WGU D115 OA ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
READINESS PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK 13O
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A.
WGU D115 – Advanced Pathophysiology Readiness
High-Yield Practice Exam Bank (OA-Style)
1. Cellular Injury & Adaptation
Which mechanism most directly leads to irreversible cell injury?
A. Decreased ATP production
B. Cell swelling
C. Mitochondrial membrane damage
D. Anaerobic glycolysis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Irreversible injury occurs when mitochondrial membranes are damaged, leading to apoptosis
or necrosis. ATP depletion alone is reversible early on.
2. Inflammation
Which mediator is responsible for pain during acute inflammation?
A. Histamine
B. Bradykinin
C. Leukotrienes
D. Prostaglandin E2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bradykinin is the primary mediator of pain; prostaglandins amplify pain sensitivity.
3. Acid–Base Balance
,ABG: pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55, HCO₃⁻ 26. What is the disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated CO₂ with acidemia = respiratory acidosis; HCO₃⁻ is normal → uncompensated.
4. Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Left-sided heart failure most directly leads to:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Jugular venous distention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes pulmonary venous backup → crackles, dyspnea, orthopnea.
5. Shock
Which finding best differentiates septic shock from hypovolemic shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Tachycardia
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Decreased urine output
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Septic shock causes vasodilation → warm skin; hypovolemic shock causes cool, clammy skin.
6. Renal Pathophysiology
In acute tubular necrosis (ATN), which lab finding is expected?
A. Low urine sodium
B. High urine osmolality
C. Muddy brown casts
D. Elevated calcium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ATN causes tubular cell sloughing → muddy brown granular casts.
7. Endocrine
, Which hormone is deficient in primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?
A. ACTH
B. Aldosterone
C. ADH
D. TSH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Primary adrenal failure → ↓ cortisol and ↓ aldosterone → hypotension, hyponatremia,
hyperkalemia.
8. Diabetes Mellitus
Which finding is most specific to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Polyuria
D. Dehydration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations compensate for metabolic acidosis from ketones.
9. Respiratory Disorders
Which condition causes decreased PaO₂ with normal PaCO₂ initially?
A. COPD exacerbation
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Opioid overdose
D. Neuromuscular weakness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PE causes ventilation–perfusion mismatch → hypoxemia without early CO₂ retention.
10. Neurologic Pathophysiology
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is best indicated by:
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperthermia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing triad = bradycardia, hypertension, irregular respirations.
READINESS PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK 13O
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A.
WGU D115 – Advanced Pathophysiology Readiness
High-Yield Practice Exam Bank (OA-Style)
1. Cellular Injury & Adaptation
Which mechanism most directly leads to irreversible cell injury?
A. Decreased ATP production
B. Cell swelling
C. Mitochondrial membrane damage
D. Anaerobic glycolysis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Irreversible injury occurs when mitochondrial membranes are damaged, leading to apoptosis
or necrosis. ATP depletion alone is reversible early on.
2. Inflammation
Which mediator is responsible for pain during acute inflammation?
A. Histamine
B. Bradykinin
C. Leukotrienes
D. Prostaglandin E2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bradykinin is the primary mediator of pain; prostaglandins amplify pain sensitivity.
3. Acid–Base Balance
,ABG: pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55, HCO₃⁻ 26. What is the disorder?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated CO₂ with acidemia = respiratory acidosis; HCO₃⁻ is normal → uncompensated.
4. Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Left-sided heart failure most directly leads to:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Jugular venous distention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes pulmonary venous backup → crackles, dyspnea, orthopnea.
5. Shock
Which finding best differentiates septic shock from hypovolemic shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Tachycardia
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Decreased urine output
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Septic shock causes vasodilation → warm skin; hypovolemic shock causes cool, clammy skin.
6. Renal Pathophysiology
In acute tubular necrosis (ATN), which lab finding is expected?
A. Low urine sodium
B. High urine osmolality
C. Muddy brown casts
D. Elevated calcium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ATN causes tubular cell sloughing → muddy brown granular casts.
7. Endocrine
, Which hormone is deficient in primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)?
A. ACTH
B. Aldosterone
C. ADH
D. TSH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Primary adrenal failure → ↓ cortisol and ↓ aldosterone → hypotension, hyponatremia,
hyperkalemia.
8. Diabetes Mellitus
Which finding is most specific to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Polyuria
D. Dehydration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations compensate for metabolic acidosis from ketones.
9. Respiratory Disorders
Which condition causes decreased PaO₂ with normal PaCO₂ initially?
A. COPD exacerbation
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Opioid overdose
D. Neuromuscular weakness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PE causes ventilation–perfusion mismatch → hypoxemia without early CO₂ retention.
10. Neurologic Pathophysiology
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is best indicated by:
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperthermia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing triad = bradycardia, hypertension, irregular respirations.
