,NSG 530 Exam 1 | Advanced Pathophysiology
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF | Wilkes
1. Which statement accurately contrasts apoptosis and necrosis?
A) Apoptosis is programmed cell death without inflammation; necrosis is
uncontrolled cell death with inflammation
B) Apoptosis always causes inflammation; necrosis never does
C) Both apoptosis and necrosis are programmed forms of cell death
D) Necrosis is physiological; apoptosis is always pathological
Correct Answer: Apoptosis is programmed cell death without
inflammation; necrosis is uncontrolled cell death with inflammation
Rationale: Apoptosis is an energy-dependent, programmed process
characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and apoptotic
body formation without triggering inflammation. Necrosis results from
severe injury, causing cell swelling, membrane rupture, and the release of
cellular contents that provoke an inflammatory response.
2. What is the primary mechanism by which hypoxia leads to cellular
injury?
A) Direct rupture of lysosomal membranes
B) Impaired ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation
C) Excessive production of antibodies
D) Activation of the complement cascade
Correct Answer: Impaired ATP production through oxidative
phosphorylation
Rationale: Hypoxia decreases oxidative phosphorylation in
mitochondria, reducing ATP production. Without adequate ATP, the
sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to cellular swelling and eventual
,irreversible injury. Direct lysosomal rupture and immune mechanisms are
not the primary pathways in hypoxic injury.
3. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and
number?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a reversible reduction in cell size and number in
response to decreased workload, nutrition, or hormonal stimulation.
Hypertrophy involves increased cell size, hyperplasia involves increased
cell number, and metaplasia involves replacement of one mature cell type
with another.
4. A cell that contains an abnormal number of chromosomes that is not a
complete multiple of 23 is best described as:
A) Euploid
B) Aneuploid
C) Polyploid
D) Haploid
Correct Answer: Aneuploid
Rationale: Aneuploidy refers to an abnormal number of chromosomes
that is not a complete multiple of 23, often resulting from nondisjunction
during meiosis. Euploid cells have complete sets of chromosomes,
polyploid cells have extra full sets, and haploid cells have a single set of
23 chromosomes.
, 5. Failure of homologous chromosomes to separate properly during
meiosis is termed:
A) Nondisjunction
B) Aneuploidy
C) Polyploidy
D) Translocation
Correct Answer: Nondisjunction
Rationale: Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or
sister chromatids to separate properly during meiosis, resulting in
gametes with an abnormal chromosome number. This is the primary
mechanism underlying conditions such as trisomy 21. Aneuploidy is the
outcome, not the mechanism.
6. Which electrolyte is the principal intracellular cation?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Potassium is the primary intracellular cation, with
concentrations around 140 mEq/L inside the cell compared to
approximately 4 mEq/L outside. Sodium is the primary extracellular cation.
Calcium and magnesium are important but present in much lower
concentrations.
7. An arterial blood gas shows pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ 24
mEq/L. What is the correct interpretation?
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF | Wilkes
1. Which statement accurately contrasts apoptosis and necrosis?
A) Apoptosis is programmed cell death without inflammation; necrosis is
uncontrolled cell death with inflammation
B) Apoptosis always causes inflammation; necrosis never does
C) Both apoptosis and necrosis are programmed forms of cell death
D) Necrosis is physiological; apoptosis is always pathological
Correct Answer: Apoptosis is programmed cell death without
inflammation; necrosis is uncontrolled cell death with inflammation
Rationale: Apoptosis is an energy-dependent, programmed process
characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and apoptotic
body formation without triggering inflammation. Necrosis results from
severe injury, causing cell swelling, membrane rupture, and the release of
cellular contents that provoke an inflammatory response.
2. What is the primary mechanism by which hypoxia leads to cellular
injury?
A) Direct rupture of lysosomal membranes
B) Impaired ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation
C) Excessive production of antibodies
D) Activation of the complement cascade
Correct Answer: Impaired ATP production through oxidative
phosphorylation
Rationale: Hypoxia decreases oxidative phosphorylation in
mitochondria, reducing ATP production. Without adequate ATP, the
sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to cellular swelling and eventual
,irreversible injury. Direct lysosomal rupture and immune mechanisms are
not the primary pathways in hypoxic injury.
3. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and
number?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a reversible reduction in cell size and number in
response to decreased workload, nutrition, or hormonal stimulation.
Hypertrophy involves increased cell size, hyperplasia involves increased
cell number, and metaplasia involves replacement of one mature cell type
with another.
4. A cell that contains an abnormal number of chromosomes that is not a
complete multiple of 23 is best described as:
A) Euploid
B) Aneuploid
C) Polyploid
D) Haploid
Correct Answer: Aneuploid
Rationale: Aneuploidy refers to an abnormal number of chromosomes
that is not a complete multiple of 23, often resulting from nondisjunction
during meiosis. Euploid cells have complete sets of chromosomes,
polyploid cells have extra full sets, and haploid cells have a single set of
23 chromosomes.
, 5. Failure of homologous chromosomes to separate properly during
meiosis is termed:
A) Nondisjunction
B) Aneuploidy
C) Polyploidy
D) Translocation
Correct Answer: Nondisjunction
Rationale: Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or
sister chromatids to separate properly during meiosis, resulting in
gametes with an abnormal chromosome number. This is the primary
mechanism underlying conditions such as trisomy 21. Aneuploidy is the
outcome, not the mechanism.
6. Which electrolyte is the principal intracellular cation?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Potassium is the primary intracellular cation, with
concentrations around 140 mEq/L inside the cell compared to
approximately 4 mEq/L outside. Sodium is the primary extracellular cation.
Calcium and magnesium are important but present in much lower
concentrations.
7. An arterial blood gas shows pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ 24
mEq/L. What is the correct interpretation?
