D236 Pathophysiology Final Exam Practice 2026 |WGU
1. Which type of cellular adaptation involves the replacement of one mature cell
type with another mature cell type?
A. Atrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one adult cell type by another, often
in response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. A patient presents with carpopedal spasms and a positive Chvostek sign.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, which manifests as
Chvostek or Trousseau signs.
,3. In the process of inflammation, which cell type is typically the first to arrive at
the site of injury?
A. Macrophages
B. Lymphocytes
C. Neutrophils
D. Eosinophils
Answer: C
Rationale: Neutrophils are the primary early responders in acute inflammation, arriving
within 6 to 12 hours.
4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves mast
cell degranulation?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated and involves allergic reactions and
anaphylaxis.
5. What is the primary cause of edema in a patient with liver failure and low
albumin levels?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Rationale: Albumin maintains oncotic pressure; low levels allow fluid to leak from the
vascular space into the interstitial space.
, 6. Which acid-base imbalance is expected in a patient with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) who retains CO2?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Retention of CO2 leads to an increase in carbonic acid, resulting in a lower pH
and respiratory acidosis.
7. Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant tumors compared to
benign tumors?
A. Well-differentiated cells
B. Invasive growth and metastasis
C. Presence of a capsule
D. Slow growth rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by rapid growth, lack of a capsule, and the
ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize.
8. In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the underlying pathophysiological
mechanism?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive glucagon secretion
D. Obesity-induced downregulation of insulin receptors
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 DM is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own insulin-
producing beta cells in the pancreas.
1. Which type of cellular adaptation involves the replacement of one mature cell
type with another mature cell type?
A. Atrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one adult cell type by another, often
in response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. A patient presents with carpopedal spasms and a positive Chvostek sign.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, which manifests as
Chvostek or Trousseau signs.
,3. In the process of inflammation, which cell type is typically the first to arrive at
the site of injury?
A. Macrophages
B. Lymphocytes
C. Neutrophils
D. Eosinophils
Answer: C
Rationale: Neutrophils are the primary early responders in acute inflammation, arriving
within 6 to 12 hours.
4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves mast
cell degranulation?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated and involves allergic reactions and
anaphylaxis.
5. What is the primary cause of edema in a patient with liver failure and low
albumin levels?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Rationale: Albumin maintains oncotic pressure; low levels allow fluid to leak from the
vascular space into the interstitial space.
, 6. Which acid-base imbalance is expected in a patient with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) who retains CO2?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Retention of CO2 leads to an increase in carbonic acid, resulting in a lower pH
and respiratory acidosis.
7. Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant tumors compared to
benign tumors?
A. Well-differentiated cells
B. Invasive growth and metastasis
C. Presence of a capsule
D. Slow growth rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by rapid growth, lack of a capsule, and the
ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize.
8. In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, what is the underlying pathophysiological
mechanism?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excessive glucagon secretion
D. Obesity-induced downregulation of insulin receptors
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 DM is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own insulin-
producing beta cells in the pancreas.
