WGU D236 Pathophysiology – Megan & Shay’s Study Guides Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade | Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
What is the primary determinant of oncotic pressure? - (ANSWER)Albumin
Form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins - (ANSWER)Oncotic Pressure
What is the difference between adult and child immunity? - (ANSWER)Naive T Cells
Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by _________________, which regulates actions such as thirst,
ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS. - (ANSWER)Osmoreceptors
What are the causes of dehydration? - (ANSWER)#Excessive loss
#Inadequate intake
#Both
What s/sx are associated with dehydration? - (ANSWER)#Dry mucous membranes
#Decreased skin turgor
#Decreased urine output
#Low blood pressure
#Tachycardia
#Weak heart rate
#Confusion
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and pH of 7.53. She is
breathing slowly. What condition does she have? - (ANSWER)Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 levels are both elevated (moving in the same direction). This indicates
metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because her respiratory system is attempting to compensate
for the high pH by exhaling less and retaining more CO2.
,WGU D236 Pathophysiology – Megan & Shay’s Study Guides Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade | Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
Normal CO2 level - (ANSWER)35-45
Normal pH level - (ANSWER)7.35-7.45
Normal HCO3 level - (ANSWER)22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH impact Michael's basal
metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the bloodstream.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+ makes it easier for Ca+ to bind to
albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out of the bloodstream, K+
moves from cells into the bloodstream. - (ANSWER)His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have
difficulty removing it from the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out of the bloodstream, K+
moves from cells into the bloodstream.
,WGU D236 Pathophysiology – Megan & Shay’s Study Guides Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade | Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
A hormone panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and fluid volume overload. Which
elevated hormone on the patient's chart is indicative of the body's attempt to reduce the fluid overload?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Aldosterone
Renin - (ANSWER)BNP
BNP is released when fluid volume excess is present.
Normal sodium level - (ANSWER)135-145
Hyponatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - (ANSWER)Na < 135
Loss of energy or fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Muscle spasms
Low blood pressure
Dark scanty urine
Irritability, disorientation and neurological manifestations
Seizures
, WGU D236 Pathophysiology – Megan & Shay’s Study Guides Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade | Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
Hypernatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx - (ANSWER)Na > 145
Excessive thirst
Extreme fatigue
Confusion
Muscle twitching or spasms
Restlessness
Seizures
Normal potassium level - (ANSWER)3.5-5.0
Hypokalemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx - (ANSWER)K < 3.5
#Muscle fatigue/cramping
#Nausea, vomiting, constipation
#Cardiac dysrhythmias
#Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
Hyperkalemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - (ANSWER)K > 5.0
Muscle weakness/paralysis
Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Cardiac arrest/MI
Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade | Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
What is the primary determinant of oncotic pressure? - (ANSWER)Albumin
Form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins - (ANSWER)Oncotic Pressure
What is the difference between adult and child immunity? - (ANSWER)Naive T Cells
Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by _________________, which regulates actions such as thirst,
ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS. - (ANSWER)Osmoreceptors
What are the causes of dehydration? - (ANSWER)#Excessive loss
#Inadequate intake
#Both
What s/sx are associated with dehydration? - (ANSWER)#Dry mucous membranes
#Decreased skin turgor
#Decreased urine output
#Low blood pressure
#Tachycardia
#Weak heart rate
#Confusion
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and pH of 7.53. She is
breathing slowly. What condition does she have? - (ANSWER)Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 levels are both elevated (moving in the same direction). This indicates
metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because her respiratory system is attempting to compensate
for the high pH by exhaling less and retaining more CO2.
,WGU D236 Pathophysiology – Megan & Shay’s Study Guides Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade | Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
Normal CO2 level - (ANSWER)35-45
Normal pH level - (ANSWER)7.35-7.45
Normal HCO3 level - (ANSWER)22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH impact Michael's basal
metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the bloodstream.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+ makes it easier for Ca+ to bind to
albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out of the bloodstream, K+
moves from cells into the bloodstream. - (ANSWER)His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have
difficulty removing it from the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out of the bloodstream, K+
moves from cells into the bloodstream.
,WGU D236 Pathophysiology – Megan & Shay’s Study Guides Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade | Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
A hormone panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and fluid volume overload. Which
elevated hormone on the patient's chart is indicative of the body's attempt to reduce the fluid overload?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Aldosterone
Renin - (ANSWER)BNP
BNP is released when fluid volume excess is present.
Normal sodium level - (ANSWER)135-145
Hyponatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - (ANSWER)Na < 135
Loss of energy or fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Muscle spasms
Low blood pressure
Dark scanty urine
Irritability, disorientation and neurological manifestations
Seizures
, WGU D236 Pathophysiology – Megan & Shay’s Study Guides Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade | Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
Hypernatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx - (ANSWER)Na > 145
Excessive thirst
Extreme fatigue
Confusion
Muscle twitching or spasms
Restlessness
Seizures
Normal potassium level - (ANSWER)3.5-5.0
Hypokalemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx - (ANSWER)K < 3.5
#Muscle fatigue/cramping
#Nausea, vomiting, constipation
#Cardiac dysrhythmias
#Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
Hyperkalemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - (ANSWER)K > 5.0
Muscle weakness/paralysis
Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Cardiac arrest/MI
