WGU D115 Advanced Pathophysiology Updated Exam Questions and Correct Answers 2026

WGU D115 Advanced Pathophysiology Updated Exam Questions and Correct Answers 2026 Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - -The GCS is scored between 3 and 15, 3 being the worst and 15 the best. Severe TBI GCS Score - -A GCS score of 3-8 describes a severe TBI. Obsessions - -Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that cause distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Characteristics - -Impaired concentration and irritability are major characteristics of GAD. Schizophrenia Symptoms - -The characteristics of schizophrenia are paranoia, delusions, tangential thoughts, suspiciousness, disorganized behavior, and hallucinations. Acute Otitis Media - -The classic presentation of otitis media is otalgia, muffled hearing, popping sensation, and a recent history of a cold or flare up of allergic rhinitis. Peritonsillar Abscess - -Peritonsillar abscess is characterized by severe sore throat, pain or difficulty swallowing, jaw muscle spasms, and a hot potato voice. Graves' Disease - -Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition also known as 'diffuse toxic goiter' is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in this age group. Insulin Resistance Finding - -Triglycerides > 150mg/dL is associated with increasing insulin resistance. Postprandial Glucose Level Influencer - -Carbohydrate is a macronutrient with the greatest impact on the postprandial glucose levels. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus - -Type 1 DM is associated with beta cell destruction leading to absolute insulin deficiency resulting in significant hyperglycemia and potential for ketoacidosis. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors - -Major risk factors are heredity and obesity. WGU D115 WGU D115 Endometrial Cancer Risk Factor - -Oral contraceptives have been shown to reduce the incidence of endometrial cancer. Mixed Precocious Puberty - -Mixed precocious puberty cases the child to develop some secondary characteristics of the opposite sex, such as the feminization of a boy. Delayed Puberty Cause - -In 95% of cases, delayed puberty is physiologic in nature. Priapism Association - -Priapism has been associated with the abuse of certain substances. Priapism - -Prolonged penile erection, often idiopathic. Cocaine - -Substance associated with priapism. Ovulation - -Triggered by a sudden increase of LH. Follicular cyst - -Develops when no dominant follicle matures. Benign ovarian cyst - -Functional cyst from incomplete follicle maturation. Genetic counseling - -Advisory service for individuals at genetic risk. Maternal age - -Common reason for seeking genetic counseling. Amniocentesis - -Procedure to perform genetic studies on fetus. Turner Syndrome - -Condition with monosomy X in affected cells. Cri du chat syndrome - -Genetic disorder with distinctive cat-like cry. Adaptive immunity - -Immune response mediated by T and B cells. Minimally conscious state - -Patient shows limited but definite responses. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - -Severe lung inflammation with bilateral infiltrates. Capillary hydrostatic pressure - -Increased pressure causing pulmonary edema. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) - -Antibody involved in asthma pathophysiology. Airway remodeling - -Long-term damage from uncontrolled airway inflammation. Angiotensin II - -Hormone linked to myocardial hypertrophy in hypertension. WGU D115 WGU D115 Hypertrophy of myocardium - -Heart muscle thickening due to increased load. Blood pressure measurement - -First reading indicates hypertension if elevated. Sickle cell disease - -Blood disorder associated with priapism. Spinal cord trauma - -Potential cause of priapism. Pelvic tumors - -Associated with priapism in some cases. Leukemia - -Blood cancer linked to priapism. High-pitched cry - -Characteristic symptom of cri du chat syndrome. Hypotonia - -Reduced muscle tone seen in cri du chat. Microcephaly - -Small head size, symptom of cri du chat. Hypertelorism - -Widely spaced eyes, seen in cri du chat. Bilateral infiltrates - -Key feature in diagnosing ARDS. Decreased pulmonary compliance - -Characteristic of ARDS, indicating stiff lungs. Assessment of lifestyle and risk factors - -A comprehensive evaluation of an individual's habits and potential health risks. CBC - -Complete Blood Count, a blood test used to evaluate overall health and detect a variety of disorders. BMP - -Basic Metabolic Panel, a blood test that measures glucose, calcium, and electrolytes. UA - -Urinalysis, a test that examines the content of urine to assess health. Initiation of anti-hypertensive medications - -The process of starting medication to lower high blood pressure, contingent upon confirmed diagnosis. Diagnosis of hypertension - -Determined by measuring blood pressure on at least two separate occasions, averaging at least 2 minutes apart. Left-sided heart failure - -A condition where the left side of the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Untreated hypertension - -High blood pressure that is not managed, leading to increased workload on the left ventricle and potential heart failure. WGU D115 WGU D115 Electrolyte imbalances in heart failure - -Changes in serum electrolyte levels, commonly resulting in hyponatremia and hypokalemia due to compensatory mechanisms. Dyspnea and pulmonary congestion - -Primary symptoms associated with left-sided heart failure, characterized by difficulty breathing and fluid in the lungs. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia - -The most common leukemia in older adults, characterized by the proliferation of immature lymphocytes. Pernicious anemia - -A macrocytic, normochromic anemia resulting from atrophic gastric mucosa not secreting intrinsic factor. Tumor lysis syndrome - -A condition that occurs when high WBC counts lead to acute hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia. Pancytopenia - -A deficiency of all types of blood cells. Leukostasis - -Occurs when blood vessels become overcrowded with immature blast cells in patients with AML. Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms - -Neurologic signs including peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, lethargy, and fatigue. Intrinsic factor - -A substance produced by the mucosa of the stomach and intestines essential for the absorption of vitamin B12. Sickle cell trait - -A heterozygous carrier state where an individual inherits one mutated gene, offering some protection against malaria. Acquiring two abnormal sickle genes - -Leads to sickle cell disease. Life expectancy with sickle cell trait - -Generally good, as sickle cell trait is not a disease. Common genetic mutation of hemoglobin - -Sickle cell trait, prevalent in populations from W. Africa, the Middle East, and Mediterranean regions. Malaria - -A disease caused by parasites transmitted through mosquito bites. Sickle Cell Trait - -Genetic condition providing partial protection against malaria. Sickle Cell Disease - -Severe form of sickle cell trait leading to health complications. Herpes Zoster - -Viral infection causing painful vesicular rash along dermatomes. WGU D115 WGU D115 Prodromal Stage - -Initial phase before full symptoms develop, like rash or fever. Atopic Dermatitis - -Chronic inflammatory skin disease causing itchy, red skin. Pyelonephritis - -Kidney inflammation due to bacterial infection, often UTI-related. Proteinuria - -Presence of excess protein in urine, indicating kidney damage. Lower-Extremity Venous Insufficiency - -Condition causing poor blood flow in leg veins, leading to edema. Duodenal Ulcer - -Ulcer in the duodenum causing burning abdominal pain after meals. Reflux Esophagitis - -Inflammation of the esophagus due to acid reflux. Acute Gouty Arthritis - -Sudden joint inflammation, often at the big toe, due to uric acid. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) - -Test measuring inflammation by observing red blood cell settling. Joint Space Narrowing - -Reduction of space in joints, common in osteoarthritis. CVA Tenderness - -Costovertebral angle pain indicating possible kidney issues. Microalbuminuria - -Early sign of kidney damage, especially in diabetes. Chronic Inflammatory Skin Disease - -Long-term skin condition causing inflammation and itching. Vesicular Eruption - -Formation of fluid-filled blisters on the skin. Dermatome - -Skin area supplied by a single spinal nerve root. Systemic Symptoms - -Generalized symptoms affecting the entire body, like fever. Renal Insufficiency - -Decreased kidney function leading to waste