Western Governors University D 236
WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND PA
2025/2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY
GUIDE | ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES | EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
UPDATE /BRAND NEW
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Terms in this set (114) Hide definitions
What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces? Starling's Law describes how fluids move across the capillary membrane. There
are two major opposing forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and osmotic pressure (including
would have edema? oncontic pressure, which pushes fluid into the capillaries).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood affect osmotic
pressure, high electrolyte and protein concentrations in the blood would cause
water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the blood stream to dilute
the high concentrations.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen in a
nutritionally deficient child) would cause water to leave the capillaries and enter
the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead to edema.
,How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which in turn
System) result in increased blood volume and increased begins to secrete renin.
blood pressure?
Renin then triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is converted to
Angiotensin I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the enzyme
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates peripheral
arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
Angiotensin II is also stimulating the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which
acts to increase sodium and water reabsorption increasing blood volume, while
also increased potassium secretion in urine.
How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers
to potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too low
and muscle weakness occurs and too much can cause muscle spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat can
cause a heart attack
The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH
Buffering System, and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System changes. Any increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the
to regulate and maintain homeostatic pH, what is the protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as well
consequence of a pH imbalance
Describe the laboratory findings associated with Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg
metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory PO2: 90-100 mm Hg HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie relative pH and CO2
levels). Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2. Higher =
acidosis and lower = alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than abnormal
CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or excessive GI
losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic in nature. -
If pH and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is the pCO2 levels that
are causing the imbalance and it is respiratory in nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same direction as the pH, then the
imbalance is metabolic in nature.
, The anion gap is the difference between measured The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in the blood.
cations (Na+ and K+) and measured anions (Cl- and
HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in determining the Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured anions, which
cause of metabolic acidosis. remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of the excess H+ and
therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in
diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells.
glucose in the blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
diabetes)?
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is signaled to
produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells surface and
initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can start to bind to
other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of glucose reacting
with the endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the heart and kidneys.
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose will
not be taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I
is usually treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The insulin
receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to insulin
(metformin), dietary and life-style changes or insulin injections.
Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia. Patients
with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood using
a semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND PA
2025/2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY
GUIDE | ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES | EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
UPDATE /BRAND NEW
7 studiers today Leave the first rating
Save
Students also studied
Flashcard sets Study guides
WGU Pathophysiology D236 WGU D236 Objective Assessment P... WGU Pathophysiology D236 WGU D
45 terms 222 terms 150 terms Teacher
Selma_Jonozovic Preview jubomfim4 Preview rolson4volstate Preview Bes
Terms in this set (114) Hide definitions
What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces? Starling's Law describes how fluids move across the capillary membrane. There
are two major opposing forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and osmotic pressure (including
would have edema? oncontic pressure, which pushes fluid into the capillaries).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood affect osmotic
pressure, high electrolyte and protein concentrations in the blood would cause
water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the blood stream to dilute
the high concentrations.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen in a
nutritionally deficient child) would cause water to leave the capillaries and enter
the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead to edema.
,How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which in turn
System) result in increased blood volume and increased begins to secrete renin.
blood pressure?
Renin then triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is converted to
Angiotensin I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the enzyme
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates peripheral
arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
Angiotensin II is also stimulating the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which
acts to increase sodium and water reabsorption increasing blood volume, while
also increased potassium secretion in urine.
How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers
to potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too low
and muscle weakness occurs and too much can cause muscle spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat can
cause a heart attack
The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH
Buffering System, and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System changes. Any increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the
to regulate and maintain homeostatic pH, what is the protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as well
consequence of a pH imbalance
Describe the laboratory findings associated with Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg
metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory PO2: 90-100 mm Hg HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie relative pH and CO2
levels). Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2. Higher =
acidosis and lower = alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than abnormal
CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or excessive GI
losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic in nature. -
If pH and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is the pCO2 levels that
are causing the imbalance and it is respiratory in nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same direction as the pH, then the
imbalance is metabolic in nature.
, The anion gap is the difference between measured The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in the blood.
cations (Na+ and K+) and measured anions (Cl- and
HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in determining the Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured anions, which
cause of metabolic acidosis. remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of the excess H+ and
therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in
diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells.
glucose in the blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
diabetes)?
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is signaled to
produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells surface and
initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can start to bind to
other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of glucose reacting
with the endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the heart and kidneys.
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose will
not be taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I
is usually treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The insulin
receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to insulin
(metformin), dietary and life-style changes or insulin injections.
Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia. Patients
with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood using
a semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
