NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Cellular
Adaptation, Genetics, Inflammation, Immunity, Cancer | Q&A | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / Cellular Biology / NR 283 Exam 1 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Immunology
Q1
A pathology report identifies abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells.
How would the nurse best classify these changes?
CORRECT ANSWER Dysplasia
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Dysplasia refers to disordered cellular growth with abnormal variation in cell size, shape, and organization.
● Often a precursor to cancer, as seen in cervical dysplasia on Pap smear.
● May be reversible if the underlying irritant is removed.
Q2
Which cellular change occurs in the liver of someone who has had a lobe of the liver removed?
CORRECT ANSWER Regeneration
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● The liver has remarkable regenerative capacity; hepatocytes divide to replace lost tissue.
● Regeneration restores normal structure and function after partial hepatectomy or injury.
● Other organs (heart, brain) have limited or no regenerative ability.
Q3
What does the nurse understand to be the most common cause of cellular injury?
CORRECT ANSWER Hypoxia
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) is the most common cause of cellular injury.
● Causes include ischemia (reduced blood flow), anemia, pulmonary disease, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
● Prolonged hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, cellular swelling, and ultimately cell death.
, Q4
During childhood, the thymus decreases in size. This is referred to as what type of atrophy?
CORRECT ANSWER Physiologic atrophy
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Physiologic atrophy is a normal age-related process, such as thymus involution after puberty.
● Pathologic atrophy results from disease or disuse (e.g., muscle wasting from immobilization).
● The thymus is most active in childhood and gradually shrinks with age.
Q5
A nurse examines callouses on a patient's feet. Which cellular adaptation has likely occurred in the
epithelium causing thickness of skin?
CORRECT ANSWER Hyperplasia
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Calluses result from hyperplasia (increased number of keratinocytes) due to mechanical stress.
● Hyperplasia is increased cell number; hypertrophy is increased cell size.
● Both are adaptive responses to increased workload or demand.
Q6
A nurse is caring for a patient with Down syndrome. What category of genetic disorder does Down
syndrome represent?
CORRECT ANSWER Chromosome disorder
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is a chromosomal disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
● Chromosomal disorders involve abnormalities in chromosome number or structure.
● Unlike single-gene disorders, chromosomal disorders are not inherited in Mendelian patterns.
Q7
The nurse is aware that ____________ can cause edema.
CORRECT ANSWER Increased capillary permeability
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Increased capillary permeability allows fluid and proteins to leak into interstitial space, causing edema.
● Occurs in inflammation (histamine effect), burns, and sepsis.
● Other causes: increased hydrostatic pressure (CHF), decreased plasma proteins (liver disease).
Adaptation, Genetics, Inflammation, Immunity, Cancer | Q&A | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / Cellular Biology / NR 283 Exam 1 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Immunology
Q1
A pathology report identifies abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells.
How would the nurse best classify these changes?
CORRECT ANSWER Dysplasia
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Dysplasia refers to disordered cellular growth with abnormal variation in cell size, shape, and organization.
● Often a precursor to cancer, as seen in cervical dysplasia on Pap smear.
● May be reversible if the underlying irritant is removed.
Q2
Which cellular change occurs in the liver of someone who has had a lobe of the liver removed?
CORRECT ANSWER Regeneration
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● The liver has remarkable regenerative capacity; hepatocytes divide to replace lost tissue.
● Regeneration restores normal structure and function after partial hepatectomy or injury.
● Other organs (heart, brain) have limited or no regenerative ability.
Q3
What does the nurse understand to be the most common cause of cellular injury?
CORRECT ANSWER Hypoxia
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) is the most common cause of cellular injury.
● Causes include ischemia (reduced blood flow), anemia, pulmonary disease, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
● Prolonged hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, cellular swelling, and ultimately cell death.
, Q4
During childhood, the thymus decreases in size. This is referred to as what type of atrophy?
CORRECT ANSWER Physiologic atrophy
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Physiologic atrophy is a normal age-related process, such as thymus involution after puberty.
● Pathologic atrophy results from disease or disuse (e.g., muscle wasting from immobilization).
● The thymus is most active in childhood and gradually shrinks with age.
Q5
A nurse examines callouses on a patient's feet. Which cellular adaptation has likely occurred in the
epithelium causing thickness of skin?
CORRECT ANSWER Hyperplasia
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Calluses result from hyperplasia (increased number of keratinocytes) due to mechanical stress.
● Hyperplasia is increased cell number; hypertrophy is increased cell size.
● Both are adaptive responses to increased workload or demand.
Q6
A nurse is caring for a patient with Down syndrome. What category of genetic disorder does Down
syndrome represent?
CORRECT ANSWER Chromosome disorder
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is a chromosomal disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
● Chromosomal disorders involve abnormalities in chromosome number or structure.
● Unlike single-gene disorders, chromosomal disorders are not inherited in Mendelian patterns.
Q7
The nurse is aware that ____________ can cause edema.
CORRECT ANSWER Increased capillary permeability
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Increased capillary permeability allows fluid and proteins to leak into interstitial space, causing edema.
● Occurs in inflammation (histamine effect), burns, and sepsis.
● Other causes: increased hydrostatic pressure (CHF), decreased plasma proteins (liver disease).
