NURS 5315: Advanced Pathophysiology – UTA Exam 1 Study Guide (with
Verified Correct Answers)
Atrophy
• Explanation: This is when cells shrink in size.
• Pathophysiology: Despite becoming smaller, the cells typically remain functional.
• Physiologic Example: Natural shrinkage of the thymus gland during early childhood.
• Pathologic Example: Muscle wasting due to disuse (e.g., immobilization).
Hypertrophy
• Explanation: An increase in the size of individual cells.
• Pathophysiology: Occurs as a result of increased workload on tissues or organs.
• Physiologic Example: Muscle enlargement from resistance training.
• Pathologic Example: Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) due to long-standing hypertension.
Hyperplasia
• Explanation: This refers to an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ.
• Pathophysiology: Triggered by an increase in cellular division.
• Physiologic Example: Regeneration of liver cells after injury or surgery.
• Pathologic Example: Hormone-related thickening of the endometrial lining.
Dysplasia
• Explanation: Cells undergo abnormal changes in size, shape, and organization.
• Pathophysiology: Also referred to as atypical hyperplasia; involves disordered cell growth.
• Physiologic Example: Not applicable.
• Pathologic Example: Abnormal cervical cells due to HPV infection.
Metaplasia
• Explanation: One type of mature cell is replaced by another type.
• Pathophysiology: Involves reprogramming of stem cells and is usually reversible.
• Physiologic Example: Not applicable.
• Pathologic Example: Changes in bronchial lining due to long-term exposure to cigarette
smoke.
, Hypoxic Injury
• Explanation: Occurs when tissues are deprived of adequate oxygen.
• Pathophysiology: Reduced mitochondrial function leads to decreased ATP, forcing cells into
anaerobic metabolism, which may result in cell death.
• Clinical Manifestations: Includes hypoxia, cyanosis, mental sluggishness, and fatigue.
Free Radicals and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
• Explanation: Byproducts of ATP production that, in excess, can overwhelm cellular defenses.
• Pathophysiology: Cause lipid damage, protein breakdown, and DNA fragmentation.
• Clinical Manifestations: Involved in diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and heart
disease.
Ethanol (Alcohol)
• Explanation: A psychoactive substance that can affect mood and bodily functions over time.
• Pathophysiology: Metabolized by the liver, producing harmful free radicals.
• Clinical Manifestations: Central nervous system depression, nutritional deficiencies (e.g.,
magnesium, B6, thiamine, phosphate), liver inflammation, fatty liver, and eventually
irreversible liver failure.
Oncosis
• In this condition, sodium and water enter the cells, causing them to swell. Affected organs
become enlarged, pale, and heavy. It's commonly associated with high fevers, low calcium
levels, or infections.
Fatty Infiltration
• Lipids build up inside liver cells due to the liver’s inability to process fats effectively—often
linked to alcohol use or high-fat diets. Over time, this may lead to cirrhosis.
Dystrophic Calcification
• Calcium deposits form in dead or dying tissues, clumping together and hardening, which
disrupts normal cell structures and functions. Seen in conditions like TB, atherosclerosis,
damaged heart valves, and chronic pancreatitis.
Verified Correct Answers)
Atrophy
• Explanation: This is when cells shrink in size.
• Pathophysiology: Despite becoming smaller, the cells typically remain functional.
• Physiologic Example: Natural shrinkage of the thymus gland during early childhood.
• Pathologic Example: Muscle wasting due to disuse (e.g., immobilization).
Hypertrophy
• Explanation: An increase in the size of individual cells.
• Pathophysiology: Occurs as a result of increased workload on tissues or organs.
• Physiologic Example: Muscle enlargement from resistance training.
• Pathologic Example: Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) due to long-standing hypertension.
Hyperplasia
• Explanation: This refers to an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ.
• Pathophysiology: Triggered by an increase in cellular division.
• Physiologic Example: Regeneration of liver cells after injury or surgery.
• Pathologic Example: Hormone-related thickening of the endometrial lining.
Dysplasia
• Explanation: Cells undergo abnormal changes in size, shape, and organization.
• Pathophysiology: Also referred to as atypical hyperplasia; involves disordered cell growth.
• Physiologic Example: Not applicable.
• Pathologic Example: Abnormal cervical cells due to HPV infection.
Metaplasia
• Explanation: One type of mature cell is replaced by another type.
• Pathophysiology: Involves reprogramming of stem cells and is usually reversible.
• Physiologic Example: Not applicable.
• Pathologic Example: Changes in bronchial lining due to long-term exposure to cigarette
smoke.
, Hypoxic Injury
• Explanation: Occurs when tissues are deprived of adequate oxygen.
• Pathophysiology: Reduced mitochondrial function leads to decreased ATP, forcing cells into
anaerobic metabolism, which may result in cell death.
• Clinical Manifestations: Includes hypoxia, cyanosis, mental sluggishness, and fatigue.
Free Radicals and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
• Explanation: Byproducts of ATP production that, in excess, can overwhelm cellular defenses.
• Pathophysiology: Cause lipid damage, protein breakdown, and DNA fragmentation.
• Clinical Manifestations: Involved in diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and heart
disease.
Ethanol (Alcohol)
• Explanation: A psychoactive substance that can affect mood and bodily functions over time.
• Pathophysiology: Metabolized by the liver, producing harmful free radicals.
• Clinical Manifestations: Central nervous system depression, nutritional deficiencies (e.g.,
magnesium, B6, thiamine, phosphate), liver inflammation, fatty liver, and eventually
irreversible liver failure.
Oncosis
• In this condition, sodium and water enter the cells, causing them to swell. Affected organs
become enlarged, pale, and heavy. It's commonly associated with high fevers, low calcium
levels, or infections.
Fatty Infiltration
• Lipids build up inside liver cells due to the liver’s inability to process fats effectively—often
linked to alcohol use or high-fat diets. Over time, this may lead to cirrhosis.
Dystrophic Calcification
• Calcium deposits form in dead or dying tissues, clumping together and hardening, which
disrupts normal cell structures and functions. Seen in conditions like TB, atherosclerosis,
damaged heart valves, and chronic pancreatitis.
