NR283 Exam 1 Actual Exam Style V2 | NR
283 Pathophysiology | Chamberlain
1. A patient’s muscle mass has decreased significantly after being in a cast for six weeks.
Which term best describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often resulting
from disuse or decreased functional demand. In this scenario, the lack of physical activity
while in a cast leads to skeletal muscle atrophy. It is a reversible process once the stimulus
or lack thereof is corrected.
2. Which process is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by another
mature cell type, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Anaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
,Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible conversion where one adult cell type is
replaced by another to better withstand environmental stress. A classic example is the
change of ciliated columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium in the airways of
smokers. This adaptation provides protection but often results in the loss of specialized
functions like mucus secretion.
3. A biopsy reveals cells that vary in size and shape with large nuclei; these cells are
disorganized. This is known as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and
organization of mature cells. It is often considered a ‘pre-cancerous’ change although it
does not always lead to cancer. Frequent monitoring is required because these cellular
derangements indicate a high risk for neoplastic transformation.
4. What is the most common cause of cellular injury in clinical practice?
A. Free radical formation
B. Chemical toxicity
, C. Genetic defects
D. Hypoxia
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Hypoxia, or lack of sufficient oxygen, is the single most common
cause of cellular injury. It typically results from ischemia, which is a reduced blood supply
to tissues. Without oxygen, the cell cannot produce ATP, leading to the failure of vital
membrane pumps and eventual cell swelling.
5. During ischemia, what is the primary reason the cell begins to swell?
A. Decrease in intracellular sodium
B. Increase in intracellular potassium
C. Failure of the Sodium-Potassium pump
D. Increased protein synthesis
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Ischemia leads to reduced ATP production, which causes the Sodium-
Potassium pump to fail. As a result, sodium accumulates inside the cell, creating an osmotic
gradient that pulls water inward. This process is known as oncosis or cellular swelling and
is one of the earliest signs of cell injury.
6. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with a myocardial infarction?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
283 Pathophysiology | Chamberlain
1. A patient’s muscle mass has decreased significantly after being in a cast for six weeks.
Which term best describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often resulting
from disuse or decreased functional demand. In this scenario, the lack of physical activity
while in a cast leads to skeletal muscle atrophy. It is a reversible process once the stimulus
or lack thereof is corrected.
2. Which process is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by another
mature cell type, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Anaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
,Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible conversion where one adult cell type is
replaced by another to better withstand environmental stress. A classic example is the
change of ciliated columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium in the airways of
smokers. This adaptation provides protection but often results in the loss of specialized
functions like mucus secretion.
3. A biopsy reveals cells that vary in size and shape with large nuclei; these cells are
disorganized. This is known as:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and
organization of mature cells. It is often considered a ‘pre-cancerous’ change although it
does not always lead to cancer. Frequent monitoring is required because these cellular
derangements indicate a high risk for neoplastic transformation.
4. What is the most common cause of cellular injury in clinical practice?
A. Free radical formation
B. Chemical toxicity
, C. Genetic defects
D. Hypoxia
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Hypoxia, or lack of sufficient oxygen, is the single most common
cause of cellular injury. It typically results from ischemia, which is a reduced blood supply
to tissues. Without oxygen, the cell cannot produce ATP, leading to the failure of vital
membrane pumps and eventual cell swelling.
5. During ischemia, what is the primary reason the cell begins to swell?
A. Decrease in intracellular sodium
B. Increase in intracellular potassium
C. Failure of the Sodium-Potassium pump
D. Increased protein synthesis
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Ischemia leads to reduced ATP production, which causes the Sodium-
Potassium pump to fail. As a result, sodium accumulates inside the cell, creating an osmotic
gradient that pulls water inward. This process is known as oncosis or cellular swelling and
is one of the earliest signs of cell injury.
6. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with a myocardial infarction?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
