Cell injury: reversible 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: reversible injury

Sample item

Which cellular change is typical of reversible cell injury?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Cellular swelling from failure of ion pumps

ATP depletion impairs sodium-potassium pump function, causing water influx and cellular swelling, an early reversible injury pattern. Membrane rupture and nuclear breakdown signal irreversible injury.

Option by option

  • A. Cellular swelling from failure of ion pumps (correct)

    Correct. Hydropic swelling is a classic reversible change.

  • B. Dystrophic calcification of dead tissue

    Dystrophic calcification occurs in damaged or necrotic tissue.

  • C. Membrane rupture with enzyme leakage

    Membrane rupture is a feature of necrosis.

  • D. Nuclear pyknosis and karyorrhexis

    Pyknosis and karyorrhexis indicate irreversible nuclear injury.

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 A, Cellular swelling from failure of ion pumps. ATP depletion impairs sodium-potassium pump function, causing water influx and cellular swelling, an early reversible injury pattern.

Why is "Dystrophic calcification of dead tissue" not the answer?

Dystrophic calcification occurs in damaged or necrotic tissue.

Why is "Membrane rupture with enzyme leakage" not the answer?

Membrane rupture is a feature of necrosis.

Why is "Nuclear pyknosis and karyorrhexis" not the answer?

Pyknosis and karyorrhexis indicate irreversible nuclear injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell injury: reversible injury in Pathology. Membrane rupture and nuclear breakdown signal irreversible injury.

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: reversible 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.