NSG530 Exam 1 V3 | NSG 530 Advanced
Pathophysiology | Wilkes University
1. A patient with chronic uncontrolled hypertension displays an increase in the size of the left
ventricular myocardium. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, which consequently increases the
size of the affected organ. It is particularly common in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells that
cannot adapt through cell division. In the case of the heart, this is a response to the
increased workload caused by high blood pressure.
2. Which process is characterized by the programmed death of cells to eliminate worn-out or
genetically damaged cells?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Apoptosis
,D. Coagulation
Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is a distinct, organized type of cell death that is often referred to as
‘cellular suicide.’ Unlike necrosis, it does not typically trigger an inflammatory response
because the cell contents are not leaked into the surrounding tissue. It plays a vital role in
embryogenesis and the removal of potentially cancerous cells.
3. A 55-year-old male suffers a myocardial infarction. The hypoxic injury leads to a decrease
in ATP production. What is the immediate consequence of ATP depletion on the cell?
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
C. Efflux of water into the extracellular space
D. Decreased intracellular calcium levels
Answer: B
Rationale: ATP is required to power the Na+/K+ ATPase pump which maintains
electrolyte gradients. When ATP levels drop, sodium accumulates inside the cell, while
potassium moves out. This electrolyte shift leads to osmotic pressure changes that cause
the cell to swell with water.
4. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with a stroke or ischemic injury to the
brain?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
, B. Caseous necrosis
C. Coagulative necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain because the tissue is rich in digestive
hydrolytic enzymes and lipids. As cells are destroyed, enzymes soften the tissue, eventually
turning it into a liquid mass. This process is distinct from coagulative necrosis, which is
more common in the heart and kidneys.
5. A patient with tuberculosis shows a specific type of necrosis in the lungs that resembles
clumped cheese. This is known as:
A. Gangrenous necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Fat necrosis
D. Liquefactive necrosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Caseous necrosis is a combination of coagulative and liquefactive necrosis. It is
typically seen in infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The dead cells
disintegrate but are not completely digested, leaving a soft, granular, and friable
appearance.
Pathophysiology | Wilkes University
1. A patient with chronic uncontrolled hypertension displays an increase in the size of the left
ventricular myocardium. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, which consequently increases the
size of the affected organ. It is particularly common in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells that
cannot adapt through cell division. In the case of the heart, this is a response to the
increased workload caused by high blood pressure.
2. Which process is characterized by the programmed death of cells to eliminate worn-out or
genetically damaged cells?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Apoptosis
,D. Coagulation
Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is a distinct, organized type of cell death that is often referred to as
‘cellular suicide.’ Unlike necrosis, it does not typically trigger an inflammatory response
because the cell contents are not leaked into the surrounding tissue. It plays a vital role in
embryogenesis and the removal of potentially cancerous cells.
3. A 55-year-old male suffers a myocardial infarction. The hypoxic injury leads to a decrease
in ATP production. What is the immediate consequence of ATP depletion on the cell?
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
C. Efflux of water into the extracellular space
D. Decreased intracellular calcium levels
Answer: B
Rationale: ATP is required to power the Na+/K+ ATPase pump which maintains
electrolyte gradients. When ATP levels drop, sodium accumulates inside the cell, while
potassium moves out. This electrolyte shift leads to osmotic pressure changes that cause
the cell to swell with water.
4. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with a stroke or ischemic injury to the
brain?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
, B. Caseous necrosis
C. Coagulative necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain because the tissue is rich in digestive
hydrolytic enzymes and lipids. As cells are destroyed, enzymes soften the tissue, eventually
turning it into a liquid mass. This process is distinct from coagulative necrosis, which is
more common in the heart and kidneys.
5. A patient with tuberculosis shows a specific type of necrosis in the lungs that resembles
clumped cheese. This is known as:
A. Gangrenous necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Fat necrosis
D. Liquefactive necrosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Caseous necrosis is a combination of coagulative and liquefactive necrosis. It is
typically seen in infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The dead cells
disintegrate but are not completely digested, leaving a soft, granular, and friable
appearance.
