NR 507 Exam 1: Advanced Pathophysiology V3 Updated
and Latest Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale -
Chamberlain University
1. A patient exhibits a decrease in the size of skeletal muscle cells after being in a cast for
several weeks. What cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Ans: D
Rationale: Atrophy is defined as a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. This process often occurs when
there is a decrease in workload or nerve stimulation. Skeletal muscle cells are particularly susceptible to
this change during immobilization. It involves a decrease in protein synthesis and an increase in protein
degradation. While the number of cells remains the same, their functional capacity is diminished. This
adaptation allows the cell to survive under less favorable conditions.
,2. Which of the following describes the mechanism of metaplasia?
A. The development of abnormal cell size, shape, and organization
B. The increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue
C. The reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature cell type
D. The increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical load
Ans: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one adult cell type is replaced by another. This
usually occurs in response to chronic irritation or inflammation. A common example is the change in the
respiratory tract of smokers. The replacement cells are often better suited to survive the stressful
environment. However, this change usually results in a loss of specialized function, such as cilia
movement. It is important to monitor because prolonged irritation can lead to cancerous
transformations.
3. What is the most common cause of cellular injury in clinical practice?
A. Chemical agents
B. Hypoxia
C. Genetic factors
D. Infectious agents
Ans: B
Rationale: Hypoxia is the lack of sufficient oxygen and is the most common cause of cell injury. It can
result from reduced oxygen in the air or loss of hemoglobin function. Ischemia is the most frequent cause
,of hypoxia in the human body. Without oxygen, the cell cannot produce ATP through aerobic metabolism.
This leads to the failure of the sodium-potassium pump and cellular swelling. If oxygen is not restored,
the injury eventually becomes irreversible.
4. During hypoxic injury, why does the cell begin to swell?
A. Increased protein synthesis attracts water into the cytoplasm
B. The sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to intracellular sodium accumulation
C. Decreased osmotic pressure in the extracellular fluid
D. Activation of the complement system damages the plasma membrane
Ans: B
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to a significant decrease in the production of ATP. ATP is necessary for the
active transport of ions across the cell membrane. When the sodium-potassium pump fails, sodium
remains inside the cell. Because water follows sodium, an osmotic gradient is created that pulls water
inward. This process is known as oncosis or vacuolar degeneration. Excessive swelling can lead to the
rupture of organelles and the cell membrane.
5. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with a myocardial infarction?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Coagulative necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Ans: C
, Rationale: Coagulative necrosis primarily occurs in the heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands. It is typically
caused by severe ischemia or chemical injury. Protein denaturation occurs, which causes the albumin to
change from a gel state to a firm state. This preserves the basic outline of the tissue for several days. It
differs from liquefactive necrosis where the tissue becomes soft and liquid. Myocardial cells are classic
examples where this architectural preservation is observed after death.
6. Which organ is the primary site for liquefactive necrosis?
A. Brain
B. Liver
C. Heart
D. Pancreas
Ans: A
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis is commonly seen following ischemic injury to neurons and glial cells.
Because the brain contains little connective tissue, cells are easily digested by their own enzymes. These
digestive enzymes turn the tissue into a soft, liquid mass. The area is eventually walled off from healthy
tissue, forming cysts. This process is often triggered by bacterial infections like staphylococci or
streptococci. It is characterized by the formation of pus in the localized area.
and Latest Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale -
Chamberlain University
1. A patient exhibits a decrease in the size of skeletal muscle cells after being in a cast for
several weeks. What cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Ans: D
Rationale: Atrophy is defined as a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. This process often occurs when
there is a decrease in workload or nerve stimulation. Skeletal muscle cells are particularly susceptible to
this change during immobilization. It involves a decrease in protein synthesis and an increase in protein
degradation. While the number of cells remains the same, their functional capacity is diminished. This
adaptation allows the cell to survive under less favorable conditions.
,2. Which of the following describes the mechanism of metaplasia?
A. The development of abnormal cell size, shape, and organization
B. The increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue
C. The reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another mature cell type
D. The increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical load
Ans: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one adult cell type is replaced by another. This
usually occurs in response to chronic irritation or inflammation. A common example is the change in the
respiratory tract of smokers. The replacement cells are often better suited to survive the stressful
environment. However, this change usually results in a loss of specialized function, such as cilia
movement. It is important to monitor because prolonged irritation can lead to cancerous
transformations.
3. What is the most common cause of cellular injury in clinical practice?
A. Chemical agents
B. Hypoxia
C. Genetic factors
D. Infectious agents
Ans: B
Rationale: Hypoxia is the lack of sufficient oxygen and is the most common cause of cell injury. It can
result from reduced oxygen in the air or loss of hemoglobin function. Ischemia is the most frequent cause
,of hypoxia in the human body. Without oxygen, the cell cannot produce ATP through aerobic metabolism.
This leads to the failure of the sodium-potassium pump and cellular swelling. If oxygen is not restored,
the injury eventually becomes irreversible.
4. During hypoxic injury, why does the cell begin to swell?
A. Increased protein synthesis attracts water into the cytoplasm
B. The sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to intracellular sodium accumulation
C. Decreased osmotic pressure in the extracellular fluid
D. Activation of the complement system damages the plasma membrane
Ans: B
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to a significant decrease in the production of ATP. ATP is necessary for the
active transport of ions across the cell membrane. When the sodium-potassium pump fails, sodium
remains inside the cell. Because water follows sodium, an osmotic gradient is created that pulls water
inward. This process is known as oncosis or vacuolar degeneration. Excessive swelling can lead to the
rupture of organelles and the cell membrane.
5. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with a myocardial infarction?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Coagulative necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Ans: C
, Rationale: Coagulative necrosis primarily occurs in the heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands. It is typically
caused by severe ischemia or chemical injury. Protein denaturation occurs, which causes the albumin to
change from a gel state to a firm state. This preserves the basic outline of the tissue for several days. It
differs from liquefactive necrosis where the tissue becomes soft and liquid. Myocardial cells are classic
examples where this architectural preservation is observed after death.
6. Which organ is the primary site for liquefactive necrosis?
A. Brain
B. Liver
C. Heart
D. Pancreas
Ans: A
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis is commonly seen following ischemic injury to neurons and glial cells.
Because the brain contains little connective tissue, cells are easily digested by their own enzymes. These
digestive enzymes turn the tissue into a soft, liquid mass. The area is eventually walled off from healthy
tissue, forming cysts. This process is often triggered by bacterial infections like staphylococci or
streptococci. It is characterized by the formation of pus in the localized area.
