D236 Pathophysiology Exam 3 Study Guide 2026 – WGU
1. Which condition is characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin due to
the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells?
A. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
B. Metabolic Syndrome
C. Gestational Diabetes
D. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Answer: D
Rationale: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus results from an autoimmune process that destroys
beta cells in the pancreas, leading to a total lack of insulin production.
2. A patient presents with weight loss, heat intolerance, and exophthalmos.
Which endocrine disorder is most likely?
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Graves’ Disease
D. Addison’s Disease
Answer: C
Rationale: Graves’ Disease is a form of hyperthyroidism; exophthalmos (bulging eyes) and
heat intolerance are classic clinical manifestations.
,3. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Excessive production of glucagon
B. Complete absence of insulin production
C. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
D. Destruction of alpha cells in the pancreas
Answer: C
Rationale: Type 2 Diabetes is primarily caused by the body’s cells becoming resistant to
insulin, combined with a progressive decline in insulin secretion.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with Syndrome of
Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: SIADH leads to excessive water retention, which dilutes the serum sodium level,
resulting in hyponatremia.
5. A patient with central obesity, a ‘buffalo hump,’ and purple striae most likely
has which condition?
A. Addison’s Disease
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome is caused by excessive cortisol, leading to fat redistribution
(buffalo hump/moon face) and skin thinning (striae).
, 6. What is the hallmark sign of Diabetes Insipidus?
A. Glycosuria
B. Large volumes of dilute urine
C. High serum glucose levels
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus is caused by a deficiency of or resistance to ADH, leading to
the inability to concentrate urine and resulting in polyuria.
7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily deficient in Parkinson’s Disease?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: A
Rationale: Parkinson’s Disease involves the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons
in the substantia nigra of the brain.
8. What is the characteristic pathology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Degeneration of lower motor neurons
B. Accumulation of amyloid plaques
C. Depletion of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
D. Demyelination of the central nervous system
Answer: D
Rationale: Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system
attacks the myelin sheath of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
1. Which condition is characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin due to
the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells?
A. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
B. Metabolic Syndrome
C. Gestational Diabetes
D. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Answer: D
Rationale: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus results from an autoimmune process that destroys
beta cells in the pancreas, leading to a total lack of insulin production.
2. A patient presents with weight loss, heat intolerance, and exophthalmos.
Which endocrine disorder is most likely?
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Graves’ Disease
D. Addison’s Disease
Answer: C
Rationale: Graves’ Disease is a form of hyperthyroidism; exophthalmos (bulging eyes) and
heat intolerance are classic clinical manifestations.
,3. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Excessive production of glucagon
B. Complete absence of insulin production
C. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
D. Destruction of alpha cells in the pancreas
Answer: C
Rationale: Type 2 Diabetes is primarily caused by the body’s cells becoming resistant to
insulin, combined with a progressive decline in insulin secretion.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with Syndrome of
Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: SIADH leads to excessive water retention, which dilutes the serum sodium level,
resulting in hyponatremia.
5. A patient with central obesity, a ‘buffalo hump,’ and purple striae most likely
has which condition?
A. Addison’s Disease
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome is caused by excessive cortisol, leading to fat redistribution
(buffalo hump/moon face) and skin thinning (striae).
, 6. What is the hallmark sign of Diabetes Insipidus?
A. Glycosuria
B. Large volumes of dilute urine
C. High serum glucose levels
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus is caused by a deficiency of or resistance to ADH, leading to
the inability to concentrate urine and resulting in polyuria.
7. Which neurotransmitter is primarily deficient in Parkinson’s Disease?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: A
Rationale: Parkinson’s Disease involves the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons
in the substantia nigra of the brain.
8. What is the characteristic pathology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
A. Degeneration of lower motor neurons
B. Accumulation of amyloid plaques
C. Depletion of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
D. Demyelination of the central nervous system
Answer: D
Rationale: Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system
attacks the myelin sheath of nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
