,Chamberlain University
NR-283 — Pathophysiology
150 Original Exam-Preparation Questions
NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam Prep —
Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Chamberlain College of
Nursing 2025/2026
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops enlargement of the left ventricular muscle. Which
cellular adaptation does this represent?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell *size* in response to increased workload. Cardiac myocytes are
permanent cells and cannot divide; therefore, the heart responds to pressure overload (hypertension) by
enlarging existing cells. Hyperplasia (A) involves increased cell *number* and occurs in tissues capable of
division. Atrophy (C) is shrinkage. Metaplasia (D) is replacement of one mature cell type with another.
,2. A chronic smoker undergoes biopsy showing replacement of normal ciliated columnar bronchial epithelium
with stratified squamous epithelium. This finding is best described as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: C. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another in response to
chronic irritation. In smokers, ciliated columnar cells are replaced by stratified squamous cells, which are more
resistant to irritation but lose mucus-clearing function. Dysplasia (A) involves abnormal cell
size/shape/organization. Anaplasia (D) refers to lack of differentiation, characteristic of malignancy.
3. Which type of necrosis is most characteristic of ischemic injury to the heart muscle?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: B. Coagulative necrosis
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs primarily in ischemic injury to solid organs (heart, kidney, spleen). Tissue
architecture is preserved for days because structural proteins are not immediately degraded by lysosomal
enzymes. Liquefactive necrosis (A) occurs in brain infarcts and bacterial abscesses. Caseous necrosis (C) is
characteristic of tuberculosis. Fat necrosis (D) occurs in pancreatitis and breast trauma.
, 4. A patient with severe anemia has inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues. Which term describes the *reduced
oxygen availability* at the cellular level?
A. Ischemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Infarction
D. Necrosis
Correct Answer: B. Hypoxia
Rationale: Hypoxia is reduced oxygen availability to cells, which can result from anemia (decreased O₂-carrying
capacity), respiratory failure, or poor perfusion. Ischemia (A) specifically refers to reduced *blood flow*. A
patient can be hypoxic without ischemia (as in anemia). Infarction (C) is tissue death from ischemia. Necrosis
(D) is the morphologic result of cell death.
5. Normal serum potassium range is approximately:
A. 1.5–2.5 mEq/L
B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
C. 8.5–10.5 mEq/L
D. 135–145 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is the primary intracellular cation. Values
outside this range can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Sodium (D) is 135–145 mEq/L. Calcium (C)
is 8.5–10.5 mg/dL.
NR-283 — Pathophysiology
150 Original Exam-Preparation Questions
NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam Prep —
Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Chamberlain College of
Nursing 2025/2026
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops enlargement of the left ventricular muscle. Which
cellular adaptation does this represent?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell *size* in response to increased workload. Cardiac myocytes are
permanent cells and cannot divide; therefore, the heart responds to pressure overload (hypertension) by
enlarging existing cells. Hyperplasia (A) involves increased cell *number* and occurs in tissues capable of
division. Atrophy (C) is shrinkage. Metaplasia (D) is replacement of one mature cell type with another.
,2. A chronic smoker undergoes biopsy showing replacement of normal ciliated columnar bronchial epithelium
with stratified squamous epithelium. This finding is best described as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
Correct Answer: C. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another in response to
chronic irritation. In smokers, ciliated columnar cells are replaced by stratified squamous cells, which are more
resistant to irritation but lose mucus-clearing function. Dysplasia (A) involves abnormal cell
size/shape/organization. Anaplasia (D) refers to lack of differentiation, characteristic of malignancy.
3. Which type of necrosis is most characteristic of ischemic injury to the heart muscle?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: B. Coagulative necrosis
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs primarily in ischemic injury to solid organs (heart, kidney, spleen). Tissue
architecture is preserved for days because structural proteins are not immediately degraded by lysosomal
enzymes. Liquefactive necrosis (A) occurs in brain infarcts and bacterial abscesses. Caseous necrosis (C) is
characteristic of tuberculosis. Fat necrosis (D) occurs in pancreatitis and breast trauma.
, 4. A patient with severe anemia has inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues. Which term describes the *reduced
oxygen availability* at the cellular level?
A. Ischemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Infarction
D. Necrosis
Correct Answer: B. Hypoxia
Rationale: Hypoxia is reduced oxygen availability to cells, which can result from anemia (decreased O₂-carrying
capacity), respiratory failure, or poor perfusion. Ischemia (A) specifically refers to reduced *blood flow*. A
patient can be hypoxic without ischemia (as in anemia). Infarction (C) is tissue death from ischemia. Necrosis
(D) is the morphologic result of cell death.
5. Normal serum potassium range is approximately:
A. 1.5–2.5 mEq/L
B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
C. 8.5–10.5 mEq/L
D. 135–145 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. 3.5–5.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal serum potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. Potassium is the primary intracellular cation. Values
outside this range can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Sodium (D) is 135–145 mEq/L. Calcium (C)
is 8.5–10.5 mg/dL.
