WGU D027 Course Material exam Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which cellular change is generally considered reversible when the
underlying injury is removed?
A. Cellular swelling
B. Nuclear dissolution
C. Plasma membrane rupture
D. Extensive mitochondrial destruction
Answer: A. Cellular swelling
Rationale: Cellular swelling is a common early and reversible response
to injury caused by impaired ATP production and failure of the
sodium-potassium pump. Water enters the cell as sodium accumulates
intracellularly. If the underlying insult is corrected, normal cellular
function can return. Nuclear dissolution and membrane rupture are
associated with irreversible injury.
,2. Which organelle is primarily responsible for producing ATP through
oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Lysosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Ribosome
Answer: C. Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria generate most cellular ATP through oxidative
phosphorylation. ATP provides energy for essential cellular processes
such as active transport, protein synthesis, and muscle contraction.
Lysosomes digest cellular material, the Golgi apparatus modifies and
packages proteins, and ribosomes synthesize proteins.
3. A patient develops edema because of increased hydrostatic
pressure within the capillaries. Which condition is most likely
responsible?
A. Severe dehydration
B. Left-sided heart failure
C. Hypoalbuminemia
D. Lymphatic obstruction only
,Answer: B. Left-sided heart failure
Rationale: Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure promotes
movement of fluid from the vascular compartment into the interstitial
space, producing edema. Heart failure can increase venous and
capillary pressures and therefore contribute to edema.
Hypoalbuminemia instead primarily causes decreased plasma oncotic
pressure.
4. Which mechanism most directly explains edema associated with
severe hypoalbuminemia?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Increased intracellular osmotic pressure only
D. Decreased capillary permeability
Answer: B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Rationale: Albumin is an important plasma protein that helps retain
water within the vascular compartment through oncotic pressure.
When albumin levels fall substantially, less fluid is retained
intravascularly, allowing more water to move into the interstitial
space and produce edema.
, 5. Which process describes programmed, regulated cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Atrophy
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: B. Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is an organized form of programmed cell death
that generally occurs without the extensive inflammation associated
with necrosis. It is important during normal development and tissue
remodeling and can also eliminate damaged or abnormal cells.
6. Which finding is most characteristic of necrotic cell death?
A. Controlled cellular fragmentation without inflammation
B. Cellular death with membrane disruption and inflammation
C. Normal cellular turnover
D. Increased cell specialization
Answer: B. Cellular death with membrane disruption and
inflammation
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which cellular change is generally considered reversible when the
underlying injury is removed?
A. Cellular swelling
B. Nuclear dissolution
C. Plasma membrane rupture
D. Extensive mitochondrial destruction
Answer: A. Cellular swelling
Rationale: Cellular swelling is a common early and reversible response
to injury caused by impaired ATP production and failure of the
sodium-potassium pump. Water enters the cell as sodium accumulates
intracellularly. If the underlying insult is corrected, normal cellular
function can return. Nuclear dissolution and membrane rupture are
associated with irreversible injury.
,2. Which organelle is primarily responsible for producing ATP through
oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Lysosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Ribosome
Answer: C. Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria generate most cellular ATP through oxidative
phosphorylation. ATP provides energy for essential cellular processes
such as active transport, protein synthesis, and muscle contraction.
Lysosomes digest cellular material, the Golgi apparatus modifies and
packages proteins, and ribosomes synthesize proteins.
3. A patient develops edema because of increased hydrostatic
pressure within the capillaries. Which condition is most likely
responsible?
A. Severe dehydration
B. Left-sided heart failure
C. Hypoalbuminemia
D. Lymphatic obstruction only
,Answer: B. Left-sided heart failure
Rationale: Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure promotes
movement of fluid from the vascular compartment into the interstitial
space, producing edema. Heart failure can increase venous and
capillary pressures and therefore contribute to edema.
Hypoalbuminemia instead primarily causes decreased plasma oncotic
pressure.
4. Which mechanism most directly explains edema associated with
severe hypoalbuminemia?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Increased intracellular osmotic pressure only
D. Decreased capillary permeability
Answer: B. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Rationale: Albumin is an important plasma protein that helps retain
water within the vascular compartment through oncotic pressure.
When albumin levels fall substantially, less fluid is retained
intravascularly, allowing more water to move into the interstitial
space and produce edema.
, 5. Which process describes programmed, regulated cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Atrophy
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: B. Apoptosis
Rationale: Apoptosis is an organized form of programmed cell death
that generally occurs without the extensive inflammation associated
with necrosis. It is important during normal development and tissue
remodeling and can also eliminate damaged or abnormal cells.
6. Which finding is most characteristic of necrotic cell death?
A. Controlled cellular fragmentation without inflammation
B. Cellular death with membrane disruption and inflammation
C. Normal cellular turnover
D. Increased cell specialization
Answer: B. Cellular death with membrane disruption and
inflammation
