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NR 283 Pathophysiology Final Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
NR283 Pathophysiology Final Exam, designed for pre-licensure nursing students. Each question
includes a verified answer and a summarized rationale based on the underlying pathophysiology of
disease processes, including cellular adaptation, inflammation, fluid/electrolyte imbalances, and
alterations in body systems.
Note on Exam Coverage: This final exam blueprint covers foundational pathophysiological concepts:
cellular biology (adaptation, injury, neoplasia), genetics, fluid/electrolyte/acid-base balance,
inflammation/immunity, and alterations in major body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, renal,
neurologic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, hematologic, musculoskeletal, integumentary, reproductive).
Each question emphasizes the why behind signs, symptoms, and diagnostic findings.
Domain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury, & Neoplasia (Questions 1–35)
1. A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease develops metaplasia in the lower esophagus.
The nurse understands that metaplasia is:
A) An irreversible transformation to a less differentiated cell type
B) A reversible change from one differentiated cell type to another
C) An increase in cell size without an increase in number
D) Uncontrolled cell growth invading surrounding tissues
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Correct Answer: B. Metaplasia is a reversible substitution of one differentiated cell type for another (e.g.,
squamous to columnar) in response to chronic irritation .
2. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy. This is an example
of:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Atrophy
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size (and organ size) due to increased workload,
such as pressure overload in hypertension.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about a benign tumor. Which statement correctly describes a benign
neoplasm?
A) It metastasizes to distant sites
B) It grows by invasion and destroys surrounding tissue
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C) It is usually well-differentiated and grows slowly
D) It is always malignant
Correct Answer: C. Benign tumors are typically well-differentiated, encapsulated, and grow by expansion
without invading or metastasizing.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has decreased muscle mass in the
extremities. This finding is best described as:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to disuse, denervation, or decreased
workload/blood supply; disuse atrophy occurs in COPD due to immobility and cachexia.
5. A patient’s biopsy report indicates “dysplasia” of cervical cells. The nurse should explain that
dysplasia:
A) Is always cancerous
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B) Represents disordered cell growth that may be pre-cancerous
C) Is a normal age-related change
D) Is caused by bacterial infection only
Correct Answer: B. Dysplasia is abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization; it is often a
precursor to cancer but may regress.
6. A pathologist notes “anaplasia” in a tumor sample. Anaplasia indicates:
A) Well-differentiated cells resembling normal tissue
B) Lack of differentiation (cells are primitive and undifferentiated)
C) Benign behavior
D) No mitotic activity
Correct Answer: B. Anaplasia is the hallmark of malignancy: cells lose differentiation and become
primitive, with increased mitotic figures and nuclear abnormalities.
7. A nurse is explaining the difference between apoptosis and necrosis. Apoptosis is:
A) Programmed cell death that is often physiological
B) Unregulated cell death due to injury
NR 283 Pathophysiology Final Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
NR283 Pathophysiology Final Exam, designed for pre-licensure nursing students. Each question
includes a verified answer and a summarized rationale based on the underlying pathophysiology of
disease processes, including cellular adaptation, inflammation, fluid/electrolyte imbalances, and
alterations in body systems.
Note on Exam Coverage: This final exam blueprint covers foundational pathophysiological concepts:
cellular biology (adaptation, injury, neoplasia), genetics, fluid/electrolyte/acid-base balance,
inflammation/immunity, and alterations in major body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, renal,
neurologic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, hematologic, musculoskeletal, integumentary, reproductive).
Each question emphasizes the why behind signs, symptoms, and diagnostic findings.
Domain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury, & Neoplasia (Questions 1–35)
1. A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease develops metaplasia in the lower esophagus.
The nurse understands that metaplasia is:
A) An irreversible transformation to a less differentiated cell type
B) A reversible change from one differentiated cell type to another
C) An increase in cell size without an increase in number
D) Uncontrolled cell growth invading surrounding tissues
, Page 2 of 133
Correct Answer: B. Metaplasia is a reversible substitution of one differentiated cell type for another (e.g.,
squamous to columnar) in response to chronic irritation .
2. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops left ventricular hypertrophy. This is an example
of:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Atrophy
C) Hypertrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size (and organ size) due to increased workload,
such as pressure overload in hypertension.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about a benign tumor. Which statement correctly describes a benign
neoplasm?
A) It metastasizes to distant sites
B) It grows by invasion and destroys surrounding tissue
, Page 3 of 133
C) It is usually well-differentiated and grows slowly
D) It is always malignant
Correct Answer: C. Benign tumors are typically well-differentiated, encapsulated, and grow by expansion
without invading or metastasizing.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has decreased muscle mass in the
extremities. This finding is best described as:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C. Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to disuse, denervation, or decreased
workload/blood supply; disuse atrophy occurs in COPD due to immobility and cachexia.
5. A patient’s biopsy report indicates “dysplasia” of cervical cells. The nurse should explain that
dysplasia:
A) Is always cancerous
, Page 4 of 133
B) Represents disordered cell growth that may be pre-cancerous
C) Is a normal age-related change
D) Is caused by bacterial infection only
Correct Answer: B. Dysplasia is abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization; it is often a
precursor to cancer but may regress.
6. A pathologist notes “anaplasia” in a tumor sample. Anaplasia indicates:
A) Well-differentiated cells resembling normal tissue
B) Lack of differentiation (cells are primitive and undifferentiated)
C) Benign behavior
D) No mitotic activity
Correct Answer: B. Anaplasia is the hallmark of malignancy: cells lose differentiation and become
primitive, with increased mitotic figures and nuclear abnormalities.
7. A nurse is explaining the difference between apoptosis and necrosis. Apoptosis is:
A) Programmed cell death that is often physiological
B) Unregulated cell death due to injury
