonary, and renal pathophysiology. Each question includes a bold italic correct
answer and a detailed bold italic explanation for fast, high-yield review. Ideal for
Chamberlain University MSN students and advanced practice nursing candidates
seeking an updated, concise study guide for the NR 507 midterm exam.
Cellular Adaptation, Injury & Death
1. A patient exhibits an increase in the size of the heart cells due to
increased workload from hypertension. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
*Answer: C. Hypertrophy *
*Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to
mechanical stimuli such as increased workload, whereas hyperplasia is an
increase in the number of cells. *
2. Which type of cell death is characterized by programmed cell suicide that
does not trigger an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
,B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Coagulative necrosis
*Answer: C. Apoptosis *
*Explanation: Apoptosis is a distinct type of programmed cell death that
occurs normally during development and throughout life to maintain
homeostasis; it is quiet and does not cause inflammation, unlike necrosis. *
3. What is the earliest reversible morphologic sign of cell injury?
A. Nuclear fragmentation
B. Cellular swelling (hydropic change)
C. Karyolysis
D. Fatty change
*Answer: B. Cellular swelling (hydropic change) *
*Explanation: Cellular swelling is the earliest reversible sign of cell injury,
caused by ATP depletion leading to failure of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump and
subsequent water influx. *
4. The irreversible marker of cell death on electron microscopy is:
A. Cellular swelling
B. Nuclear pyknosis
C. Mitochondrial amorphous (flocculent) densities
D. Membrane blebbing
*Answer: C. Mitochondrial amorphous (flocculent) densities *
*Explanation: Flocculent densities in the mitochondrial matrix are an
irreversible marker of cell death, indicating severe membrane damage. This
is the "point of no return" where cell death is inevitable even if the stressor
is removed. *
,5. Which process describes the decrease in cellular size caused by aging,
disuse, or reduced blood supply?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
*Answer: B. Atrophy *
*Explanation: Atrophy is the decrease in cellular size due to aging, disuse,
or reduced blood supply. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size; hyperplasia
is an increase in cell number; metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type
with another. *
6. A client presents with cellular swelling due to hypoxic injury. This is an
example of:
A. Irreversible cell injury
B. Reversible cell injury (hydropic swelling)
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Gangrenous necrosis
*Answer: B. Reversible cell injury (hydropic swelling) *
*Explanation: Hydropic swelling is a reversible form of cell injury caused by
failure of the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump, leading to sodium influx and osmotic
water entry. *
7. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Cellular dehydration
C. Decreased ATP production
D. Excessive protein synthesis
, *Answer: C. Decreased ATP production *
*Explanation: Hypoxia leads to decreased oxidative phosphorylation and ATP
production, causing failure of ion pumps and cellular swelling. *
8. Which type of cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of
cells in response to hormonal stimulation or increased functional demand?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
*Answer: D. Hyperplasia *
*Explanation: Hyperplasia is characterized by an increase in cell number.
Physiologic hyperplasia occurs in response to hormonal stimulation, while
pathologic hyperplasia occurs in response to excessive hormonal
stimulation. *
9. A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) undergoes
an endoscopy, and the esophageal squamous epithelium has been replaced
by columnar epithelium. This finding is an example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Neoplasia
*Answer: B. Metaplasia *
*Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one differentiated
cell type is replaced by another. In Barrett esophagus, the normal
squamous epithelium of the esophagus is replaced by columnar epithelium
as a protective response to acid exposure. *
