WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE OA V2 PREP (2026)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS VERIFIED
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension shows an increase in the size of the left
ventricular muscle cells. This cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an
increase in the size of the organ. It is common in cardiac and skeletal muscle in response to
increased workload.
2. Which process describes the programmed cell death that occurs without an inflammatory
response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
,C. Apoptosis
D. Infarction
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a distinct, programmed form of cell death that
eliminates unwanted or damaged cells without causing leakage of cellular contents and
subsequent inflammation.
3. A biopsy reveals that the columnar epithelium of a smoker’s airway has been replaced by
stratified squamous epithelium. This is an example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Anaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation.
4. Which of the following is the primary cause of cellular injury in hypoxic states?
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Increased intracellular alkalinity
C. Failure of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump
, D. Decreased intracellular calcium
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to reduced ATP production. Without ATP, the
sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to sodium and water entering the cell (cellular
swelling).
5. What is the hallmark characteristic of acute inflammation?
A. Increased vascular permeability and neutrophil emigration
B. Tissue fibrosis and scarring
C. Infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes
D. Angiogenesis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Acute inflammation is characterized by rapid onset, exudation of
fluid/plasma proteins (edema), and the migration of leukocytes, predominantly
neutrophils.
6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and involves mast
cell degranulation?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
COMPREHENSIVE OA V2 PREP (2026)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS VERIFIED
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension shows an increase in the size of the left
ventricular muscle cells. This cellular adaptation is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells, resulting in an
increase in the size of the organ. It is common in cardiac and skeletal muscle in response to
increased workload.
2. Which process describes the programmed cell death that occurs without an inflammatory
response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
,C. Apoptosis
D. Infarction
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a distinct, programmed form of cell death that
eliminates unwanted or damaged cells without causing leakage of cellular contents and
subsequent inflammation.
3. A biopsy reveals that the columnar epithelium of a smoker’s airway has been replaced by
stratified squamous epithelium. This is an example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Anaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is
replaced by another adult cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation.
4. Which of the following is the primary cause of cellular injury in hypoxic states?
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Increased intracellular alkalinity
C. Failure of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump
, D. Decreased intracellular calcium
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to reduced ATP production. Without ATP, the
sodium-potassium pump fails, leading to sodium and water entering the cell (cellular
swelling).
5. What is the hallmark characteristic of acute inflammation?
A. Increased vascular permeability and neutrophil emigration
B. Tissue fibrosis and scarring
C. Infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes
D. Angiogenesis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Acute inflammation is characterized by rapid onset, exudation of
fluid/plasma proteins (edema), and the migration of leukocytes, predominantly
neutrophils.
6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and involves mast
cell degranulation?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
