Pathophysiology Final Exam Review Test Bank
350 Questions & Correct Answers | WGU D236
Objective Assessment | 2026-2027 Edition
This comprehensive test bank contains 350 verified questions and answers for the
WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective Assessment Final Exam. The questions
cover all essential domains including cellular adaptation and injury, inflammation
and immunity, genetics, fluid and electrolyte balance, cardiovascular, respiratory,
renal, endocrine, neurological, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal
pathophysiology . Each question includes a detailed rationale to reinforce learning
and ensure exam readiness.
Content Area Overview
Domain Questions Key Topics
Cellular Adaptation & Injury 1-45 Hyperplasia, hypertrophy, metaplasia,
atrophy, necrosis, apoptosis
Inflammation & Immunity 46-85 Hypersensitivity types, cytokines,
complement, autoimmune disorders
Genetics & Neoplasia 86-110 Mutations, chromosomal abnormalities,
benign vs. malignant tumors
Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base 111-145 Fluid compartments, electrolyte
imbalances, acid-base disorders, RAAS
Cardiovascular Pathophysiology 146-200 Hypertension, heart failure, MI,
atherosclerosis, valvular disease
Respiratory Pathophysiology 201-235 COPD, asthma, ARDS, PE,
pneumoconiosis, TB
Renal & Urinary Pathophysiology 236-270 AKI, CKD, glomerulonephritis,
nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis
,Endocrine Pathophysiology 271-310 Diabetes (DKA, HHS), thyroid
disorders, adrenal insufficiency
Gastrointestinal & Hepatic 311-335 Cirrhosis, pancreatitis, IBD, hepatitis,
cholecystitis
Neurological & Musculoskeletal 336-350 Stroke, MS, Parkinson's, ALS,
osteoporosis, osteoarthritis
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION & INJURY (Questions 1-45)
Question 1: A 65-year-old male presents with an enlarged prostate gland causing
urinary obstruction. The cellular adaptation occurring in the prostate is best
described as:
A) Atrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common, nonmalignant
enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs as men age. This represents an
increase in the NUMBER of cells (hyperplasia) due to hormonal influences, not an
increase in cell size (hypertrophy) .
Question 2: A chronic smoker develops cellular changes in the bronchial
epithelium where normal ciliated columnar cells transform into stratified
squamous epithelial cells. This adaptation is called:
,A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type
with another. In smokers, the normal ciliated columnar epithelium of the bronchi
undergoes metaplasia to stratified squamous epithelium. This is initially adaptive
but can become maladaptive .
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the process of apoptosis?
A) Unregulated cell death causing inflammation
B) Programmed cell death that is genetically controlled and does not elicit
inflammation
C) Cell death due to ischemia
D) Premalignant cellular changes
Correct Answer: B) Programmed cell death that is genetically controlled and does
not elicit inflammation
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed, energy-dependent cell death that occurs
normally during development and tissue homeostasis. It is characterized by cell
, shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and fragmentation without inflammation, as
cellular contents are packaged into apoptotic bodies and removed by phagocytes
.
Question 4: Coagulative necrosis is most commonly associated with which
condition?
A) Tuberculosis
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Pancreatitis
D) Brain infarction
Correct Answer: B) Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis is characteristic of ischemic injury in solid organs
except the brain. Protein denaturation preserves tissue architecture for days.
Myocardial infarction typically shows coagulative necrosis, while liquefactive
necrosis occurs in the brain, caseous necrosis in TB, and fat necrosis in
pancreatitis .
Question 5: A patient immobilized in a cast for 6 weeks develops decreased
muscle mass in the affected limb. This cellular change is called:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
350 Questions & Correct Answers | WGU D236
Objective Assessment | 2026-2027 Edition
This comprehensive test bank contains 350 verified questions and answers for the
WGU D236 Pathophysiology Objective Assessment Final Exam. The questions
cover all essential domains including cellular adaptation and injury, inflammation
and immunity, genetics, fluid and electrolyte balance, cardiovascular, respiratory,
renal, endocrine, neurological, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal
pathophysiology . Each question includes a detailed rationale to reinforce learning
and ensure exam readiness.
Content Area Overview
Domain Questions Key Topics
Cellular Adaptation & Injury 1-45 Hyperplasia, hypertrophy, metaplasia,
atrophy, necrosis, apoptosis
Inflammation & Immunity 46-85 Hypersensitivity types, cytokines,
complement, autoimmune disorders
Genetics & Neoplasia 86-110 Mutations, chromosomal abnormalities,
benign vs. malignant tumors
Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base 111-145 Fluid compartments, electrolyte
imbalances, acid-base disorders, RAAS
Cardiovascular Pathophysiology 146-200 Hypertension, heart failure, MI,
atherosclerosis, valvular disease
Respiratory Pathophysiology 201-235 COPD, asthma, ARDS, PE,
pneumoconiosis, TB
Renal & Urinary Pathophysiology 236-270 AKI, CKD, glomerulonephritis,
nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis
,Endocrine Pathophysiology 271-310 Diabetes (DKA, HHS), thyroid
disorders, adrenal insufficiency
Gastrointestinal & Hepatic 311-335 Cirrhosis, pancreatitis, IBD, hepatitis,
cholecystitis
Neurological & Musculoskeletal 336-350 Stroke, MS, Parkinson's, ALS,
osteoporosis, osteoarthritis
SECTION 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION & INJURY (Questions 1-45)
Question 1: A 65-year-old male presents with an enlarged prostate gland causing
urinary obstruction. The cellular adaptation occurring in the prostate is best
described as:
A) Atrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B) Hyperplasia
Rationale: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common, nonmalignant
enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs as men age. This represents an
increase in the NUMBER of cells (hyperplasia) due to hormonal influences, not an
increase in cell size (hypertrophy) .
Question 2: A chronic smoker develops cellular changes in the bronchial
epithelium where normal ciliated columnar cells transform into stratified
squamous epithelial cells. This adaptation is called:
,A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type
with another. In smokers, the normal ciliated columnar epithelium of the bronchi
undergoes metaplasia to stratified squamous epithelium. This is initially adaptive
but can become maladaptive .
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the process of apoptosis?
A) Unregulated cell death causing inflammation
B) Programmed cell death that is genetically controlled and does not elicit
inflammation
C) Cell death due to ischemia
D) Premalignant cellular changes
Correct Answer: B) Programmed cell death that is genetically controlled and does
not elicit inflammation
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed, energy-dependent cell death that occurs
normally during development and tissue homeostasis. It is characterized by cell
, shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and fragmentation without inflammation, as
cellular contents are packaged into apoptotic bodies and removed by phagocytes
.
Question 4: Coagulative necrosis is most commonly associated with which
condition?
A) Tuberculosis
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Pancreatitis
D) Brain infarction
Correct Answer: B) Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis is characteristic of ischemic injury in solid organs
except the brain. Protein denaturation preserves tissue architecture for days.
Myocardial infarction typically shows coagulative necrosis, while liquefactive
necrosis occurs in the brain, caseous necrosis in TB, and fat necrosis in
pancreatitis .
Question 5: A patient immobilized in a cast for 6 weeks develops decreased
muscle mass in the affected limb. This cellular change is called:
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
