,NURS 6501 Final Exam | Advanced
Pathophysiology (2026) Q&A | Walden University
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size due to increased
workload?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is the enlargement of existing cells, often in response to
increased demand such as cardiac muscle in hypertension. Hyperplasia is an
increase in cell number.
2. The earliest morphological change in reversible cell injury is:
A) Nuclear pyknosis
B) Cellular swelling
C) Karyorrhexis
D) Membrane rupture
Correct Answer: Cellular swelling
Rationale: Cellular swelling (hydropic change) results from ATP depletion and
failure of the sodium‑potassium pump, and it is the first visible sign of reversible
injury.
,3. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene and is inherited in
which pattern?
A) Autosomal dominant
B) X‑linked recessive
C) Autosomal recessive
D) Mitochondrial
Correct Answer: Autosomal recessive
Rationale: Both parents must contribute a mutated allele for the disease to
manifest; carriers are asymptomatic. It is not dominant, X‑linked, or
mitochondrial.
4. A 13‑year‑old female has a karyotype revealing a single X chromosome (45,X).
She presents with short stature, webbed neck, and widely spaced nipples. This
is:
A) Klinefelter syndrome
B) Fragile X syndrome
C) Down syndrome
D) Turner syndrome
Correct Answer: Turner syndrome
Rationale: Turner syndrome (45,X) is characterized by short stature, webbed
neck, and ovarian failure. Klinefelter is 47,XXY; Fragile X is a trinucleotide repeat
disorder; Down syndrome is trisomy 21.
, 5. Which type of necrosis is characterized by a cheese‑like, granular appearance
and is typical of tuberculosis?
A) Caseous necrosis
B) Coagulative necrosis
C) Liquefactive necrosis
D) Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: Caseous necrosis
Rationale: Caseous necrosis is a form of coagulative necrosis with a soft, friable
texture, seen in granulomatous infections like TB. Coagulative preserves
architecture; liquefactive is liquid; fat necrosis is saponification.
6. Which immunoglobulin is the primary mediator of allergic type I
hypersensitivity reactions?
A) IgG
B) IgE
C) IgA
D) IgM
Correct Answer: IgE
Rationale: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, triggering degranulation and
release of histamine in allergic responses. IgG provides long‑term immunity; IgA
is mucosal; IgM is primary response.
Pathophysiology (2026) Q&A | Walden University
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size due to increased
workload?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is the enlargement of existing cells, often in response to
increased demand such as cardiac muscle in hypertension. Hyperplasia is an
increase in cell number.
2. The earliest morphological change in reversible cell injury is:
A) Nuclear pyknosis
B) Cellular swelling
C) Karyorrhexis
D) Membrane rupture
Correct Answer: Cellular swelling
Rationale: Cellular swelling (hydropic change) results from ATP depletion and
failure of the sodium‑potassium pump, and it is the first visible sign of reversible
injury.
,3. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene and is inherited in
which pattern?
A) Autosomal dominant
B) X‑linked recessive
C) Autosomal recessive
D) Mitochondrial
Correct Answer: Autosomal recessive
Rationale: Both parents must contribute a mutated allele for the disease to
manifest; carriers are asymptomatic. It is not dominant, X‑linked, or
mitochondrial.
4. A 13‑year‑old female has a karyotype revealing a single X chromosome (45,X).
She presents with short stature, webbed neck, and widely spaced nipples. This
is:
A) Klinefelter syndrome
B) Fragile X syndrome
C) Down syndrome
D) Turner syndrome
Correct Answer: Turner syndrome
Rationale: Turner syndrome (45,X) is characterized by short stature, webbed
neck, and ovarian failure. Klinefelter is 47,XXY; Fragile X is a trinucleotide repeat
disorder; Down syndrome is trisomy 21.
, 5. Which type of necrosis is characterized by a cheese‑like, granular appearance
and is typical of tuberculosis?
A) Caseous necrosis
B) Coagulative necrosis
C) Liquefactive necrosis
D) Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: Caseous necrosis
Rationale: Caseous necrosis is a form of coagulative necrosis with a soft, friable
texture, seen in granulomatous infections like TB. Coagulative preserves
architecture; liquefactive is liquid; fat necrosis is saponification.
6. Which immunoglobulin is the primary mediator of allergic type I
hypersensitivity reactions?
A) IgG
B) IgE
C) IgA
D) IgM
Correct Answer: IgE
Rationale: IgE binds to mast cells and basophils, triggering degranulation and
release of histamine in allergic responses. IgG provides long‑term immunity; IgA
is mucosal; IgM is primary response.
