WGU D236 Pathophysiology OA V1 Exam Study
Guides (2026/2027) Actual Questions and Answers
(WGU) Pass the OA
250 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Cellular Pathophysiology
2 Genetics
3 Immunity & Inflammation
4 Infection
5 Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base
6 Cardiovascular
7 Respiratory
8 Renal
9 Gastrointestinal
10 Endocrine
11 Neurological
12 Musculoskeletal
13 Reproductive
,Q1
Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia CORRECT
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Rationale
Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number; hypertrophy is increase in cell size.
Q2
A cell that is deprived of oxygen will most likely undergo:
A) Apoptosis
B) Ischemic injury leading to necrosis CORRECT
C) Dysplasia
D) Metaplasia
Rationale
Hypoxia causes ATP depletion, cell swelling, and necrosis.
Q3
Which type of necrosis is characteristic of tuberculosis?
A) Coagulative
B) Liquefactive
C) Caseous CORRECT
D) Fat
Rationale
Caseous necrosis is a combination of coagulative and liquefactive, seen in TB.
2
,Q4
Apoptosis differs from necrosis in that apoptosis:
A) Causes inflammation
B) Is programmed and does not cause inflammation CORRECT
C) Affects groups of cells
D) Leads to cell lysis
Rationale
Apoptosis is energy-dependent, single-cell, and non-inflammatory.
Q5
A benign tumor is characterized by:
A) Metastasis
B) Well-differentiated cells and slow growth CORRECT
C) High mitotic rate
D) Invasion of surrounding tissue
Rationale
Benign tumors are encapsulated, slow-growing, and do not metastasize.
Q6
Which gene mutation is associated with increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer?
A) TP53
B) BRCA1 CORRECT
C) APC
D) MLH1
Rationale
BRCA1/2 mutations significantly increase breast and ovarian cancer risk.
3
, Q7
An autosomal recessive disorder requires:
A) One affected parent
B) Two copies of the mutant gene CORRECT
C) X-linked inheritance
D) Chromosomal translocation
Rationale
Recessive disorders manifest only when both alleles are mutated.
Q8
Down syndrome is caused by:
A) Deletion of chromosome 5
B) Trisomy 21 CORRECT
C) Monosomy X
D) Trisomy 18
Rationale
Down syndrome is most commonly due to nondisjunction leading to trisomy 21.
Q9
Which immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for allergic reactions?
A) IgA
B) IgE CORRECT
C) IgM
D) IgG
Rationale
IgE binds to mast cells and triggers histamine release in type I hypersensitivity.
4
Guides (2026/2027) Actual Questions and Answers
(WGU) Pass the OA
250 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Cellular Pathophysiology
2 Genetics
3 Immunity & Inflammation
4 Infection
5 Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base
6 Cardiovascular
7 Respiratory
8 Renal
9 Gastrointestinal
10 Endocrine
11 Neurological
12 Musculoskeletal
13 Reproductive
,Q1
Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in the number of cells?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia CORRECT
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Rationale
Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number; hypertrophy is increase in cell size.
Q2
A cell that is deprived of oxygen will most likely undergo:
A) Apoptosis
B) Ischemic injury leading to necrosis CORRECT
C) Dysplasia
D) Metaplasia
Rationale
Hypoxia causes ATP depletion, cell swelling, and necrosis.
Q3
Which type of necrosis is characteristic of tuberculosis?
A) Coagulative
B) Liquefactive
C) Caseous CORRECT
D) Fat
Rationale
Caseous necrosis is a combination of coagulative and liquefactive, seen in TB.
2
,Q4
Apoptosis differs from necrosis in that apoptosis:
A) Causes inflammation
B) Is programmed and does not cause inflammation CORRECT
C) Affects groups of cells
D) Leads to cell lysis
Rationale
Apoptosis is energy-dependent, single-cell, and non-inflammatory.
Q5
A benign tumor is characterized by:
A) Metastasis
B) Well-differentiated cells and slow growth CORRECT
C) High mitotic rate
D) Invasion of surrounding tissue
Rationale
Benign tumors are encapsulated, slow-growing, and do not metastasize.
Q6
Which gene mutation is associated with increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer?
A) TP53
B) BRCA1 CORRECT
C) APC
D) MLH1
Rationale
BRCA1/2 mutations significantly increase breast and ovarian cancer risk.
3
, Q7
An autosomal recessive disorder requires:
A) One affected parent
B) Two copies of the mutant gene CORRECT
C) X-linked inheritance
D) Chromosomal translocation
Rationale
Recessive disorders manifest only when both alleles are mutated.
Q8
Down syndrome is caused by:
A) Deletion of chromosome 5
B) Trisomy 21 CORRECT
C) Monosomy X
D) Trisomy 18
Rationale
Down syndrome is most commonly due to nondisjunction leading to trisomy 21.
Q9
Which immunoglobulin is primarily responsible for allergic reactions?
A) IgA
B) IgE CORRECT
C) IgM
D) IgG
Rationale
IgE binds to mast cells and triggers histamine release in type I hypersensitivity.
4
