WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective
Assessment Actual Exam 2026/2027 |
Verified Questions
Western Governors University (WGU) | Verified Q&A |
Professional Healthcare and Nursing Students
This document contains 80 original questions developed to reinforce the official course objectives of WGU D236
Pathophysiology. The questions address Cellular Adaptations, Injury, and Death; Inflammation, Immunity, and
Infection; Alterations in Cellular Metabolism and Fluid/Electrolyte Balance; and Pathophysiology of Major Organ
Systems (Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal, Neurological, and Endocrine). Content is designed to support clinical
proficiency and actual exam readiness for Professional Healthcare and Nursing Students. All material is original
and aligned with WGU D236 course materials, foundational pathophysiology textbooks such as McCance &
Huether, and current evidence-based medical standards for the 2026/2027 cycle.
Domain: Cellular Adaptations, Injury, and Death
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, often in response to hormonal stimulation or compensatory demand.
2. Hypertrophy is best defined as:
A. An increase in cell size resulting in increased organ size
B. A decrease in cell size
C. Replacement of one cell type by another
D. Programmed cell death
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of individual cells, commonly seen in cardiac or skeletal muscle under
increased workload.
3. Metaplasia refers to:
A. Irreversible cell death
B. The reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type by another
C. An increase in cell number only
D. Accumulation of abnormal proteins
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by another, often as an adaptive response
to chronic irritation.
4. Which of the following is a hallmark of reversible cell injury?
A. Nuclear fragmentation (karyorrhexis)
B. Cellular swelling and fatty change
C. Complete loss of membrane integrity
D. Formation of apoptotic bodies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cellular swelling (hydropic change) and fatty change are classic features of reversible injury.
WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective Assessment Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, 5. Necrosis is characterized by:
A. Programmed, energy-dependent cell death with minimal inflammation
B. Uncontrolled cell death typically associated with inflammation and loss of membrane integrity
C. An increase in cell size only
D. A purely physiologic process with no pathologic significance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Necrosis is pathologic cell death that triggers inflammation due to release of cellular contents.
6. Apoptosis differs from necrosis in that apoptosis:
A. Always causes extensive tissue inflammation
B. Is a controlled, energy-dependent process that removes cells with minimal inflammatory response
C. Results from severe ATP depletion only
D. Is never a physiologic process
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that eliminates unwanted cells cleanly, usually without significant
inflammation.
7. Hypoxic cell injury is primarily caused by:
A. Excessive oxygen free radicals in all cases
B. Reduced oxygen delivery leading to impaired ATP production
C. Direct viral invasion of the nucleus
D. Accumulation of calcium in the extracellular space only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia limits oxidative phosphorylation, depleting ATP and disrupting cellular homeostasis.
8. Which of the following is an example of pathologic hyperplasia?
A. Increase in breast tissue during pregnancy
B. Endometrial hyperplasia due to excessive estrogen stimulation
C. Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy
D. Skeletal muscle enlargement from resistance training
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Endometrial hyperplasia driven by unopposed estrogen is a pathologic form of hyperplasia with malignant
potential.
9. Dysplasia is best described as:
A. A fully reversible adaptation with no risk of progression
B. Disordered cellular growth with atypical cells that may progress to neoplasia
C. An increase in cell size only
D. Complete replacement of one tissue type by another without atypia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia involves abnormal cell size, shape, and organization and is considered a premalignant change.
10. Free radical–mediated injury is often associated with:
A. Lipid peroxidation of membranes, protein modification, and DNA damage
B. Increased ATP production only
C. Enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity exclusively
D. No effect on cellular membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reactive oxygen species attack lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, producing oxidative damage.
11. Coagulative necrosis is most typically seen in:
A. The brain after ischemic stroke
B. Solid organs such as the heart, kidney, or spleen after ischemia
C. Abscesses caused by bacterial infection
D. Caseating granulomas of tuberculosis only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis preserves tissue architecture and is the pattern of ischemic necrosis in most solid organs.
12. Liquefactive necrosis is characteristic of:
WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective Assessment Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
Assessment Actual Exam 2026/2027 |
Verified Questions
Western Governors University (WGU) | Verified Q&A |
Professional Healthcare and Nursing Students
This document contains 80 original questions developed to reinforce the official course objectives of WGU D236
Pathophysiology. The questions address Cellular Adaptations, Injury, and Death; Inflammation, Immunity, and
Infection; Alterations in Cellular Metabolism and Fluid/Electrolyte Balance; and Pathophysiology of Major Organ
Systems (Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal, Neurological, and Endocrine). Content is designed to support clinical
proficiency and actual exam readiness for Professional Healthcare and Nursing Students. All material is original
and aligned with WGU D236 course materials, foundational pathophysiology textbooks such as McCance &
Huether, and current evidence-based medical standards for the 2026/2027 cycle.
Domain: Cellular Adaptations, Injury, and Death
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, often in response to hormonal stimulation or compensatory demand.
2. Hypertrophy is best defined as:
A. An increase in cell size resulting in increased organ size
B. A decrease in cell size
C. Replacement of one cell type by another
D. Programmed cell death
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of individual cells, commonly seen in cardiac or skeletal muscle under
increased workload.
3. Metaplasia refers to:
A. Irreversible cell death
B. The reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type by another
C. An increase in cell number only
D. Accumulation of abnormal proteins
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one adult cell type is replaced by another, often as an adaptive response
to chronic irritation.
4. Which of the following is a hallmark of reversible cell injury?
A. Nuclear fragmentation (karyorrhexis)
B. Cellular swelling and fatty change
C. Complete loss of membrane integrity
D. Formation of apoptotic bodies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cellular swelling (hydropic change) and fatty change are classic features of reversible injury.
WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective Assessment Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, 5. Necrosis is characterized by:
A. Programmed, energy-dependent cell death with minimal inflammation
B. Uncontrolled cell death typically associated with inflammation and loss of membrane integrity
C. An increase in cell size only
D. A purely physiologic process with no pathologic significance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Necrosis is pathologic cell death that triggers inflammation due to release of cellular contents.
6. Apoptosis differs from necrosis in that apoptosis:
A. Always causes extensive tissue inflammation
B. Is a controlled, energy-dependent process that removes cells with minimal inflammatory response
C. Results from severe ATP depletion only
D. Is never a physiologic process
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death that eliminates unwanted cells cleanly, usually without significant
inflammation.
7. Hypoxic cell injury is primarily caused by:
A. Excessive oxygen free radicals in all cases
B. Reduced oxygen delivery leading to impaired ATP production
C. Direct viral invasion of the nucleus
D. Accumulation of calcium in the extracellular space only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxia limits oxidative phosphorylation, depleting ATP and disrupting cellular homeostasis.
8. Which of the following is an example of pathologic hyperplasia?
A. Increase in breast tissue during pregnancy
B. Endometrial hyperplasia due to excessive estrogen stimulation
C. Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy
D. Skeletal muscle enlargement from resistance training
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Endometrial hyperplasia driven by unopposed estrogen is a pathologic form of hyperplasia with malignant
potential.
9. Dysplasia is best described as:
A. A fully reversible adaptation with no risk of progression
B. Disordered cellular growth with atypical cells that may progress to neoplasia
C. An increase in cell size only
D. Complete replacement of one tissue type by another without atypia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dysplasia involves abnormal cell size, shape, and organization and is considered a premalignant change.
10. Free radical–mediated injury is often associated with:
A. Lipid peroxidation of membranes, protein modification, and DNA damage
B. Increased ATP production only
C. Enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity exclusively
D. No effect on cellular membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reactive oxygen species attack lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, producing oxidative damage.
11. Coagulative necrosis is most typically seen in:
A. The brain after ischemic stroke
B. Solid organs such as the heart, kidney, or spleen after ischemia
C. Abscesses caused by bacterial infection
D. Caseating granulomas of tuberculosis only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis preserves tissue architecture and is the pattern of ischemic necrosis in most solid organs.
12. Liquefactive necrosis is characteristic of:
WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective Assessment Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
