,NR-283 Verified Final Exam — Pathophysiology
| Chamberlain College of Nursing | Q & A |
2026/2027 Edition
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been in a cast for 6 weeks. The nurse notes that the leg
muscles have decreased in size. Which cellular adaptation does this finding represent?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Atrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in the size of cells, leading to reduced tissue mass. Disuse
atrophy occurs when a muscle is not used, such as during immobilization in a cast. Hyperplasia
is an increase in cell number, hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, and dysplasia is abnormal
cell growth .
2. Which term best defines the death rate in a population?
A) Mortality
B) Prevalence
C) Incidence
D) Morbidity
,Correct Answer: Mortality
Rationale: Mortality refers to the number of deaths in a population. Prevalence is the number of
existing cases of a disease at a given time. Incidence is the number of new cases. Morbidity
refers to illness or disease rates .
3. Which statement is TRUE regarding cellular changes due to aging?
A) The cellular changes are reversible
B) DNA becomes less susceptible to injurious stimuli
C) The cellular changes proceed slowly and in small increments
D) Lipid, calcium, and plasma proteins are less likely to accumulate
Correct Answer: The cellular changes proceed slowly and in small increments
Rationale: Cellular aging changes occur gradually over time and are generally irreversible. DNA
becomes more susceptible to injury with age, and there is an increased accumulation of lipid,
calcium, and plasma proteins in cells .
4. A client with sepsis develops marked muscle weakness and labored breathing. Which type of
necrosis is most likely occurring?
A) Coagulative necrosis
B) Liquefactive necrosis
C) Fat necrosis
D) Gangrenous necrosis
Correct Answer: Coagulative necrosis
, Rationale: Coagulative necrosis is characteristic of ischemic injury in solid organs, such as the
heart, kidney, and spleen. It occurs when hypoxia leads to protein denaturation, causing the
tissue to become firm and pale .
5. A nurse is teaching a client about disease prevention. Which activity is an example of
secondary prevention?
A) Administering immunizations
B) Screening for hypertension
C) Providing cardiac rehabilitation
D) Teaching smoking cessation
Correct Answer: Screening for hypertension
Rationale: Secondary prevention involves early detection of disease through screening, such as
blood pressure checks, mammography, or colonoscopy. Primary prevention includes
immunizations and health education. Tertiary prevention includes rehabilitation .
6. Which of the following is a predisposing factor for disease development?
A) Pathogenesis
B) Prophylaxis
C) Age and gender
D) Etiology
Correct Answer: Age and gender
| Chamberlain College of Nursing | Q & A |
2026/2027 Edition
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been in a cast for 6 weeks. The nurse notes that the leg
muscles have decreased in size. Which cellular adaptation does this finding represent?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Atrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in the size of cells, leading to reduced tissue mass. Disuse
atrophy occurs when a muscle is not used, such as during immobilization in a cast. Hyperplasia
is an increase in cell number, hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, and dysplasia is abnormal
cell growth .
2. Which term best defines the death rate in a population?
A) Mortality
B) Prevalence
C) Incidence
D) Morbidity
,Correct Answer: Mortality
Rationale: Mortality refers to the number of deaths in a population. Prevalence is the number of
existing cases of a disease at a given time. Incidence is the number of new cases. Morbidity
refers to illness or disease rates .
3. Which statement is TRUE regarding cellular changes due to aging?
A) The cellular changes are reversible
B) DNA becomes less susceptible to injurious stimuli
C) The cellular changes proceed slowly and in small increments
D) Lipid, calcium, and plasma proteins are less likely to accumulate
Correct Answer: The cellular changes proceed slowly and in small increments
Rationale: Cellular aging changes occur gradually over time and are generally irreversible. DNA
becomes more susceptible to injury with age, and there is an increased accumulation of lipid,
calcium, and plasma proteins in cells .
4. A client with sepsis develops marked muscle weakness and labored breathing. Which type of
necrosis is most likely occurring?
A) Coagulative necrosis
B) Liquefactive necrosis
C) Fat necrosis
D) Gangrenous necrosis
Correct Answer: Coagulative necrosis
, Rationale: Coagulative necrosis is characteristic of ischemic injury in solid organs, such as the
heart, kidney, and spleen. It occurs when hypoxia leads to protein denaturation, causing the
tissue to become firm and pale .
5. A nurse is teaching a client about disease prevention. Which activity is an example of
secondary prevention?
A) Administering immunizations
B) Screening for hypertension
C) Providing cardiac rehabilitation
D) Teaching smoking cessation
Correct Answer: Screening for hypertension
Rationale: Secondary prevention involves early detection of disease through screening, such as
blood pressure checks, mammography, or colonoscopy. Primary prevention includes
immunizations and health education. Tertiary prevention includes rehabilitation .
6. Which of the following is a predisposing factor for disease development?
A) Pathogenesis
B) Prophylaxis
C) Age and gender
D) Etiology
Correct Answer: Age and gender
