NURS 5315 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY UTA EXAM 1 (LATEST
UPDATE) REAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT | ALREADY
GRADED A+
Question 1
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are implicated in the pathogenesis of which of the following
conditions?
A) Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
B) Cardiovascular disease and Hypertension
C) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
D) Ischemic heart disease and Heart Failure
E) All of the above
Correct Answer: E) All of the above
Rationale: ROS are chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that cause oxidative
stress. They lead to lipid peroxidation, protein damage, DNA fragmentation, and
mitochondrial damage, which are primary drivers in the development of
neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and metabolic disorders like
Diabetes Mellitus.
Question 2
Which of the following substances serves as the body’s primary defense against Reactive
Oxygen Species (ROS)?
A) Transition metals
B) Nitric oxide
C) Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E
D) Acetoacetate
E) Xanthine dehydrogenase
Correct Answer: C) Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Rationale: Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron without becoming
unstable themselves. Specific defenses include vitamins (E, C), enzymes (glutathione), and
plasma proteins like albumin, ceruloplasmin, and transferrin.
Question 3
What is the effect of hypokalemia on a neuron's action potential?
A) It causes hypopolarization, making the cell more excitable
B) It causes hyperpolarization, making the cell less excitable
C) It increases the speed of depolarization
D) It lowers the threshold potential
E) It has no effect on resting membrane potential
Correct Answer: B) It causes hyperpolarization, making the cell less excitable
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low extracellular potassium) causes the resting membrane
potential to become more negative (hyperpolarized), moving it further away from the
, 2
threshold. This results in decreased neuromuscular excitability, leading to symptoms like
muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 4
A patient presents with peaked T-waves on an EKG. Which electrolyte imbalance and subsequent
action potential change is most likely occurring?
A) Hypokalemia; hyperpolarization
B) Hyperkalemia; hypopolarization
C) Hypocalcemia; increased Na+ permeability
D) Hypercalcemia; decreased Na+ permeability
E) Hypernatremia; cellular shrinkage
Correct Answer: B) Hyperkalemia; hypopolarization
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) moves the resting membrane potential closer to
the threshold (hypopolarization). Initially, this makes cells more excitable, often
manifesting as peaked T-waves. If the resting potential reaches the threshold, it can lead to
cardiac standstill.
Question 5
Which electrolyte abnormality increases the cell's permeability to sodium, resulting in
hyperreflexia and tetany?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hypernatremia
E) Hypomagnesemia
Correct Answer: C) Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Calcium ions normally stabilize the cell membrane. In hypocalcemia, there is less
calcium to block sodium channels, increasing sodium permeability. This lowers the
threshold for nerve and muscle excitation, causing tetany, seizures, and hyperreflexia.
Question 6
A patient’s skeletal muscles decrease in size following the removal of a cast. This is an example
of which type of cellular adaptation?
A) Physiologic atrophy
B) Pathologic hypertrophy
C) Disuse atrophy
D) Compensatory hyperplasia
E) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C) Disuse atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size. Disuse atrophy specifically occurs when there is
, 3
a reduction in workload or use, such as when a limb is immobilized in a cast. The cells
shrink to achieve a new homeostasis compatible with decreased demand.
Question 7
Left ventricular hypertrophy in a patient with chronic hypertension is considered:
A) Physiologic hypertrophy
B) Pathologic hypertrophy
C) Hormonal hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
E) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B) Pathologic hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells resulting in an increased organ
size. In hypertension, the left ventricle must pump against higher resistance (increased
workload), leading to pathologic enlargement of the myocardial cells.
Question 8
Which cellular adaptation can ONLY occur in cells that are capable of mitosis?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
E) Autophagy
Correct Answer: C) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells resulting from an increased rate
of cellular division (mitosis). Cells that do not divide (like skeletal muscle or neurons)
cannot undergo hyperplasia; they can only undergo hypertrophy.
Question 9
The replacement of normal columnar ciliated epithelial cells with stratified squamous epithelial
cells in the lining of a smoker’s airway is called:
A) Dysplasia
B) Anaplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Hyperplasia
E) Atrophy
Correct Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another. This
occurs as an adaptive response to chronic irritation (like cigarette smoke), where the new
cell type is better able to survive the harsh environment, though functional protection (like
cilia) is lost.
, 4
Question 10
Which of the following is an example of pathologic hyperplasia?
A) The liver regenerating after a partial lobectomy
B) The uterus enlarging during pregnancy
C) Endometrial thickening due to unopposed estrogen stimulation
D) A callus forming on the hands from manual labor
E) Skeletal muscle enlargement from weight lifting
Correct Answer: C) Endometrial thickening due to unopposed estrogen stimulation
Rationale: Pathologic hyperplasia is an abnormal increase in cell number, often due to
excessive hormonal stimulation. Unopposed estrogen can cause the endometrial lining to
undergo excessive hyperplasia, which increases the risk for endometrial cancer.
Question 11
Dysplasia is best characterized by:
A) The replacement of one mature cell type with another
B) Abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells
C) Increased cell number due to rapid mitosis
D) Programmed cell death
E) Programmed cell shrinkage
Correct Answer: B) Abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells
Rationale: Dysplasia, often called atypical hyperplasia, is characterized by disordered
growth. It is frequently found in the vicinity of cancer cells and is monitored in clinical
settings (e.g., Pap smears) as a precursor to malignancy.
Question 12
A patient with chronic acid reflux (heartburn) develops Barrett's Esophagus, where squamous
cells are replaced by columnar cells. This is an example of:
A) Dysplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Metaplasia
D) Neoplasia
E) Atrophy
Correct Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible change from one mature cell type to another to
better withstand chronic stress. In Barrett's Esophagus, the squamous lining changes to
columnar cells to resist the injury caused by stomach acid.
Question 13
Which of the following is the most common cause of hypoxic injury?
A) High altitude
B) Anemia
UPDATE) REAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT | ALREADY
GRADED A+
Question 1
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are implicated in the pathogenesis of which of the following
conditions?
A) Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
B) Cardiovascular disease and Hypertension
C) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
D) Ischemic heart disease and Heart Failure
E) All of the above
Correct Answer: E) All of the above
Rationale: ROS are chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that cause oxidative
stress. They lead to lipid peroxidation, protein damage, DNA fragmentation, and
mitochondrial damage, which are primary drivers in the development of
neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and metabolic disorders like
Diabetes Mellitus.
Question 2
Which of the following substances serves as the body’s primary defense against Reactive
Oxygen Species (ROS)?
A) Transition metals
B) Nitric oxide
C) Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E
D) Acetoacetate
E) Xanthine dehydrogenase
Correct Answer: C) Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Rationale: Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron without becoming
unstable themselves. Specific defenses include vitamins (E, C), enzymes (glutathione), and
plasma proteins like albumin, ceruloplasmin, and transferrin.
Question 3
What is the effect of hypokalemia on a neuron's action potential?
A) It causes hypopolarization, making the cell more excitable
B) It causes hyperpolarization, making the cell less excitable
C) It increases the speed of depolarization
D) It lowers the threshold potential
E) It has no effect on resting membrane potential
Correct Answer: B) It causes hyperpolarization, making the cell less excitable
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low extracellular potassium) causes the resting membrane
potential to become more negative (hyperpolarized), moving it further away from the
, 2
threshold. This results in decreased neuromuscular excitability, leading to symptoms like
muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 4
A patient presents with peaked T-waves on an EKG. Which electrolyte imbalance and subsequent
action potential change is most likely occurring?
A) Hypokalemia; hyperpolarization
B) Hyperkalemia; hypopolarization
C) Hypocalcemia; increased Na+ permeability
D) Hypercalcemia; decreased Na+ permeability
E) Hypernatremia; cellular shrinkage
Correct Answer: B) Hyperkalemia; hypopolarization
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) moves the resting membrane potential closer to
the threshold (hypopolarization). Initially, this makes cells more excitable, often
manifesting as peaked T-waves. If the resting potential reaches the threshold, it can lead to
cardiac standstill.
Question 5
Which electrolyte abnormality increases the cell's permeability to sodium, resulting in
hyperreflexia and tetany?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hypernatremia
E) Hypomagnesemia
Correct Answer: C) Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Calcium ions normally stabilize the cell membrane. In hypocalcemia, there is less
calcium to block sodium channels, increasing sodium permeability. This lowers the
threshold for nerve and muscle excitation, causing tetany, seizures, and hyperreflexia.
Question 6
A patient’s skeletal muscles decrease in size following the removal of a cast. This is an example
of which type of cellular adaptation?
A) Physiologic atrophy
B) Pathologic hypertrophy
C) Disuse atrophy
D) Compensatory hyperplasia
E) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C) Disuse atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size. Disuse atrophy specifically occurs when there is
, 3
a reduction in workload or use, such as when a limb is immobilized in a cast. The cells
shrink to achieve a new homeostasis compatible with decreased demand.
Question 7
Left ventricular hypertrophy in a patient with chronic hypertension is considered:
A) Physiologic hypertrophy
B) Pathologic hypertrophy
C) Hormonal hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
E) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B) Pathologic hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells resulting in an increased organ
size. In hypertension, the left ventricle must pump against higher resistance (increased
workload), leading to pathologic enlargement of the myocardial cells.
Question 8
Which cellular adaptation can ONLY occur in cells that are capable of mitosis?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
E) Autophagy
Correct Answer: C) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells resulting from an increased rate
of cellular division (mitosis). Cells that do not divide (like skeletal muscle or neurons)
cannot undergo hyperplasia; they can only undergo hypertrophy.
Question 9
The replacement of normal columnar ciliated epithelial cells with stratified squamous epithelial
cells in the lining of a smoker’s airway is called:
A) Dysplasia
B) Anaplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Hyperplasia
E) Atrophy
Correct Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another. This
occurs as an adaptive response to chronic irritation (like cigarette smoke), where the new
cell type is better able to survive the harsh environment, though functional protection (like
cilia) is lost.
, 4
Question 10
Which of the following is an example of pathologic hyperplasia?
A) The liver regenerating after a partial lobectomy
B) The uterus enlarging during pregnancy
C) Endometrial thickening due to unopposed estrogen stimulation
D) A callus forming on the hands from manual labor
E) Skeletal muscle enlargement from weight lifting
Correct Answer: C) Endometrial thickening due to unopposed estrogen stimulation
Rationale: Pathologic hyperplasia is an abnormal increase in cell number, often due to
excessive hormonal stimulation. Unopposed estrogen can cause the endometrial lining to
undergo excessive hyperplasia, which increases the risk for endometrial cancer.
Question 11
Dysplasia is best characterized by:
A) The replacement of one mature cell type with another
B) Abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells
C) Increased cell number due to rapid mitosis
D) Programmed cell death
E) Programmed cell shrinkage
Correct Answer: B) Abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells
Rationale: Dysplasia, often called atypical hyperplasia, is characterized by disordered
growth. It is frequently found in the vicinity of cancer cells and is monitored in clinical
settings (e.g., Pap smears) as a precursor to malignancy.
Question 12
A patient with chronic acid reflux (heartburn) develops Barrett's Esophagus, where squamous
cells are replaced by columnar cells. This is an example of:
A) Dysplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Metaplasia
D) Neoplasia
E) Atrophy
Correct Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible change from one mature cell type to another to
better withstand chronic stress. In Barrett's Esophagus, the squamous lining changes to
columnar cells to resist the injury caused by stomach acid.
Question 13
Which of the following is the most common cause of hypoxic injury?
A) High altitude
B) Anemia
