WGU D236 PRE-ASSESSMENT
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW (LATEST
2026/2027 UPDATE) 100 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | GRADE A
SECTION 1: HOMEOSTASIS & CELLULAR ADAPTATION
(QUESTIONS 1–12)
Question 1
A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits thickening of the left
ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size in response to
increased workload. Chronic hypertension increases afterload on th e
left ventricle, causing myocardial cells to enlarge (hypertrophy) to
maintain cardiac output. Atrophy (A) is a decrease in cell size.
Hyperplasia (B) is an increase in cell number. Metaplasia (C) is
replacement of one mature cell type with another.
,Question 2
Which process describes the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation like smoking?
A. Dysplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Anaplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one matu re cell
type by another less mature cell type to better withstand an adverse
environment. For example, in smokers, the normal ciliated columnar
epithelium of the bronchi may be replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium. Dysplasia (A) involves abnormal cell growth. Hyperplasia
(B) is an increase in cell number. Anaplasia (C) is loss of differentiation
in malignant cells.
Question 3
What term describes programmed cell death that is a normal part of
development?
A. Autolysis
B. Apoptosis
C. Necrosis
D. Sclerosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is "programmed" cell death that is neat,
regulated, and does not trigger inflammation. It is a normal part of
,development and tissue homeostasis. Necrosis (C) is unregulated cell
death that causes inflammation. Autolysis (A) is self-digestion by
cellular enzymes. Sclerosis (D) is hardening of tissue.
Question 4
A patient with chronic kidney disease presents with anemia. This is due
to a deficiency of which substance?
A. Erythropoietin
B. Platelets
C. Albumin
D. Renin
Answer: A
Rationale: Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys and stimulates
red blood cell production in the bone marrow. In chronic kidney
disease, the damaged kidneys produce insufficient erythropoietin,
leading to anemia. Platelets (B) are involved in clotting. Albumin (C)
maintains oncotic pressure. Renin (D) regulates blood pressure.
Question 5
Describe how your body responds to an infection.
Answer: T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B cells. B cells
produce antibodies.
Rationale: This describes the adaptive immune response. T helper cells
recognize antigens and release cytokines that activate B lymphocytes.
, Activated B cells then differentiate into plasma cells that produce
specific antibodies to neutralize the pathogen. This coordinated
response is essential for eliminating infections and establishing
immunological memory.
Question 6
Identify the role of DNA changes in congenital abnormalities.
Answer: Mutations in genes or chromosomal abnormalities.
Rationale: Congenital abnormalities arise from alterations in genetic
material. Gene mutations can affect single genes, while chromosomal
abnormalities involve changes in chromosome number or structure.
These alterations disrupt normal embryonic and fetal development,
leading to structural or functional anomalies present at birth.
Question 7
A patient presents with decreased alertness, mental confusion, skin that
is pale and scaly, weight loss, easy bruising or bleeding, and decreased
urine output. Which condition is this patient showing signs of?
A. Renal calculi
B. End-stage renal disease
C. Hydronephrosis
D. Polycystic kidney disease
Answer: B
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW (LATEST
2026/2027 UPDATE) 100 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | GRADE A
SECTION 1: HOMEOSTASIS & CELLULAR ADAPTATION
(QUESTIONS 1–12)
Question 1
A patient with chronic hypertension exhibits thickening of the left
ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size in response to
increased workload. Chronic hypertension increases afterload on th e
left ventricle, causing myocardial cells to enlarge (hypertrophy) to
maintain cardiac output. Atrophy (A) is a decrease in cell size.
Hyperplasia (B) is an increase in cell number. Metaplasia (C) is
replacement of one mature cell type with another.
,Question 2
Which process describes the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often due to chronic irritation like smoking?
A. Dysplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Anaplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one matu re cell
type by another less mature cell type to better withstand an adverse
environment. For example, in smokers, the normal ciliated columnar
epithelium of the bronchi may be replaced by stratified squamous
epithelium. Dysplasia (A) involves abnormal cell growth. Hyperplasia
(B) is an increase in cell number. Anaplasia (C) is loss of differentiation
in malignant cells.
Question 3
What term describes programmed cell death that is a normal part of
development?
A. Autolysis
B. Apoptosis
C. Necrosis
D. Sclerosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Apoptosis is "programmed" cell death that is neat,
regulated, and does not trigger inflammation. It is a normal part of
,development and tissue homeostasis. Necrosis (C) is unregulated cell
death that causes inflammation. Autolysis (A) is self-digestion by
cellular enzymes. Sclerosis (D) is hardening of tissue.
Question 4
A patient with chronic kidney disease presents with anemia. This is due
to a deficiency of which substance?
A. Erythropoietin
B. Platelets
C. Albumin
D. Renin
Answer: A
Rationale: Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys and stimulates
red blood cell production in the bone marrow. In chronic kidney
disease, the damaged kidneys produce insufficient erythropoietin,
leading to anemia. Platelets (B) are involved in clotting. Albumin (C)
maintains oncotic pressure. Renin (D) regulates blood pressure.
Question 5
Describe how your body responds to an infection.
Answer: T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B cells. B cells
produce antibodies.
Rationale: This describes the adaptive immune response. T helper cells
recognize antigens and release cytokines that activate B lymphocytes.
, Activated B cells then differentiate into plasma cells that produce
specific antibodies to neutralize the pathogen. This coordinated
response is essential for eliminating infections and establishing
immunological memory.
Question 6
Identify the role of DNA changes in congenital abnormalities.
Answer: Mutations in genes or chromosomal abnormalities.
Rationale: Congenital abnormalities arise from alterations in genetic
material. Gene mutations can affect single genes, while chromosomal
abnormalities involve changes in chromosome number or structure.
These alterations disrupt normal embryonic and fetal development,
leading to structural or functional anomalies present at birth.
Question 7
A patient presents with decreased alertness, mental confusion, skin that
is pale and scaly, weight loss, easy bruising or bleeding, and decreased
urine output. Which condition is this patient showing signs of?
A. Renal calculi
B. End-stage renal disease
C. Hydronephrosis
D. Polycystic kidney disease
Answer: B
