WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s biopsy shows that cells in the esophagus have changed from squamous
epithelium to columnar epithelium due to chronic acid reflux. This cellular adaptation is
known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a widened QRS complex and peaked T
waves on an EKG?
A. Hypokalemia
,B. Hypernatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia increases the resting membrane potential, leading
to peaked T waves and eventual widening of the QRS complex.
3. In the TNM staging system for cancer, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. Node involvement
B. Number of tumors
C. Neoplasm size
D. Necrosis level
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: TNM stands for Tumor size, Node involvement (lymph nodes),
and Metastasis.
4. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. What is the acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
, C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and the high PaCO2 (>45)
indicates a respiratory cause.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves mast cell
degranulation?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is immediate and IgE-mediated, leading
to the release of histamine from mast cells.
6. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
C. Excessive glucagon production by alpha cells
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s biopsy shows that cells in the esophagus have changed from squamous
epithelium to columnar epithelium due to chronic acid reflux. This cellular adaptation is
known as:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a widened QRS complex and peaked T
waves on an EKG?
A. Hypokalemia
,B. Hypernatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia increases the resting membrane potential, leading
to peaked T waves and eventual widening of the QRS complex.
3. In the TNM staging system for cancer, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. Node involvement
B. Number of tumors
C. Neoplasm size
D. Necrosis level
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: TNM stands for Tumor size, Node involvement (lymph nodes),
and Metastasis.
4. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. What is the acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
, C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and the high PaCO2 (>45)
indicates a respiratory cause.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves mast cell
degranulation?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is immediate and IgE-mediated, leading
to the release of histamine from mast cells.
6. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
C. Excessive glucagon production by alpha cells
