NUR 376 Pathophysiology Exam | Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200
Questions and Verified Answers | Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
1. Huntington disease is inherited in which pattern?
A) Autosomal recessive
B) Xlinked recessive
C) Autosomal dominant
D) Mitochondrial
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Huntington disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene and follows
autosomal dominant inheritance, so one copy of the mutated gene is enough to cause disease.
2. TaySachs disease results from a deficiency of which enzyme?
A) Glucocerebrosidase
B) Phenylalanine hydroxylase
C) Hexosaminidase A
D) Alphagalactosidase A
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TaySachs disease is caused by a deficiency of hexosaminidase A, leading to accumulation of
GM2 ganglioside in neurons and progressive neurodegeneration.
,3. Which of the following best describes the difference between hypoxia and ischemia?
A) Hypoxia is reduced blood flow; ischemia is reduced oxygen delivery
B) Hypoxia is reduced oxygen delivery; ischemia is reduced blood flow
C) Both terms are interchangeable with infarction
D) Hypoxia only occurs in cardiac tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia refers to insufficient oxygen reaching tissue regardless of cause, while ischemia
specifically refers to reduced blood flow that limits both oxygen and nutrient delivery.
4. A pathology report describes organized, energydependent cell death that does not trigger an
inflammatory response. This is characteristic of:
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Gangrene
D) Caseous necrosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is energydependent, organized, and does not trigger
inflammation. Necrosis is unorganized and triggers inflammation.
,5. A client with HIV infection shows increased rates of programmed cell death in CD4 cells. This process
is known as:
A) Necrosis
B) Autophagy
C) Apoptosis
D) Pyroptosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HIV infection activates pathways responsible for programmed cell death (apoptosis) in CD4
cells, leading to their destruction.
6. An echocardiogram reveals a slightly enlarged left ventricle in a longdistance endurance athlete. This
cellular change is best described as:
A) Pathologic hypertrophy
B) Physiologic hypertrophy
C) Dysplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Physiologic hypertrophy occurs due to extensive exercise, whereby the heart creates new
blood vessel branches (angiogenesis) and there is increased mitochondria, ATP, and actin/myosin
filaments in the muscle.
, 7. Cells that are atypical in size and shape but are not necessarily cancerous are described as:
A) Dysplastic
B) Metaplastic
C) Anaplastic
D) Hyperplastic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to cells that are atypical in size and shape. Dysplasia does not mean the cells
are cancerous, but screening tests like Pap smears examine tissues to determine if cellular changes are
taking place.
8. A biopsy reveals proliferating cells that are welldifferentiated, resemble surrounding cells, and are
contained within a welldefined area. This is characteristic of:
A) Malignant neoplasia
B) Benign neoplasia
C) Metastatic cancer
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In benign neoplasia, the cells do not have characteristics associated with malignancy. The
cells are welldifferentiated and contained within a welldefined area.
Questions and Verified Answers | Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
1. Huntington disease is inherited in which pattern?
A) Autosomal recessive
B) Xlinked recessive
C) Autosomal dominant
D) Mitochondrial
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Huntington disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene and follows
autosomal dominant inheritance, so one copy of the mutated gene is enough to cause disease.
2. TaySachs disease results from a deficiency of which enzyme?
A) Glucocerebrosidase
B) Phenylalanine hydroxylase
C) Hexosaminidase A
D) Alphagalactosidase A
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TaySachs disease is caused by a deficiency of hexosaminidase A, leading to accumulation of
GM2 ganglioside in neurons and progressive neurodegeneration.
,3. Which of the following best describes the difference between hypoxia and ischemia?
A) Hypoxia is reduced blood flow; ischemia is reduced oxygen delivery
B) Hypoxia is reduced oxygen delivery; ischemia is reduced blood flow
C) Both terms are interchangeable with infarction
D) Hypoxia only occurs in cardiac tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia refers to insufficient oxygen reaching tissue regardless of cause, while ischemia
specifically refers to reduced blood flow that limits both oxygen and nutrient delivery.
4. A pathology report describes organized, energydependent cell death that does not trigger an
inflammatory response. This is characteristic of:
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Gangrene
D) Caseous necrosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is energydependent, organized, and does not trigger
inflammation. Necrosis is unorganized and triggers inflammation.
,5. A client with HIV infection shows increased rates of programmed cell death in CD4 cells. This process
is known as:
A) Necrosis
B) Autophagy
C) Apoptosis
D) Pyroptosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HIV infection activates pathways responsible for programmed cell death (apoptosis) in CD4
cells, leading to their destruction.
6. An echocardiogram reveals a slightly enlarged left ventricle in a longdistance endurance athlete. This
cellular change is best described as:
A) Pathologic hypertrophy
B) Physiologic hypertrophy
C) Dysplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Physiologic hypertrophy occurs due to extensive exercise, whereby the heart creates new
blood vessel branches (angiogenesis) and there is increased mitochondria, ATP, and actin/myosin
filaments in the muscle.
, 7. Cells that are atypical in size and shape but are not necessarily cancerous are described as:
A) Dysplastic
B) Metaplastic
C) Anaplastic
D) Hyperplastic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to cells that are atypical in size and shape. Dysplasia does not mean the cells
are cancerous, but screening tests like Pap smears examine tissues to determine if cellular changes are
taking place.
8. A biopsy reveals proliferating cells that are welldifferentiated, resemble surrounding cells, and are
contained within a welldefined area. This is characteristic of:
A) Malignant neoplasia
B) Benign neoplasia
C) Metastatic cancer
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In benign neoplasia, the cells do not have characteristics associated with malignancy. The
cells are welldifferentiated and contained within a welldefined area.
