Nurs Pathology Exam Cell Injury And
Adaptation Question & Answers
Perfectly A+ Grade (2026 Newest
Updated Versions
SECTION A: CELLULAR ADAPTATION
Q1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when cells increase in size due to
increased workload?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale:
Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, not number, usually due to
increased functional demand (e.g., skeletal muscle growth with exercise).
Hyperplasia increases cell number.
Q2. Enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy is primarily due to:
A. Dysplasia
B. Hypertrophy
,C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale:
Smooth muscle cells in the uterus enlarge (hypertrophy) to accommodate
pregnancy. Hormonal stimulation plays a key role.
Q3. Which adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hyperplasia
Rationale:
Hyperplasia occurs in tissues capable of cell division, such as epithelial
tissue and bone marrow (e.g., breast tissue during lactation).
Q4. A decrease in muscle mass due to prolonged bed rest is an
example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: C. Atrophy
, Rationale:
Atrophy results from decreased workload, reduced nutrition, denervation,
or aging, leading to reduced cell size and function.
Q5. Which cellular adaptation is considered reversible?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Neoplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Metaplasia
Rationale:
Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one mature cell type with
another better suited to withstand stress (e.g., smoker’s airway).
Q6. Replacement of ciliated columnar epithelium with stratified
squamous epithelium in smokers is called:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: B. Metaplasia
Rationale:
This change protects against irritation but increases cancer risk due to
loss of protective cilia.
, Q7. Dysplasia is best described as:
A. Normal cell replacement
B. Increase in cell number
C. Abnormal cell growth and organization
D. Cell death
Correct Answer: C. Abnormal cell growth and organization
Rationale:
Dysplasia is premalignant and often occurs in epithelial tissues (e.g.,
cervical dysplasia).
Q8. Which adaptation has the highest risk of progressing to cancer?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: D. Dysplasia
Rationale:
Dysplasia shows loss of uniformity and architectural distortion, often
preceding malignancy.
Q9. An increase in red blood cell production at high altitude is an
example of:
Adaptation Question & Answers
Perfectly A+ Grade (2026 Newest
Updated Versions
SECTION A: CELLULAR ADAPTATION
Q1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when cells increase in size due to
increased workload?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale:
Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, not number, usually due to
increased functional demand (e.g., skeletal muscle growth with exercise).
Hyperplasia increases cell number.
Q2. Enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy is primarily due to:
A. Dysplasia
B. Hypertrophy
,C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale:
Smooth muscle cells in the uterus enlarge (hypertrophy) to accommodate
pregnancy. Hormonal stimulation plays a key role.
Q3. Which adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Atrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hyperplasia
Rationale:
Hyperplasia occurs in tissues capable of cell division, such as epithelial
tissue and bone marrow (e.g., breast tissue during lactation).
Q4. A decrease in muscle mass due to prolonged bed rest is an
example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: C. Atrophy
, Rationale:
Atrophy results from decreased workload, reduced nutrition, denervation,
or aging, leading to reduced cell size and function.
Q5. Which cellular adaptation is considered reversible?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Neoplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Metaplasia
Rationale:
Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one mature cell type with
another better suited to withstand stress (e.g., smoker’s airway).
Q6. Replacement of ciliated columnar epithelium with stratified
squamous epithelium in smokers is called:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: B. Metaplasia
Rationale:
This change protects against irritation but increases cancer risk due to
loss of protective cilia.
, Q7. Dysplasia is best described as:
A. Normal cell replacement
B. Increase in cell number
C. Abnormal cell growth and organization
D. Cell death
Correct Answer: C. Abnormal cell growth and organization
Rationale:
Dysplasia is premalignant and often occurs in epithelial tissues (e.g.,
cervical dysplasia).
Q8. Which adaptation has the highest risk of progressing to cancer?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: D. Dysplasia
Rationale:
Dysplasia shows loss of uniformity and architectural distortion, often
preceding malignancy.
Q9. An increase in red blood cell production at high altitude is an
example of:
