Cell injury: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Cell injury

Sample item

What cellular change is typical of reversible hypoxic injury?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cell swelling

ATP depletion during reversible hypoxic injury impairs ion pumps, causing sodium and water entry into cells and leading to hydropic cellular swelling.

Option by option

  • A. Membrane rupture

    Membrane rupture indicates irreversible necrosis.

  • B. Nuclear fragmentation

    Nuclear fragmentation is karyorrhexis in irreversible injury.

  • C. Cell swelling (correct)

    Correct: reversible pump failure produces cell swelling.

  • D. Dystrophic calcification

    Dystrophic calcification occurs in damaged tissue later.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is C, Cell swelling. ATP depletion during reversible hypoxic injury impairs ion pumps, causing sodium and water entry into cells and leading to hydropic cellular swelling.

Why is "Membrane rupture" not the answer?

Membrane rupture indicates irreversible necrosis.

Why is "Nuclear fragmentation" not the answer?

Nuclear fragmentation is karyorrhexis in irreversible injury.

Why is "Dystrophic calcification" not the answer?

Dystrophic calcification occurs in damaged tissue later.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell injury in Pathology. The correct option holds because: Correct: reversible pump failure produces cell swelling.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cell injury?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.