NSG 5140 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
The NSG 5140 Advanced Pathophysiology exam at South College evaluates graduate-
level nursing students' mastery of pathophysiological concepts essential for advanced
practice nursing. This comprehensive examination covers cellular adaptation and injury,
inflammation and immunity, fluid/electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, and system-
specific alterations across major organ systems.
Exam Format:
• Total Questions: 50
• Format: Multiple-choice, single-best-answer
• Proctoring: Respondus Lockdown Browser + Webcam
QUESTIONS 1–50 WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY & DEATH
(Questions 1–8)
Question 1
Which of the following is the primary mechanism of cellular injury in hypoxic conditions?
, • A) DNA mutation
• B) ATP depletion leading to loss of ion homeostasis
• C) Free radical formation
• D) Protein misfolding
Correct Answer: B) ATP depletion leading to loss of ion homeostasis
Rationale: Hypoxia limits oxidative phosphorylation, leading to decreased ATP
production. The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump requires ATP to maintain ion gradients; failure of
this pump causes intracellular sodium accumulation, water influx, and cellular swelling.
This is the hallmark of hypoxic cellular injury.
Question 2
What is a consequence of plasma membrane damage to the mitochondria?
• A) Enzymatic digestion halts DNA synthesis
• B) Influx of calcium ions halts ATP production
• C) Edema from sodium influx causes reduction in ATP production
• D) Potassium shifts out of the mitochondria, destroying infrastructure
Correct Answer: B) Influx of calcium ions halts ATP production
Rationale: Plasma membrane damage allows calcium to enter the cell and accumulate in
mitochondria. Excess calcium disrupts oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production,
leading to cell injury and potential apoptosis.
Question 3
Which statement best describes a characteristic of apoptosis?
, • A) Apoptosis involves programmed cell death of scattered single cells
• B) Apoptosis is characterized by swelling of the nucleus and cytoplasm
• C) Apoptosis involves unpredictable patterns of cell death
• D) Apoptosis results in benign malignancies
Correct Answer: A) Apoptosis involves programmed cell death of scattered single
cells
Rationale: Apoptosis is a highly regulated, programmed form of cell death that affects
scattered single cells without triggering an inflammatory response. It is characterized by
cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, and formation of apoptotic bodies.
Question 4
A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular wall thickening. Which
mechanism best explains this adaptation?
• A) Increased myocyte number due to cell division
• B) Increased myocyte size due to increased workload
• C) Replacement of cardiac cells with fibrous tissue
• D) Transformation of cardiac cells into smooth muscle
Correct Answer: B) Increased myocyte size due to increased workload
Rationale: Cardiac myocytes are terminally differentiated and cannot undergo
hyperplasia (cell division). They respond to increased workload by hypertrophy
(increased cell size), resulting in left ventricular wall thickening.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
The NSG 5140 Advanced Pathophysiology exam at South College evaluates graduate-
level nursing students' mastery of pathophysiological concepts essential for advanced
practice nursing. This comprehensive examination covers cellular adaptation and injury,
inflammation and immunity, fluid/electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, and system-
specific alterations across major organ systems.
Exam Format:
• Total Questions: 50
• Format: Multiple-choice, single-best-answer
• Proctoring: Respondus Lockdown Browser + Webcam
QUESTIONS 1–50 WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY & DEATH
(Questions 1–8)
Question 1
Which of the following is the primary mechanism of cellular injury in hypoxic conditions?
, • A) DNA mutation
• B) ATP depletion leading to loss of ion homeostasis
• C) Free radical formation
• D) Protein misfolding
Correct Answer: B) ATP depletion leading to loss of ion homeostasis
Rationale: Hypoxia limits oxidative phosphorylation, leading to decreased ATP
production. The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump requires ATP to maintain ion gradients; failure of
this pump causes intracellular sodium accumulation, water influx, and cellular swelling.
This is the hallmark of hypoxic cellular injury.
Question 2
What is a consequence of plasma membrane damage to the mitochondria?
• A) Enzymatic digestion halts DNA synthesis
• B) Influx of calcium ions halts ATP production
• C) Edema from sodium influx causes reduction in ATP production
• D) Potassium shifts out of the mitochondria, destroying infrastructure
Correct Answer: B) Influx of calcium ions halts ATP production
Rationale: Plasma membrane damage allows calcium to enter the cell and accumulate in
mitochondria. Excess calcium disrupts oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production,
leading to cell injury and potential apoptosis.
Question 3
Which statement best describes a characteristic of apoptosis?
, • A) Apoptosis involves programmed cell death of scattered single cells
• B) Apoptosis is characterized by swelling of the nucleus and cytoplasm
• C) Apoptosis involves unpredictable patterns of cell death
• D) Apoptosis results in benign malignancies
Correct Answer: A) Apoptosis involves programmed cell death of scattered single
cells
Rationale: Apoptosis is a highly regulated, programmed form of cell death that affects
scattered single cells without triggering an inflammatory response. It is characterized by
cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, and formation of apoptotic bodies.
Question 4
A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular wall thickening. Which
mechanism best explains this adaptation?
• A) Increased myocyte number due to cell division
• B) Increased myocyte size due to increased workload
• C) Replacement of cardiac cells with fibrous tissue
• D) Transformation of cardiac cells into smooth muscle
Correct Answer: B) Increased myocyte size due to increased workload
Rationale: Cardiac myocytes are terminally differentiated and cannot undergo
hyperplasia (cell division). They respond to increased workload by hypertrophy
(increased cell size), resulting in left ventricular wall thickening.
