1|Page
WGU D115 Advanced Pathophysiology for APN –
Objective Assessment Practice Exam 2026 Edition |
150 APN-Level Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales | PDF
1. Cellular swelling during acute injury is primarily caused by:
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Sodium-potassium pump failure
C. Mitochondrial hyperactivity
D. Lysosomal rupture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Cellular swelling results from ATP depletion, leading to Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase
pump failure, causing sodium and water influx into the cell.
2. Which process is responsible for programmed cell death without
inflammation?
A. Necrosis
B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Ischemia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Apoptosis is an energy-dependent, genetically controlled process that
removes cells without triggering inflammation.
3. Chronic inflammation is best characterized by:
A. Neutrophil predominance
B. Absence of tissue injury
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C. Macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration
D. Rapid resolution
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Chronic inflammation involves macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma
cells, and ongoing tissue destruction and repair.
4. A mutation that causes a truncated, nonfunctional protein is known
as a:
A. Missense mutation
B. Silent mutation
C. Frameshift mutation
D. Nonsense mutation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
A nonsense mutation introduces a premature stop codon, producing a
shortened, nonfunctional protein.
5. Which electrolyte abnormality is most likely in diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Hyperkalemia with total body potassium depletion
B. Hypokalemia with excess insulin
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
In DKA, serum potassium appears elevated, but total body potassium is
depleted due to osmotic diuresis.
6. Left-sided heart failure most directly leads to:
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A. Peripheral edema
B. Pulmonary congestion
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Left ventricular failure causes pulmonary venous congestion, leading to
dyspnea and pulmonary edema.
7. Which mechanism contributes most to hypertension in chronic
kidney disease?
A. Decreased erythropoietin
B. Activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system
C. Increased potassium excretion
D. Reduced sympathetic tone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
CKD leads to persistent RAAS activation, causing sodium retention,
vasoconstriction, and hypertension.
8. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by:
A. Increased bicarbonate and decreased pH
B. Decreased bicarbonate and decreased pH
C. Increased PaCO₂ and increased pH
D. Decreased PaCO₂ and increased pH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Metabolic acidosis involves low bicarbonate levels, resulting in a
decreased blood pH.
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9. Which hormone primarily increases calcium levels in the blood?
A. Calcitonin
B. Aldosterone
C. Parathyroid hormone
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases serum calcium by promoting bone
resorption and renal calcium reabsorption.
10. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance occurs primarily in:
A. Pancreatic beta cells
B. Liver, muscle, and adipose tissue
C. Hypothalamus
D. Renal tubules
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by peripheral insulin resistance in
muscle, liver, and adipose tissue.
11. Which condition results from chronic hypercortisolism?
A. Addison disease
B. Cushing syndrome
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. SIADH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Cushing syndrome is caused by prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol
levels.
WGU D115 Advanced Pathophysiology for APN –
Objective Assessment Practice Exam 2026 Edition |
150 APN-Level Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales | PDF
1. Cellular swelling during acute injury is primarily caused by:
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Sodium-potassium pump failure
C. Mitochondrial hyperactivity
D. Lysosomal rupture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Cellular swelling results from ATP depletion, leading to Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase
pump failure, causing sodium and water influx into the cell.
2. Which process is responsible for programmed cell death without
inflammation?
A. Necrosis
B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Ischemia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Apoptosis is an energy-dependent, genetically controlled process that
removes cells without triggering inflammation.
3. Chronic inflammation is best characterized by:
A. Neutrophil predominance
B. Absence of tissue injury
,2|Page
C. Macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration
D. Rapid resolution
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Chronic inflammation involves macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma
cells, and ongoing tissue destruction and repair.
4. A mutation that causes a truncated, nonfunctional protein is known
as a:
A. Missense mutation
B. Silent mutation
C. Frameshift mutation
D. Nonsense mutation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
A nonsense mutation introduces a premature stop codon, producing a
shortened, nonfunctional protein.
5. Which electrolyte abnormality is most likely in diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Hyperkalemia with total body potassium depletion
B. Hypokalemia with excess insulin
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
In DKA, serum potassium appears elevated, but total body potassium is
depleted due to osmotic diuresis.
6. Left-sided heart failure most directly leads to:
,3|Page
A. Peripheral edema
B. Pulmonary congestion
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Left ventricular failure causes pulmonary venous congestion, leading to
dyspnea and pulmonary edema.
7. Which mechanism contributes most to hypertension in chronic
kidney disease?
A. Decreased erythropoietin
B. Activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system
C. Increased potassium excretion
D. Reduced sympathetic tone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
CKD leads to persistent RAAS activation, causing sodium retention,
vasoconstriction, and hypertension.
8. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by:
A. Increased bicarbonate and decreased pH
B. Decreased bicarbonate and decreased pH
C. Increased PaCO₂ and increased pH
D. Decreased PaCO₂ and increased pH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Metabolic acidosis involves low bicarbonate levels, resulting in a
decreased blood pH.
, 4|Page
9. Which hormone primarily increases calcium levels in the blood?
A. Calcitonin
B. Aldosterone
C. Parathyroid hormone
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases serum calcium by promoting bone
resorption and renal calcium reabsorption.
10. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance occurs primarily in:
A. Pancreatic beta cells
B. Liver, muscle, and adipose tissue
C. Hypothalamus
D. Renal tubules
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by peripheral insulin resistance in
muscle, liver, and adipose tissue.
11. Which condition results from chronic hypercortisolism?
A. Addison disease
B. Cushing syndrome
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. SIADH
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Cushing syndrome is caused by prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol
levels.
