NUR 376 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1 COMPLETE EXAM REVIEW WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS | LATEST 2025–2026 EDITION
Brian, age 28, began an aerobic exercise program 2 years ago. Brian now competes in long-
distance cycling events and considers himself to be an endurance athlete who is in the "best
shape of his life." An echocardiogram reveals a slightly enlarged left ventricle. What cellular
change or injury that is best exemplified by the case scenario. - correct answer -Physiologic
hypertrophy
An ADAPTIVE type of hypertrophy that occurs due to extensive exercise, whereby the heart will
create new blood vessel branches (angiogenesis) and there is increased mitochondria, ATP, and
actin/myosin filaments in the muscle.
Recently, Karen learned that not only does HIV directly attack CD4 cells, but the presence of the
virus seems to activate pathways responsible for programmed cell death in CD4 cells. Thus, HIV
infection appears to increase the rate of "suicide" for CD4 cells. - correct answer -Apoptosis
Define dysplasia - correct answer -Compared to normal cells, cells demonstrating dysplasia are
atypical in size and shape. Dysplasia does not mean the cells are cancerous. However, some
screening tests, such as the Pap smear, examine tissues to determine if any cellular changes are
taking place. Any changes in the cells can then be monitored over time.
A biopsy of a skin lesion is conducted on Leann, a 48-year-old woman. Biopsy results revealed
proliferating cells that were well-differentiated and resembled surrounding cells. The cells were
contained within a well-defined area. - correct answer -Benign neoplasia.
Neoplasia is uncontrolled and unregulated cell growth. The mass of tissue resulting is known as
a "neoplasm." In a benign neoplasm, the cells do not have the characteristics associated with
malignancy. The cells, although cancerous, are well-differentiated, meaning they resemble
normal, mature cells. The cells are also in a contained area and are unlikely to spread.
,Miguel, a retired warehouse supervisor, had a myocardial infarction. Further evaluation
revealed he had significant blockage in his left descending coronary artery. The blockage
resulted in ischemia and cell death for those cells served by the artery. - correct answer -
Necrosis
Necrosis is premature cell death caused by cell injury. Necrosis differs from apoptosis, in that
the cellular destruction results from some form of trauma, rather than genetic programming.
May lead to GANGRENE which is when dead tissue houses bacteria.
Julianne, who suffers from familial hypercholesterolemia, presents with xanthomas. Xanthomas
are excess cholesterol deposits, which appear as yellow skin lesions. What cell process is this -
correct answer -Intracellular accumulation.
Some disease processes stimulate intracellular accumulations of particles, such as calcium,
cholesterol, and triglycerides, glucose, among other substances. In familial
hypercholesterolemia, a genetic defect causes decreased cellular uptake of cholesterol,
resulting in high serum cholesterol levels. Cholesterol deposits, known as xanthomas, may
appear to form under the skin.
Janae experienced a frightening ATV accident, in which her ATV flipped over and she ended up
catching a portion of her upper arm on a barbed wire fence. Although Janae's injuries healed
fully, enlarged, keloid scar formations remain at the injury site. - correct answer -Hyperplasia
cell proliferation, known as hyperplasia, was stimulated as a result of her injury. A keloid results
from overgrowth of granulation tissue during the wound repair process.
Hypertension that leads to workload on the left ventricle and thus enlargement would be
deemed? - correct answer -Pathological hypertrophy.
No blood vessel growth and increased workload would lead to ischemia and enlargement of the
heart.
, NCLEX TIP: Left ventricular hypertrophy would lead to displacement of the PMI during chest
palpation.
Hyperplasia occurs from which two mechanisms? - correct answer -An INCREASE in the number
of cells in a tissue or organ.
1) hormonal (estrogen stimulating the mitotic division of breast gland cells; also BPH in older
males)
2) overcompensation during regeneration (keloid scars)
Andy has undergone a colonoscopy because his family has a history of colon cancer. Biopsy of
the colon reveals poorly differentiated cells in the samples. Cells were abnormally organized,
with distorted borders. Infiltration of the abnormal cells occurred throughout several samples. -
correct answer -Malignant neoplasia
Neoplasia is uncontrolled, unregulated cell growth. Malignancy, when applied to neoplasm,
indicates the cancerous cells are likely to infiltrate other tissues and spread. The appearance of
malignant cells is far from normal. Such cells are poorly differentiated and appear to have a
random organization. Biopsy samples of malignant neoplasia reveal cells moving beyond the
borders or edges of the growth.
Walter, age 62, had to undergo an endoscopic examination of his esophagus due to his
complaint of frequent "heartburn" after most meals. Examination of the cells shows that rather
than normal squamous cells lining the esophagus, Walter had columnar cells - correct answer -
Metaplasia
Cardiac catheterization results for Beatrice, a 54-year-old patient, show plaque build-up,
appearing as hardened areas in the coronary arteries. Beatrice, who is overweight and leads a
sedentary lifestyle, has several risk factors for atherosclerosis. A coronary calcium scan is
VERIFIED ANSWERS | LATEST 2025–2026 EDITION
Brian, age 28, began an aerobic exercise program 2 years ago. Brian now competes in long-
distance cycling events and considers himself to be an endurance athlete who is in the "best
shape of his life." An echocardiogram reveals a slightly enlarged left ventricle. What cellular
change or injury that is best exemplified by the case scenario. - correct answer -Physiologic
hypertrophy
An ADAPTIVE type of hypertrophy that occurs due to extensive exercise, whereby the heart will
create new blood vessel branches (angiogenesis) and there is increased mitochondria, ATP, and
actin/myosin filaments in the muscle.
Recently, Karen learned that not only does HIV directly attack CD4 cells, but the presence of the
virus seems to activate pathways responsible for programmed cell death in CD4 cells. Thus, HIV
infection appears to increase the rate of "suicide" for CD4 cells. - correct answer -Apoptosis
Define dysplasia - correct answer -Compared to normal cells, cells demonstrating dysplasia are
atypical in size and shape. Dysplasia does not mean the cells are cancerous. However, some
screening tests, such as the Pap smear, examine tissues to determine if any cellular changes are
taking place. Any changes in the cells can then be monitored over time.
A biopsy of a skin lesion is conducted on Leann, a 48-year-old woman. Biopsy results revealed
proliferating cells that were well-differentiated and resembled surrounding cells. The cells were
contained within a well-defined area. - correct answer -Benign neoplasia.
Neoplasia is uncontrolled and unregulated cell growth. The mass of tissue resulting is known as
a "neoplasm." In a benign neoplasm, the cells do not have the characteristics associated with
malignancy. The cells, although cancerous, are well-differentiated, meaning they resemble
normal, mature cells. The cells are also in a contained area and are unlikely to spread.
,Miguel, a retired warehouse supervisor, had a myocardial infarction. Further evaluation
revealed he had significant blockage in his left descending coronary artery. The blockage
resulted in ischemia and cell death for those cells served by the artery. - correct answer -
Necrosis
Necrosis is premature cell death caused by cell injury. Necrosis differs from apoptosis, in that
the cellular destruction results from some form of trauma, rather than genetic programming.
May lead to GANGRENE which is when dead tissue houses bacteria.
Julianne, who suffers from familial hypercholesterolemia, presents with xanthomas. Xanthomas
are excess cholesterol deposits, which appear as yellow skin lesions. What cell process is this -
correct answer -Intracellular accumulation.
Some disease processes stimulate intracellular accumulations of particles, such as calcium,
cholesterol, and triglycerides, glucose, among other substances. In familial
hypercholesterolemia, a genetic defect causes decreased cellular uptake of cholesterol,
resulting in high serum cholesterol levels. Cholesterol deposits, known as xanthomas, may
appear to form under the skin.
Janae experienced a frightening ATV accident, in which her ATV flipped over and she ended up
catching a portion of her upper arm on a barbed wire fence. Although Janae's injuries healed
fully, enlarged, keloid scar formations remain at the injury site. - correct answer -Hyperplasia
cell proliferation, known as hyperplasia, was stimulated as a result of her injury. A keloid results
from overgrowth of granulation tissue during the wound repair process.
Hypertension that leads to workload on the left ventricle and thus enlargement would be
deemed? - correct answer -Pathological hypertrophy.
No blood vessel growth and increased workload would lead to ischemia and enlargement of the
heart.
, NCLEX TIP: Left ventricular hypertrophy would lead to displacement of the PMI during chest
palpation.
Hyperplasia occurs from which two mechanisms? - correct answer -An INCREASE in the number
of cells in a tissue or organ.
1) hormonal (estrogen stimulating the mitotic division of breast gland cells; also BPH in older
males)
2) overcompensation during regeneration (keloid scars)
Andy has undergone a colonoscopy because his family has a history of colon cancer. Biopsy of
the colon reveals poorly differentiated cells in the samples. Cells were abnormally organized,
with distorted borders. Infiltration of the abnormal cells occurred throughout several samples. -
correct answer -Malignant neoplasia
Neoplasia is uncontrolled, unregulated cell growth. Malignancy, when applied to neoplasm,
indicates the cancerous cells are likely to infiltrate other tissues and spread. The appearance of
malignant cells is far from normal. Such cells are poorly differentiated and appear to have a
random organization. Biopsy samples of malignant neoplasia reveal cells moving beyond the
borders or edges of the growth.
Walter, age 62, had to undergo an endoscopic examination of his esophagus due to his
complaint of frequent "heartburn" after most meals. Examination of the cells shows that rather
than normal squamous cells lining the esophagus, Walter had columnar cells - correct answer -
Metaplasia
Cardiac catheterization results for Beatrice, a 54-year-old patient, show plaque build-up,
appearing as hardened areas in the coronary arteries. Beatrice, who is overweight and leads a
sedentary lifestyle, has several risk factors for atherosclerosis. A coronary calcium scan is
