WGU EXAM 1 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 190 QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025/2026
"...the study of functional or physiologic changes in the body that result from
disease processes." (Gould, 2006)
"... the study of the disorder or breakdown of the human body's function."
(Copstead & Banasik, 2005) - CORRECT ANSWER What is pathophysiology?
Pathology = "... the laboratory study of cell and tissue changes associated with
disease" (Gould, 2006)
Cellular changes may cause functional disturbance, so pathology = a component
of pathophysiology - CORRECT ANSWER Explain the differences between
pathology and pathophysiology.
Humans are continually in an internal state of self-regulation and self-adjustment
Results in a relatively stable internal environment = dynamic steady state
Most homeostatic control mechanisms operate based on negative feedback -
CORRECT ANSWER Homeostasis
Control mechanism for particular body function senses a deviation from normal
,Controller opposes/negates the deviation and brings back to normal level
If disease present: the "sensor" or "controller" may not operate effectively -
CORRECT ANSWER Homeostasis - Negative Feedback
Involves a disruption of homeostasis
Is a dynamic process due to:
1) Interaction between injury and reaction to injury
2) Signs and symptoms may change daily based on compensatory mechanisms
and shift in biological equilibrium - CORRECT ANSWER Disease and Illness
Involves __________
Is a dynamic process due to:
1)
2)
Changes occur at cellular level (pathology) which...
Result in changes at the organ level (pathophysiology)
,Disease is the sum of deviations from normal, not the abnormal state in and of
itself (Copstead and Banasik, 2005) - CORRECT ANSWER Characteristics of Disease
Presence of an infectious agent is detected
Infectious agent causes changes at cellular and organ level = alters homeostasis
These changes present as signs and symptoms, which are also impacted by
external factors
All of these deviations from normal together = DISEASE - CORRECT ANSWER
Process of Disease Manifestation
1) Etiology: cause
2) Pathogenesis: how the disease develops
3) Clinical manifestations: functional consequences of altered homeostasis -
CORRECT ANSWER Framework for Pathophysiology
To understand a disease, need to consider three aspects of the disease process:
1)
2)
3)
, The causative factors of a disease, illness, or injury - CORRECT ANSWER Etiology
The cause of a condition is unknown - CORRECT ANSWER Idiopathic
The cause of a condition is due to medical treatment or error
(Ex: bladder infection after catheterization) - CORRECT ANSWER Iatrogenic
Genetics
Viruses
Bacteria
Degenerative changes - CORRECT ANSWER There are many types of causative
factors; one or more than one may be present depending on the condition
Intrinsic or Extrinsic (Physical Agents or Infectious) - CORRECT ANSWER
Classification of Disease
Inherited
Congenital
Metabolic
Degenerative
Neoplastic
Immunologic
Nutritional Deficiency
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025/2026
"...the study of functional or physiologic changes in the body that result from
disease processes." (Gould, 2006)
"... the study of the disorder or breakdown of the human body's function."
(Copstead & Banasik, 2005) - CORRECT ANSWER What is pathophysiology?
Pathology = "... the laboratory study of cell and tissue changes associated with
disease" (Gould, 2006)
Cellular changes may cause functional disturbance, so pathology = a component
of pathophysiology - CORRECT ANSWER Explain the differences between
pathology and pathophysiology.
Humans are continually in an internal state of self-regulation and self-adjustment
Results in a relatively stable internal environment = dynamic steady state
Most homeostatic control mechanisms operate based on negative feedback -
CORRECT ANSWER Homeostasis
Control mechanism for particular body function senses a deviation from normal
,Controller opposes/negates the deviation and brings back to normal level
If disease present: the "sensor" or "controller" may not operate effectively -
CORRECT ANSWER Homeostasis - Negative Feedback
Involves a disruption of homeostasis
Is a dynamic process due to:
1) Interaction between injury and reaction to injury
2) Signs and symptoms may change daily based on compensatory mechanisms
and shift in biological equilibrium - CORRECT ANSWER Disease and Illness
Involves __________
Is a dynamic process due to:
1)
2)
Changes occur at cellular level (pathology) which...
Result in changes at the organ level (pathophysiology)
,Disease is the sum of deviations from normal, not the abnormal state in and of
itself (Copstead and Banasik, 2005) - CORRECT ANSWER Characteristics of Disease
Presence of an infectious agent is detected
Infectious agent causes changes at cellular and organ level = alters homeostasis
These changes present as signs and symptoms, which are also impacted by
external factors
All of these deviations from normal together = DISEASE - CORRECT ANSWER
Process of Disease Manifestation
1) Etiology: cause
2) Pathogenesis: how the disease develops
3) Clinical manifestations: functional consequences of altered homeostasis -
CORRECT ANSWER Framework for Pathophysiology
To understand a disease, need to consider three aspects of the disease process:
1)
2)
3)
, The causative factors of a disease, illness, or injury - CORRECT ANSWER Etiology
The cause of a condition is unknown - CORRECT ANSWER Idiopathic
The cause of a condition is due to medical treatment or error
(Ex: bladder infection after catheterization) - CORRECT ANSWER Iatrogenic
Genetics
Viruses
Bacteria
Degenerative changes - CORRECT ANSWER There are many types of causative
factors; one or more than one may be present depending on the condition
Intrinsic or Extrinsic (Physical Agents or Infectious) - CORRECT ANSWER
Classification of Disease
Inherited
Congenital
Metabolic
Degenerative
Neoplastic
Immunologic
Nutritional Deficiency
