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WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective
Assessment Exam 2026/2027 Actual Exam | 100%
Verified Questions & Correct Answers | Grade
A+ | Pass Guaranteed
Section 1: Cellular Biology and Adaptation
Q1: Which of the following is an example of cellular atrophy?
A. Enlargement of the heart due to hypertension
B. Decrease in muscle mass due to immobilization [CORRECT]
C. Increase in breast tissue during pregnancy
D. Thickening of the bladder wall due to obstruction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to decreased workload, disuse, or nutrition.
Option A is hypertrophy. Option C is hyperplasia. Option D is hypertrophy.
Q2: A patient with chronic reflux esophagitis develops Barrett’s esophagus. This is an example
of which cellular adaptation?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia [CORRECT]
C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another less
mature cell type. In Barrett’s esophagus, the squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar
epithelium to withstand the acid.
,2
Q3: A biopsy report indicates "dysplasia." This finding indicates:
A. An increase in the number of cells
B. A change in cell size, shape, and organization [CORRECT]
C. An irreversible change to a different cell type
D. Programmed cell death
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature
cells. It is often considered a pre-neoplastic lesion, though it may be reversible.
Q4: What is the primary difference between apoptosis and necrosis?
A. Apoptosis is uncontrolled cell death; necrosis is programmed.
B. Apoptosis is programmed cell death; necrosis is uncontrolled cell death caused by injury.
[CORRECT]
C. Apoptosis causes inflammation; necrosis does not.
D. Apoptosis only occurs in pathologic conditions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is a highly controlled, programmed cell death that does not elicit an
inflammatory response. Necrosis is unregulated cell death resulting from cellular injury that
triggers inflammation.
Q5: A patient is diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. The underlying pathophysiology involves a defect
in:
A. The CFTR gene leading to thick, viscous secretions [CORRECT]
B. The dystrophin gene leading to muscle degeneration
C. Hemoglobin structure leading to sickling
D. Collagen synthesis leading to fragile tissues
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Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the CFTR
gene, which regulates chloride and water transport, resulting in thick mucus secretions.
Q6: Hypertrophy of cardiac muscle is primarily caused by:
A. Increased workload or hormonal stimulation [CORRECT]
B. Decreased oxygen supply
C. Chronic inflammation
D. Loss of innervation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size. In cardiac muscle, this is a compensatory
mechanism in response to increased workload (e.g., hypertension) or hormonal signals.
Q7: Which of the following is a classic manifestation of Marfan syndrome?
A. Intellectual disability and distinct facial features
B. Long limbs, lens dislocation, and aortic aneurysms [CORRECT]
C. Progressive muscle weakness
D. Pancreatic insufficiency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder affecting fibrillin-1, leading to tall
stature, long limbs (arachnodactyly), lens dislocation, and cardiovascular abnormalities like
aortic aneurysms.
Q8: During the cell cycle, DNA replication occurs during which phase?
A. Gap 1 (G1)
B. Synthesis (S) [CORRECT]
, 4
C. Gap 2 (G2)
D. Mitosis (M)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The S phase is the part of the cell cycle in which DNA is replicated. G1 and G2 are
growth phases, and M phase is mitosis.
Q9: A tumor suppressor gene is best described as a gene that:
A. Stimulates cell division
B. Inhibits cell division and proliferation [CORRECT]
C. Encodes for proteins that promote metastasis
D. Repairs damaged RNA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tumor suppressor genes (like p53 or RB) encode proteins that inhibit cell division or
promote apoptosis. Loss of function of these genes contributes to cancer development.
Q10: Hypoxic cellular injury leads to cell death primarily because of:
A. Increased ATP production
B. Decreased ATP production leading to failure of the sodium-potassium pump [CORRECT]
C. Increased protein synthesis
D. Immediate rupture of the cell membrane
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia deprives the cell of oxygen, halting oxidative phosphorylation. This leads to
a drop in ATP. Without ATP, the Na+/K+ pump fails, sodium and water enter the cell, causing
swelling and eventual lysis.
WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective
Assessment Exam 2026/2027 Actual Exam | 100%
Verified Questions & Correct Answers | Grade
A+ | Pass Guaranteed
Section 1: Cellular Biology and Adaptation
Q1: Which of the following is an example of cellular atrophy?
A. Enlargement of the heart due to hypertension
B. Decrease in muscle mass due to immobilization [CORRECT]
C. Increase in breast tissue during pregnancy
D. Thickening of the bladder wall due to obstruction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size due to decreased workload, disuse, or nutrition.
Option A is hypertrophy. Option C is hyperplasia. Option D is hypertrophy.
Q2: A patient with chronic reflux esophagitis develops Barrett’s esophagus. This is an example
of which cellular adaptation?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia [CORRECT]
C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another less
mature cell type. In Barrett’s esophagus, the squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar
epithelium to withstand the acid.
,2
Q3: A biopsy report indicates "dysplasia." This finding indicates:
A. An increase in the number of cells
B. A change in cell size, shape, and organization [CORRECT]
C. An irreversible change to a different cell type
D. Programmed cell death
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature
cells. It is often considered a pre-neoplastic lesion, though it may be reversible.
Q4: What is the primary difference between apoptosis and necrosis?
A. Apoptosis is uncontrolled cell death; necrosis is programmed.
B. Apoptosis is programmed cell death; necrosis is uncontrolled cell death caused by injury.
[CORRECT]
C. Apoptosis causes inflammation; necrosis does not.
D. Apoptosis only occurs in pathologic conditions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is a highly controlled, programmed cell death that does not elicit an
inflammatory response. Necrosis is unregulated cell death resulting from cellular injury that
triggers inflammation.
Q5: A patient is diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. The underlying pathophysiology involves a defect
in:
A. The CFTR gene leading to thick, viscous secretions [CORRECT]
B. The dystrophin gene leading to muscle degeneration
C. Hemoglobin structure leading to sickling
D. Collagen synthesis leading to fragile tissues
,3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in the CFTR
gene, which regulates chloride and water transport, resulting in thick mucus secretions.
Q6: Hypertrophy of cardiac muscle is primarily caused by:
A. Increased workload or hormonal stimulation [CORRECT]
B. Decreased oxygen supply
C. Chronic inflammation
D. Loss of innervation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size. In cardiac muscle, this is a compensatory
mechanism in response to increased workload (e.g., hypertension) or hormonal signals.
Q7: Which of the following is a classic manifestation of Marfan syndrome?
A. Intellectual disability and distinct facial features
B. Long limbs, lens dislocation, and aortic aneurysms [CORRECT]
C. Progressive muscle weakness
D. Pancreatic insufficiency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder affecting fibrillin-1, leading to tall
stature, long limbs (arachnodactyly), lens dislocation, and cardiovascular abnormalities like
aortic aneurysms.
Q8: During the cell cycle, DNA replication occurs during which phase?
A. Gap 1 (G1)
B. Synthesis (S) [CORRECT]
, 4
C. Gap 2 (G2)
D. Mitosis (M)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The S phase is the part of the cell cycle in which DNA is replicated. G1 and G2 are
growth phases, and M phase is mitosis.
Q9: A tumor suppressor gene is best described as a gene that:
A. Stimulates cell division
B. Inhibits cell division and proliferation [CORRECT]
C. Encodes for proteins that promote metastasis
D. Repairs damaged RNA
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tumor suppressor genes (like p53 or RB) encode proteins that inhibit cell division or
promote apoptosis. Loss of function of these genes contributes to cancer development.
Q10: Hypoxic cellular injury leads to cell death primarily because of:
A. Increased ATP production
B. Decreased ATP production leading to failure of the sodium-potassium pump [CORRECT]
C. Increased protein synthesis
D. Immediate rupture of the cell membrane
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia deprives the cell of oxygen, halting oxidative phosphorylation. This leads to
a drop in ATP. Without ATP, the Na+/K+ pump fails, sodium and water enter the cell, causing
swelling and eventual lysis.
