WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with tall, peaked T-waves on an EKG. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the clinician suspect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high serum potassium) causes characteristic
EKG changes, including tall, peaked T-waves, widened QRS complexes, and potentially
cardiac arrest.
2. Which cellular adaptation occurs when a smoker’s ciliated columnar epithelium is replaced
by stratified squamous epithelium in the airways?
A. Metaplasia
,B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation like cigarette smoke.
3. In the context of acid-base balance, how does the body compensate for metabolic acidosis?
A. Hypoventilation to retain CO2
B. Decreasing bicarbonate reabsorption
C. Decreasing renal excretion of hydrogen ions
D. Hyperventilation to blow off CO2
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The respiratory system compensates for metabolic acidosis by
increasing the rate and depth of breathing (Kussmaul respirations) to reduce PaCO2.
4. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Excessive secretion of glucagon
C. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
, D. Decreased glucose absorption in the gut
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by an absolute insulin
deficiency due to immune-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the
pancreas.
5. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops thickening of the left ventricular wall.
This is an example of:
A. Physiologic hypertrophy
B. Pathologic hypertrophy
C. Compensatory hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Pathologic hypertrophy occurs in response to increased
workload (afterload) caused by hypertension, leading to increased cell size but potentially
decreased function over time.
6. Which genetic condition is characterized by the presence of an extra chromosome 21?
A. Turner Syndrome
B. Klinefelter Syndrome
C. Down Syndrome
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with tall, peaked T-waves on an EKG. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the clinician suspect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high serum potassium) causes characteristic
EKG changes, including tall, peaked T-waves, widened QRS complexes, and potentially
cardiac arrest.
2. Which cellular adaptation occurs when a smoker’s ciliated columnar epithelium is replaced
by stratified squamous epithelium in the airways?
A. Metaplasia
,B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation like cigarette smoke.
3. In the context of acid-base balance, how does the body compensate for metabolic acidosis?
A. Hypoventilation to retain CO2
B. Decreasing bicarbonate reabsorption
C. Decreasing renal excretion of hydrogen ions
D. Hyperventilation to blow off CO2
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The respiratory system compensates for metabolic acidosis by
increasing the rate and depth of breathing (Kussmaul respirations) to reduce PaCO2.
4. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Excessive secretion of glucagon
C. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
, D. Decreased glucose absorption in the gut
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by an absolute insulin
deficiency due to immune-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the
pancreas.
5. A patient with long-standing hypertension develops thickening of the left ventricular wall.
This is an example of:
A. Physiologic hypertrophy
B. Pathologic hypertrophy
C. Compensatory hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Pathologic hypertrophy occurs in response to increased
workload (afterload) caused by hypertension, leading to increased cell size but potentially
decreased function over time.
6. Which genetic condition is characterized by the presence of an extra chromosome 21?
A. Turner Syndrome
B. Klinefelter Syndrome
C. Down Syndrome
