NURS 5315: Advanced
Pathophysiology UTA Exam
1 Latest Updates for 2025
1. Which of the following best describes the process of cellular adaptation in response to
stress?
a) The cell becomes irreversible damaged and dies
b) The cell changes its size, number, or type in response to stress
c) The cell undergoes apoptosis due to stress
d) The cell remains unchanged despite stress
Answer: b) The cell changes its size, number, or type in response to stress
Rationale: Cellular adaptation occurs when cells alter their structure or function to cope with
changes in their environment, such as an increase in demand, lack of oxygen, or injury.
2. A patient is diagnosed with chronic inflammation. What is the most likely consequence
of this condition on tissue repair?
a) Tissue healing occurs quickly without scarring
b) Scar tissue formation is a key feature of chronic inflammation
c) There is a complete regeneration of tissue without fibrosis
d) No tissue repair occurs, leading to complete organ failure
Answer: b) Scar tissue formation is a key feature of chronic inflammation
Rationale: Chronic inflammation can lead to fibrosis, or the formation of scar tissue, as the body
attempts to repair damaged tissue.
3. Which of the following is the most accurate definition of apoptosis?
a) A type of cell death caused by injury
b) A regulated process of cell death that does not cause inflammation
c) A result of excessive cellular division
d) A condition where cells lose function and size
,Answer: b) A regulated process of cell death that does not cause inflammation
Rationale: Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is controlled and does not result
in inflammation, allowing for the removal of dysfunctional cells without damaging surrounding
tissues.
4. What is the primary difference between necrosis and apoptosis?
a) Necrosis is a regulated process; apoptosis is uncontrolled
b) Necrosis often results in inflammation; apoptosis does not
c) Necrosis is reversible; apoptosis is irreversible
d) Necrosis occurs due to cellular damage from DNA mutation
Answer: b) Necrosis often results in inflammation; apoptosis does not
Rationale: Necrosis occurs due to injury or lack of blood supply, causing inflammation in
surrounding tissues, whereas apoptosis is a controlled process of cell death that does not
induce inflammation.
5. A patient presents with a genetic disorder causing abnormal protein folding. Which
cellular process is most likely impaired in this patient?
a) DNA replication
b) Protein synthesis and folding
c) Cellular respiration
d) Phagocytosis
Answer: b) Protein synthesis and folding
Rationale: Abnormal protein folding often results from genetic mutations that impair the function
of chaperone proteins responsible for proper protein folding, leading to cellular dysfunction.
6. In the process of inflammation, which of the following cells are primarily responsible
for the release of histamine?
a) Eosinophils
b) Mast cells
c) Macrophages
d) Neutrophils
Answer: b) Mast cells
Rationale: Mast cells are responsible for the release of histamine during inflammation, which
causes vasodilation and increases vascular permeability.
7. A patient is diagnosed with metabolic acidosis. Which of the following would most
likely be observed in their blood gas analysis?
, a) Decreased pH, decreased bicarbonate
b) Increased pH, decreased bicarbonate
c) Decreased pH, increased bicarbonate
d) Increased pH, increased bicarbonate
Answer: a) Decreased pH, decreased bicarbonate
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decrease in pH and bicarbonate levels in
the blood due to either an increase in acid production or a loss of bicarbonate.
8. What is the primary cause of the pathophysiologic changes seen in congestive heart
failure?
a) Decreased blood flow to tissues due to reduced cardiac output
b) Increased blood pressure from vasodilation
c) Increased oxygen delivery to the heart
d) Excessive preload leading to reduced contractility
Answer: a) Decreased blood flow to tissues due to reduced cardiac output
Rationale: In congestive heart failure, the heart is unable to pump effectively, leading to
reduced cardiac output and inadequate blood flow to tissues.
9. Which of the following is most commonly associated with the formation of
atherosclerotic plaques?
a) Hyperglycemia
b) Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
c) High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
d) High levels of nitric oxide
Answer: b) Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
Rationale: High levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with the development of
atherosclerotic plaques, as LDL can deposit cholesterol in the walls of arteries, leading to
plaque formation.
10. A patient presents with muscle weakness and decreased deep tendon reflexes. Which
electrolyte imbalance is most likely contributing to these symptoms?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Hypercalcemia
d) Hypocalcemia
Answer: b) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) can lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, and
decreased reflexes, as potassium is crucial for proper muscle function and nerve transmission.
Pathophysiology UTA Exam
1 Latest Updates for 2025
1. Which of the following best describes the process of cellular adaptation in response to
stress?
a) The cell becomes irreversible damaged and dies
b) The cell changes its size, number, or type in response to stress
c) The cell undergoes apoptosis due to stress
d) The cell remains unchanged despite stress
Answer: b) The cell changes its size, number, or type in response to stress
Rationale: Cellular adaptation occurs when cells alter their structure or function to cope with
changes in their environment, such as an increase in demand, lack of oxygen, or injury.
2. A patient is diagnosed with chronic inflammation. What is the most likely consequence
of this condition on tissue repair?
a) Tissue healing occurs quickly without scarring
b) Scar tissue formation is a key feature of chronic inflammation
c) There is a complete regeneration of tissue without fibrosis
d) No tissue repair occurs, leading to complete organ failure
Answer: b) Scar tissue formation is a key feature of chronic inflammation
Rationale: Chronic inflammation can lead to fibrosis, or the formation of scar tissue, as the body
attempts to repair damaged tissue.
3. Which of the following is the most accurate definition of apoptosis?
a) A type of cell death caused by injury
b) A regulated process of cell death that does not cause inflammation
c) A result of excessive cellular division
d) A condition where cells lose function and size
,Answer: b) A regulated process of cell death that does not cause inflammation
Rationale: Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is controlled and does not result
in inflammation, allowing for the removal of dysfunctional cells without damaging surrounding
tissues.
4. What is the primary difference between necrosis and apoptosis?
a) Necrosis is a regulated process; apoptosis is uncontrolled
b) Necrosis often results in inflammation; apoptosis does not
c) Necrosis is reversible; apoptosis is irreversible
d) Necrosis occurs due to cellular damage from DNA mutation
Answer: b) Necrosis often results in inflammation; apoptosis does not
Rationale: Necrosis occurs due to injury or lack of blood supply, causing inflammation in
surrounding tissues, whereas apoptosis is a controlled process of cell death that does not
induce inflammation.
5. A patient presents with a genetic disorder causing abnormal protein folding. Which
cellular process is most likely impaired in this patient?
a) DNA replication
b) Protein synthesis and folding
c) Cellular respiration
d) Phagocytosis
Answer: b) Protein synthesis and folding
Rationale: Abnormal protein folding often results from genetic mutations that impair the function
of chaperone proteins responsible for proper protein folding, leading to cellular dysfunction.
6. In the process of inflammation, which of the following cells are primarily responsible
for the release of histamine?
a) Eosinophils
b) Mast cells
c) Macrophages
d) Neutrophils
Answer: b) Mast cells
Rationale: Mast cells are responsible for the release of histamine during inflammation, which
causes vasodilation and increases vascular permeability.
7. A patient is diagnosed with metabolic acidosis. Which of the following would most
likely be observed in their blood gas analysis?
, a) Decreased pH, decreased bicarbonate
b) Increased pH, decreased bicarbonate
c) Decreased pH, increased bicarbonate
d) Increased pH, increased bicarbonate
Answer: a) Decreased pH, decreased bicarbonate
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decrease in pH and bicarbonate levels in
the blood due to either an increase in acid production or a loss of bicarbonate.
8. What is the primary cause of the pathophysiologic changes seen in congestive heart
failure?
a) Decreased blood flow to tissues due to reduced cardiac output
b) Increased blood pressure from vasodilation
c) Increased oxygen delivery to the heart
d) Excessive preload leading to reduced contractility
Answer: a) Decreased blood flow to tissues due to reduced cardiac output
Rationale: In congestive heart failure, the heart is unable to pump effectively, leading to
reduced cardiac output and inadequate blood flow to tissues.
9. Which of the following is most commonly associated with the formation of
atherosclerotic plaques?
a) Hyperglycemia
b) Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
c) High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
d) High levels of nitric oxide
Answer: b) Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
Rationale: High levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with the development of
atherosclerotic plaques, as LDL can deposit cholesterol in the walls of arteries, leading to
plaque formation.
10. A patient presents with muscle weakness and decreased deep tendon reflexes. Which
electrolyte imbalance is most likely contributing to these symptoms?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Hypercalcemia
d) Hypocalcemia
Answer: b) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) can lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, and
decreased reflexes, as potassium is crucial for proper muscle function and nerve transmission.
