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NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1
Verified Q&A with Rationales | A+
2026/2027 Edition
Chapter 1: Introduction to Pathophysiology
1: Which of the following would be the most likely cause of an
iatrogenic disease?
Options:
a. An inherited disorder
b. A combination of specific etiological factors
c. An unwanted effect of a prescribed drug
d. Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment
Correct Answer: c. An unwanted effect of a prescribed drug
Rationale:
1. An iatrogenic disease is caused by medical intervention or treatment.
2. An unwanted effect (side effect) of a prescribed drug is a classic
example of an iatrogenic condition.
3. Inherited disorders are genetic; environmental exposures are external.
2: The manifestations of a disease are best defined as the:
Options:
a. subjective feelings of discomfort during a chronic illness.
b. signs and symptoms of a disease.
c. factors that precipitate an acute episode of a chronic illness.
d. early indicators of the prodromal stage of infection.
Correct Answer: b. signs and symptoms of a disease.
Rationale:
1. Manifestations are the clinical evidence or effects of a disease.
2. They include both signs (objective findings) and symptoms (subjective
reports).
3: The best definition of the term prognosis is the:
Options:
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a. precipitating factors causing an acute episode.
b. number of remissions to be expected during the course of a chronic
illness.
c. predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery from a specific disease.
d. exacerbations occurring during chronic illness.
Correct Answer: c. predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery from a
specific disease.
Rationale:
1. Prognosis refers to the forecast of the probable course and outcome of a
disease.
2. It includes the likelihood of recovery or progression.
4: Which of the following is considered a systemic sign of disease?
Options:
a. Swelling of the knee
b. Fever
c. Pain in the neck
d. Red rash on the face
Correct Answer: b. Fever
Rationale:
1. Systemic signs affect the whole body.
2. Fever is a systemic response involving the hypothalamus and entire
body.
3. Swelling, localized pain, and localized rash are local signs.
5: Etiology is defined as the study of the:
Options:
a. causes of a disease.
b. course of a disease.
c. expected complications of a disease.
d. manifestations of a disease.
Correct Answer: a. causes of a disease.
Rationale:
1. Etiology is the study of the cause or origin of a disease.
2. It identifies the factors that provoke the disease process.
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6: A type of cellular adaptation in which there is a decrease in cell size
is referred to as:
Options:
a. hypertrophy.
b. metaplasia.
c. anaplasia.
d. atrophy.
Correct Answer: d. atrophy.
Rationale:
1. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size, resulting in reduced tissue mass.
2. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size; metaplasia is replacement by a
different cell type.
7: A change in a tissue marked by cells that vary in size and shape and
show increased mitotic figures would be called:
Options:
a. metaplasia.
b. atrophy.
c. dysplasia.
d. hypertrophy.
Correct Answer: c. dysplasia.
Rationale:
1. Dysplasia is characterized by abnormal cell growth with variation in
size, shape, and organization.
2. Increased mitotic figures indicate increased cell division.
3. It is considered a precancerous condition.
8: A deficit of oxygen in the cells usually due to respiratory or
circulatory problems is called:
Options:
a. apoptosis.
b. ischemia.
c. hypertrophy.
d. necrosis.
Correct Answer: b. ischemia.
Rationale:
1. Ischemia is a decreased supply of oxygenated blood to tissue.
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2. It is usually due to respiratory or circulatory problems.
3. It leads to hypoxia at the cellular level.
9: When a group of cells in the body dies, the change is called:
Options:
a. ischemia.
b. gangrene.
c. hypoxia.
d. necrosis.
Correct Answer: d. necrosis.
Rationale:
1. Necrosis is the death of a group of cells in the body.
2. It is an irreversible process, often resulting from ischemia or injury.
10: Rigorous weight lifting/body building regimens may result in the
skeletal muscle cells undergoing:
Options:
a. hypertrophy.
b. dysplasia.
c. atrophy.
d. regeneration.
Correct Answer: a. hypertrophy.
Rationale:
1. Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of individual cells.
2. Skeletal muscle cells respond to increased workload by increasing in
size.
11: The term cancer refers to:
Options:
a. dysplasia.
b. hyperplasia.
c. metaplasia.
d. malignant neoplasm.
Correct Answer: d. malignant neoplasm.
Rationale:
1. Cancer is a malignant neoplasm characterized by uncontrolled growth
and potential for metastasis.
NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1
Verified Q&A with Rationales | A+
2026/2027 Edition
Chapter 1: Introduction to Pathophysiology
1: Which of the following would be the most likely cause of an
iatrogenic disease?
Options:
a. An inherited disorder
b. A combination of specific etiological factors
c. An unwanted effect of a prescribed drug
d. Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment
Correct Answer: c. An unwanted effect of a prescribed drug
Rationale:
1. An iatrogenic disease is caused by medical intervention or treatment.
2. An unwanted effect (side effect) of a prescribed drug is a classic
example of an iatrogenic condition.
3. Inherited disorders are genetic; environmental exposures are external.
2: The manifestations of a disease are best defined as the:
Options:
a. subjective feelings of discomfort during a chronic illness.
b. signs and symptoms of a disease.
c. factors that precipitate an acute episode of a chronic illness.
d. early indicators of the prodromal stage of infection.
Correct Answer: b. signs and symptoms of a disease.
Rationale:
1. Manifestations are the clinical evidence or effects of a disease.
2. They include both signs (objective findings) and symptoms (subjective
reports).
3: The best definition of the term prognosis is the:
Options:
, 2|Page
a. precipitating factors causing an acute episode.
b. number of remissions to be expected during the course of a chronic
illness.
c. predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery from a specific disease.
d. exacerbations occurring during chronic illness.
Correct Answer: c. predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery from a
specific disease.
Rationale:
1. Prognosis refers to the forecast of the probable course and outcome of a
disease.
2. It includes the likelihood of recovery or progression.
4: Which of the following is considered a systemic sign of disease?
Options:
a. Swelling of the knee
b. Fever
c. Pain in the neck
d. Red rash on the face
Correct Answer: b. Fever
Rationale:
1. Systemic signs affect the whole body.
2. Fever is a systemic response involving the hypothalamus and entire
body.
3. Swelling, localized pain, and localized rash are local signs.
5: Etiology is defined as the study of the:
Options:
a. causes of a disease.
b. course of a disease.
c. expected complications of a disease.
d. manifestations of a disease.
Correct Answer: a. causes of a disease.
Rationale:
1. Etiology is the study of the cause or origin of a disease.
2. It identifies the factors that provoke the disease process.
, 3|Page
6: A type of cellular adaptation in which there is a decrease in cell size
is referred to as:
Options:
a. hypertrophy.
b. metaplasia.
c. anaplasia.
d. atrophy.
Correct Answer: d. atrophy.
Rationale:
1. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size, resulting in reduced tissue mass.
2. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size; metaplasia is replacement by a
different cell type.
7: A change in a tissue marked by cells that vary in size and shape and
show increased mitotic figures would be called:
Options:
a. metaplasia.
b. atrophy.
c. dysplasia.
d. hypertrophy.
Correct Answer: c. dysplasia.
Rationale:
1. Dysplasia is characterized by abnormal cell growth with variation in
size, shape, and organization.
2. Increased mitotic figures indicate increased cell division.
3. It is considered a precancerous condition.
8: A deficit of oxygen in the cells usually due to respiratory or
circulatory problems is called:
Options:
a. apoptosis.
b. ischemia.
c. hypertrophy.
d. necrosis.
Correct Answer: b. ischemia.
Rationale:
1. Ischemia is a decreased supply of oxygenated blood to tissue.
, 4|Page
2. It is usually due to respiratory or circulatory problems.
3. It leads to hypoxia at the cellular level.
9: When a group of cells in the body dies, the change is called:
Options:
a. ischemia.
b. gangrene.
c. hypoxia.
d. necrosis.
Correct Answer: d. necrosis.
Rationale:
1. Necrosis is the death of a group of cells in the body.
2. It is an irreversible process, often resulting from ischemia or injury.
10: Rigorous weight lifting/body building regimens may result in the
skeletal muscle cells undergoing:
Options:
a. hypertrophy.
b. dysplasia.
c. atrophy.
d. regeneration.
Correct Answer: a. hypertrophy.
Rationale:
1. Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of individual cells.
2. Skeletal muscle cells respond to increased workload by increasing in
size.
11: The term cancer refers to:
Options:
a. dysplasia.
b. hyperplasia.
c. metaplasia.
d. malignant neoplasm.
Correct Answer: d. malignant neoplasm.
Rationale:
1. Cancer is a malignant neoplasm characterized by uncontrolled growth
and potential for metastasis.
