Pathophysiology Final Exam Prep 2026 | 200 Practice Questions &
Detailed Answers | Rasmussen College | Verified Solutions
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY & DEATH (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy. This is an example of which
type of cellular adaptation?
A) Metaplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Answer: C) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, leading to an increase in organ size. In hypertension,
the left ventricle must work harder against increased afterload, causing individual cardiac muscle cells to
enlarge. Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number; metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type with
another; dysplasia is abnormal cell growth.
Question 2
A patient with chronic bronchitis has an increased number of mucusproducing cells in the bronchial
epithelium. This type of cellular adaptation is called:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Answer: B) Metaplasia
,Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type by another, often due
to chronic irritation. In chronic bronchitis, smoking causes squamous metaplasia in the bronchi.
Question 3
A cell undergoing reversible injury typically shows which of the following earliest changes?
A) Nuclear pyknosis
B) Rupture of lysosomal membranes
C) Cellular swelling and loss of microvilli
D) Karyorrhexis
Answer: C) Cellular swelling and loss of microvilli
Rationale: Cellular swelling (hydropic change) from failure of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump is the earliest reversible
change. Nuclear changes such as pyknosis and karyorrhexis indicate irreversible injury.
Question 4
Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with ischemic injury to the heart?
A) Caseous necrosis
B) Coagulative necrosis
C) Liquefactive necrosis
D) Fat necrosis
Answer: B) Coagulative necrosis
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs in solid organs such as the heart, kidney, and liver due to
ischemia, preserving tissue architecture for days. This is the classic necrosis seen in myocardial
infarction.
,Question 5
What is the primary intracellular cation?
A) Sodium
B) Chloride
C) Potassium
D) Calcium
Answer: C) Potassium
Rationale: Potassium (K⁺) is the primary intracellular cation, with concentrations of 140–150 mEq/L
inside cells. Sodium (Na⁺) is the primary extracellular cation. The sodiumpotassium pump maintains
these concentration gradients.
Question 6
A patient with an enlarged prostate gland due to an increase in the number of epithelial cells is
experiencing:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Answer: B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) results from
hormonal stimulation causing an increased number of epithelial and stromal cells. Hypertrophy involves
increased cell size, not number.
, Question 7
A patient with tuberculosis develops granulomatous inflammation. Which cell type is the hallmark of
this response?
A) Neutrophil
B) Epithelioid histiocyte
C) Lymphocyte
D) Eosinophil
Answer: B) Epithelioid histiocyte
Rationale: Granulomas consist of activated macrophages (epithelioid cells) and multinucleated giant
cells, forming in response to persistent pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Question 8
Which of the following is NOT a cardinal sign of acute inflammation?
A) Calor (heat)
B) Tumor (swelling)
C) Anesthesia (loss of sensation)
D) Rubor (redness)
Answer: C) Anesthesia (loss of sensation)
Rationale: The four cardinal signs are rubor (redness), tumor (swelling), calor (heat), and dolor (pain).
Loss of function (functio laesa) is a fifth sign, not anesthesia.
Question 9
Detailed Answers | Rasmussen College | Verified Solutions
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY & DEATH (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy. This is an example of which
type of cellular adaptation?
A) Metaplasia
B) Hyperplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Answer: C) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, leading to an increase in organ size. In hypertension,
the left ventricle must work harder against increased afterload, causing individual cardiac muscle cells to
enlarge. Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number; metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type with
another; dysplasia is abnormal cell growth.
Question 2
A patient with chronic bronchitis has an increased number of mucusproducing cells in the bronchial
epithelium. This type of cellular adaptation is called:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Answer: B) Metaplasia
,Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type by another, often due
to chronic irritation. In chronic bronchitis, smoking causes squamous metaplasia in the bronchi.
Question 3
A cell undergoing reversible injury typically shows which of the following earliest changes?
A) Nuclear pyknosis
B) Rupture of lysosomal membranes
C) Cellular swelling and loss of microvilli
D) Karyorrhexis
Answer: C) Cellular swelling and loss of microvilli
Rationale: Cellular swelling (hydropic change) from failure of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump is the earliest reversible
change. Nuclear changes such as pyknosis and karyorrhexis indicate irreversible injury.
Question 4
Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with ischemic injury to the heart?
A) Caseous necrosis
B) Coagulative necrosis
C) Liquefactive necrosis
D) Fat necrosis
Answer: B) Coagulative necrosis
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs in solid organs such as the heart, kidney, and liver due to
ischemia, preserving tissue architecture for days. This is the classic necrosis seen in myocardial
infarction.
,Question 5
What is the primary intracellular cation?
A) Sodium
B) Chloride
C) Potassium
D) Calcium
Answer: C) Potassium
Rationale: Potassium (K⁺) is the primary intracellular cation, with concentrations of 140–150 mEq/L
inside cells. Sodium (Na⁺) is the primary extracellular cation. The sodiumpotassium pump maintains
these concentration gradients.
Question 6
A patient with an enlarged prostate gland due to an increase in the number of epithelial cells is
experiencing:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Answer: B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) results from
hormonal stimulation causing an increased number of epithelial and stromal cells. Hypertrophy involves
increased cell size, not number.
, Question 7
A patient with tuberculosis develops granulomatous inflammation. Which cell type is the hallmark of
this response?
A) Neutrophil
B) Epithelioid histiocyte
C) Lymphocyte
D) Eosinophil
Answer: B) Epithelioid histiocyte
Rationale: Granulomas consist of activated macrophages (epithelioid cells) and multinucleated giant
cells, forming in response to persistent pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Question 8
Which of the following is NOT a cardinal sign of acute inflammation?
A) Calor (heat)
B) Tumor (swelling)
C) Anesthesia (loss of sensation)
D) Rubor (redness)
Answer: C) Anesthesia (loss of sensation)
Rationale: The four cardinal signs are rubor (redness), tumor (swelling), calor (heat), and dolor (pain).
Loss of function (functio laesa) is a fifth sign, not anesthesia.
Question 9
