WGU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY D236 ALL 2026-2027
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED
A+
✔✔Describe how calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin D) work
together to maintain normal blood calcium levels. - ✔✔calcitonin and PTH work
oppositely to balance calcium. the three work together to shift calcium into bones,
organs and blood
✔✔Describe the function of osteocytes within lacunae of bone - ✔✔Osteocytes maintain
bone mass through anabolic activities; they promote bone repair through recruitment of
osteoclast mediated turnover
✔✔Describe bone remodeling. Which cells are involved in this process and what is their
function? - ✔✔osteoclasts destroy old, degenerative cells to make room for new ones.
osteoblasts build new bone cells. osteocytes facilitate this process and help retain
calcium for bone strength and health.
✔✔Describe the process of articular degeneration. Which cells are involved in this
process and what is their function? - ✔✔articular degeneration is also known as
osteoarthritis. macrophages are the primary cell involved, and they induce inflammation.
✔✔How does denosumab treat osteoporosis? - ✔✔Denosumab is an antibody that
slows down the natural rate your bones are broken down. It works by blocking a protein
and suppressing the cells that break down bone.
✔✔How does compartment syndrome develop? Which part of our body tends to
develop compartment syndrome? How do patients typically recognize they may need to
seek medical assistance for rhabdomyolysis? What is the most sensitive laboratory test
for rhabdomyolosis? - ✔✔Compartment syndrome occurs when blood flow is restricted
to area for an extended period of time. It usually develops in extremities. Patients
recognize rhabdo by new muscle pain and decreased urinary output, and is detected by
creatine kinase in the blood.
✔✔What is a pulmonary embolism? What is a fat embolism? When might a patient
develop a pulmonary embolism? When might a patient develop a fat embolism? How
are they treated? - ✔✔Pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot is lodge in a
pulmonary artery, usually caused by a traveling clot getting lodged. A fat embolism is
when a clot of fat cells disrupts blood flow, usually after a bone fracture. PEs are treated
with anticoagulants to thin the blood, while there is no specific treatment for FEs.
✔✔Describe Albinism. What portions of the body are negatively affected by Albinism? -
✔✔It is an alteration in a gene that has decreased pigment to skin, hair, and eyes.
, ✔✔Describe how retinal detachment leads to vision loss. - ✔✔The areas where the
retina detaches lose their blood supply and stop working, causing you to lose vision.
✔✔Name two biomarkers that can be used to confirm a myocardial infarction occurred
and what types of molecules are they? - ✔✔troponin, creatine kinase
✔✔What is lymph - ✔✔fluid that flows in lymphatic system to return fluid from tissues
into circulation
✔✔What are lymph nodes? - ✔✔Filter interstitial fluid. Swollen glands mean you are
fighting an infection
✔✔What are Peyer's patches? - ✔✔the numerous areas of lymphoid tissue in the wall
of the small intestine that are involved in the development of immunity to antigens
present there.
✔✔What is the difference between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non Hodgkin's
Lymphoma? - ✔✔If the Reed-Sternberg cell is not present, the lymphoma is classified
as non-Hodgkin's.
✔✔Emphysema (COPD) - ✔✔Overdistention of alveoli resulting in the ability to remove
CO2 is called
✔✔COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - ✔✔disease with enlarged lung
spaces, usually from smoking can cause shortness of breath
✔✔What are the three types of jaundice that may present as a result of liver
dysfunction? Describe the cause of each. - ✔✔pre-hepatic: excessive breakdown of
RBCs. hepatic: loss of ability of liver to regular billirubin. post-hepatic: due to blockage
or obstruction
✔✔Describe the function(s) of the following parts of a nephron: glomerulus, Bowman's
capsule, juxtaglomerular apparatus, proximal tubule, Loop of Henle, distal tubule, and
collecting duct. - ✔✔glomerulus filters blood. Bowman's capsule filters blood from
glomerulus capillaries. juxtaglomerular apparatus helps maintain proper flow and blood
pressure. proximal tubule reabsorbs filtrate. Loop of Henle reabsorbs salt and water
from urine. distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct both reabsorb ions and water
and promote homeostasis.
✔✔endocarditis vs pericarditis - ✔✔endo- inflammation inside heart causing valves to
not fully close - usually due to infection - treatment: abx, valve repair;
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED
A+
✔✔Describe how calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin D) work
together to maintain normal blood calcium levels. - ✔✔calcitonin and PTH work
oppositely to balance calcium. the three work together to shift calcium into bones,
organs and blood
✔✔Describe the function of osteocytes within lacunae of bone - ✔✔Osteocytes maintain
bone mass through anabolic activities; they promote bone repair through recruitment of
osteoclast mediated turnover
✔✔Describe bone remodeling. Which cells are involved in this process and what is their
function? - ✔✔osteoclasts destroy old, degenerative cells to make room for new ones.
osteoblasts build new bone cells. osteocytes facilitate this process and help retain
calcium for bone strength and health.
✔✔Describe the process of articular degeneration. Which cells are involved in this
process and what is their function? - ✔✔articular degeneration is also known as
osteoarthritis. macrophages are the primary cell involved, and they induce inflammation.
✔✔How does denosumab treat osteoporosis? - ✔✔Denosumab is an antibody that
slows down the natural rate your bones are broken down. It works by blocking a protein
and suppressing the cells that break down bone.
✔✔How does compartment syndrome develop? Which part of our body tends to
develop compartment syndrome? How do patients typically recognize they may need to
seek medical assistance for rhabdomyolysis? What is the most sensitive laboratory test
for rhabdomyolosis? - ✔✔Compartment syndrome occurs when blood flow is restricted
to area for an extended period of time. It usually develops in extremities. Patients
recognize rhabdo by new muscle pain and decreased urinary output, and is detected by
creatine kinase in the blood.
✔✔What is a pulmonary embolism? What is a fat embolism? When might a patient
develop a pulmonary embolism? When might a patient develop a fat embolism? How
are they treated? - ✔✔Pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot is lodge in a
pulmonary artery, usually caused by a traveling clot getting lodged. A fat embolism is
when a clot of fat cells disrupts blood flow, usually after a bone fracture. PEs are treated
with anticoagulants to thin the blood, while there is no specific treatment for FEs.
✔✔Describe Albinism. What portions of the body are negatively affected by Albinism? -
✔✔It is an alteration in a gene that has decreased pigment to skin, hair, and eyes.
, ✔✔Describe how retinal detachment leads to vision loss. - ✔✔The areas where the
retina detaches lose their blood supply and stop working, causing you to lose vision.
✔✔Name two biomarkers that can be used to confirm a myocardial infarction occurred
and what types of molecules are they? - ✔✔troponin, creatine kinase
✔✔What is lymph - ✔✔fluid that flows in lymphatic system to return fluid from tissues
into circulation
✔✔What are lymph nodes? - ✔✔Filter interstitial fluid. Swollen glands mean you are
fighting an infection
✔✔What are Peyer's patches? - ✔✔the numerous areas of lymphoid tissue in the wall
of the small intestine that are involved in the development of immunity to antigens
present there.
✔✔What is the difference between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non Hodgkin's
Lymphoma? - ✔✔If the Reed-Sternberg cell is not present, the lymphoma is classified
as non-Hodgkin's.
✔✔Emphysema (COPD) - ✔✔Overdistention of alveoli resulting in the ability to remove
CO2 is called
✔✔COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - ✔✔disease with enlarged lung
spaces, usually from smoking can cause shortness of breath
✔✔What are the three types of jaundice that may present as a result of liver
dysfunction? Describe the cause of each. - ✔✔pre-hepatic: excessive breakdown of
RBCs. hepatic: loss of ability of liver to regular billirubin. post-hepatic: due to blockage
or obstruction
✔✔Describe the function(s) of the following parts of a nephron: glomerulus, Bowman's
capsule, juxtaglomerular apparatus, proximal tubule, Loop of Henle, distal tubule, and
collecting duct. - ✔✔glomerulus filters blood. Bowman's capsule filters blood from
glomerulus capillaries. juxtaglomerular apparatus helps maintain proper flow and blood
pressure. proximal tubule reabsorbs filtrate. Loop of Henle reabsorbs salt and water
from urine. distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct both reabsorb ions and water
and promote homeostasis.
✔✔endocarditis vs pericarditis - ✔✔endo- inflammation inside heart causing valves to
not fully close - usually due to infection - treatment: abx, valve repair;
