WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and a
blood pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does the patient have?
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 level are both elevating (moving in the same direction).
This indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because her respiratory
system is attempting to compensate for the high pH by exhaling less and retaining
more CO2
To prevent changes in pH, the body employs buffer systems. The body utilizes 3
buffer systems:
proteins, phosphates, and the carbonic acid-bicarbonate system
,Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system first line of defense is _____, second line of
defense is _____
respirations; kidneys
Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system equation
The equation moves in both directions
CABS Equation:
When CO2 levels are elevated, the equation moves ________, forming more H+
and HCO3- ions
toward the right
CABS Equation:
When H+ ions are elevated, the equation moves _____, as H+ ions are converted to
CO2 and the CO2 is exhaled.
toward the left
CO2 levels
35-45
HCO3 levels
,22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH impact
Michael's basal metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the
bloodstream.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out
of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+ makes it
easier for Ca+ to bind to albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the
bloodstream
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the
bloodstream.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out
of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
, There is a question about hypoventilation or hyperventilation
Metabolic acidosis pH <7.35 = respirations increase in depth and rate to blow off
CO2
Metabolic alkalosis pH >7.45 = respirations slow down to increase CO2 retention
Respiratory acidosis = excess CO2 has accumulated which is generating H+
Respiratory alkalosis = lungs blow off too much CO2, creating less H+ in blood
What is excreted in response to fluid volume overload?
Natriuretic peptides
Natriuretic peptides
hormonal signals released by the brain and heart in response to excess fluid in the
body
Natriuretic peptides signals _____ urine output and ____ fluid volume
increase; reduce
A hormonal panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and fluid
volume overload. Which elevated hormone on the patient's chart is indicative of
the body's attempt to reduce the fluid overload?
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and a
blood pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does the patient have?
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 level are both elevating (moving in the same direction).
This indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because her respiratory
system is attempting to compensate for the high pH by exhaling less and retaining
more CO2
To prevent changes in pH, the body employs buffer systems. The body utilizes 3
buffer systems:
proteins, phosphates, and the carbonic acid-bicarbonate system
,Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system first line of defense is _____, second line of
defense is _____
respirations; kidneys
Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system equation
The equation moves in both directions
CABS Equation:
When CO2 levels are elevated, the equation moves ________, forming more H+
and HCO3- ions
toward the right
CABS Equation:
When H+ ions are elevated, the equation moves _____, as H+ ions are converted to
CO2 and the CO2 is exhaled.
toward the left
CO2 levels
35-45
HCO3 levels
,22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH impact
Michael's basal metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the
bloodstream.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out
of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+ makes it
easier for Ca+ to bind to albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the
bloodstream
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the
bloodstream.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out
of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
, There is a question about hypoventilation or hyperventilation
Metabolic acidosis pH <7.35 = respirations increase in depth and rate to blow off
CO2
Metabolic alkalosis pH >7.45 = respirations slow down to increase CO2 retention
Respiratory acidosis = excess CO2 has accumulated which is generating H+
Respiratory alkalosis = lungs blow off too much CO2, creating less H+ in blood
What is excreted in response to fluid volume overload?
Natriuretic peptides
Natriuretic peptides
hormonal signals released by the brain and heart in response to excess fluid in the
body
Natriuretic peptides signals _____ urine output and ____ fluid volume
increase; reduce
A hormonal panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and fluid
volume overload. Which elevated hormone on the patient's chart is indicative of
the body's attempt to reduce the fluid overload?
