WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous epithelial cells. This is an example of:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Anaplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation, such as smoking.
2. Which cellular process involves the programmed cell death of specific cells without eliciting
an inflammatory response?
A. Autophagy
,B. Necrosis
C. Pyroptosis
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a distinct, programmed process of cellular self-
destruction that does not cause inflammation, unlike necrosis.
3. In the context of fluid mechanics, which force is primarily responsible for pulling water
from the interstitial space back into the capillary?
A. Capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Capillary oncotic pressure
C. Interstitial hydrostatic pressure
D. Interstitial oncotic pressure
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Capillary oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure is exerted by plasma
proteins (like albumin) and pulls water into the vascular space.
4. A patient presents with a serum pH of 7.31, PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L.
Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
, C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (>45)
indicates a respiratory cause.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves the degranulation
of mast cells?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated and involves immediate
allergic reactions like anaphylaxis or asthma.
6. A patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) experiences joint pain and skin rashes
caused by the deposition of immune complexes in tissues. This is characteristic of:
A. Type I hypersensitivity
B. Type II hypersensitivity
C. Type III hypersensitivity
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous epithelial cells. This is an example of:
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Anaplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as an adaptation to chronic irritation, such as smoking.
2. Which cellular process involves the programmed cell death of specific cells without eliciting
an inflammatory response?
A. Autophagy
,B. Necrosis
C. Pyroptosis
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a distinct, programmed process of cellular self-
destruction that does not cause inflammation, unlike necrosis.
3. In the context of fluid mechanics, which force is primarily responsible for pulling water
from the interstitial space back into the capillary?
A. Capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Capillary oncotic pressure
C. Interstitial hydrostatic pressure
D. Interstitial oncotic pressure
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Capillary oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure is exerted by plasma
proteins (like albumin) and pulls water into the vascular space.
4. A patient presents with a serum pH of 7.31, PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L.
Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
, C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (>45)
indicates a respiratory cause.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves the degranulation
of mast cells?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type I hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated and involves immediate
allergic reactions like anaphylaxis or asthma.
6. A patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) experiences joint pain and skin rashes
caused by the deposition of immune complexes in tissues. This is characteristic of:
A. Type I hypersensitivity
B. Type II hypersensitivity
C. Type III hypersensitivity
