NURS 231/NURS231 Module 3 V3 |
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale |
Portage Learning
1. A patient has experienced significant muscle shrinkage in their left leg after being in a cast
for six weeks. Which cellular adaptation has occurred?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to a decrease in work demand or adverse
environmental conditions. In this case, the lack of muscle use while in a cast led to disuse
atrophy. This adaptation allows the cell to survive by decreasing energy and nutrient
requirements.
2. Which of the following describes the replacement of one adult cell type by another adult
cell type in response to chronic irritation?
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
,D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another adult cell type that is better able to survive the environment. A common example is
the change in the respiratory tract of smokers where ciliated columnar cells change to
stratified squamous cells. If the irritant is removed, the cells can potentially return to their
original type.
3. An echocardiogram of a patient with long-standing hypertension reveals an increased
thickness of the left ventricular wall. This is an example of:
A. Physiologic hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Compensatory hyperplasia
D. Pathologic hypertrophy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pathologic hypertrophy occurs in response to a disease state, such as the heart
muscle thickening to pump against high blood pressure. Unlike physiologic hypertrophy
seen in athletes, this change is associated with increased workload that eventually leads to
heart failure. The cells increase in size rather than number because cardiac muscle cells
cannot undergo mitosis.
, 4. Which cellular adaptation is considered a precursor to neoplasia (cancer) and is
characterized by deranged cell growth?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dysplasia is characterized by deranged cell growth resulting in cells that vary in
size, shape, and organization. While it is often a response to chronic irritation or
inflammation, it is considered a precancerous change. Regular monitoring, such as Pap
smears, is used to detect dysplastic changes early to prevent malignancy.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury in clinical practice?
A. Hypoxia
B. Free radical formation
C. Chemical agents
D. Genetic defects
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, is the most common cause of cell injury and
can result from ischemia, anemia, or respiratory failure. Without oxygen, the cell cannot
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale |
Portage Learning
1. A patient has experienced significant muscle shrinkage in their left leg after being in a cast
for six weeks. Which cellular adaptation has occurred?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to a decrease in work demand or adverse
environmental conditions. In this case, the lack of muscle use while in a cast led to disuse
atrophy. This adaptation allows the cell to survive by decreasing energy and nutrient
requirements.
2. Which of the following describes the replacement of one adult cell type by another adult
cell type in response to chronic irritation?
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Metaplasia
,D. Hyperplasia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by
another adult cell type that is better able to survive the environment. A common example is
the change in the respiratory tract of smokers where ciliated columnar cells change to
stratified squamous cells. If the irritant is removed, the cells can potentially return to their
original type.
3. An echocardiogram of a patient with long-standing hypertension reveals an increased
thickness of the left ventricular wall. This is an example of:
A. Physiologic hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Compensatory hyperplasia
D. Pathologic hypertrophy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pathologic hypertrophy occurs in response to a disease state, such as the heart
muscle thickening to pump against high blood pressure. Unlike physiologic hypertrophy
seen in athletes, this change is associated with increased workload that eventually leads to
heart failure. The cells increase in size rather than number because cardiac muscle cells
cannot undergo mitosis.
, 4. Which cellular adaptation is considered a precursor to neoplasia (cancer) and is
characterized by deranged cell growth?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dysplasia is characterized by deranged cell growth resulting in cells that vary in
size, shape, and organization. While it is often a response to chronic irritation or
inflammation, it is considered a precancerous change. Regular monitoring, such as Pap
smears, is used to detect dysplastic changes early to prevent malignancy.
5. What is the most common cause of cellular injury in clinical practice?
A. Hypoxia
B. Free radical formation
C. Chemical agents
D. Genetic defects
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, is the most common cause of cell injury and
can result from ischemia, anemia, or respiratory failure. Without oxygen, the cell cannot
