NUR 631 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an abnormal change in the size, shape, and
organization of mature cells, often considered a precursor to neoplasia?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and
organization. It is not a true adaptive process but is often related to hyperplasia and is
frequently a pre-cancerous indicator.
2. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by free radicals?
A. Activation of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Increased ATP production
,C. Lysosomal stabilization
D. DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Free radicals cause injury through lipid peroxidation
(destruction of polyunsaturated lipids), protein alteration, and DNA fragmentation.
3. A patient is diagnosed with an autosomal recessive disorder. Which of the following is true
regarding the inheritance pattern?
A. Only one parent needs to be a carrier.
B. The disease typically appears in every generation.
C. Both parents must be carriers or affected for a child to exhibit the disease.
D. Males are affected significantly more often than females.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In autosomal recessive disorders, two copies of the abnormal
gene must be present for the disease to be expressed, meaning both parents must
contribute an allele.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a widened QRS complex and peaked T
waves on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
, C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia decreases the membrane resting potential,
leading to characteristic ECG changes including peaked T waves, widened QRS, and
potential cardiac arrest.
5. In the compensatory stage of metabolic acidosis, how does the body attempt to restore pH
balance?
A. The lungs increase the rate and depth of respirations (Kussmaul respirations).
B. The kidneys excrete bicarbonate.
C. The lungs decrease the rate of respirations to retain CO2.
D. The heart rate slows down to reduce metabolic demand.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: To compensate for metabolic acidosis, the respiratory system
increases ventilation to blow off CO2, thereby increasing the pH towards normal.
6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction involves the formation of antigen-antibody
complexes that are deposited in vessel walls or extravascular tissues?
A. Type I (IgE-mediated)
B. Type II (Tissue-specific)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an abnormal change in the size, shape, and
organization of mature cells, often considered a precursor to neoplasia?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and
organization. It is not a true adaptive process but is often related to hyperplasia and is
frequently a pre-cancerous indicator.
2. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by free radicals?
A. Activation of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Increased ATP production
,C. Lysosomal stabilization
D. DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Free radicals cause injury through lipid peroxidation
(destruction of polyunsaturated lipids), protein alteration, and DNA fragmentation.
3. A patient is diagnosed with an autosomal recessive disorder. Which of the following is true
regarding the inheritance pattern?
A. Only one parent needs to be a carrier.
B. The disease typically appears in every generation.
C. Both parents must be carriers or affected for a child to exhibit the disease.
D. Males are affected significantly more often than females.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In autosomal recessive disorders, two copies of the abnormal
gene must be present for the disease to be expressed, meaning both parents must
contribute an allele.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a widened QRS complex and peaked T
waves on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
, C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia decreases the membrane resting potential,
leading to characteristic ECG changes including peaked T waves, widened QRS, and
potential cardiac arrest.
5. In the compensatory stage of metabolic acidosis, how does the body attempt to restore pH
balance?
A. The lungs increase the rate and depth of respirations (Kussmaul respirations).
B. The kidneys excrete bicarbonate.
C. The lungs decrease the rate of respirations to retain CO2.
D. The heart rate slows down to reduce metabolic demand.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: To compensate for metabolic acidosis, the respiratory system
increases ventilation to blow off CO2, thereby increasing the pH towards normal.
6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction involves the formation of antigen-antibody
complexes that are deposited in vessel walls or extravascular tissues?
A. Type I (IgE-mediated)
B. Type II (Tissue-specific)
