D236 Pathophysiology Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026 |WGU
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when there is a decrease in the size of cells,
resulting in a reduced tissue mass?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size caused by aging, disuse, or lack of blood
supply. Hypertrophy is an increase in size, while metaplasia is a change in cell type.
2. A patient with persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) shows a
change in the epithelial cells of the esophagus from squamous to columnar. This
is an example of:
A. Anaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Neoplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as an adaptation to chronic irritation like acid reflux.
,3. Which type of cell death involves cellular swelling, membrane rupture, and an
inflammatory response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Autophagy
C. Necrosis
D. Programmed cell death
Answer: C
Rationale: Necrosis is accidental cell death caused by injury, leading to inflammation.
Apoptosis is programmed, neat cell death that does not usually cause inflammation.
4. In the context of fluid balance, what is the primary force that moves water
from the capillaries into the interstitial space?
A. Capillary oncotic pressure
B. Capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Interstitial hydrostatic pressure
D. Intracellular osmotic pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Capillary hydrostatic pressure (blood pressure) pushes water out of the vessel
into the tissues.
5. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L. Which symptom
is the most critical to monitor for?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Muscle tetany
D. Neurological changes and seizures
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyponatremia causes water to move into brain cells, leading to cerebral edema,
which presents as confusion, lethargy, and potentially seizures.
, 6. Which acid-base imbalance is likely in a patient with an arterial blood gas
(ABG) of pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, and HCO3 24?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 indicates a respiratory
cause. Since the bicarbonate is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
7. What is the primary characteristic of an autosomal dominant inheritance
pattern?
A. Affected individuals must have two copies of the mutated gene.
B. The trait often skips generations.
C. Affected individuals have a 50% chance of passing the trait to each offspring.
D. Only males are typically affected.
Answer: C
Rationale: In autosomal dominant disorders, only one copy of the mutated gene is needed
for expression, and there is a 50% chance of transmission to offspring regardless of gender.
8. Which of the following is a classic local sign of acute inflammation?
A. Fever
B. Leukocytosis
C. Edema (swelling)
D. Increased C-reactive protein
Answer: C
Rationale: The four cardinal local signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling
(edema), and pain. Fever and leukocytosis are systemic signs.
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when there is a decrease in the size of cells,
resulting in a reduced tissue mass?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size caused by aging, disuse, or lack of blood
supply. Hypertrophy is an increase in size, while metaplasia is a change in cell type.
2. A patient with persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) shows a
change in the epithelial cells of the esophagus from squamous to columnar. This
is an example of:
A. Anaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Neoplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as an adaptation to chronic irritation like acid reflux.
,3. Which type of cell death involves cellular swelling, membrane rupture, and an
inflammatory response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Autophagy
C. Necrosis
D. Programmed cell death
Answer: C
Rationale: Necrosis is accidental cell death caused by injury, leading to inflammation.
Apoptosis is programmed, neat cell death that does not usually cause inflammation.
4. In the context of fluid balance, what is the primary force that moves water
from the capillaries into the interstitial space?
A. Capillary oncotic pressure
B. Capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Interstitial hydrostatic pressure
D. Intracellular osmotic pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Capillary hydrostatic pressure (blood pressure) pushes water out of the vessel
into the tissues.
5. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L. Which symptom
is the most critical to monitor for?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Muscle tetany
D. Neurological changes and seizures
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyponatremia causes water to move into brain cells, leading to cerebral edema,
which presents as confusion, lethargy, and potentially seizures.
, 6. Which acid-base imbalance is likely in a patient with an arterial blood gas
(ABG) of pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, and HCO3 24?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 indicates a respiratory
cause. Since the bicarbonate is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
7. What is the primary characteristic of an autosomal dominant inheritance
pattern?
A. Affected individuals must have two copies of the mutated gene.
B. The trait often skips generations.
C. Affected individuals have a 50% chance of passing the trait to each offspring.
D. Only males are typically affected.
Answer: C
Rationale: In autosomal dominant disorders, only one copy of the mutated gene is needed
for expression, and there is a 50% chance of transmission to offspring regardless of gender.
8. Which of the following is a classic local sign of acute inflammation?
A. Fever
B. Leukocytosis
C. Edema (swelling)
D. Increased C-reactive protein
Answer: C
Rationale: The four cardinal local signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling
(edema), and pain. Fever and leukocytosis are systemic signs.
