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WGU D236 OA V2 – (2026) PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA (3 SET
EXAMS) ACTUAL QUESTIONS & STUDY GUIDE
(GUARANTEE PASS)
A patient with long-standing hypertension develops thickening of the
left ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation BEST explains this
change?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease develops
replacement of normal esophageal squamous epithelium with
columnar epithelium. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
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D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
A cell experiences prolonged oxygen deprivation and cannot maintain
adequate ATP production. Which metabolic pathway becomes
increasingly important for maintaining limited ATP production?
A. Anaerobic glycolysis
B. Oxidative phosphorylation
C. Fatty acid synthesis
D. Protein synthesis
Answer: A
A patient experiences severe tissue ischemia that results in irreversible
cellular injury and death. Which finding is MOST characteristic of
necrotic cell death?
A. Controlled cellular destruction without inflammation
B. Cellular swelling and membrane disruption with an inflammatory
response
C. Increased normal cellular replication
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D. Conversion of one mature cell type into another
Answer: B
A patient develops tissue damage after a prolonged period of
inadequate blood flow. Which term describes inadequate tissue
perfusion caused by insufficient blood supply?
A. Ischemia
B. Hyperemia
C. Edema
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: A
A patient with severe infection develops widespread inflammatory
activation. Which mediator is particularly associated with producing
fever during an inflammatory response?
A. Histamine
B. Pyrogenic cytokines
C. Albumin
D. Insulin
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Answer: B
A patient sustains a tissue injury, and the affected area becomes red,
warm, swollen, and painful. Which process BEST explains these local
manifestations?
A. Acute inflammation
B. Cellular atrophy
C. Chronic ischemia
D. Autoimmune tolerance
Answer: A
A patient develops generalized edema because plasma albumin
concentration is severely reduced. Which mechanism BEST explains the
fluid accumulation?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Decreased capillary permeability
D. Increased intracellular osmotic pressure only
WGU D236 OA V2 – (2026) PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA (3 SET
EXAMS) ACTUAL QUESTIONS & STUDY GUIDE
(GUARANTEE PASS)
A patient with long-standing hypertension develops thickening of the
left ventricular wall. Which cellular adaptation BEST explains this
change?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: C
A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease develops
replacement of normal esophageal squamous epithelium with
columnar epithelium. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Atrophy
,2|Page
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
A cell experiences prolonged oxygen deprivation and cannot maintain
adequate ATP production. Which metabolic pathway becomes
increasingly important for maintaining limited ATP production?
A. Anaerobic glycolysis
B. Oxidative phosphorylation
C. Fatty acid synthesis
D. Protein synthesis
Answer: A
A patient experiences severe tissue ischemia that results in irreversible
cellular injury and death. Which finding is MOST characteristic of
necrotic cell death?
A. Controlled cellular destruction without inflammation
B. Cellular swelling and membrane disruption with an inflammatory
response
C. Increased normal cellular replication
,3|Page
D. Conversion of one mature cell type into another
Answer: B
A patient develops tissue damage after a prolonged period of
inadequate blood flow. Which term describes inadequate tissue
perfusion caused by insufficient blood supply?
A. Ischemia
B. Hyperemia
C. Edema
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: A
A patient with severe infection develops widespread inflammatory
activation. Which mediator is particularly associated with producing
fever during an inflammatory response?
A. Histamine
B. Pyrogenic cytokines
C. Albumin
D. Insulin
, 4|Page
Answer: B
A patient sustains a tissue injury, and the affected area becomes red,
warm, swollen, and painful. Which process BEST explains these local
manifestations?
A. Acute inflammation
B. Cellular atrophy
C. Chronic ischemia
D. Autoimmune tolerance
Answer: A
A patient develops generalized edema because plasma albumin
concentration is severely reduced. Which mechanism BEST explains the
fluid accumulation?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Decreased capillary permeability
D. Increased intracellular osmotic pressure only
