WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM STUDY
GUIDE
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and functional capacity,
often resulting from decreased workload or denervation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Atrophy is the shrinkage in cell size due to loss of cell substance,
often caused by decreased workload, loss of innervation, or diminished blood supply.
2. A patient presents with abnormal cell growth where the cells vary in size, shape, and
organization. This condition, often a precursor to cancer, is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Anaplasia
,C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and
organization of mature cells and is often considered a pre-neoplastic change.
3. Which mechanism is responsible for the programmed cell death that prevents an
inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Infarction
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction
(programmed cell death) that does not elicit an inflammatory response, unlike necrosis.
4. In the context of electrolyte imbalances, what is the primary physiological consequence of
hyperkalemia?
A. Increased neuromuscular excitability due to a lower resting membrane potential
B. Decreased neuromuscular excitability due to a more negative resting membrane
potential
, C. Decreased cardiac excitability due to hyperpolarization
D. Increased neuromuscular excitability due to a resting membrane potential closer to
threshold
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia raises the resting membrane potential closer to
the threshold, initially increasing excitability, but can eventually lead to cardiac arrest by
preventing repolarization.
5. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely to occur in a patient with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) who retains carbon dioxide?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: COPD causes hypoventilation and CO2 retention, leading to an
increase in carbonic acid and a drop in pH, resulting in respiratory acidosis.
6. A child is diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. This condition is inherited via which genetic
pattern?
A. Autosomal Dominant
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM STUDY
GUIDE
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by a decrease in cell size and functional capacity,
often resulting from decreased workload or denervation?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Atrophy is the shrinkage in cell size due to loss of cell substance,
often caused by decreased workload, loss of innervation, or diminished blood supply.
2. A patient presents with abnormal cell growth where the cells vary in size, shape, and
organization. This condition, often a precursor to cancer, is known as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Anaplasia
,C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and
organization of mature cells and is often considered a pre-neoplastic change.
3. Which mechanism is responsible for the programmed cell death that prevents an
inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autophagy
C. Apoptosis
D. Infarction
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is an active process of cellular self-destruction
(programmed cell death) that does not elicit an inflammatory response, unlike necrosis.
4. In the context of electrolyte imbalances, what is the primary physiological consequence of
hyperkalemia?
A. Increased neuromuscular excitability due to a lower resting membrane potential
B. Decreased neuromuscular excitability due to a more negative resting membrane
potential
, C. Decreased cardiac excitability due to hyperpolarization
D. Increased neuromuscular excitability due to a resting membrane potential closer to
threshold
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia raises the resting membrane potential closer to
the threshold, initially increasing excitability, but can eventually lead to cardiac arrest by
preventing repolarization.
5. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely to occur in a patient with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) who retains carbon dioxide?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: COPD causes hypoventilation and CO2 retention, leading to an
increase in carbonic acid and a drop in pH, resulting in respiratory acidosis.
6. A child is diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. This condition is inherited via which genetic
pattern?
A. Autosomal Dominant
