NSG 3113 Pathophysiology Exam 1, 2 & Final Review
| Complete Question Bank with Detailed Rationales
Question 1
Which cellular adaptation involves the reversible replacement of one
mature cell type by another, often as a response to chronic irritation or
inflammation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B. Metaplasia
Detailed Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one adult
cell type by another adult cell type (e.g., stratified squamous epithelium
replacing ciliated columnar epithelium in the airways of chronic
smokers) to better tolerate adverse environmental conditions.
Question 2
What is a key characteristic that distinguishes apoptosis from necrosis?
A. Apoptosis involves uncontrolled cellular swelling and cell lysis.
B. Necrosis is a programmed, gene-directed process that affects single
scattered cells without inflammation.
C. Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed cell death that does not trigger
a local inflammatory response.
,D. Necrosis occurs exclusively during normal embryonic development.
Correct Answer: C. Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed cell death
that does not trigger a local inflammatory response.
Detailed Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is tightly
regulated and neatly disposes of cells without causing inflammation.
Necrosis involves uncontrolled cell injury, cellular swelling, membrane
rupture, and release of intracellular contents that provoke a strong
inflammatory response.
Question 3
A client with severe syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH) presents with severe hyponatremia. What is the primary
pathophysiological mechanism of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Excessive dietary sodium loss through the gastrointestinal tract
B. Dilutional hyponatremia caused by excessive renal free water
reabsorption expanding the extracellular fluid volume
C. Primary mineralocorticoid deficiency
D. Hyperglycemia-induced osmotic fluid shifts
Correct Answer: B. Dilutional hyponatremia caused by excessive renal
free water reabsorption expanding the extracellular fluid volume
Detailed Rationale: SIADH results in continuous, unregulated release of
ADH, causing the kidneys to reabsorb free water. This expands total
body water, diluting serum sodium concentrations and creating a
dilutional hyponatremia despite normal total body sodium.
Question 4
,Laboratory results for an anxious client hyperventilating in the
emergency department reveal a high pH, low PaCO2, and normal HCO3-
. What primary acid-base disorder does this indicate?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: D. Respiratory alkalosis
Detailed Rationale: Hyperventilating blows off carbon dioxide (CO2),
decreasing carbonic acid in the blood and elevating pH. This acute drop
in PaCO2 with an elevated pH defines respiratory alkalosis.
Question 5
Which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for the local
vasodilation and increased vascular permeability during an acute
inflammatory response?
A. Histamine
B. Insulin
C. Thyroxine
D. Surfactant
Correct Answer: A. Histamine
Detailed Rationale: Histamine, stored in mast cells and basophils, is
released rapidly upon cellular injury or immune activation, causing rapid
, arteriolar vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, leading to
local redness, heat, and edema.
Question 6
What is the inheritance pattern of Cystic Fibrosis, meaning an affected
individual must inherit two mutated gene copies (one from each carrier
parent)?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked dominant
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
Correct Answer: B. Autosomal recessive
Detailed Rationale: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic
disorder. A child must receive a mutated gene from both parents (who
are typically asymptomatic carriers) to manifest the disease.
Question 7
In the TNM cancer staging system, what does the "M" stand for, and
what does it indicate?
A. Mitotic rate, measuring how fast cells divide
B. Metastasis, indicating whether the cancer has spread to distant
organs
C. Morphology, describing cellular differentiation
D. Mutation load, measuring genetic errors
| Complete Question Bank with Detailed Rationales
Question 1
Which cellular adaptation involves the reversible replacement of one
mature cell type by another, often as a response to chronic irritation or
inflammation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B. Metaplasia
Detailed Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one adult
cell type by another adult cell type (e.g., stratified squamous epithelium
replacing ciliated columnar epithelium in the airways of chronic
smokers) to better tolerate adverse environmental conditions.
Question 2
What is a key characteristic that distinguishes apoptosis from necrosis?
A. Apoptosis involves uncontrolled cellular swelling and cell lysis.
B. Necrosis is a programmed, gene-directed process that affects single
scattered cells without inflammation.
C. Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed cell death that does not trigger
a local inflammatory response.
,D. Necrosis occurs exclusively during normal embryonic development.
Correct Answer: C. Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed cell death
that does not trigger a local inflammatory response.
Detailed Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that is tightly
regulated and neatly disposes of cells without causing inflammation.
Necrosis involves uncontrolled cell injury, cellular swelling, membrane
rupture, and release of intracellular contents that provoke a strong
inflammatory response.
Question 3
A client with severe syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH) presents with severe hyponatremia. What is the primary
pathophysiological mechanism of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Excessive dietary sodium loss through the gastrointestinal tract
B. Dilutional hyponatremia caused by excessive renal free water
reabsorption expanding the extracellular fluid volume
C. Primary mineralocorticoid deficiency
D. Hyperglycemia-induced osmotic fluid shifts
Correct Answer: B. Dilutional hyponatremia caused by excessive renal
free water reabsorption expanding the extracellular fluid volume
Detailed Rationale: SIADH results in continuous, unregulated release of
ADH, causing the kidneys to reabsorb free water. This expands total
body water, diluting serum sodium concentrations and creating a
dilutional hyponatremia despite normal total body sodium.
Question 4
,Laboratory results for an anxious client hyperventilating in the
emergency department reveal a high pH, low PaCO2, and normal HCO3-
. What primary acid-base disorder does this indicate?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: D. Respiratory alkalosis
Detailed Rationale: Hyperventilating blows off carbon dioxide (CO2),
decreasing carbonic acid in the blood and elevating pH. This acute drop
in PaCO2 with an elevated pH defines respiratory alkalosis.
Question 5
Which chemical mediator is primarily responsible for the local
vasodilation and increased vascular permeability during an acute
inflammatory response?
A. Histamine
B. Insulin
C. Thyroxine
D. Surfactant
Correct Answer: A. Histamine
Detailed Rationale: Histamine, stored in mast cells and basophils, is
released rapidly upon cellular injury or immune activation, causing rapid
, arteriolar vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, leading to
local redness, heat, and edema.
Question 6
What is the inheritance pattern of Cystic Fibrosis, meaning an affected
individual must inherit two mutated gene copies (one from each carrier
parent)?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked dominant
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
Correct Answer: B. Autosomal recessive
Detailed Rationale: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic
disorder. A child must receive a mutated gene from both parents (who
are typically asymptomatic carriers) to manifest the disease.
Question 7
In the TNM cancer staging system, what does the "M" stand for, and
what does it indicate?
A. Mitotic rate, measuring how fast cells divide
B. Metastasis, indicating whether the cancer has spread to distant
organs
C. Morphology, describing cellular differentiation
D. Mutation load, measuring genetic errors
