NUR 631/NUR631 Exam 1 V2 | Advanced
Physiology and Pathophysiology Q&A with
Rationale | Grand Canyon University
1. A 55-year-old male with a history of smoking for 30 years shows a change in his bronchial
lining from ciliated columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium. What is this
cellular adaptation called?
A. Metaplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another
mature cell type. In smokers, the chronic irritation from smoke leads to the replacement of
fragile ciliated columnar cells with tougher stratified squamous cells. While this protects
the lining, the loss of cilia impairs the clearance of mucus and debris.
2. Which process is responsible for the decrease in cell size due to lack of use or decreased
blood supply?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
,C. Apoptosis
D. Necrosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. It can occur due to various
reasons such as disuse, denervation, or ischemia. If a large number of cells atrophy, the
entire organ shrinks in size.
3. A patient with chronic hypertension develops an enlarged left ventricle. This is an example
of which type of cellular adaptation?
A. Compensatory hyperplasia
B. Pathologic hypertrophy
C. Physiologic hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical load or
stress. In the case of chronic hypertension, the heart must work harder to pump blood
against resistance, leading to pathologic hypertrophy. This differs from physiologic
hypertrophy, which occurs in athletes’ hearts.
4. Which cellular change is most associated with an increased risk of progressing to cancer?
A. Dysplasia
, B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: A
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells. It is often called atypical hyperplasia and is frequently encountered in the
cervix or respiratory tract. If the inciting stimulus is removed, dysplasia can be reversible,
but it is often a precursor to neoplasia.
5. During an ischemic event, what is the primary cause of cell swelling?
A. Increase in ATP production
B. Failure of the Na+/K+ pump
C. Decreased intracellular osmotic pressure
D. Exit of water from the cell
Answer: B
Rationale: Ischemia leads to reduced ATP production due to lack of oxygen for oxidative
phosphorylation. Without ATP, the sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to an
accumulation of sodium inside the cell. This causes water to enter the cell by osmosis,
resulting in cellular swelling.
Physiology and Pathophysiology Q&A with
Rationale | Grand Canyon University
1. A 55-year-old male with a history of smoking for 30 years shows a change in his bronchial
lining from ciliated columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium. What is this
cellular adaptation called?
A. Metaplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another
mature cell type. In smokers, the chronic irritation from smoke leads to the replacement of
fragile ciliated columnar cells with tougher stratified squamous cells. While this protects
the lining, the loss of cilia impairs the clearance of mucus and debris.
2. Which process is responsible for the decrease in cell size due to lack of use or decreased
blood supply?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
,C. Apoptosis
D. Necrosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. It can occur due to various
reasons such as disuse, denervation, or ischemia. If a large number of cells atrophy, the
entire organ shrinks in size.
3. A patient with chronic hypertension develops an enlarged left ventricle. This is an example
of which type of cellular adaptation?
A. Compensatory hyperplasia
B. Pathologic hypertrophy
C. Physiologic hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical load or
stress. In the case of chronic hypertension, the heart must work harder to pump blood
against resistance, leading to pathologic hypertrophy. This differs from physiologic
hypertrophy, which occurs in athletes’ hearts.
4. Which cellular change is most associated with an increased risk of progressing to cancer?
A. Dysplasia
, B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: A
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of
mature cells. It is often called atypical hyperplasia and is frequently encountered in the
cervix or respiratory tract. If the inciting stimulus is removed, dysplasia can be reversible,
but it is often a precursor to neoplasia.
5. During an ischemic event, what is the primary cause of cell swelling?
A. Increase in ATP production
B. Failure of the Na+/K+ pump
C. Decreased intracellular osmotic pressure
D. Exit of water from the cell
Answer: B
Rationale: Ischemia leads to reduced ATP production due to lack of oxygen for oxidative
phosphorylation. Without ATP, the sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to an
accumulation of sodium inside the cell. This causes water to enter the cell by osmosis,
resulting in cellular swelling.
