Nurs 5315: Adv Patho Exam
Study Guide: Questions and
Verified Answers. Latest 2026
Update
Atrophy - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-sodium urate crystals are deposited in tissues-
group of disorders collectively called gout- acute arthritis, chronic gouty
arthritis, tophus, nephritis
Coagulative Necrosis - Ans✔✔-kidneys, heart, adrenals- secondary to hypoxia
Liquefactive Necrosis - Ans✔✔-nerve cells- brain- accumulation of pus
Caseous Necrosis - Ans✔✔-lung disease- usually TB- tissue looks like clumped
cheese
Fat Necrosis - Ans✔✔-breast, pancreas, abdominal structures- creates soaps
Gangrenous Necrosis - Ans✔✔-Dry- dark shriveled skin
Wet- internal organs- can lead to death
Gas- from clostridium- antitoxins and hyperbaric therapy
Gout - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-E. cell hypoxia caused by severe muscle trauma,
hyperthermia, crush injuries, or severe dehydration
Study Guide: Questions and
Verified Answers. Latest 2026
Update
Atrophy - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-sodium urate crystals are deposited in tissues-
group of disorders collectively called gout- acute arthritis, chronic gouty
arthritis, tophus, nephritis
Coagulative Necrosis - Ans✔✔-kidneys, heart, adrenals- secondary to hypoxia
Liquefactive Necrosis - Ans✔✔-nerve cells- brain- accumulation of pus
Caseous Necrosis - Ans✔✔-lung disease- usually TB- tissue looks like clumped
cheese
Fat Necrosis - Ans✔✔-breast, pancreas, abdominal structures- creates soaps
Gangrenous Necrosis - Ans✔✔-Dry- dark shriveled skin
Wet- internal organs- can lead to death
Gas- from clostridium- antitoxins and hyperbaric therapy
Gout - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-E. cell hypoxia caused by severe muscle trauma,
hyperthermia, crush injuries, or severe dehydration
