WGU D236
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
STUDY GUIDE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT EXAM
Actual Questions and Answers
100% Guarantee Pass
2026-2027 Update Exam
____________________________________________________
This Exam contains:
➤ 117 Questions and Answers across 12 Lessons
➤ 100% Guarantee Pass
➤ Complete Study Guide & Practice Questions
➤ Each Question Includes The Correct Answer
➤ Expert-Verified Explanation
, WGU D236 Pathophysiology Exam Study Guide — 2026-2027 Update
Exam
Lesson 1: Patho OA Study Guide
1. What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces? How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient
child would have edema?
Correct answer ✔✔
Starling’s Law describes how fluids move across the capillary membrane. There are two major opposing
forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and
osmotic pressure (including oncotic pressure, which pushes fluid into the capillaries). Both electrolytes
and proteins (oncotic pressure) in the blood affect osmotic pressure. High electrolyte and protein
concentrations in the blood cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the bloodstream
to dilute the high concentrations. On the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen
in a nutritionally deficient child) cause water to leave the capillaries and enter the cells and interstitial
fluid, which can lead to edema.
2. How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in increased blood volume
and increased blood pressure?
Correct answer ✔✔
A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which in turn secretes renin. Renin
triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is converted to Angiotensin I in the lungs and then
Angiotensin II by the enzyme Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates
peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP. Angiotensin II also stimulates the adrenal gland to
,release aldosterone, which acts to increase sodium and water reabsorption increasing blood volume,
while also increasing potassium secretion in urine.
3. How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest?
Correct answer ✔✔
Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to potassium levels
higher than 5.2 mEq/dL. A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too
low and muscle weakness occurs; too much can cause muscle spasms. This is especially dangerous in
the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat can cause a heart attack.
4. The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System, and Carbonic Acid-
Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH
imbalance?
Correct answer ✔✔
Proteins contain many acidic and basic groups that can be affected by pH changes. Any increase or
decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as
well.
5. Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis,
respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis (ie relative pH and CO2 levels).
Correct answer ✔✔
Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases):
• Blood pH: 7.35-7.45
• PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg
• PO2: 90-100 mm Hg
• HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L
• SaO2: 95-100%
, Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2 (Higher = acidosis, lower =
alkalosis). Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by factors other than abnormal CO2 levels
(toxicity, diabetes, renal failure, or excessive GI losses).
Rule: If pH and PCO2 move in opposite directions, it is respiratory in nature. If PCO2 is normal or
moves in the same direction as pH, it is metabolic in nature.
6. The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and K+) and measured anions
(Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
Correct answer ✔✔
The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in the blood. Lactic acid and ketones both lead to
the production of unmeasured anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of
excess H+ and therefore lead to an increase in the AG.
7. Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the blood (ie describe the
pathogenesis of diabetes)?
Correct answer ✔✔
Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating glucose uptake by cells for ATP production. When
blood glucose rises, the pancreas secretes insulin, which binds to cell surface receptors to initiate
glucose uptake. If glucose remains elevated in blood, it reacts with proteins and lipids leading to loss of
function. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) result from glucose reacting with endothelial lining,
causing damage to the heart and kidneys.
8. Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes.
Correct answer ✔✔
Type I diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin secretion. Without insulin signaling, glucose is not taken
into cells, resulting in hyperglycemia; it is treated with insulin injections.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
STUDY GUIDE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT EXAM
Actual Questions and Answers
100% Guarantee Pass
2026-2027 Update Exam
____________________________________________________
This Exam contains:
➤ 117 Questions and Answers across 12 Lessons
➤ 100% Guarantee Pass
➤ Complete Study Guide & Practice Questions
➤ Each Question Includes The Correct Answer
➤ Expert-Verified Explanation
, WGU D236 Pathophysiology Exam Study Guide — 2026-2027 Update
Exam
Lesson 1: Patho OA Study Guide
1. What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces? How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient
child would have edema?
Correct answer ✔✔
Starling’s Law describes how fluids move across the capillary membrane. There are two major opposing
forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and
osmotic pressure (including oncotic pressure, which pushes fluid into the capillaries). Both electrolytes
and proteins (oncotic pressure) in the blood affect osmotic pressure. High electrolyte and protein
concentrations in the blood cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the bloodstream
to dilute the high concentrations. On the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen
in a nutritionally deficient child) cause water to leave the capillaries and enter the cells and interstitial
fluid, which can lead to edema.
2. How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in increased blood volume
and increased blood pressure?
Correct answer ✔✔
A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which in turn secretes renin. Renin
triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is converted to Angiotensin I in the lungs and then
Angiotensin II by the enzyme Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates
peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP. Angiotensin II also stimulates the adrenal gland to
,release aldosterone, which acts to increase sodium and water reabsorption increasing blood volume,
while also increasing potassium secretion in urine.
3. How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest?
Correct answer ✔✔
Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to potassium levels
higher than 5.2 mEq/dL. A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too
low and muscle weakness occurs; too much can cause muscle spasms. This is especially dangerous in
the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat can cause a heart attack.
4. The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System, and Carbonic Acid-
Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH
imbalance?
Correct answer ✔✔
Proteins contain many acidic and basic groups that can be affected by pH changes. Any increase or
decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as
well.
5. Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis,
respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis (ie relative pH and CO2 levels).
Correct answer ✔✔
Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases):
• Blood pH: 7.35-7.45
• PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg
• PO2: 90-100 mm Hg
• HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L
• SaO2: 95-100%
, Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2 (Higher = acidosis, lower =
alkalosis). Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by factors other than abnormal CO2 levels
(toxicity, diabetes, renal failure, or excessive GI losses).
Rule: If pH and PCO2 move in opposite directions, it is respiratory in nature. If PCO2 is normal or
moves in the same direction as pH, it is metabolic in nature.
6. The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and K+) and measured anions
(Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
Correct answer ✔✔
The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in the blood. Lactic acid and ketones both lead to
the production of unmeasured anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of
excess H+ and therefore lead to an increase in the AG.
7. Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the blood (ie describe the
pathogenesis of diabetes)?
Correct answer ✔✔
Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating glucose uptake by cells for ATP production. When
blood glucose rises, the pancreas secretes insulin, which binds to cell surface receptors to initiate
glucose uptake. If glucose remains elevated in blood, it reacts with proteins and lipids leading to loss of
function. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) result from glucose reacting with endothelial lining,
causing damage to the heart and kidneys.
8. Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes.
Correct answer ✔✔
Type I diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin secretion. Without insulin signaling, glucose is not taken
into cells, resulting in hyperglycemia; it is treated with insulin injections.
