NURS 6501 – ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs in response to chronic
increased workload?
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy reflects an increase in cell size due to increased
functional demand, commonly seen in muscle cells.
2. Apoptosis differs from necrosis because apoptosis:
A. Triggers inflammation
B. Results in cell swelling
C. Causes membrane rupture
D. Is a programmed process
,Answer: D. Is a programmed process
Apoptosis is controlled, energy-dependent, and does not
provoke inflammation.
3. The sodium-potassium ATPase pump failure primarily
results in:
A. Cell shrinkage
B. Cell swelling
C. DNA fragmentation
D. Increased ATP production
Answer: B. Cell swelling
Pump failure leads to sodium and water influx, causing
cellular edema.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with
ventricular dysrhythmias?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: C. Hyperkalemia
Elevated potassium alters cardiac membrane excitability and
conduction.
,5. Which inflammatory mediator causes vasodilation and
increased vascular permeability?
A. Interleukin-2
B. Histamine
C. Complement
D. Bradykinin
Answer: B. Histamine
Histamine is released by mast cells and is responsible for early
inflammatory changes.
6. A decrease in oncotic pressure most commonly results
from:
A. Increased sodium
B. Hypoalbuminemia
C. Increased capillary pressure
D. Lymph obstruction
Answer: B. Hypoalbuminemia
Low plasma proteins reduce vascular fluid retention, causing
edema.
7. Which acid-base imbalance occurs with severe diarrhea?
, A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: C. Metabolic acidosis
Loss of bicarbonate in stool causes metabolic acidosis.
8. The hallmark of chronic inflammation is:
A. Neutrophil dominance
B. Edema
C. Macrophage infiltration
D. Increased histamine
Answer: C. Macrophage infiltration
Chronic inflammation is characterized by macrophages,
fibrosis, and tissue destruction.
9. Which hormone directly increases blood glucose levels?
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Somatostatin
D. Leptin
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs in response to chronic
increased workload?
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy reflects an increase in cell size due to increased
functional demand, commonly seen in muscle cells.
2. Apoptosis differs from necrosis because apoptosis:
A. Triggers inflammation
B. Results in cell swelling
C. Causes membrane rupture
D. Is a programmed process
,Answer: D. Is a programmed process
Apoptosis is controlled, energy-dependent, and does not
provoke inflammation.
3. The sodium-potassium ATPase pump failure primarily
results in:
A. Cell shrinkage
B. Cell swelling
C. DNA fragmentation
D. Increased ATP production
Answer: B. Cell swelling
Pump failure leads to sodium and water influx, causing
cellular edema.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with
ventricular dysrhythmias?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: C. Hyperkalemia
Elevated potassium alters cardiac membrane excitability and
conduction.
,5. Which inflammatory mediator causes vasodilation and
increased vascular permeability?
A. Interleukin-2
B. Histamine
C. Complement
D. Bradykinin
Answer: B. Histamine
Histamine is released by mast cells and is responsible for early
inflammatory changes.
6. A decrease in oncotic pressure most commonly results
from:
A. Increased sodium
B. Hypoalbuminemia
C. Increased capillary pressure
D. Lymph obstruction
Answer: B. Hypoalbuminemia
Low plasma proteins reduce vascular fluid retention, causing
edema.
7. Which acid-base imbalance occurs with severe diarrhea?
, A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: C. Metabolic acidosis
Loss of bicarbonate in stool causes metabolic acidosis.
8. The hallmark of chronic inflammation is:
A. Neutrophil dominance
B. Edema
C. Macrophage infiltration
D. Increased histamine
Answer: C. Macrophage infiltration
Chronic inflammation is characterized by macrophages,
fibrosis, and tissue destruction.
9. Which hormone directly increases blood glucose levels?
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Somatostatin
D. Leptin
