Pathophysiology Exam NSU Practice
Questions with Complete Solutions
2026 Updated.
Innate immunity - Answer Immunity that is present before exposure and effective from birth.
Responds to a broad range of pathogens.
Normal flora - Answer microorganisms that are normally present in a specific site
Atrophy - Answer a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
Hypertrophy - Answer increase in cell size
Hyperplasia - Answer increase in number of cells. Some examples would be enlarged
prostate or the uterus before childbirth.
Dysplasia - Answer Abnormal changes in the size and shape of cells
Metaplasia - Answer Mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type. An example
would be the lungs of a chronic smoker.
Ischemia - Answer Reduced blood supply. Cellular responses may cause a decrease in ATP
causing failure of sodium potassium pump and sodium calcium exchange. Cellular swelling.
Vacuolation which is the formation of vacuoles causing swelling.
Anoxia - Answer Total lack of oxygen
reperfusion injury - Answer Return of blood to ischemic tissues causes oxygen derived free
radicals, further damaging tissues potentially causing cell necrosis.
Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) - Answer an electrically uncharged atom or
group of atoms having an unpaired electron that damage: lipid peroxidation, alterations of
proteins, alterations of DNA, mitochondrial damage.
Lead poisoning - Answer A medical condition caused by toxic levels of the metal lead in the
blood. Lead poisoning if untreated can lead to encephalopathy resulting in severe and
irreversible neurologic damage. Children ages two to three are at the most significant risk when
placing items in their mouths which can lead to a delay in development and learning difficulties.
, Mercury poisoning - Answer Common vectors for mercury poisoning are wild saltwater fish
and rice. Pregnant women are advised to stay clear of dietary sources of mercury as it can cause
fetal brain development.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) - Answer physical and cognitive abnormalities in children
caused by a pregnant woman's heavy drinking. In severe cases, symptoms include noticeable
facial characteristics. Some characteristics include an undeveloped jaw, a smooth philtrum and
thin upper lip, epicanthal folds with a flat mid face and low nasal bridge.
Cellular aging - Answer Atrophy, decreased function, and loss of cells. Tissue and systemic
aging show signs of progressive stiffness and rigidity along with sarcopenia which is a loss of
muscle mass and strength.
Frailty - Answer Affects mobility, balance, muscle strength and motor activity, cognition,
nutrition and endurance. Falls fractures and bone density issues are common.
What causes cells to die? - Answer Necrosis, which is the sum of cellular changes after local
death and the process of cellular auto digestion. Also, apoptosis which is programmed cellular
death.
Binge drinking - Answer Four drinks for women and five for men in one sitting, resulting in
liver damage and development of Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Inflammation - Answer A protective coordinated response of the body to an injurious agent.
The intensity of the inflammatory reaction is usually proportional to the extent of tissue injury.
The major aims of inflammation are to wall off the area of injury, prevent spread of the injurious
agent, and bring the body's defenses to the region under attack.
Acute inflammation - Answer Occurs rapidly in reaction to cell injury, rids the body of the
offending agent, enhances healing, and terminates after a short period, either hours or a few
days.
Chronic inflammation - Answer Occurs when the inflammatory reaction persists, inhibits
healing, and causes continual cellular damage and organ dysfunction. Continues for days period.
(TB, RA, MS, asthma)
Diseases with chronic inflammation - Answer Diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, Alzheimer's
disease, pulmonary diseases, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases.
The acute inflammatory reaction - Answer Stage 1: vascular permeability
Questions with Complete Solutions
2026 Updated.
Innate immunity - Answer Immunity that is present before exposure and effective from birth.
Responds to a broad range of pathogens.
Normal flora - Answer microorganisms that are normally present in a specific site
Atrophy - Answer a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
Hypertrophy - Answer increase in cell size
Hyperplasia - Answer increase in number of cells. Some examples would be enlarged
prostate or the uterus before childbirth.
Dysplasia - Answer Abnormal changes in the size and shape of cells
Metaplasia - Answer Mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type. An example
would be the lungs of a chronic smoker.
Ischemia - Answer Reduced blood supply. Cellular responses may cause a decrease in ATP
causing failure of sodium potassium pump and sodium calcium exchange. Cellular swelling.
Vacuolation which is the formation of vacuoles causing swelling.
Anoxia - Answer Total lack of oxygen
reperfusion injury - Answer Return of blood to ischemic tissues causes oxygen derived free
radicals, further damaging tissues potentially causing cell necrosis.
Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) - Answer an electrically uncharged atom or
group of atoms having an unpaired electron that damage: lipid peroxidation, alterations of
proteins, alterations of DNA, mitochondrial damage.
Lead poisoning - Answer A medical condition caused by toxic levels of the metal lead in the
blood. Lead poisoning if untreated can lead to encephalopathy resulting in severe and
irreversible neurologic damage. Children ages two to three are at the most significant risk when
placing items in their mouths which can lead to a delay in development and learning difficulties.
, Mercury poisoning - Answer Common vectors for mercury poisoning are wild saltwater fish
and rice. Pregnant women are advised to stay clear of dietary sources of mercury as it can cause
fetal brain development.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) - Answer physical and cognitive abnormalities in children
caused by a pregnant woman's heavy drinking. In severe cases, symptoms include noticeable
facial characteristics. Some characteristics include an undeveloped jaw, a smooth philtrum and
thin upper lip, epicanthal folds with a flat mid face and low nasal bridge.
Cellular aging - Answer Atrophy, decreased function, and loss of cells. Tissue and systemic
aging show signs of progressive stiffness and rigidity along with sarcopenia which is a loss of
muscle mass and strength.
Frailty - Answer Affects mobility, balance, muscle strength and motor activity, cognition,
nutrition and endurance. Falls fractures and bone density issues are common.
What causes cells to die? - Answer Necrosis, which is the sum of cellular changes after local
death and the process of cellular auto digestion. Also, apoptosis which is programmed cellular
death.
Binge drinking - Answer Four drinks for women and five for men in one sitting, resulting in
liver damage and development of Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Inflammation - Answer A protective coordinated response of the body to an injurious agent.
The intensity of the inflammatory reaction is usually proportional to the extent of tissue injury.
The major aims of inflammation are to wall off the area of injury, prevent spread of the injurious
agent, and bring the body's defenses to the region under attack.
Acute inflammation - Answer Occurs rapidly in reaction to cell injury, rids the body of the
offending agent, enhances healing, and terminates after a short period, either hours or a few
days.
Chronic inflammation - Answer Occurs when the inflammatory reaction persists, inhibits
healing, and causes continual cellular damage and organ dysfunction. Continues for days period.
(TB, RA, MS, asthma)
Diseases with chronic inflammation - Answer Diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, Alzheimer's
disease, pulmonary diseases, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases.
The acute inflammatory reaction - Answer Stage 1: vascular permeability
