WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE OA PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another less mature cell type to better withstand adverse environmental conditions.
2. In the context of cellular injury, what is the primary difference between necrosis and
apoptosis?
A. Necrosis is programmed while apoptosis is accidental.
B. Apoptosis involves inflammation while necrosis does not.
,C. Apoptosis is a regulated process of cell self-destruction, whereas necrosis involves cell
membrane rupture and inflammation.
D. Necrosis only occurs in heart tissue.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a tidy, programmed cell death that avoids
inflammation, whereas necrosis is characterized by cell swelling, lysis, and an
inflammatory response.
3. Which genetic condition is characterized by an extra copy of chromosome 21?
A. Turner Syndrome
B. Down Syndrome
C. Klinefelter Syndrome
D. Edwards Syndrome
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome, results from the presence of
three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with a prolonged QT interval
and potential Torsades de Pointes?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
, C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypomagnesemia can lead to cardiac excitability and prolong
the QT interval, increasing the risk for ventricular arrhythmias like Torsades de Pointes.
5. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. What is the interpretation?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause), while the bicarbonate is normal, indicating uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
6. Which hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves the release of histamine
from mast cells?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
COMPREHENSIVE OA PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another less mature cell type to better withstand adverse environmental conditions.
2. In the context of cellular injury, what is the primary difference between necrosis and
apoptosis?
A. Necrosis is programmed while apoptosis is accidental.
B. Apoptosis involves inflammation while necrosis does not.
,C. Apoptosis is a regulated process of cell self-destruction, whereas necrosis involves cell
membrane rupture and inflammation.
D. Necrosis only occurs in heart tissue.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a tidy, programmed cell death that avoids
inflammation, whereas necrosis is characterized by cell swelling, lysis, and an
inflammatory response.
3. Which genetic condition is characterized by an extra copy of chromosome 21?
A. Turner Syndrome
B. Down Syndrome
C. Klinefelter Syndrome
D. Edwards Syndrome
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome, results from the presence of
three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with a prolonged QT interval
and potential Torsades de Pointes?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
, C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypomagnesemia can lead to cardiac excitability and prolong
the QT interval, increasing the risk for ventricular arrhythmias like Torsades de Pointes.
5. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. What is the interpretation?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause), while the bicarbonate is normal, indicating uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
6. Which hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves the release of histamine
from mast cells?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
