PATH 370 Pathophysiology Exam Questions and Answers 2025/2026
Ultimate Mega Bundle | Complete Pathophysiology Study Guide for Nursing
and Health Science Students, Covering Cellular Injury, Inflammation, Immune
Response, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Neurological, Endocrine, Renal
Disorders, Disease Processes, Practice Test Bank with Verified Answers,
Detailed Rationales, and Proven Exam Passing Strategies
Question 1: Which cellular organelle is primarily responsible for the synthesis of ATP through
oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Ribosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondria
D. Lysosome
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Mitochondria
RATIONALE: Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, generating most of the cell's supply of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation.
Question 2: What type of cellular adaptation occurs when there is an increase in the size of cells
leading to an increase in the size of the organ?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hypertrophy
RATIONALE: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an increase in the size of the
organ, often due to increased workload.
Question 3: Which form of cell death is characterized by cell swelling, membrane rupture, and
inflammation?
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Autophagy
D. Senescence
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Necrosis
RATIONALE: Necrosis is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue
by autolysis, causing swelling and inflammation.
Question 4: In the context of genetic inheritance, what does autosomal dominant mean?
,A. Only one copy of the altered gene is needed to cause the disorder
B. Two copies of the altered gene are needed
C. The gene is located on the X chromosome
D. The gene skips every other generation
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Only one copy of the altered gene is needed to cause the disorder
RATIONALE: Autosomal dominant inheritance requires only one mutated copy of the gene from one
parent to cause the disorder.
Question 5: Which chromosomal abnormality is associated with Down syndrome?
A. Monosomy X
B. Trisomy 21
C. Trisomy 18
D. XXY
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Trisomy 21
RATIONALE: Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, known as
Trisomy 21.
Question 6: What is the primary function of messenger RNA (mRNA)?
A. Carrying genetic code from DNA to the ribosome
B. Transporting amino acids to the ribosome
C. Forming the structural component of ribosomes
D. Replicating DNA
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Carrying genetic code from DNA to the ribosome
RATIONALE: mRNA carries the genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the
cytoplasm for protein synthesis.
Question 7: Which ion is primarily responsible for the resting membrane potential of a neuron?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Potassium
RATIONALE: The resting membrane potential is primarily determined by the concentration gradient of
potassium ions across the cell membrane.
Question 8: What is the term for the replacement of one adult cell type by another adult cell type?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
,C. Anaplasia
D. Neoplasia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Metaplasia
RATIONALE: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one adult cell type by another adult cell type,
often in response to chronic irritation.
Question 9: Which process describes the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from
an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Filtration
D. Active transport
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Osmosis
RATIONALE: Osmosis is the specific movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable
membrane toward a higher solute concentration.
Question 10: What is the primary energy source for cells during anaerobic metabolism?
A. Fatty acids
B. Glucose
C. Proteins
D. Ketones
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Glucose
RATIONALE: During anaerobic metabolism, glucose is broken down via glycolysis to produce ATP
without the use of oxygen.
Question 11: Which type of tissue injury results from insufficient blood supply?
A. Ischemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Infarction
D. Necrosis
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Ischemia
RATIONALE: Ischemia is a restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen and
glucose needed for cellular metabolism.
Question 12: What is the hallmark of apoptosis?
A. Cell swelling
B. Cell shrinkage and fragmentation
C. Inflammation
D. Membrane rupture
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. Cell shrinkage and fragmentation
RATIONALE: Apoptosis is programmed cell death characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin
condensation, and formation of apoptotic bodies without inflammation.
Question 13: Which genetic disorder is caused by a defect in collagen synthesis?
A. Cystic Fibrosis
B. Osteogenesis Imperfecta
C. Marfan Syndrome
D. Sickle Cell Anemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Osteogenesis Imperfecta
RATIONALE: Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a genetic disorder characterized by fragile bones caused by a
defect in type I collagen production.
Question 14: What is the primary role of the sodium-potassium pump?
A. Maintaining electrochemical gradients
B. Producing ATP
C. Synthesizing proteins
D. Breaking down lipids
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Maintaining electrochemical gradients
RATIONALE: The Na+/K+ pump actively transports sodium out and potassium into the cell, maintaining
the resting membrane potential.
Question 15: Which phase of the cell cycle involves DNA replication?
A. G1 phase
B. S phase
C. G2 phase
D. M phase
CORRECT ANSWER: B. S phase
RATIONALE: The S (Synthesis) phase of the cell cycle is where DNA replication occurs.
Question 16: What is the term for a change in the size, shape, and organization of cells?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dysplasia
RATIONALE: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of cells, often
considered a precursor to cancer.
Ultimate Mega Bundle | Complete Pathophysiology Study Guide for Nursing
and Health Science Students, Covering Cellular Injury, Inflammation, Immune
Response, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Neurological, Endocrine, Renal
Disorders, Disease Processes, Practice Test Bank with Verified Answers,
Detailed Rationales, and Proven Exam Passing Strategies
Question 1: Which cellular organelle is primarily responsible for the synthesis of ATP through
oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Ribosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondria
D. Lysosome
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Mitochondria
RATIONALE: Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, generating most of the cell's supply of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation.
Question 2: What type of cellular adaptation occurs when there is an increase in the size of cells
leading to an increase in the size of the organ?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hypertrophy
RATIONALE: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an increase in the size of the
organ, often due to increased workload.
Question 3: Which form of cell death is characterized by cell swelling, membrane rupture, and
inflammation?
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
C. Autophagy
D. Senescence
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Necrosis
RATIONALE: Necrosis is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue
by autolysis, causing swelling and inflammation.
Question 4: In the context of genetic inheritance, what does autosomal dominant mean?
,A. Only one copy of the altered gene is needed to cause the disorder
B. Two copies of the altered gene are needed
C. The gene is located on the X chromosome
D. The gene skips every other generation
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Only one copy of the altered gene is needed to cause the disorder
RATIONALE: Autosomal dominant inheritance requires only one mutated copy of the gene from one
parent to cause the disorder.
Question 5: Which chromosomal abnormality is associated with Down syndrome?
A. Monosomy X
B. Trisomy 21
C. Trisomy 18
D. XXY
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Trisomy 21
RATIONALE: Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, known as
Trisomy 21.
Question 6: What is the primary function of messenger RNA (mRNA)?
A. Carrying genetic code from DNA to the ribosome
B. Transporting amino acids to the ribosome
C. Forming the structural component of ribosomes
D. Replicating DNA
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Carrying genetic code from DNA to the ribosome
RATIONALE: mRNA carries the genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the
cytoplasm for protein synthesis.
Question 7: Which ion is primarily responsible for the resting membrane potential of a neuron?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Potassium
RATIONALE: The resting membrane potential is primarily determined by the concentration gradient of
potassium ions across the cell membrane.
Question 8: What is the term for the replacement of one adult cell type by another adult cell type?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
,C. Anaplasia
D. Neoplasia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Metaplasia
RATIONALE: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one adult cell type by another adult cell type,
often in response to chronic irritation.
Question 9: Which process describes the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from
an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Filtration
D. Active transport
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Osmosis
RATIONALE: Osmosis is the specific movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable
membrane toward a higher solute concentration.
Question 10: What is the primary energy source for cells during anaerobic metabolism?
A. Fatty acids
B. Glucose
C. Proteins
D. Ketones
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Glucose
RATIONALE: During anaerobic metabolism, glucose is broken down via glycolysis to produce ATP
without the use of oxygen.
Question 11: Which type of tissue injury results from insufficient blood supply?
A. Ischemia
B. Hypoxia
C. Infarction
D. Necrosis
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Ischemia
RATIONALE: Ischemia is a restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen and
glucose needed for cellular metabolism.
Question 12: What is the hallmark of apoptosis?
A. Cell swelling
B. Cell shrinkage and fragmentation
C. Inflammation
D. Membrane rupture
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. Cell shrinkage and fragmentation
RATIONALE: Apoptosis is programmed cell death characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin
condensation, and formation of apoptotic bodies without inflammation.
Question 13: Which genetic disorder is caused by a defect in collagen synthesis?
A. Cystic Fibrosis
B. Osteogenesis Imperfecta
C. Marfan Syndrome
D. Sickle Cell Anemia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Osteogenesis Imperfecta
RATIONALE: Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a genetic disorder characterized by fragile bones caused by a
defect in type I collagen production.
Question 14: What is the primary role of the sodium-potassium pump?
A. Maintaining electrochemical gradients
B. Producing ATP
C. Synthesizing proteins
D. Breaking down lipids
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Maintaining electrochemical gradients
RATIONALE: The Na+/K+ pump actively transports sodium out and potassium into the cell, maintaining
the resting membrane potential.
Question 15: Which phase of the cell cycle involves DNA replication?
A. G1 phase
B. S phase
C. G2 phase
D. M phase
CORRECT ANSWER: B. S phase
RATIONALE: The S (Synthesis) phase of the cell cycle is where DNA replication occurs.
Question 16: What is the term for a change in the size, shape, and organization of cells?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dysplasia
RATIONALE: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of cells, often
considered a precursor to cancer.
