PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (NR283)
FINAL STUDY GUIDE 2026 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Hypertrophy - ANSWER-Increase in cell size - results in enlarged tissue mass
Causes of hypertrophy - ANSWER-Additional work by the tissue
Excessive hormonal stimulation
Examples of hypertrophy - ANSWER-Enlarged heart resulting from increased demands
Effect of consistent exercise on skeletal muscle, leading to an enlarged muscle mass
Atrophy - ANSWER-Decrease in cell size - results in reduced tissue mass
Causes of atrophy - ANSWER-Reduced use of the tissue
Insufficient nutrition
Decreased neurologic or hormonal stimulation
Aging
Example of atrophy - ANSWER-Shrinkage of skeletal muscle that occurs when a limb is
immobilized in a cast for several weeks
Hyperplasia - ANSWER-Increase in number of cells - results in enlarged tissue mass
Cause of hyperplasia - ANSWER-Compensatory mechanism to meet increased demand or
pathologic when there is a hormonal imbalance
In some cases ________ and _______ can occur simultaneously, as in the uterine enlargement
that occurs during pregnancy - ANSWER-Hyperplasia and hypertrophy
Metaplasia - ANSWER-Mature cell type that is replaced by a different mature cell type
Adaptive mechanism that provides more resistance tissue
Example of metaplasia - ANSWER-Smoker cells
Dysplasia - ANSWER-Abnormal growth or development of a tissue or organ
Cells vary in size and shape within a tissue
Large nuclei are frequently present
, Rate of mitosis is increased
Causes of dysplasia - ANSWER-Chronic irritation
Infection
Precancerous change
Neoplasia - ANSWER-"New growth" or tumor
Ischemia - ANSWER-Deficient of oxygen in the cells
Most common cause of cell damage - ANSWER-Ischemia
Hypoxia - ANSWER-Deficiency in amount of oxygen in the tissues
Causes of cell damage - ANSWER-- Ischemia
- Hypoxia
- Physical damage (excessive heat or cold; radiation exposure)
- Mechanical damage (pressure of tearing tissue)
- Chemical toxins
- Microorganisms
- Abnormal metabolites
- Nutritional deficits
- Imbalance of fluids or electrolytes
Stages of cell damage - ANSWER-Reversible and irreversible
FINAL STUDY GUIDE 2026 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Hypertrophy - ANSWER-Increase in cell size - results in enlarged tissue mass
Causes of hypertrophy - ANSWER-Additional work by the tissue
Excessive hormonal stimulation
Examples of hypertrophy - ANSWER-Enlarged heart resulting from increased demands
Effect of consistent exercise on skeletal muscle, leading to an enlarged muscle mass
Atrophy - ANSWER-Decrease in cell size - results in reduced tissue mass
Causes of atrophy - ANSWER-Reduced use of the tissue
Insufficient nutrition
Decreased neurologic or hormonal stimulation
Aging
Example of atrophy - ANSWER-Shrinkage of skeletal muscle that occurs when a limb is
immobilized in a cast for several weeks
Hyperplasia - ANSWER-Increase in number of cells - results in enlarged tissue mass
Cause of hyperplasia - ANSWER-Compensatory mechanism to meet increased demand or
pathologic when there is a hormonal imbalance
In some cases ________ and _______ can occur simultaneously, as in the uterine enlargement
that occurs during pregnancy - ANSWER-Hyperplasia and hypertrophy
Metaplasia - ANSWER-Mature cell type that is replaced by a different mature cell type
Adaptive mechanism that provides more resistance tissue
Example of metaplasia - ANSWER-Smoker cells
Dysplasia - ANSWER-Abnormal growth or development of a tissue or organ
Cells vary in size and shape within a tissue
Large nuclei are frequently present
, Rate of mitosis is increased
Causes of dysplasia - ANSWER-Chronic irritation
Infection
Precancerous change
Neoplasia - ANSWER-"New growth" or tumor
Ischemia - ANSWER-Deficient of oxygen in the cells
Most common cause of cell damage - ANSWER-Ischemia
Hypoxia - ANSWER-Deficiency in amount of oxygen in the tissues
Causes of cell damage - ANSWER-- Ischemia
- Hypoxia
- Physical damage (excessive heat or cold; radiation exposure)
- Mechanical damage (pressure of tearing tissue)
- Chemical toxins
- Microorganisms
- Abnormal metabolites
- Nutritional deficits
- Imbalance of fluids or electrolytes
Stages of cell damage - ANSWER-Reversible and irreversible
