NURS 5315: Adv Patho Exam 1 2025/2026; CERTIFIED
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Atrophy - CORRECT ANSWER -E. Cells decrease in size
P. Still functional; imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation. Essentially there is an
increase in the catabolism of intracellular organelles, reducing structural components of cell
Physiologic: thymus gland in early childhood
Pathological: disuse (muscle atrophy d/ decrease workload, pressure, use, blood supply,
nutrition, hormonal stimulation, or nervous stimulation)
Hyperplasia - CORRECT ANSWER -E: cells increase in number, mitosis (cell division) must occur,
size of cell does not change
Phys: increased rate of division, increase in tissue mass after damage or partial resection; may
be compensatory, hormonal, or pathologic
Patho: abnormal proliferation of normal cells usually caused by increased hormonal stimulation
(endometrial). increase of production of local growth factors
Ex: removal of part of the liver lead to hyperplasia of hepatocytes. uterine or mammary gland
enlargement during pregnancy
Dysplasia - CORRECT ANSWER -E. Not true adaptation; Cells abnormal change in size, shape,
organization (classified as mild, moderate, severe)
P. caused by cell injury/irritation, characterized by disordered cell growth. aka atypical
hyperplasia or pre-cancer, a disorderly proliferation
Physiologic: N/A
Pathologic: squamous dysplasia of cervix from HPV shows up on pap smear, breast cancer
development; pap smears often show dysplastic cells of the cervix that must undergo
laser/surgical tx
,Metaplasia - CORRECT ANSWER -E: reversible change, one type of cell changes to another type
for survival
P: reversible; results from exposure of the cells to chronic stressors, injury, or irritation; Cancer
can arise from this area, stimulus induces a reprogramming of stem cells under the influence of
cytokines and growth factors
Ex: Patho: Columnar cells change to squamous cells in lungs of smoker or normal ciliated
epithelial cells of the bronchial linings are replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells.; Phys:
Barrett Esophagus- normal squamous cells change to columnar epithelial cells in response to
reflux, aka intestinal metaplasia
Hypoxia injury - CORRECT ANSWER -E. inadequate oxygenation of tissues
P. decrease in mitochondrial function, decreased production of ATP increases anaerobic
metabolism. eventual cell death.
C.M. hypoxia, cyanosis, cognitive impairment, lethargy
Free radical and ROS - CORRECT ANSWER -E. normal byproduct of ATP production, will
overwhelm the mitochondria- exhaust intracellular antioxidants
P. lipid peroxidation, damage proteins, fragment DNA
C.M. development in Alzheimer's, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis
Ethanol - CORRECT ANSWER -E. mood altering drug, long term effects on liver and nutritional
status
P. metabolized by liver, generates free radicals
C.M. CNS depression, nutrient deficiencies-Mag, Vit B6, thiamine, PO4, inflammation and fatty
infiltration of liver, hepatomegaly, leads to liver failure irreversible
Oncosis - CORRECT ANSWER -Na and H2O enter cell and cause swelling. Organ increases in
weight, becomes distended and pale. Associated with high fever, hypocalcemia, certain
infections
,Fatty Infiltration - CORRECT ANSWER -intracellular accumulation of lipids in the liver
liver fails to metabolize lipids. usually from ETOH or high fat diet. can lead to cirrhosis
dystrophic calcification - CORRECT ANSWER -accumulation of Ca in dead or dying tissues
calcium salt clump and harden- interfere with cellular structure and function
r/t pulmonary TB, atherosclerosis, injured heart valves, chronic pancreatitis
metastatic calcification - CORRECT ANSWER -accumulation of Ca in normal tissue
result of hypercalcemia r/t hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, toxic levels of Vit D. Can also
r/t hyperphosphatemia in renal failure
urate accumulation - CORRECT ANSWER -sodium urate crystals are deposited in tissues- group
of disorders collectively called gout- acute arthritis, chronic gouty arthritis, tophus, nephritis
Coagulative Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -kidneys, heart, adrenals- secondary to hypoxia
Liquefactive Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -nerve cells- brain- accumulation of pus
Caseous Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -lung disease- usually TB- tissue looks like clumped
cheese
Fat Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -breast, pancreas, abdominal structures- creates soaps
Gangrenous Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -Dry- dark shriveled skin
Wet- internal organs- can lead to death
Gas- from clostridium- antitoxins and hyperbaric therapy
, Gout - CORRECT ANSWER -E. disturbances in serum urate levels. uncommon for < 30 years old.
P. uric acid is deposited in the tissues of kidney, heart, earlobes, and joints.
C.M. inflammation, painful joints. result of diuretic use or diet high in cream sauces, red wine,
or red meat
Rhabdomyolysis - CORRECT ANSWER -E. cell hypoxia caused by severe muscle trauma,
hyperthermia, crush injuries, or severe dehydration
P. hypoxia to cell causes failure of the Na-K pump, causing accumulation of intracellular sodium,
oncosis, and eventual cell death. Cell death releases enzymes such as CK, uric acid, LDH, AST,
etc.
C.M. Causes: trauma, hyperthermia, crush injuries, severe dehydration; s/s: CK is 5x upper
normal limit, muscle pain, weakness, dark, reddish-brown urine, hypercalcemia, renal failure
Alpha Fetoprotein Origin - CORRECT ANSWER -Liver and germ cell tumors
Carcinoembryonic Antigen - CORRECT ANSWER -GI, pancreas, lung, breast tumors
Prostate Specific Antigen - CORRECT ANSWER -prostate tumors
Carcino- - CORRECT ANSWER -from epithelial tissue- renal cell carcinoma
Sarco- - CORRECT ANSWER -from connective tissue- chondrosarcoma
Carcinoma in situ - CORRECT ANSWER -preinvasive epithelial malignant tumors of glandular or
squamous cells- cervix
Lung ca metastasis - CORRECT ANSWER -Multiple organs including brain
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
Atrophy - CORRECT ANSWER -E. Cells decrease in size
P. Still functional; imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation. Essentially there is an
increase in the catabolism of intracellular organelles, reducing structural components of cell
Physiologic: thymus gland in early childhood
Pathological: disuse (muscle atrophy d/ decrease workload, pressure, use, blood supply,
nutrition, hormonal stimulation, or nervous stimulation)
Hyperplasia - CORRECT ANSWER -E: cells increase in number, mitosis (cell division) must occur,
size of cell does not change
Phys: increased rate of division, increase in tissue mass after damage or partial resection; may
be compensatory, hormonal, or pathologic
Patho: abnormal proliferation of normal cells usually caused by increased hormonal stimulation
(endometrial). increase of production of local growth factors
Ex: removal of part of the liver lead to hyperplasia of hepatocytes. uterine or mammary gland
enlargement during pregnancy
Dysplasia - CORRECT ANSWER -E. Not true adaptation; Cells abnormal change in size, shape,
organization (classified as mild, moderate, severe)
P. caused by cell injury/irritation, characterized by disordered cell growth. aka atypical
hyperplasia or pre-cancer, a disorderly proliferation
Physiologic: N/A
Pathologic: squamous dysplasia of cervix from HPV shows up on pap smear, breast cancer
development; pap smears often show dysplastic cells of the cervix that must undergo
laser/surgical tx
,Metaplasia - CORRECT ANSWER -E: reversible change, one type of cell changes to another type
for survival
P: reversible; results from exposure of the cells to chronic stressors, injury, or irritation; Cancer
can arise from this area, stimulus induces a reprogramming of stem cells under the influence of
cytokines and growth factors
Ex: Patho: Columnar cells change to squamous cells in lungs of smoker or normal ciliated
epithelial cells of the bronchial linings are replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells.; Phys:
Barrett Esophagus- normal squamous cells change to columnar epithelial cells in response to
reflux, aka intestinal metaplasia
Hypoxia injury - CORRECT ANSWER -E. inadequate oxygenation of tissues
P. decrease in mitochondrial function, decreased production of ATP increases anaerobic
metabolism. eventual cell death.
C.M. hypoxia, cyanosis, cognitive impairment, lethargy
Free radical and ROS - CORRECT ANSWER -E. normal byproduct of ATP production, will
overwhelm the mitochondria- exhaust intracellular antioxidants
P. lipid peroxidation, damage proteins, fragment DNA
C.M. development in Alzheimer's, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis
Ethanol - CORRECT ANSWER -E. mood altering drug, long term effects on liver and nutritional
status
P. metabolized by liver, generates free radicals
C.M. CNS depression, nutrient deficiencies-Mag, Vit B6, thiamine, PO4, inflammation and fatty
infiltration of liver, hepatomegaly, leads to liver failure irreversible
Oncosis - CORRECT ANSWER -Na and H2O enter cell and cause swelling. Organ increases in
weight, becomes distended and pale. Associated with high fever, hypocalcemia, certain
infections
,Fatty Infiltration - CORRECT ANSWER -intracellular accumulation of lipids in the liver
liver fails to metabolize lipids. usually from ETOH or high fat diet. can lead to cirrhosis
dystrophic calcification - CORRECT ANSWER -accumulation of Ca in dead or dying tissues
calcium salt clump and harden- interfere with cellular structure and function
r/t pulmonary TB, atherosclerosis, injured heart valves, chronic pancreatitis
metastatic calcification - CORRECT ANSWER -accumulation of Ca in normal tissue
result of hypercalcemia r/t hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, toxic levels of Vit D. Can also
r/t hyperphosphatemia in renal failure
urate accumulation - CORRECT ANSWER -sodium urate crystals are deposited in tissues- group
of disorders collectively called gout- acute arthritis, chronic gouty arthritis, tophus, nephritis
Coagulative Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -kidneys, heart, adrenals- secondary to hypoxia
Liquefactive Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -nerve cells- brain- accumulation of pus
Caseous Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -lung disease- usually TB- tissue looks like clumped
cheese
Fat Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -breast, pancreas, abdominal structures- creates soaps
Gangrenous Necrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -Dry- dark shriveled skin
Wet- internal organs- can lead to death
Gas- from clostridium- antitoxins and hyperbaric therapy
, Gout - CORRECT ANSWER -E. disturbances in serum urate levels. uncommon for < 30 years old.
P. uric acid is deposited in the tissues of kidney, heart, earlobes, and joints.
C.M. inflammation, painful joints. result of diuretic use or diet high in cream sauces, red wine,
or red meat
Rhabdomyolysis - CORRECT ANSWER -E. cell hypoxia caused by severe muscle trauma,
hyperthermia, crush injuries, or severe dehydration
P. hypoxia to cell causes failure of the Na-K pump, causing accumulation of intracellular sodium,
oncosis, and eventual cell death. Cell death releases enzymes such as CK, uric acid, LDH, AST,
etc.
C.M. Causes: trauma, hyperthermia, crush injuries, severe dehydration; s/s: CK is 5x upper
normal limit, muscle pain, weakness, dark, reddish-brown urine, hypercalcemia, renal failure
Alpha Fetoprotein Origin - CORRECT ANSWER -Liver and germ cell tumors
Carcinoembryonic Antigen - CORRECT ANSWER -GI, pancreas, lung, breast tumors
Prostate Specific Antigen - CORRECT ANSWER -prostate tumors
Carcino- - CORRECT ANSWER -from epithelial tissue- renal cell carcinoma
Sarco- - CORRECT ANSWER -from connective tissue- chondrosarcoma
Carcinoma in situ - CORRECT ANSWER -preinvasive epithelial malignant tumors of glandular or
squamous cells- cervix
Lung ca metastasis - CORRECT ANSWER -Multiple organs including brain
