NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1
Chamberlain
1. A patient with a prolonged immobilization of a limb due to a cast is likely to
develop which cellular adaptation in the muscle?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to reduced use, insufficient nutrition, or
loss of neurologic stimulation. Immobilization leads to disuse atrophy.
2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells,
resulting in an enlarged tissue mass?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell
size. Metaplasia is replacement of one cell type with another. Dysplasia involves
abnormal cell variation.
3. A Pap smear detects dysplastic cells in the cervix. What is the significance of this
finding?
A. It indicates a normal healing process
B. It is a precancerous change
C. It is a sign of acute infection
D. It represents a benign tumor
Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia is an abnormal growth pattern that may be precancerous. Routine
screening (e.g., Pap smear) detects dysplasia to allow early intervention.
4. In the respiratory tract of a chronic smoker, ciliated columnar epithelium is
replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This is an example of:
, A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is the replacement of one mature cell type by another. The
change provides a stronger barrier but loses cilia, impairing mucus clearance.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Free radical damage
B. Chemical toxins
C. Ischemia
D. Viral infection
Answer: C
Rationale: Ischemia (decreased oxygenated blood supply) leading to hypoxia is the
most common cause of cellular injury. It reduces cellular metabolism and can cause cell
death.
6. Which type of necrosis results in a thick, yellowish, "cheesy" substance, often
seen in tuberculosis?
A. Liquefaction necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Caseous necrosis is a form of coagulation necrosis with a cheesy
appearance, typically found in tuberculous granulomas.
7. A patient with a myocardial infarction will likely develop which type of necrosis in
the heart muscle?
A. Liquefaction necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs in ischemic tissues like the heart and kidney.
Denatured proteins retain cell shape for a time.
Chamberlain
1. A patient with a prolonged immobilization of a limb due to a cast is likely to
develop which cellular adaptation in the muscle?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to reduced use, insufficient nutrition, or
loss of neurologic stimulation. Immobilization leads to disuse atrophy.
2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells,
resulting in an enlarged tissue mass?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell
size. Metaplasia is replacement of one cell type with another. Dysplasia involves
abnormal cell variation.
3. A Pap smear detects dysplastic cells in the cervix. What is the significance of this
finding?
A. It indicates a normal healing process
B. It is a precancerous change
C. It is a sign of acute infection
D. It represents a benign tumor
Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia is an abnormal growth pattern that may be precancerous. Routine
screening (e.g., Pap smear) detects dysplasia to allow early intervention.
4. In the respiratory tract of a chronic smoker, ciliated columnar epithelium is
replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This is an example of:
, A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is the replacement of one mature cell type by another. The
change provides a stronger barrier but loses cilia, impairing mucus clearance.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Free radical damage
B. Chemical toxins
C. Ischemia
D. Viral infection
Answer: C
Rationale: Ischemia (decreased oxygenated blood supply) leading to hypoxia is the
most common cause of cellular injury. It reduces cellular metabolism and can cause cell
death.
6. Which type of necrosis results in a thick, yellowish, "cheesy" substance, often
seen in tuberculosis?
A. Liquefaction necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Caseous necrosis is a form of coagulation necrosis with a cheesy
appearance, typically found in tuberculous granulomas.
7. A patient with a myocardial infarction will likely develop which type of necrosis in
the heart muscle?
A. Liquefaction necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs in ischemic tissues like the heart and kidney.
Denatured proteins retain cell shape for a time.
