Pathophysiology Exam 1 for Nursing Students – Study Q&A (2026)

Pathophysiology Exam 1 for Nursing Students –
Study Q&A (2026)




Brian, age 28, began an aerobic exercise program 2 years ago. Brian now competes in long-distance cycling
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events and considers himself to be an endurance athlete who is in the "best shape of his life." An
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echocardiogram reveals a slightly enlarged left ventricle. What cellular change or injury that is best
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exemplified by the case scenario. - correct answerPhysiologic hypertrophy
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An ADAPTIVE type of hypertrophy that occurs due to extensive exercise, whereby the heart will create new
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blood vessel branches (angiogenesis) and there is increased mitochondria, ATP, and actin/myosin filaments
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in the muscle.
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Recently, Karen learned that not only does HIV directly attack CD4 cells, but the presence of the virus seems to
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activate pathways responsible for programmed cell death in CD4 cells. Thus, HIV infection appears to increase
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the rate of "suicide" for CD4 cells. - correct answerApoptosis
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,Define dysplasia - correct answerCompared to normal cells, cells demonstrating dysplasia are atypical in size
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and shape. Dysplasia does not mean the cells are cancerous. However, some screening tests, such as the Pap
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smear, examine tissues to determine if any cellular changes are taking place. Any changes in the cells can then
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be monitored over time.
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A biopsy of a skin lesion is conducted on Leann, a 48-year-old woman. Biopsy results revealed proliferating
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cells that were well-differentiated and resembled surrounding cells. The cells were contained within a well-
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defined area. - correct answerBenign neoplasia. e e e e e




Neoplasia is uncontrolled and unregulated cell growth. The mass of tissue resulting is known as a "neoplasm."
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In a benign neoplasm, the cells do not have the characteristics associated with malignancy. The cells, although
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cancerous, are well-differentiated, meaning they resemble normal, mature cells. The cells are also in a e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e




contained area and are unlikely to spread. e e e e e e




Miguel, a retired warehouse supervisor, had a myocardial infarction. Further evaluation revealed he had
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significant blockage in his left descending coronary artery. The blockage resulted in ischemia and cell death
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for those cells served by the artery. - correct answerNecrosis
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Necrosis is premature cell death caused by cell injury. Necrosis differs from apoptosis, in that the cellular
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destruction results from some form of trauma, rather than genetic programming. May lead to GANGRENE e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e




which is when dead tissue houses bacteria.
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Julianne, who suffers from familial hypercholesterolemia, presents with xanthomas. Xanthomas are excess
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cholesterol deposits, which appear as yellow skin lesions. What cell process is this - correct e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e




answerIntracellular accumulation. e




Some disease processes stimulate intracellular accumulations of particles, such as calcium, cholesterol, and
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triglycerides, glucose, among other substances. In familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic defect causes e e e e e e e e e e e e




decreased cellular uptake of cholesterol, resulting in high serum cholesterol levels. Cholesterol deposits,
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known as xanthomas, may appear to form under the skin.
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Janae experienced a frightening ATV accident, in which her ATV flipped over and she ended up catching a
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portion of her upper arm on a barbed wire fence. Although Janae's injuries healed fully, enlarged, keloid scar
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formations remain at the injury site. - correct answerHyperplasia e e e e e e e e

, cell proliferation, known as hyperplasia, was stimulated as a result of her injury. A keloid results from
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overgrowth of granulation tissue during the wound repair process. e e e e e e e e




Hypertension that leads to workload on the left ventricle and thus enlargement would be deemed? - correct
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answerPathological hypertrophy. e e




No blood vessel growth and increased workload would lead to ischemia and enlargement of the heart.
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NCLEX TIP: Left ventricular hypertrophy would lead to displacement of the PMI during chest palpation.
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Hyperplasia occurs from which two mechanisms? - correct answerAn INCREASE in the number of cells in a
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tissue or organ. e e




1) hormonal (estrogen stimulating the mitotic division of breast gland cells; also BPH in older males)
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2) overcompensation during regeneration (keloid scars)
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Andy has undergone a colonoscopy because his family has a history of colon cancer. Biopsy of the colon
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reveals poorly differentiated cells in the samples. Cells were abnormally organized, with distorted borders.
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Infiltration of the abnormal cells occurred throughout several samples. - correct answerMalignant neoplasia
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Neoplasia is uncontrolled, unregulated cell growth. Malignancy, when applied to neoplasm, indicates the
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cancerous cells are likely to infiltrate other tissues and spread. The appearance of malignant cells is far from
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normal. Such cells are poorly differentiated and appear to have a random organization. Biopsy samples of
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malignant neoplasia reveal cells moving beyond the borders or edges of the growth.
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Walter, age 62, had to undergo an endoscopic examination of his esophagus due to his complaint of frequent
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"heartburn" after most meals. Examination of the cells shows that rather than normal squamous cells lining
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the esophagus, Walter had columnar cells - correct answerMetaplasia
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Cardiac catheterization results for Beatrice, a 54-year-old patient, show plaque build-up, appearing as
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hardened areas in the coronary arteries. Beatrice, who is overweight and leads a sedentary lifestyle, has
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