Rasmussen Pathophysiology Final Exam 2026 Practice Questions &
Verified Answers Comprehensive Nursing Review
Part 1: Foundational Concepts & Cellular Adaptation (Questions 1-20)
1. A patient's cardiac muscle cells have increased in size due to long-standing
hypertension. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, not number, which occurs when
cells are exposed to increased workload. In hypertension, cardiac myocytes
enlarge to compensate for increased afterload, leading to left ventricular
hypertrophy. Hyperplasia (A) is increased cell number, atrophy (C) is decreased
cell size, and metaplasia (D) is replacement of one cell type with another.
,2. A 45-year-old female smoker has chronic irritation of her bronchial epithelium,
which has changed from pseudostratified ciliated columnar to stratified
squamous epithelium. This represents:
A. Dysplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
Answer: C. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one differentiated cell type is
replaced by another better suited to withstand chronic irritation. In smokers, the
bronchial epithelium undergoes squamous metaplasia as a protective response.
Dysplasia (A) involves disordered cell growth, hyperplasia (B) is increased cell
numbers, and neoplasia (D) is abnormal new growth.
3. Which level of disease prevention includes interventions such as immunizations
and handwashing?
A. Primary prevention
,B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Answer: A. Primary prevention
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs by altering
susceptibility or reducing exposure. Immunizations and handwashing are classic
examples because they prevent initial contraction of infectious diseases.
Secondary prevention (B) involves screening and early detection (mammograms,
PAP smears). Tertiary prevention (C) focuses on rehabilitation and preventing
further complications after disease diagnosis .
4. A 68-year-old patient who suffered a stroke is now undergoing physical therapy
to regain mobility and prevent pressure ulcers. This is an example of:
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Health promotion
, Answer: C. Tertiary prevention
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation, reducing disability, and
restoring effective functioning after a disease or injury has occurred. Physical
therapy following a stroke and wound care to prevent pressure ulcers are classic
tertiary prevention interventions. Primary prevention (A) prevents disease onset;
secondary prevention (B) focuses on early detection and screening .
5. During the "fight-or-flight" response, which of the following physiological
changes occurs?
A. Pupil constriction
B. Increased salivation
C. Bronchodilation and increased heart rate
D. Stimulation of gastrointestinal activity
Answer: C. Bronchodilation and increased heart rate
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system dominates during "fight-or-flight,"
causing bronchodilation (increased airflow), increased heart rate and contractility,
Verified Answers Comprehensive Nursing Review
Part 1: Foundational Concepts & Cellular Adaptation (Questions 1-20)
1. A patient's cardiac muscle cells have increased in size due to long-standing
hypertension. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, not number, which occurs when
cells are exposed to increased workload. In hypertension, cardiac myocytes
enlarge to compensate for increased afterload, leading to left ventricular
hypertrophy. Hyperplasia (A) is increased cell number, atrophy (C) is decreased
cell size, and metaplasia (D) is replacement of one cell type with another.
,2. A 45-year-old female smoker has chronic irritation of her bronchial epithelium,
which has changed from pseudostratified ciliated columnar to stratified
squamous epithelium. This represents:
A. Dysplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
Answer: C. Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one differentiated cell type is
replaced by another better suited to withstand chronic irritation. In smokers, the
bronchial epithelium undergoes squamous metaplasia as a protective response.
Dysplasia (A) involves disordered cell growth, hyperplasia (B) is increased cell
numbers, and neoplasia (D) is abnormal new growth.
3. Which level of disease prevention includes interventions such as immunizations
and handwashing?
A. Primary prevention
,B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
Answer: A. Primary prevention
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs by altering
susceptibility or reducing exposure. Immunizations and handwashing are classic
examples because they prevent initial contraction of infectious diseases.
Secondary prevention (B) involves screening and early detection (mammograms,
PAP smears). Tertiary prevention (C) focuses on rehabilitation and preventing
further complications after disease diagnosis .
4. A 68-year-old patient who suffered a stroke is now undergoing physical therapy
to regain mobility and prevent pressure ulcers. This is an example of:
A. Primary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Tertiary prevention
D. Health promotion
, Answer: C. Tertiary prevention
Rationale: Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation, reducing disability, and
restoring effective functioning after a disease or injury has occurred. Physical
therapy following a stroke and wound care to prevent pressure ulcers are classic
tertiary prevention interventions. Primary prevention (A) prevents disease onset;
secondary prevention (B) focuses on early detection and screening .
5. During the "fight-or-flight" response, which of the following physiological
changes occurs?
A. Pupil constriction
B. Increased salivation
C. Bronchodilation and increased heart rate
D. Stimulation of gastrointestinal activity
Answer: C. Bronchodilation and increased heart rate
Rationale: The sympathetic nervous system dominates during "fight-or-flight,"
causing bronchodilation (increased airflow), increased heart rate and contractility,
