NU 136 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM
EXAM STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A patient with chronic smoking shows a change in the bronchial lining where ciliated
columnar epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. Which term best
describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen during hypoxic
injury?
A. Decrease in protein synthesis
B. Activation of lysosomal enzymes
C. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
,D. Lactic acid accumulation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, which causes the Na+/K+ pump
to fail, leading to sodium and water influx into the cell.
3. In the context of tissue injury, which type of necrosis is most characteristic of brain tissue
ischemia?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain due to the high content
of lipids and lysosomal enzymes in microglial cells.
4. During the inflammatory response, which mediator is primarily responsible for inducing
pain by sensitizing nociceptors?
A. Histamine
B. Leukotrienes
C. Nitric oxide
D. Prostaglandins
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Prostaglandins, produced via the cyclooxygenase pathway,
increase vascular permeability and sensitize nerve endings to pain.
5. A patient presents with a Type I Hypersensitivity reaction. Which immunoglobulin is
central to this process?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgE
D. IgA
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated, leading to mast cell
degranulation and histamine release.
6. Which of the following describes the ‘Anion Gap’ and its clinical utility?
A. It measures the difference between serum sodium and potassium.
B. It determines the severity of respiratory alkalosis.
C. It helps differentiate causes of metabolic acidosis.
D. It measures the concentration of plasma proteins.
Answer: C
EXAM STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A patient with chronic smoking shows a change in the bronchial lining where ciliated
columnar epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. Which term best
describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen during hypoxic
injury?
A. Decrease in protein synthesis
B. Activation of lysosomal enzymes
C. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
,D. Lactic acid accumulation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, which causes the Na+/K+ pump
to fail, leading to sodium and water influx into the cell.
3. In the context of tissue injury, which type of necrosis is most characteristic of brain tissue
ischemia?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain due to the high content
of lipids and lysosomal enzymes in microglial cells.
4. During the inflammatory response, which mediator is primarily responsible for inducing
pain by sensitizing nociceptors?
A. Histamine
B. Leukotrienes
C. Nitric oxide
D. Prostaglandins
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Prostaglandins, produced via the cyclooxygenase pathway,
increase vascular permeability and sensitize nerve endings to pain.
5. A patient presents with a Type I Hypersensitivity reaction. Which immunoglobulin is
central to this process?
A. IgG
B. IgM
C. IgE
D. IgA
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated, leading to mast cell
degranulation and histamine release.
6. Which of the following describes the ‘Anion Gap’ and its clinical utility?
A. It measures the difference between serum sodium and potassium.
B. It determines the severity of respiratory alkalosis.
C. It helps differentiate causes of metabolic acidosis.
D. It measures the concentration of plasma proteins.
Answer: C
