NUR 2063 Pathophysiology: Essentials Exam 1
Rasmussen University College of Nursing | 2026/2027
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Course: NUR 2063 – Pathophysiology: Essentials
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Abstract
This comprehensive examination document has been developed for the NUR 2063
Pathophysiology: Essentials course at Rasmussen University College of Nursing. The exam
consists of 50 multiple-choice questions organized across eight core content domains aligned
with the course curriculum and NGN (Next Generation NCLEX) clinical judgment
competencies. Domain coverage includes cellular adaptation, injury, and death;
inflammation and tissue repair; immunity and immune disorders; fluid, electrolyte, and
acid-base balance; stress and adaptation; neoplasia and cancer biology; infection principles;
and scenario-based clinical reasoning. Each question includes the correct answer with a
detailed evidence-based rationale to support student learning and exam preparation. The
examination is designed to assess students' understanding of fundamental
pathophysiological concepts, their ability to apply clinical reasoning to patient scenarios, and
their preparedness for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. This assessment reflects the
2026/2027 academic year curriculum standards.
Keywords: Pathophysiology, Cellular Adaptation, Inflammation, Immunity, Fluid-
Electrolyte Balance, Neoplasia, NGN Clinical Judgment
, Table of Contents
Domain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury & DeathDomain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury
& Death......................................................................................................................... 1
Domain 2: Inflammation & Tissue RepairDomain 2: Inflammation & Tissue Repair .. 3
Domain 3: Immunity & Immune DisordersDomain 3: Immunity & Immune Disorders
.....................................................................................................................................5
Domain 4: Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base BalanceDomain 4: Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-
Base Balance ................................................................................................................ 7
Domain 5: Stress & AdaptationDomain 5: Stress & Adaptation ................................... 9
Domain 6: Neoplasia & Cancer BiologyDomain 6: Neoplasia & Cancer Biology ......... 10
Domain 7: Infection PrinciplesDomain 7: Infection Principles .................................. 11
Domain 8: Scenario-Based Clinical ReasoningDomain 8: Scenario-Based Clinical
Reasoning................................................................................................................... 13
ReferencesReferences ................................................................................................ 14
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, Domain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury & DeathDomain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury
& Death
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops enlarged
airways with increased mucus production. Which cellular adaptation best describes
this change?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct: B (Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, often seen in COPD airway smooth
muscle and mucus gland enlargement)
Rationale: In COPD, chronic irritation leads to hypertrophy of the mucus-secreting glands and
smooth muscle in the airway walls, contributing to airway narrowing and increased mucus
production. This adaptive response represents cellular enlargement rather than an increase in
cell number.
2. A patient who has been immobilized in bed for 6 weeks following a stroke is found
to have significant muscle wasting. Which cellular adaptation is primarily
responsible?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct: A (Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to decreased workload, disuse, or
inadequate nutrition)
Rationale: Disuse atrophy occurs when cells are not stimulated by normal mechanical or neural
signals. The immobilized patient loses muscle mass because of reduced protein synthesis and
increased protein degradation in the unused muscle fibers.
3. A smoker's bronchial epithelium undergoes a transformation from ciliated
columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium. This change is called:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Anaplasia
Correct: B (Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type with
another)
Rationale: The chronic irritation from cigarette smoke causes the respiratory epithelium to
transform into a more protective stratified squamous type. Although metaplasia is adaptive and
reversible, it represents a precancerous change when the irritant persists.
4. Which of the following statements best differentiates necrosis from apoptosis?
A) Necrosis is programmed cell death; apoptosis is accidental cell death
B) Necrosis causes inflammation; apoptosis typically does not cause
inflammation
C) Necrosis affects only single cells; apoptosis affects groups of cells
D) Apoptosis requires energy; necrosis does not
Correct: B (Necrosis causes inflammation; apoptosis typically does not cause
inflammation)
PAGE \* arabic \* MERGEFORMAT
Rasmussen University College of Nursing | 2026/2027
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Course: NUR 2063 – Pathophysiology: Essentials
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Abstract
This comprehensive examination document has been developed for the NUR 2063
Pathophysiology: Essentials course at Rasmussen University College of Nursing. The exam
consists of 50 multiple-choice questions organized across eight core content domains aligned
with the course curriculum and NGN (Next Generation NCLEX) clinical judgment
competencies. Domain coverage includes cellular adaptation, injury, and death;
inflammation and tissue repair; immunity and immune disorders; fluid, electrolyte, and
acid-base balance; stress and adaptation; neoplasia and cancer biology; infection principles;
and scenario-based clinical reasoning. Each question includes the correct answer with a
detailed evidence-based rationale to support student learning and exam preparation. The
examination is designed to assess students' understanding of fundamental
pathophysiological concepts, their ability to apply clinical reasoning to patient scenarios, and
their preparedness for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. This assessment reflects the
2026/2027 academic year curriculum standards.
Keywords: Pathophysiology, Cellular Adaptation, Inflammation, Immunity, Fluid-
Electrolyte Balance, Neoplasia, NGN Clinical Judgment
, Table of Contents
Domain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury & DeathDomain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury
& Death......................................................................................................................... 1
Domain 2: Inflammation & Tissue RepairDomain 2: Inflammation & Tissue Repair .. 3
Domain 3: Immunity & Immune DisordersDomain 3: Immunity & Immune Disorders
.....................................................................................................................................5
Domain 4: Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base BalanceDomain 4: Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-
Base Balance ................................................................................................................ 7
Domain 5: Stress & AdaptationDomain 5: Stress & Adaptation ................................... 9
Domain 6: Neoplasia & Cancer BiologyDomain 6: Neoplasia & Cancer Biology ......... 10
Domain 7: Infection PrinciplesDomain 7: Infection Principles .................................. 11
Domain 8: Scenario-Based Clinical ReasoningDomain 8: Scenario-Based Clinical
Reasoning................................................................................................................... 13
ReferencesReferences ................................................................................................ 14
PAGE \* ROMAN \* MERGEFORMAT
, Domain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury & DeathDomain 1: Cellular Adaptation, Injury
& Death
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops enlarged
airways with increased mucus production. Which cellular adaptation best describes
this change?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Correct: B (Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, often seen in COPD airway smooth
muscle and mucus gland enlargement)
Rationale: In COPD, chronic irritation leads to hypertrophy of the mucus-secreting glands and
smooth muscle in the airway walls, contributing to airway narrowing and increased mucus
production. This adaptive response represents cellular enlargement rather than an increase in
cell number.
2. A patient who has been immobilized in bed for 6 weeks following a stroke is found
to have significant muscle wasting. Which cellular adaptation is primarily
responsible?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct: A (Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to decreased workload, disuse, or
inadequate nutrition)
Rationale: Disuse atrophy occurs when cells are not stimulated by normal mechanical or neural
signals. The immobilized patient loses muscle mass because of reduced protein synthesis and
increased protein degradation in the unused muscle fibers.
3. A smoker's bronchial epithelium undergoes a transformation from ciliated
columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium. This change is called:
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Anaplasia
Correct: B (Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type with
another)
Rationale: The chronic irritation from cigarette smoke causes the respiratory epithelium to
transform into a more protective stratified squamous type. Although metaplasia is adaptive and
reversible, it represents a precancerous change when the irritant persists.
4. Which of the following statements best differentiates necrosis from apoptosis?
A) Necrosis is programmed cell death; apoptosis is accidental cell death
B) Necrosis causes inflammation; apoptosis typically does not cause
inflammation
C) Necrosis affects only single cells; apoptosis affects groups of cells
D) Apoptosis requires energy; necrosis does not
Correct: B (Necrosis causes inflammation; apoptosis typically does not cause
inflammation)
PAGE \* arabic \* MERGEFORMAT
