Which of the following clients would be an example of cellular atrophy?

Question

A) A middle-aged female experiencing menopause due to loss of estrogen stimulation
B) A postnephrectomy client whose remaining kidney enlarges to compensate for the loss
C) A hypertensive, noncompliant client who has developed a progressive increase in left ventricular mass
D) A female client with the change in uterine size as a result of pregnancy

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
In women, the loss of estrogen stimulation during menopause results in atrophic changes in the reproductive organs. Compensatory hypertrophy is the enlargement of a remaining organ or tissue after a portion has been surgically removed or rendered inactive. For instance, if one kidney is removed, the remaining kidney enlarges to compensate for the loss. In hypertension, for example, the increased workload required to pump blood against an elevated arterial pressure results in a progressive increase in left ventricular muscle mass and need for coronary blood flow. The pregnant uterus undergoes both hypertrophy and hyperplasia as a result of estrogen stimulation.