WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a chronic cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous epithelial cells. This process is best described as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation like smoking. Dysplasia refers to
abnormal changes in size/shape (pre-cancerous).
,2. Which mechanism of cellular injury is most likely to result from the depletion of ATP during
hypoxic conditions?
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Decreased intracellular calcium levels
C. Activation of the complement cascade
D. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump leading to cellular swelling
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: ATP depletion causes the Na+/K+ pump to fail. Sodium enters
the cell, water follows by osmosis, and the cell swells (oncosis).
3. A patient is diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, an autosomal dominant disorder. If one
parent is heterozygous for the gene and the other is unaffected, what is the probability that
their child will inherit the disease?
A. 50%
B. 25%
C. 0%
D. 100%
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: In autosomal dominant disorders, a heterozygous parent (Aa)
and an unaffected parent (aa) have a 50% chance of passing the dominant allele (A) to their
offspring.
4. Which statement best describes the difference between apoptosis and necrosis?
A. Apoptosis is a regulated process that does not elicit inflammation; necrosis involves cell
lysis and inflammation.
B. Apoptosis causes significant inflammation, while necrosis does not.
C. Necrosis is programmed cell death, while apoptosis is accidental.
D. Necrosis is always physiological, while apoptosis is always pathological.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is ‘cell suicide’ that keeps the membrane intact to
avoid inflammation. Necrosis involves membrane rupture and the release of intracellular
contents, triggering an inflammatory response.
5. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results show pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a chronic cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous epithelial cells. This process is best described as:
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation like smoking. Dysplasia refers to
abnormal changes in size/shape (pre-cancerous).
,2. Which mechanism of cellular injury is most likely to result from the depletion of ATP during
hypoxic conditions?
A. Increased protein synthesis
B. Decreased intracellular calcium levels
C. Activation of the complement cascade
D. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump leading to cellular swelling
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: ATP depletion causes the Na+/K+ pump to fail. Sodium enters
the cell, water follows by osmosis, and the cell swells (oncosis).
3. A patient is diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, an autosomal dominant disorder. If one
parent is heterozygous for the gene and the other is unaffected, what is the probability that
their child will inherit the disease?
A. 50%
B. 25%
C. 0%
D. 100%
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: In autosomal dominant disorders, a heterozygous parent (Aa)
and an unaffected parent (aa) have a 50% chance of passing the dominant allele (A) to their
offspring.
4. Which statement best describes the difference between apoptosis and necrosis?
A. Apoptosis is a regulated process that does not elicit inflammation; necrosis involves cell
lysis and inflammation.
B. Apoptosis causes significant inflammation, while necrosis does not.
C. Necrosis is programmed cell death, while apoptosis is accidental.
D. Necrosis is always physiological, while apoptosis is always pathological.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is ‘cell suicide’ that keeps the membrane intact to
avoid inflammation. Necrosis involves membrane rupture and the release of intracellular
contents, triggering an inflammatory response.
5. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results show pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
