lOMoARcPSD|65953097
WGU D115 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Exam Study
Guide – Practice Questions with
Verified Answers. GRADED A+.
Latest 2026/2027 Update
1. Which cellular adaptation is most likely to occur in the left ventricle due to
chronic hypertension?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
- Answer✔✔: B — Hypertrophy is the increase in cell size seen in cardiac muscle
as it works harder against high afterload from hypertension.
, lOMoARcPSD|65953097
2. Which statement best describes the role of the renin–angiotensin–
aldosterone system (RAAS)?
A. Lowers blood pressure by vasodilation
B. Increases blood pressure and sodium retention
C. Reduces sodium reabsorption in kidneys
D. Promotes potassium retention
- Answer✔✔: B — RAAS activation causes vasoconstriction and aldosterone-
mediated sodium and water retention, raising blood pressure.
3. Which immune cells are primarily responsible for producing antibodies?
A. T-helper cells
B. B lymphocytes
C. Natural killer cells
D. Macrophages
- Answer✔✔: B — Activated B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells that
secrete antibodies.
4. A nurse notes increased intracranial pressure in a client after traumatic brain
injury.
Which change explains the pathophysiology?
, lOMoARcPSD|65953097
A. Decrease in cerebrospinal fluid production
B. Vasodilation leading to increased cerebral blood volume
C. Increased lymphatic drainage from the brain
D. Reduced capillary permeability
- Answer✔✔: B — Cerebral vasodilation increases intracranial volume and
pressure.
5. Which lab finding indicates metabolic acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L
B. pH 7.32, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.45, PaCO 30 mm Hg₂
D. pH 7.36, PaCO 50 mm Hg₂
- Answer✔✔: B — Low pH and low bicarbonate confirm metabolic acidosis.
6. Select all that apply: Which conditions may result in left-sided heart failure?
☐ A. Chronic hypertension
☐ B. Myocardial infarction
☐ C. Pulmonary embolism
☐ D. Aortic stenosis
, lOMoARcPSD|65953097
Answers: A, B, D — Each increases workload or damages the left ventricle.
Pulmonary embolism primarily causes right-sided failure.
7. Which finding is most consistent with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic
hormone secretion (SIADH)?
A. Dehydration and hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia with fluid retention
C. Hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis
D. Hypocalcemia and dehydration
- Answer✔✔: B — SIADH causes water retention and dilutional hyponatremia.
8. Which genetic principle explains why a child inherits cystic fibrosis only if both
parents carry the defective gene?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked dominant
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
- Answer✔✔: B — CF follows an autosomal recessive pattern.
WGU D115 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Exam Study
Guide – Practice Questions with
Verified Answers. GRADED A+.
Latest 2026/2027 Update
1. Which cellular adaptation is most likely to occur in the left ventricle due to
chronic hypertension?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
- Answer✔✔: B — Hypertrophy is the increase in cell size seen in cardiac muscle
as it works harder against high afterload from hypertension.
, lOMoARcPSD|65953097
2. Which statement best describes the role of the renin–angiotensin–
aldosterone system (RAAS)?
A. Lowers blood pressure by vasodilation
B. Increases blood pressure and sodium retention
C. Reduces sodium reabsorption in kidneys
D. Promotes potassium retention
- Answer✔✔: B — RAAS activation causes vasoconstriction and aldosterone-
mediated sodium and water retention, raising blood pressure.
3. Which immune cells are primarily responsible for producing antibodies?
A. T-helper cells
B. B lymphocytes
C. Natural killer cells
D. Macrophages
- Answer✔✔: B — Activated B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells that
secrete antibodies.
4. A nurse notes increased intracranial pressure in a client after traumatic brain
injury.
Which change explains the pathophysiology?
, lOMoARcPSD|65953097
A. Decrease in cerebrospinal fluid production
B. Vasodilation leading to increased cerebral blood volume
C. Increased lymphatic drainage from the brain
D. Reduced capillary permeability
- Answer✔✔: B — Cerebral vasodilation increases intracranial volume and
pressure.
5. Which lab finding indicates metabolic acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L
B. pH 7.32, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.45, PaCO 30 mm Hg₂
D. pH 7.36, PaCO 50 mm Hg₂
- Answer✔✔: B — Low pH and low bicarbonate confirm metabolic acidosis.
6. Select all that apply: Which conditions may result in left-sided heart failure?
☐ A. Chronic hypertension
☐ B. Myocardial infarction
☐ C. Pulmonary embolism
☐ D. Aortic stenosis
, lOMoARcPSD|65953097
Answers: A, B, D — Each increases workload or damages the left ventricle.
Pulmonary embolism primarily causes right-sided failure.
7. Which finding is most consistent with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic
hormone secretion (SIADH)?
A. Dehydration and hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia with fluid retention
C. Hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis
D. Hypocalcemia and dehydration
- Answer✔✔: B — SIADH causes water retention and dilutional hyponatremia.
8. Which genetic principle explains why a child inherits cystic fibrosis only if both
parents carry the defective gene?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked dominant
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
- Answer✔✔: B — CF follows an autosomal recessive pattern.
