NU 545 Pathophysiology (Units 1–7 Study Guide)
Complete Exam Bundle | University of South
Alabama | Actual Questions with Correct Answers
2026/2027
Q1. A client asks how their intestinal cells are able to take up nutrients from food.
The nurse explains this cellular function is known as:
A) Conductivity
B) Metabolic absorption
C) Secretion
D) Communication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metabolic absorption is the ability of cells to take in and use nutrients and
other substances from their surroundings. Cells of the intestine and kidney are
specialized to carry out this function—intestinal epithelial cells absorb fluid and
synthesize protein enzymes, while kidney cells reabsorb fluids and synthesize proteins .
Q2. A nurse practitioner explains that the nucleus is "the control center" of the
cell. Which is the primary function of the nucleus?
A) Production of ATP
B) Protein folding and packaging
C) Cell division and control of genetic information
D) Synthesis of lysosomal enzymes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nucleus contains most cellular DNA and associated histones and is
primarily responsible for cell division, control of genetic information, and DNA
replication and repair . ATP production occurs in mitochondria, protein packaging in the
Golgi complex, and lysosomal enzymes are synthesized in the rough endoplasmic
reticulum .
,Q3. The plasma membrane is primarily composed of which major chemical
components?
A) Phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates
B) DNA, RNA, and nucleotides
C) Triglycerides and glycogen
D) Fibrin, collagen, and elastin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The plasma membrane is a lipid bilayer primarily composed of
phospholipids, interspersed with proteins and membrane-associated carbohydrates (as
glycoproteins and glycolipids) . DNA/RNA are nuclear or cytoplasmic components,
triglycerides/glycogen are storage molecules, and fibrin/collagen/elastin are
extracellular matrix proteins .
Q4. Which property of phospholipids is essential for forming the lipid bilayer of
cell membranes?
A) Nonpolar, completely hydrophobic structure
B) Amphipathic nature with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions
C) Complete solubility in water
D) Ability to store genetic information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phospholipids are amphipathic: polar, hydrophilic heads and nonpolar,
hydrophobic tails. This dual property drives self-assembly into a bilayer, creating a
barrier to water-soluble substances while allowing membrane integrity .
Q5. What organelle uses oxygen to remove hydrogen atoms in an oxidative
reaction?
A) Lysosome
B) Peroxisome
C) Mitochondria
D) Ribosome
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Peroxisomes contain enzymes that use oxygen to remove hydrogen atoms in
oxidative reactions that produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is then used by
catalase to further oxidize substances like phenols, formic acid, formaldehyde, and
alcohol .
Q6. During cell injury, what is released that is capable of cellular autodigestion?
A) ATP
B) Lysosomal enzymes (hydrolases)
C) DNA
D) Ribosomal RNA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lysosomes contain more than 40 digestive enzymes called hydrolases.
Disruption of the lysosomal membrane by injury leads to release of these enzymes,
causing cellular self-digestion (autodigestion) .
Q7. Where is the genetic information contained in the cell?
A) Mitochondria
B) Golgi apparatus
C) Nucleus (specifically the nucleolus)
D) Endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nucleus contains the nucleolus, most of the cellular DNA, and the DNA-
binding proteins (histones). The genetic information is organized within the nucleus .
Q8. The carbohydrates on the outside of the plasma membrane form a coating
that protects the cell from injury. This coating is called the:
A) Glycocalyx
B) Glycolipid layer
C) Glycoprotein matrix
D) Lipopolysaccharide layer
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The carbohydrates on the outside of the plasma membrane form a coating
called the glycocalyx that protects the cell from mechanical damage .
Q9. What allows potassium to diffuse in and out of cells?
A) Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase pump only
B) Protein channels in the plasma membrane
C) Simple diffusion through the lipid bilayer
D) Endocytosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protein channels allow K⁺ ions to diffuse down their concentration gradient.
Changes in the electrical current in the plasma membrane alter the flow of sodium and
potassium . The Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase pump also contributes but channel proteins are primarily
responsible for diffusion .
Q10. During cell injury, what happens to sodium and water?
A) Sodium and water enter the cell, causing swelling
B) Sodium and water leave the cell, causing dehydration
C) Sodium enters while water leaves
D) Neither sodium nor water moves
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: During cell injury, particularly ischemia, the Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase pump fails due to
insufficient ATP. Without this pump, sodium and water freely flow into the cell, resulting
in cell swelling .
Q11. What are free radicals in relation to cell damage?
A) Stable molecules with paired electrons
B) Unstable molecules with unpaired electrons that cause membrane lipid peroxidation,
protein alterations, and DNA damage
C) Molecules that only damage DNA
D) Beneficial molecules that never cause cell injury
Complete Exam Bundle | University of South
Alabama | Actual Questions with Correct Answers
2026/2027
Q1. A client asks how their intestinal cells are able to take up nutrients from food.
The nurse explains this cellular function is known as:
A) Conductivity
B) Metabolic absorption
C) Secretion
D) Communication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metabolic absorption is the ability of cells to take in and use nutrients and
other substances from their surroundings. Cells of the intestine and kidney are
specialized to carry out this function—intestinal epithelial cells absorb fluid and
synthesize protein enzymes, while kidney cells reabsorb fluids and synthesize proteins .
Q2. A nurse practitioner explains that the nucleus is "the control center" of the
cell. Which is the primary function of the nucleus?
A) Production of ATP
B) Protein folding and packaging
C) Cell division and control of genetic information
D) Synthesis of lysosomal enzymes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nucleus contains most cellular DNA and associated histones and is
primarily responsible for cell division, control of genetic information, and DNA
replication and repair . ATP production occurs in mitochondria, protein packaging in the
Golgi complex, and lysosomal enzymes are synthesized in the rough endoplasmic
reticulum .
,Q3. The plasma membrane is primarily composed of which major chemical
components?
A) Phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates
B) DNA, RNA, and nucleotides
C) Triglycerides and glycogen
D) Fibrin, collagen, and elastin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The plasma membrane is a lipid bilayer primarily composed of
phospholipids, interspersed with proteins and membrane-associated carbohydrates (as
glycoproteins and glycolipids) . DNA/RNA are nuclear or cytoplasmic components,
triglycerides/glycogen are storage molecules, and fibrin/collagen/elastin are
extracellular matrix proteins .
Q4. Which property of phospholipids is essential for forming the lipid bilayer of
cell membranes?
A) Nonpolar, completely hydrophobic structure
B) Amphipathic nature with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions
C) Complete solubility in water
D) Ability to store genetic information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phospholipids are amphipathic: polar, hydrophilic heads and nonpolar,
hydrophobic tails. This dual property drives self-assembly into a bilayer, creating a
barrier to water-soluble substances while allowing membrane integrity .
Q5. What organelle uses oxygen to remove hydrogen atoms in an oxidative
reaction?
A) Lysosome
B) Peroxisome
C) Mitochondria
D) Ribosome
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Peroxisomes contain enzymes that use oxygen to remove hydrogen atoms in
oxidative reactions that produce hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is then used by
catalase to further oxidize substances like phenols, formic acid, formaldehyde, and
alcohol .
Q6. During cell injury, what is released that is capable of cellular autodigestion?
A) ATP
B) Lysosomal enzymes (hydrolases)
C) DNA
D) Ribosomal RNA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lysosomes contain more than 40 digestive enzymes called hydrolases.
Disruption of the lysosomal membrane by injury leads to release of these enzymes,
causing cellular self-digestion (autodigestion) .
Q7. Where is the genetic information contained in the cell?
A) Mitochondria
B) Golgi apparatus
C) Nucleus (specifically the nucleolus)
D) Endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nucleus contains the nucleolus, most of the cellular DNA, and the DNA-
binding proteins (histones). The genetic information is organized within the nucleus .
Q8. The carbohydrates on the outside of the plasma membrane form a coating
that protects the cell from injury. This coating is called the:
A) Glycocalyx
B) Glycolipid layer
C) Glycoprotein matrix
D) Lipopolysaccharide layer
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The carbohydrates on the outside of the plasma membrane form a coating
called the glycocalyx that protects the cell from mechanical damage .
Q9. What allows potassium to diffuse in and out of cells?
A) Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase pump only
B) Protein channels in the plasma membrane
C) Simple diffusion through the lipid bilayer
D) Endocytosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protein channels allow K⁺ ions to diffuse down their concentration gradient.
Changes in the electrical current in the plasma membrane alter the flow of sodium and
potassium . The Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase pump also contributes but channel proteins are primarily
responsible for diffusion .
Q10. During cell injury, what happens to sodium and water?
A) Sodium and water enter the cell, causing swelling
B) Sodium and water leave the cell, causing dehydration
C) Sodium enters while water leaves
D) Neither sodium nor water moves
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: During cell injury, particularly ischemia, the Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase pump fails due to
insufficient ATP. Without this pump, sodium and water freely flow into the cell, resulting
in cell swelling .
Q11. What are free radicals in relation to cell damage?
A) Stable molecules with paired electrons
B) Unstable molecules with unpaired electrons that cause membrane lipid peroxidation,
protein alterations, and DNA damage
C) Molecules that only damage DNA
D) Beneficial molecules that never cause cell injury
