WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM LATEST 2026
WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS - LESSON 1 TO LESSON 12 |
ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: LESSON 1 - HOMEOSTASIS (Qs 1-25)
SECTION 2: LESSON 2 - CELLULAR RESPONSE AND ADAPTATION (Qs 26-50)
SECTION 3: LESSON 3 - MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM (Qs 51-75)
SECTION 4: LESSON 4 - INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM (Qs 76-100)
SECTION 5: LESSON 5 - NEUROLOGIC SYSTEMS (Qs 101-125)
SECTION 6: LESSON 6 - CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS (Qs 126-150)
SECTION 7: LESSON 7 - LYMPHATIC SYSTEM & IMMUNITY (Qs 151-175)
SECTION 8: LESSON 8 - RESPIRATORY SYSTEM (Qs 176-200)
SECTION 9: LESSON 9 - GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM (Qs 201-225)
SECTION 10: LESSON 10 - RENAL SYSTEM (Qs 226-250)
SECTION 11: LESSON 11 - ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (Qs 251-275)
SECTION 12: LESSON 12 - REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (Qs 276-300)
SECTION 1: LESSON 1 - HOMEOSTASIS (Qs 1-25)
Q1. What is homeostasis?
A) The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external
changes
B) The body's ability to increase temperature during infection
C) The body's ability to fight infections
D) The body's ability to grow and develop
Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal
environment within the body despite fluctuations in the external environment. It
is essential for optimal physiological health and wellbeing. Disruptions to
homeostasis can lead to disease and dysfunction.
Q2. Which fluid compartment contains the majority of the body's water?
A) Extracellular fluid (ECF)
B) Intracellular fluid (ICF)
C) Interstitial fluid (ISF)
D) Plasma
Answer: B
1
,Rationale: Intracellular fluid (ICF) is the fluid within cells and contains
approximately two-thirds of the body's total water. Extracellular fluid (ECF)
includes interstitial fluid and plasma.
Q3. What is the primary difference between osmotic pressure and oncotic
pressure?
A) Osmotic pressure is exerted by all solutes; oncotic pressure is exerted by
proteins
B) Oncotic pressure is exerted by all solutes; osmotic pressure is exerted by
proteins
C) They are the same
D) Osmotic pressure is found only in the intracellular fluid
Answer: A
Rationale: Osmotic pressure is the pressure exerted by all solutes in a solution.
Oncotic pressure (colloid osmotic pressure) is specifically the osmotic pressure
exerted by plasma proteins, primarily albumin.
Q4. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) is activated in response to:
A) Increased blood pressure
B) Decreased blood pressure or reduced renal blood flow
C) Increased blood volume
D) Decreased potassium levels
Answer: B
Rationale: The RAAS system is activated when there is reduced blood flow to the
kidneys or decreased blood pressure. The kidneys release renin, which converts
angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, then angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin
II (vasoconstrictor), which stimulates aldosterone release, causing sodium and
water retention to restore blood pressure.
Q5. Which of the following best describes Starling's Law of Capillary Forces?
A) The balance between hydrostatic pressure and oncotic pressure that
determines fluid movement across capillary walls
B) The force that regulates heart rate
C) The force that regulates respiratory rate
D) The balance between sodium and potassium
2
,Answer: A
Rationale: Starling's Law describes the balance between hydrostatic pressure
(pushing fluid out of capillaries) and oncotic pressure (pulling fluid into
capillaries). This balance determines the net movement of fluid across capillary
walls.
Q6. As Diane completes her race, what enables her body to maintain homeostasis
despite her increased activity? (Choose 3 answers)
A) Diane's sports drink helped to replace sodium and water lost due to sweating
B) Diane's body produces more angiotensin II, allowing her body to constrict
blood vessels and increase her blood pressure
C) Diane's body decreases cardiac output to conserve energy
D) Diane's body activates the RAAS system to maintain blood volume
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: During increased activity, the body maintains homeostasis through
multiple mechanisms: replacing lost fluids and electrolytes, activating the RAAS
system to maintain blood pressure, and increasing angiotensin II for
vasoconstriction.
Q7. A patient with pulmonary edema develops respiratory acidosis. How does this
affect the patient's pH?
A) pH increases above 7.45
B) pH decreases below 7.35
C) pH remains normal
D) pH fluctuates randomly
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis occurs when CO2 is retained, leading to increased
carbonic acid and decreased pH (below 7.35). Pulmonary edema impairs gas
exchange, causing CO2 buildup.
Q8. Which of the following is NOT a major solute in the body?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Glucose
D) Chloride
3
, Answer: C
Rationale: Major solutes in the body include sodium, potassium, chloride,
calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and bicarbonate. Glucose is a solute but is not
typically classified as a major electrolyte solute.
Q9. A hypotonic solution causes water to move:
A) Out of the cell, causing cell shrinkage
B) Into the cell, causing cell swelling
C) Equally in and out of the cell
D) Only into the extracellular space
Answer: B
Rationale: A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes outside the
cell compared to inside. Water moves into the cell (following the concentration
gradient), causing the cell to swell. This can lead to cell lysis.
Q10. A hypertonic solution causes water to move:
A) Out of the cell, causing cell shrinkage
B) Into the cell, causing cell swelling
C) Equally in and out of the cell
D) Only into the extracellular space
Answer: A
Rationale: A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes outside
the cell. Water moves out of the cell to equalize concentrations, causing cell
shrinkage (crenation).
Q11. An isotonic solution causes water to move:
A) Out of the cell
B) Into the cell
C) Equally in and out of the cell
D) Only into the extracellular space
Answer: C
Rationale: An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as the
cell, so there is no net movement of water across the cell membrane. Cell volume
remains stable.
4
WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS - LESSON 1 TO LESSON 12 |
ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: LESSON 1 - HOMEOSTASIS (Qs 1-25)
SECTION 2: LESSON 2 - CELLULAR RESPONSE AND ADAPTATION (Qs 26-50)
SECTION 3: LESSON 3 - MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM (Qs 51-75)
SECTION 4: LESSON 4 - INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM (Qs 76-100)
SECTION 5: LESSON 5 - NEUROLOGIC SYSTEMS (Qs 101-125)
SECTION 6: LESSON 6 - CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS (Qs 126-150)
SECTION 7: LESSON 7 - LYMPHATIC SYSTEM & IMMUNITY (Qs 151-175)
SECTION 8: LESSON 8 - RESPIRATORY SYSTEM (Qs 176-200)
SECTION 9: LESSON 9 - GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM (Qs 201-225)
SECTION 10: LESSON 10 - RENAL SYSTEM (Qs 226-250)
SECTION 11: LESSON 11 - ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (Qs 251-275)
SECTION 12: LESSON 12 - REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (Qs 276-300)
SECTION 1: LESSON 1 - HOMEOSTASIS (Qs 1-25)
Q1. What is homeostasis?
A) The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external
changes
B) The body's ability to increase temperature during infection
C) The body's ability to fight infections
D) The body's ability to grow and develop
Answer: A
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal
environment within the body despite fluctuations in the external environment. It
is essential for optimal physiological health and wellbeing. Disruptions to
homeostasis can lead to disease and dysfunction.
Q2. Which fluid compartment contains the majority of the body's water?
A) Extracellular fluid (ECF)
B) Intracellular fluid (ICF)
C) Interstitial fluid (ISF)
D) Plasma
Answer: B
1
,Rationale: Intracellular fluid (ICF) is the fluid within cells and contains
approximately two-thirds of the body's total water. Extracellular fluid (ECF)
includes interstitial fluid and plasma.
Q3. What is the primary difference between osmotic pressure and oncotic
pressure?
A) Osmotic pressure is exerted by all solutes; oncotic pressure is exerted by
proteins
B) Oncotic pressure is exerted by all solutes; osmotic pressure is exerted by
proteins
C) They are the same
D) Osmotic pressure is found only in the intracellular fluid
Answer: A
Rationale: Osmotic pressure is the pressure exerted by all solutes in a solution.
Oncotic pressure (colloid osmotic pressure) is specifically the osmotic pressure
exerted by plasma proteins, primarily albumin.
Q4. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) is activated in response to:
A) Increased blood pressure
B) Decreased blood pressure or reduced renal blood flow
C) Increased blood volume
D) Decreased potassium levels
Answer: B
Rationale: The RAAS system is activated when there is reduced blood flow to the
kidneys or decreased blood pressure. The kidneys release renin, which converts
angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, then angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin
II (vasoconstrictor), which stimulates aldosterone release, causing sodium and
water retention to restore blood pressure.
Q5. Which of the following best describes Starling's Law of Capillary Forces?
A) The balance between hydrostatic pressure and oncotic pressure that
determines fluid movement across capillary walls
B) The force that regulates heart rate
C) The force that regulates respiratory rate
D) The balance between sodium and potassium
2
,Answer: A
Rationale: Starling's Law describes the balance between hydrostatic pressure
(pushing fluid out of capillaries) and oncotic pressure (pulling fluid into
capillaries). This balance determines the net movement of fluid across capillary
walls.
Q6. As Diane completes her race, what enables her body to maintain homeostasis
despite her increased activity? (Choose 3 answers)
A) Diane's sports drink helped to replace sodium and water lost due to sweating
B) Diane's body produces more angiotensin II, allowing her body to constrict
blood vessels and increase her blood pressure
C) Diane's body decreases cardiac output to conserve energy
D) Diane's body activates the RAAS system to maintain blood volume
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: During increased activity, the body maintains homeostasis through
multiple mechanisms: replacing lost fluids and electrolytes, activating the RAAS
system to maintain blood pressure, and increasing angiotensin II for
vasoconstriction.
Q7. A patient with pulmonary edema develops respiratory acidosis. How does this
affect the patient's pH?
A) pH increases above 7.45
B) pH decreases below 7.35
C) pH remains normal
D) pH fluctuates randomly
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis occurs when CO2 is retained, leading to increased
carbonic acid and decreased pH (below 7.35). Pulmonary edema impairs gas
exchange, causing CO2 buildup.
Q8. Which of the following is NOT a major solute in the body?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Glucose
D) Chloride
3
, Answer: C
Rationale: Major solutes in the body include sodium, potassium, chloride,
calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and bicarbonate. Glucose is a solute but is not
typically classified as a major electrolyte solute.
Q9. A hypotonic solution causes water to move:
A) Out of the cell, causing cell shrinkage
B) Into the cell, causing cell swelling
C) Equally in and out of the cell
D) Only into the extracellular space
Answer: B
Rationale: A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes outside the
cell compared to inside. Water moves into the cell (following the concentration
gradient), causing the cell to swell. This can lead to cell lysis.
Q10. A hypertonic solution causes water to move:
A) Out of the cell, causing cell shrinkage
B) Into the cell, causing cell swelling
C) Equally in and out of the cell
D) Only into the extracellular space
Answer: A
Rationale: A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes outside
the cell. Water moves out of the cell to equalize concentrations, causing cell
shrinkage (crenation).
Q11. An isotonic solution causes water to move:
A) Out of the cell
B) Into the cell
C) Equally in and out of the cell
D) Only into the extracellular space
Answer: C
Rationale: An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as the
cell, so there is no net movement of water across the cell membrane. Cell volume
remains stable.
4
