WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which process describes the reduction in cell size in response to decreased workload or
loss of hormonal stimulation?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size, often resulting from
disuse, denervation, or diminished blood supply.
2. A patient with prolonged ischemia in heart tissue undergoes cell death characterized by
the preservation of tissue architecture. This is known as:
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
,C. Coagulative necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Coagulative necrosis occurs primarily in the heart, kidneys, and
adrenal glands due to protein denaturation.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peak T waves on an EKG and carry a risk
of cardiac arrest?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) affects cardiac conductivity,
leading to tall, peaked T waves and potential cardiac arrest.
4. Which mechanism is responsible for the movement of fluid from the interstitial space into
the intravascular space?
A. Capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Capillary oncotic pressure
C. Plasma oncotic pressure
, D. Interstitial hydrostatic pressure
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Plasma oncotic pressure (colloid osmotic pressure) pulls water
into the circulatory system from the interstitial space.
5. A patient’s ABG results show pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-
base imbalance does this indicate?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (over 45)
points to a respiratory cause.
6. Huntington disease is inherited through which genetic pattern?
A. Autosomal recessive
B. Autosomal dominant
C. X-linked recessive
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which process describes the reduction in cell size in response to decreased workload or
loss of hormonal stimulation?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Atrophy is a decrease in cellular size, often resulting from
disuse, denervation, or diminished blood supply.
2. A patient with prolonged ischemia in heart tissue undergoes cell death characterized by
the preservation of tissue architecture. This is known as:
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
,C. Coagulative necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Coagulative necrosis occurs primarily in the heart, kidneys, and
adrenal glands due to protein denaturation.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peak T waves on an EKG and carry a risk
of cardiac arrest?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) affects cardiac conductivity,
leading to tall, peaked T waves and potential cardiac arrest.
4. Which mechanism is responsible for the movement of fluid from the interstitial space into
the intravascular space?
A. Capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Capillary oncotic pressure
C. Plasma oncotic pressure
, D. Interstitial hydrostatic pressure
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Plasma oncotic pressure (colloid osmotic pressure) pulls water
into the circulatory system from the interstitial space.
5. A patient’s ABG results show pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-
base imbalance does this indicate?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (over 45)
points to a respiratory cause.
6. Huntington disease is inherited through which genetic pattern?
A. Autosomal recessive
B. Autosomal dominant
C. X-linked recessive
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
