NURS 231/NURS231 Module 2 V1 |
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale |
Portage Learning
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension presents with an enlarged left ventricle. This
change in muscle mass is best described as:
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size and functional components in response
to increased workload. In the heart, this occurs because cardiac muscle cells cannot divide
to increase their number. This adaptive response allows the heart to pump more effectively
against the increased pressure of hypertension.
2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a reversible change where one adult cell type
is replaced by another adult cell type?
A. Dysplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
,D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia occurs when a chronic irritation triggers the replacement of a fragile
cell type with one better suited to the environment. For example, in smokers, ciliated
columnar epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. While it is reversible if
the irritant is removed, it can progress to cancer if the stimulus persists.
3. A biopsy reveals cells that vary in size and shape with large nuclei and a disorganized
growth pattern. This is known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to deranged cell growth that results in cells of varying size,
shape, and organization. It is frequently seen in the respiratory tract and uterine cervix as a
precursor to malignancy. This condition is often referred to as ‘atypical hyperplasia’ but is
not considered a true adaptive process.
4. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Activation of lysosomal enzymes
, B. Increased protein synthesis
C. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
D. Alkalization of the cytoplasm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to a decrease in aerobic metabolism and ATP production within
the cell. Without sufficient ATP, the sodium-potassium (Na+/K+-ATPase) pump fails,
causing sodium and water to enter the cell. This results in cellular swelling, which is the
hallmark of reversible hypoxic injury.
5. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs when cells die but their catalytic enzymes are not
destroyed, causing the tissue to soften and liquefy. This is particularly common in brain
tissue because the brain is rich in hydrolytic enzymes and lipids. It also occurs in abscesses
where pus is formed by the digestion of inflammatory cells.
Pathophysiology Q&A with Rationale |
Portage Learning
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension presents with an enlarged left ventricle. This
change in muscle mass is best described as:
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size and functional components in response
to increased workload. In the heart, this occurs because cardiac muscle cells cannot divide
to increase their number. This adaptive response allows the heart to pump more effectively
against the increased pressure of hypertension.
2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a reversible change where one adult cell type
is replaced by another adult cell type?
A. Dysplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
,D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia occurs when a chronic irritation triggers the replacement of a fragile
cell type with one better suited to the environment. For example, in smokers, ciliated
columnar epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. While it is reversible if
the irritant is removed, it can progress to cancer if the stimulus persists.
3. A biopsy reveals cells that vary in size and shape with large nuclei and a disorganized
growth pattern. This is known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to deranged cell growth that results in cells of varying size,
shape, and organization. It is frequently seen in the respiratory tract and uterine cervix as a
precursor to malignancy. This condition is often referred to as ‘atypical hyperplasia’ but is
not considered a true adaptive process.
4. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Activation of lysosomal enzymes
, B. Increased protein synthesis
C. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
D. Alkalization of the cytoplasm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to a decrease in aerobic metabolism and ATP production within
the cell. Without sufficient ATP, the sodium-potassium (Na+/K+-ATPase) pump fails,
causing sodium and water to enter the cell. This results in cellular swelling, which is the
hallmark of reversible hypoxic injury.
5. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs when cells die but their catalytic enzymes are not
destroyed, causing the tissue to soften and liquefy. This is particularly common in brain
tissue because the brain is rich in hydrolytic enzymes and lipids. It also occurs in abscesses
where pus is formed by the digestion of inflammatory cells.
