Complete WGU D236 Pathophysiology
Pre-Assessment 2025–2026: 100 +
Practice Questions & Verified Answers
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to help you prepare for
the WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective Assessment (OA) and
Pre-Assessment (PA). The questions cover all major body systems
and disease processes.
EXAM OVERVIEW
Detail Information
Course D236
Pathophysiology
Institution Western Governors
University (WGU)
Exam Type Objective
Assessment (OA) /
Pre-Assessment
(PA)
,Key Topics Cellular Pathology,
Inflammation,
Immune Response,
Fluid/Electrolyte
Balance,
Cardiovascular,
Respiratory, Renal,
Endocrine,
Neurological, and
Hematologic
Disorders
SECTION 1: CELLULAR RESPONSE, HOMEOSTASIS
& CONGENITAL ANOMALIES
Question 1
Describe how the body responds to an infection.
A. B cells directly destroy infected cells.
B. T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B cells to produce
antibodies.
C. Macrophages engulf all pathogens without assistance.
D. Antibodies are produced without any cellular signaling.
Answer: B. T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B cells to
produce antibodies.
,Rationale: The adaptive immune response involves T cells producing
cytokines that activate B cells. B cells then differentiate into plasma
cells that produce specific antibodies to target the pathogen.
Question 2
Identify the role of DNA changes in congenital abnormalities.
A. Environmental factors alone cause all congenital abnormalities.
B. Mutations in genes or chromosomal abnormalities are the primary
genetic causes.
C. Congenital abnormalities are always inherited from both parents.
D. DNA changes only affect physical appearance.
Answer: B. Mutations in genes or chromosomal abnormalities are the
primary genetic causes.
Rationale: Congenital abnormalities arise from genetic mutations or
chromosomal abnormalities that disrupt normal development. These
changes can affect gene expression and protein function, leading to
structural or functional defects.
Question 3
How does development disrupt congenital abnormalities?
A. Through environmental influences alone.
B. Through alterations of DNA.
C. Through nutritional deficiencies only.
D. Through maternal age factors.
, Answer: B. Through alterations of DNA.
Rationale: Disruptions in development leading to congenital
abnormalities occur through alterations of DNA, which may include
mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, or epigenetic changes that
affect normal embryonic and fetal development.
Question 4
Describe factors that disrupt homeostasis and how disruptions affect
wellbeing.
A. Only severe trauma disrupts homeostasis.
B. Fluid and electrolyte shifts can cause nausea, vomiting, or
dysrhythmias.
C. Homeostasis is never disrupted in healthy individuals.
D. Disruptions only affect mental health.
Answer: B. Fluid and electrolyte shifts can cause nausea, vomiting, or
dysrhythmias.
Rationale: Homeostasis can be disrupted by various factors, including
fluid and electrolyte imbalances. These shifts can lead to symptoms
such as nausea, vomiting, and cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 5
Obesity and diabetes are risk factors for having a child with which
condition?
Pre-Assessment 2025–2026: 100 +
Practice Questions & Verified Answers
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to help you prepare for
the WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective Assessment (OA) and
Pre-Assessment (PA). The questions cover all major body systems
and disease processes.
EXAM OVERVIEW
Detail Information
Course D236
Pathophysiology
Institution Western Governors
University (WGU)
Exam Type Objective
Assessment (OA) /
Pre-Assessment
(PA)
,Key Topics Cellular Pathology,
Inflammation,
Immune Response,
Fluid/Electrolyte
Balance,
Cardiovascular,
Respiratory, Renal,
Endocrine,
Neurological, and
Hematologic
Disorders
SECTION 1: CELLULAR RESPONSE, HOMEOSTASIS
& CONGENITAL ANOMALIES
Question 1
Describe how the body responds to an infection.
A. B cells directly destroy infected cells.
B. T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B cells to produce
antibodies.
C. Macrophages engulf all pathogens without assistance.
D. Antibodies are produced without any cellular signaling.
Answer: B. T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B cells to
produce antibodies.
,Rationale: The adaptive immune response involves T cells producing
cytokines that activate B cells. B cells then differentiate into plasma
cells that produce specific antibodies to target the pathogen.
Question 2
Identify the role of DNA changes in congenital abnormalities.
A. Environmental factors alone cause all congenital abnormalities.
B. Mutations in genes or chromosomal abnormalities are the primary
genetic causes.
C. Congenital abnormalities are always inherited from both parents.
D. DNA changes only affect physical appearance.
Answer: B. Mutations in genes or chromosomal abnormalities are the
primary genetic causes.
Rationale: Congenital abnormalities arise from genetic mutations or
chromosomal abnormalities that disrupt normal development. These
changes can affect gene expression and protein function, leading to
structural or functional defects.
Question 3
How does development disrupt congenital abnormalities?
A. Through environmental influences alone.
B. Through alterations of DNA.
C. Through nutritional deficiencies only.
D. Through maternal age factors.
, Answer: B. Through alterations of DNA.
Rationale: Disruptions in development leading to congenital
abnormalities occur through alterations of DNA, which may include
mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, or epigenetic changes that
affect normal embryonic and fetal development.
Question 4
Describe factors that disrupt homeostasis and how disruptions affect
wellbeing.
A. Only severe trauma disrupts homeostasis.
B. Fluid and electrolyte shifts can cause nausea, vomiting, or
dysrhythmias.
C. Homeostasis is never disrupted in healthy individuals.
D. Disruptions only affect mental health.
Answer: B. Fluid and electrolyte shifts can cause nausea, vomiting, or
dysrhythmias.
Rationale: Homeostasis can be disrupted by various factors, including
fluid and electrolyte imbalances. These shifts can lead to symptoms
such as nausea, vomiting, and cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 5
Obesity and diabetes are risk factors for having a child with which
condition?
