WGU D115 OA Advanced Pathophysiology Exam (Latest 2026 /
2027) Actual Questions with Detailed Answers and OA
Readiness Practice Exam Test Bank with Study Guide
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➢Clinical presentation and diagnostic reasoning
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,Question 1
In which two conditions are chromosomal abnormalities the leading known cause?
A. Autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases
B. Respiratory infections and skin conditions
C. Intellectual disability and fetal miscarriage
D. Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
Answer: C
Rationale: Chromosomal abnormalities are the leading known cause of intellectual
disability and fetal miscarriage. Chromosomal disorders result from errors in cell division
that affect the number or structure of chromosomes.
Question 2
Which illness is the most common cause of aplastic anemia?
A. Type A influenza virus
B. Chronic myeloid leukemia
C. Varicella zoster
D. Human parvovirus B19
Answer: D
Rationale: Human parvovirus B19 infection may lead to the cessation of red blood cell
production, resulting in aplastic anemia. The virus infects and destroys erythroid
progenitor cells in the bone marrow.
Question 3
What are three characteristics of celiac disease?
A. Vitamin deficiencies due to damaged intestinal villi
B. Anemia of chronic disease/poor iron absorption
,C. Diminished growth in children
D. Complete recovery with continued gluten ingestion
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Celiac disease damages intestinal villi, leading to malabsorption of vitamins
and minerals. This results in vitamin deficiencies, anemia (from poor iron absorption),
and diminished growth in children.
Question 4
Which condition is cyanosis followed by rubor and paresthesias in the digits
associated with?
A. Systemic lupus erythematosus
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Raynaud phenomenon
D. Peripheral artery disease
Answer: C
Rationale: Raynaud phenomenon affects the small vessels supplying blood to the fingers
and toes. Vasoconstriction produces cyanosis, followed by rubor (redness) and
paresthesias (numbness/tingling) in the digits as blood flow returns.
Question 5
Describe what caused the pain that sent the patient to the emergency department with
renal calculi.
A. At least one renal calculus was obstructing the ureter
B. Damage to the glomerular filtration barrier
C. Blockage in the urethra
D. Severe infection in the kidney pelvis
Answer: A
Rationale: The severe pain (renal colic) from renal calculi occurs when a stone becomes
, too large to move easily through the ureter, causing obstruction, stretching of the ureter,
and intense pain.
Question 6
What is the term for a reduction in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets?
A. Aplastic anemia
B. Hereditary hemochromatosis
C. Myelodysplastic syndrome
D. Sideroblastic anemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Aplastic anemia is characterized by pancytopenia—a reduction in all three
blood cell types (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) due to bone marrow
failure.
Question 7
Describe what you expect values to be if the patient has type 2 diabetes.
A. Both blood glucose and HbA1c should be elevated
B. Only blood glucose should be elevated
C. Only HbA1c should be elevated
D. Both should be normal
Answer: A
Rationale: In type 2 diabetes, both current blood glucose levels and HbA1c (reflecting
average glucose over 2-3 months) are elevated.
Question 8
What is the most common cause of hypoxemia?