,UTA NURS 5315 Exam 1 | Advanced Pathophysiology (2026)
Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the primary characteristic of reversible cellular
injury?
A) Irreversible membrane rupture and cell death
B) Cellular swelling due to sodium and water influx
C) Nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation
D) Extensive calcification and necrosis
Correct Answer: Cellular swelling due to sodium and water influx
Rationale: Reversible cellular injury is characterized by cellular swelling, which occurs
when the sodium-potassium pump fails due to ATP depletion, allowing sodium and water to
enter the cell. This process can resolve if the injurious stimulus is removed and energy is
restored. Membrane rupture, nuclear fragmentation, and calcification are features of
irreversible injury.
2. What is the primary mechanism by which hypoxia leads to cellular injury?
A) Increased production of reactive oxygen species
B) Decreased ATP production and failure of membrane pumps
C) Direct damage to DNA by radiation
D) Activation of the complement cascade
Correct Answer: Decreased ATP production and failure of membrane pumps
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen availability for oxidative phosphorylation, decreasing
ATP production. The sodium-potassium pump, which is highly ATP-dependent, fails first,
leading to cellular swelling. Free radical production, DNA damage, and complement
activation are separate mechanisms of cellular injury.
,3. According to the principles of cellular adaptation, which term refers to a decrease in cell
size?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size resulting from reduced workload, decreased
blood supply, or hormonal changes. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, hyperplasia is an
increase in cell number, and metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type with another.
Atrophy can be physiologic or pathologic.
4. In the context of cellular injury, what is the most common cause of cell injury?
A) Radiation
B) Hypoxia
C) Toxins
D) Infection
Correct Answer: Hypoxia
Rationale: Hypoxia is the most common cause of cellular injury because oxygen is essential
for aerobic metabolism and ATP production. Without oxygen, cells cannot maintain energy-
dependent functions and undergo injury or death. Radiation, toxins, and infections can also
cause injury but are less common.
5. A researcher is studying a tissue sample and observes an increase in the number of cells.
Which cellular adaptation does this finding most likely represent?
, A) Hypertrophy
B) Atrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or
organ, often in response to hormonal stimulation or compensatory needs. Hypertrophy
involves cell enlargement without an increase in cell number. Atrophy is decreased cell size,
and dysplasia involves abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization.
6. Which term refers to the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with
another?
A) Dysplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Anaplasia
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type with another that
is better able to withstand stress. Dysplasia involves abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and
organization. Hyperplasia is increased cell number, and anaplasia is lack of differentiation
seen in malignant cells.
7. What is the primary mechanism of free radical injury in cells?
A) Direct inhibition of protein synthesis
Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the primary characteristic of reversible cellular
injury?
A) Irreversible membrane rupture and cell death
B) Cellular swelling due to sodium and water influx
C) Nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation
D) Extensive calcification and necrosis
Correct Answer: Cellular swelling due to sodium and water influx
Rationale: Reversible cellular injury is characterized by cellular swelling, which occurs
when the sodium-potassium pump fails due to ATP depletion, allowing sodium and water to
enter the cell. This process can resolve if the injurious stimulus is removed and energy is
restored. Membrane rupture, nuclear fragmentation, and calcification are features of
irreversible injury.
2. What is the primary mechanism by which hypoxia leads to cellular injury?
A) Increased production of reactive oxygen species
B) Decreased ATP production and failure of membrane pumps
C) Direct damage to DNA by radiation
D) Activation of the complement cascade
Correct Answer: Decreased ATP production and failure of membrane pumps
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen availability for oxidative phosphorylation, decreasing
ATP production. The sodium-potassium pump, which is highly ATP-dependent, fails first,
leading to cellular swelling. Free radical production, DNA damage, and complement
activation are separate mechanisms of cellular injury.
,3. According to the principles of cellular adaptation, which term refers to a decrease in cell
size?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size resulting from reduced workload, decreased
blood supply, or hormonal changes. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, hyperplasia is an
increase in cell number, and metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type with another.
Atrophy can be physiologic or pathologic.
4. In the context of cellular injury, what is the most common cause of cell injury?
A) Radiation
B) Hypoxia
C) Toxins
D) Infection
Correct Answer: Hypoxia
Rationale: Hypoxia is the most common cause of cellular injury because oxygen is essential
for aerobic metabolism and ATP production. Without oxygen, cells cannot maintain energy-
dependent functions and undergo injury or death. Radiation, toxins, and infections can also
cause injury but are less common.
5. A researcher is studying a tissue sample and observes an increase in the number of cells.
Which cellular adaptation does this finding most likely represent?
, A) Hypertrophy
B) Atrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or
organ, often in response to hormonal stimulation or compensatory needs. Hypertrophy
involves cell enlargement without an increase in cell number. Atrophy is decreased cell size,
and dysplasia involves abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization.
6. Which term refers to the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with
another?
A) Dysplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Anaplasia
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type with another that
is better able to withstand stress. Dysplasia involves abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and
organization. Hyperplasia is increased cell number, and anaplasia is lack of differentiation
seen in malignant cells.
7. What is the primary mechanism of free radical injury in cells?
A) Direct inhibition of protein synthesis
