NR 283 Exam 1: Pathophysiology V2 Updated and Latest
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale -
Chamberlain University
1. Which of the following describes atrophy?
A. Increase in the number of cells
B. Increase in the size of individual cells
C. Replacement of one cell type with another
D. Decrease in the size of cells
Ans: D
Rationale: Atrophy is the decrease in cellular size resulting in reduced tissue mass. This process often
occurs due to disuse, aging, or decreased nutrition. A common clinical example is muscle shrinkage in a
limb that is immobilized in a cast. It serves as an adaptive mechanism to conserve energy under stress.
Unlike hypertrophy, atrophy involves the loss of functional cell components. Understanding this
adaptation is fundamental for NR-283 exam success.
2. Hypertrophy is most commonly seen in which of the following tissues?
A. Brain tissue
B. Cardiac muscle
C. Epithelial tissue
D. Fatty tissue
Ans: B
,Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size without an increase in cell number. It is frequently
observed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue. This occurs when cells are subjected to an increased
workload over time. In the heart, this can lead to thickened ventricular walls. It is a key physiological
response to sustained high blood pressure. Recognizing hypertrophy helps clinicians understand heart
failure progression.
3. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Ans: D
Rationale: Hyperplasia is defined as an increase in the total number of cells in a tissue. This adaptation
can be a normal physiological process like uterine growth during pregnancy. It can also be pathological,
such as in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Only cells capable of mitotic division can undergo this specific
change. It is often triggered by hormonal stimulation or compensatory needs. Distinguishing hyperplasia
from hypertrophy is a core pathophysiological competency.
,4. When a smoker’s ciliated columnar epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium, it is called:
A. Anaplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Ans: B
Rationale: Metaplasia occurs when one mature cell type is replaced by another mature cell type. This is
usually a response to chronic irritation or inflammation. In smokers, the delicate lung lining changes to
better withstand toxic smoke. While the new cells are tougher, they lose important functions like cilia
movement. This change is reversible if the irritating stimulus is removed. Metaplasia is a frequent topic in
early pathophysiology assessments.
5. Which term describes cells that vary in size and shape and show large nuclei?
A. Dysplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Ans: A
Rationale: Dysplasia involves abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization. It is often referred
to as atypical hyperplasia in clinical reports. This condition is frequently detected during routine
, screening tests like Pap smears. While not yet cancerous, it is considered a precancerous state. The
degree of dysplasia can indicate the risk of developing a malignancy. Monitoring dysplastic changes is
crucial for preventative healthcare management.
6. Which process is characterized by programmed cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
D. Infarction
Ans: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is a form of self-destructive, programmed cell death. It allows the body to eliminate
old, damaged, or unnecessary cells. This process occurs without causing an inflammatory response in
surrounding tissue. It is a vital part of normal development and tissue homeostasis. When apoptosis fails,
it can lead to uncontrolled cell growth or tumors. Understanding this mechanism is vital for oncology and
pathology studies.
7. Which type of necrosis occurs primarily in the brain due to bacterial infection?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Fat necrosis
D. Coagulative necrosis
Ans: A
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale -
Chamberlain University
1. Which of the following describes atrophy?
A. Increase in the number of cells
B. Increase in the size of individual cells
C. Replacement of one cell type with another
D. Decrease in the size of cells
Ans: D
Rationale: Atrophy is the decrease in cellular size resulting in reduced tissue mass. This process often
occurs due to disuse, aging, or decreased nutrition. A common clinical example is muscle shrinkage in a
limb that is immobilized in a cast. It serves as an adaptive mechanism to conserve energy under stress.
Unlike hypertrophy, atrophy involves the loss of functional cell components. Understanding this
adaptation is fundamental for NR-283 exam success.
2. Hypertrophy is most commonly seen in which of the following tissues?
A. Brain tissue
B. Cardiac muscle
C. Epithelial tissue
D. Fatty tissue
Ans: B
,Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size without an increase in cell number. It is frequently
observed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue. This occurs when cells are subjected to an increased
workload over time. In the heart, this can lead to thickened ventricular walls. It is a key physiological
response to sustained high blood pressure. Recognizing hypertrophy helps clinicians understand heart
failure progression.
3. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Ans: D
Rationale: Hyperplasia is defined as an increase in the total number of cells in a tissue. This adaptation
can be a normal physiological process like uterine growth during pregnancy. It can also be pathological,
such as in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Only cells capable of mitotic division can undergo this specific
change. It is often triggered by hormonal stimulation or compensatory needs. Distinguishing hyperplasia
from hypertrophy is a core pathophysiological competency.
,4. When a smoker’s ciliated columnar epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium, it is called:
A. Anaplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Ans: B
Rationale: Metaplasia occurs when one mature cell type is replaced by another mature cell type. This is
usually a response to chronic irritation or inflammation. In smokers, the delicate lung lining changes to
better withstand toxic smoke. While the new cells are tougher, they lose important functions like cilia
movement. This change is reversible if the irritating stimulus is removed. Metaplasia is a frequent topic in
early pathophysiology assessments.
5. Which term describes cells that vary in size and shape and show large nuclei?
A. Dysplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Ans: A
Rationale: Dysplasia involves abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization. It is often referred
to as atypical hyperplasia in clinical reports. This condition is frequently detected during routine
, screening tests like Pap smears. While not yet cancerous, it is considered a precancerous state. The
degree of dysplasia can indicate the risk of developing a malignancy. Monitoring dysplastic changes is
crucial for preventative healthcare management.
6. Which process is characterized by programmed cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Ischemia
D. Infarction
Ans: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is a form of self-destructive, programmed cell death. It allows the body to eliminate
old, damaged, or unnecessary cells. This process occurs without causing an inflammatory response in
surrounding tissue. It is a vital part of normal development and tissue homeostasis. When apoptosis fails,
it can lead to uncontrolled cell growth or tumors. Understanding this mechanism is vital for oncology and
pathology studies.
7. Which type of necrosis occurs primarily in the brain due to bacterial infection?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Fat necrosis
D. Coagulative necrosis
Ans: A
