WGU D236 PATHO 200 QUESTIONS & CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST 2026/2027
Which sodium/fluid alteration is caused by increased extracellular sodium and a
deficit of extracellular free water?
Hypertonic fluid alteration
Which imbalance is caused by loop diuretics, osmotic diuresis, GI losses, and
unconcentrated urine?
Hypovolemic hypernatremia
Compulsive water drinking, tap-water enemas, near drowning, and SSRI use can
cause what condition?
Dilutional hypotonic hyponatremia
What response is associated with decreased serum calcium?
Secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by the parathyroid gland
How does the body respond to increased serum calcium?
Suppression of PTH secretion
Hyperparathyroidism, bone metastases with calcium resorption, sarcoidosis, excess
vitamin D, calcium-containing antacids, and PTH-producing tumors are associated
with what disorder?
Hypercalcemia
Which family member is generally most susceptible to chickenpox?
A one-year-old male
Which cell releases histamine during the inflammatory response?
Mast cell
Short limbs relative to trunk length, prominent forehead, low nasal bridge, and
redundant skin folds suggest what condition?
,Achondroplasia
A patient sustains a contaminated puncture wound to the leg. Which leukocyte is
most likely to arrive early and phagocytose bacteria and damaged tissue?
Neutrophil
Which complication contributes significantly to reduced survival in patients with
Down syndrome?
Congenital heart defects
Failure of a portion of the neural tube to close during fetal development is
associated with which disorder?
Spina bifida
Poliomyelitis belongs to which class of infectious microorganisms?
Viruses
Which manifestation is a cardinal sign of inflammation?
Edema
How do bones contribute to acid-base homeostasis?
They absorb excess hydronium or hydroxyl ions to minimize pH fluctuations
A patient cuts a finger while preparing food. Which response is part of innate
immunity?
The complement system breaks pathogenic cells
A patient is cut by contaminated glass. Which response represents adaptive
immunity?
Specialized T cells produce cytotoxic cells to destroy infection
A patient develops an acid-base disturbance. Which physiologic action allows the
lungs to help regulate blood pH?
The lungs alter carbon dioxide (CO2) elimination by changing ventilation.
A patient has repeated vomiting and diarrhea while taking a diuretic and develops
extracellular volume depletion with a low serum sodium level. Which fluid and
electrolyte disorder is most consistent with this presentation?
, Hypovolemic hyponatremia.
A child has a high-pitched cat-like cry, microcephaly, developmental delay, and
characteristic facial features. Which chromosomal disorder is most likely?
Cri-du-chat syndrome.
A patient has prolonged severe diarrhea. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely
to develop?
Metabolic acidosis.
A patient has persistent vomiting with significant loss of gastric contents. Which
acid-base imbalance is most likely?
Metabolic alkalosis.
Which relationship between hydrogen ion concentration and blood pH is correct?
As H+ increases, pH decreases; as H+ decreases, pH increases.
A patient has generalized edema despite normal total body sodium. Which plasma
protein is the primary determinant of oncotic pressure?
Albumin.
Which receptors help regulate fluid and electrolyte balance by influencing thirst,
ADH release, renal responses, and RAAS activity?
Osmoreceptors.
A patient has dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, decreased urine output,
hypotension, tachycardia, and confusion. Which fluid disorder is most likely?
Dehydration.
A patient has muscle cramping, nausea, constipation, paresthesias, and cardiac
dysrhythmias. Which electrolyte abnormality is most consistent with these
findings?
Hypokalemia.
A patient develops muscle weakness, paresthesias, and cardiac dysrhythmias and is
at risk for cardiac arrest. Which electrolyte abnormality should be suspected?
Hyperkalemia.
ANSWERS LATEST 2026/2027
Which sodium/fluid alteration is caused by increased extracellular sodium and a
deficit of extracellular free water?
Hypertonic fluid alteration
Which imbalance is caused by loop diuretics, osmotic diuresis, GI losses, and
unconcentrated urine?
Hypovolemic hypernatremia
Compulsive water drinking, tap-water enemas, near drowning, and SSRI use can
cause what condition?
Dilutional hypotonic hyponatremia
What response is associated with decreased serum calcium?
Secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by the parathyroid gland
How does the body respond to increased serum calcium?
Suppression of PTH secretion
Hyperparathyroidism, bone metastases with calcium resorption, sarcoidosis, excess
vitamin D, calcium-containing antacids, and PTH-producing tumors are associated
with what disorder?
Hypercalcemia
Which family member is generally most susceptible to chickenpox?
A one-year-old male
Which cell releases histamine during the inflammatory response?
Mast cell
Short limbs relative to trunk length, prominent forehead, low nasal bridge, and
redundant skin folds suggest what condition?
,Achondroplasia
A patient sustains a contaminated puncture wound to the leg. Which leukocyte is
most likely to arrive early and phagocytose bacteria and damaged tissue?
Neutrophil
Which complication contributes significantly to reduced survival in patients with
Down syndrome?
Congenital heart defects
Failure of a portion of the neural tube to close during fetal development is
associated with which disorder?
Spina bifida
Poliomyelitis belongs to which class of infectious microorganisms?
Viruses
Which manifestation is a cardinal sign of inflammation?
Edema
How do bones contribute to acid-base homeostasis?
They absorb excess hydronium or hydroxyl ions to minimize pH fluctuations
A patient cuts a finger while preparing food. Which response is part of innate
immunity?
The complement system breaks pathogenic cells
A patient is cut by contaminated glass. Which response represents adaptive
immunity?
Specialized T cells produce cytotoxic cells to destroy infection
A patient develops an acid-base disturbance. Which physiologic action allows the
lungs to help regulate blood pH?
The lungs alter carbon dioxide (CO2) elimination by changing ventilation.
A patient has repeated vomiting and diarrhea while taking a diuretic and develops
extracellular volume depletion with a low serum sodium level. Which fluid and
electrolyte disorder is most consistent with this presentation?
, Hypovolemic hyponatremia.
A child has a high-pitched cat-like cry, microcephaly, developmental delay, and
characteristic facial features. Which chromosomal disorder is most likely?
Cri-du-chat syndrome.
A patient has prolonged severe diarrhea. Which acid-base imbalance is most likely
to develop?
Metabolic acidosis.
A patient has persistent vomiting with significant loss of gastric contents. Which
acid-base imbalance is most likely?
Metabolic alkalosis.
Which relationship between hydrogen ion concentration and blood pH is correct?
As H+ increases, pH decreases; as H+ decreases, pH increases.
A patient has generalized edema despite normal total body sodium. Which plasma
protein is the primary determinant of oncotic pressure?
Albumin.
Which receptors help regulate fluid and electrolyte balance by influencing thirst,
ADH release, renal responses, and RAAS activity?
Osmoreceptors.
A patient has dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, decreased urine output,
hypotension, tachycardia, and confusion. Which fluid disorder is most likely?
Dehydration.
A patient has muscle cramping, nausea, constipation, paresthesias, and cardiac
dysrhythmias. Which electrolyte abnormality is most consistent with these
findings?
Hypokalemia.
A patient develops muscle weakness, paresthesias, and cardiac dysrhythmias and is
at risk for cardiac arrest. Which electrolyte abnormality should be suspected?
Hyperkalemia.
