NURS 5315 Advanced Pathophysiology
UPDATED Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Ovarian cancer site of metastasis? - CORRECT ANSWER - Peritoneal surfaces, omentum
(fold of peritoneum connecting the stomach with other abdominal organs), *liver*
The increased NADH/NAD+ ratio in the liver from ethanol causes: - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. Pyruvate --> lactic acid, causing lactic acidosis
2. Oxaloacetate --> malate. This prevents gluconeogenesis and leads to hypoglycemia
3. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate --> glycerol 3- phosphate and combines with fatty acids to form
triglycerides in the liver, known as hepatosteatosis
4. Decreases citric acid cycle production of NADH and leads to using Acetyl-CoA for
ketogenesis and lipogenesis
What can Reactive Oxygen Species cause? - CORRECT ANSWER - Heart disease,
Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), CV disease, HTN, HLD, DM,
ischemic heart disease, HF, OSA. Lipid perioxidation, damage proteins, fragment DNA, less
*protein synthesis*, chromatin destruction, damage mitochondria
What is the body's defense against ROS? - CORRECT ANSWER - Antioxidants (Vitamin
E, Vitamin C, cysteine, glutathione, albumin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin)
How are free radicals produced? - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Normal cellular respiration
2. Absorption of extreme energy sources (radiation, UV light)
3. Metabolism of exogenous chemicals, drugs, and pesticides
4. Transition of metals
5. Nitric oxide acting like a chemical mediator and a free radical
,action potential - CORRECT ANSWER - Process of conducting an impulse. Activates the
neuron --> the neuron depolarizes --> then repolarizes
Threshold potential - CORRECT ANSWER - Point at which depolarization must reach in
order to initiate an action potential
Hypokalemia and action potentials - CORRECT ANSWER - HYPERpolarized (more
negative, ex. -100). Less excitable. Decreased neuromuscular excitability: weakness, smooth
muscle atony, paresthesia, cardiac dysrhythmias
Hyperkalemia and action potentials - CORRECT ANSWER - HYPOpolarized (more
positive, ex: closer to 0). More excitable. Peaked T waves.
When resting membrane potential=threshold potential, it is BAD = cardiac standstill, paresthesia,
paralysis
Hypocalcemia and action potentials - CORRECT ANSWER - Increased permeability to
Na+. More excitable. Tetany, hyperreflexia, circumoral paresthesia, seizures, dysrhythmias.
Hypercalcemia and action potentials - CORRECT ANSWER - Decreased permeability to
Na+. Less excitable. Weakness, hyporeflexia, fatigue, lethargy, confusion, encephalopathy,
depressed T waves
Atrophy - CORRECT ANSWER - Occurs as a result of decrease in work load, pressure,
use, blood supply, nutrition, hormonal stimulation, or nervous stimulation. Once the cell has
decreased in size, it has now compensated for decreased blood supply, nerve supply, nutrient
supply, hormonal supply, and has achieved new homeostasis. Cells are alive but have diminished
function and may lead to cellular death.
Atrophy examples - CORRECT ANSWER - Physiologic atrophy- shrinking of the thymus
gland during childhood.
Disuse atrophy- someone that ends up being paralyzed
, Hypertrophy - CORRECT ANSWER - Increase in SIZE of cells, which will lead to
increase in size of organ. Caused by hormonal stimulation or increased functional demand.
Hypertrophy examples - CORRECT ANSWER - physiologic hypertrophy- skeletal
hypertrophy when a person does heavy work or weight lifting / when a kidney is surgically
removed, the other kidney increases in size
pathologic hypertrophy- cardiomegaly results from an increased workload in hypertensive
patients / *left ventricular hypertrophy*
Hyperplasia - CORRECT ANSWER - Increase in NUMBER of cells. Results from
increased rate of mitosis. Can ONLY happen in cells that are capable of mitosis (cell division).
Hyperplasia examples - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Thickening of skin because of
hyperplasia of epidermal cells.
2. Hormonal hyperplasia- occurs in estrogen dependent organs like uterus and breast.
3. Compensatory hyperplasia- liver regenerates, callus on skin
4. Pathologic hyperplasia- estrogen is unopposed by progesterone and the endometrial lining
undergoes hyperplasia and increased risk for endometrial cancer
Dysplasia - CORRECT ANSWER - abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization
of mature cells due to persistent, severe cell injury or irritation
Dysplasia examples - CORRECT ANSWER - Pre cancer pap smears often show dysplastic
cells of the cervix that must undergo treatment.
Metaplasia - CORRECT ANSWER - Changed cell that is REVERSIBLE (one cell is
replaced by another cell). Exposure to chronic stressors, injury or irritation, like smoking or
hydrochloric acid from heart burn
Metaplasia examples - CORRECT ANSWER - Most common is change from columnar
cells to squamous cells (chronic smokers).
