WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND
PA QUESTION BANK QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE EXAM PREP
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to
potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too low and
muscle weakness occurs and too much can cause muscle spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat can cause a
heart attack
The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH changes. Any
Buffering System, and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein (denature),
regulate and maintain homeostatic pH, what is the thereby affecting its function as well
consequence of a pH imbalance
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-
acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and 100 mm Hg HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
respiratory alkalosis. (ie relative pH and CO2 levels).
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2. Higher = acidosis and
lower = alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than abnormal CO2
levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or excessive GI losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic in nature. -If pH
and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is the pCO2 levels that are causing
the imbalance and it is respiratory in nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same direction as the pH, then the imbalance is
metabolic in nature.
The anion gap is the difference between measured cations The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in the blood.
(Na+ and K+) and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this
calculation can be useful in determining the cause of Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured anions, which
metabolic acidosis. remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of the excess H+ and therefore leads
to an increase in the AG.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic
ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
,Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells. Cells
glucose in the blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
diabetes)?
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is signaled to
produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells surface and initiates the
uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can start to bind to other
proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of glucose reacting with the
endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the heart and kidneys.
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose will not be
taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I is usually
treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The insulin receptors
are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to insulin (metformin),
dietary and life-style changes or insulin injections.
Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia. Patients with
kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood using a
semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
, Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body in one tube while dialysate
(made of water, electrolytes and salts) is pumped in the separate tube in the opposite
What are some reasons for a patient choosing one over the direction. Waste from the blood diffuses through the semipermeable membrane
other? separating the blood from the dialysate.
Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a solution of water and
glucose into the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum acts as the membrane instead of
dialysis tubing. The waste products diffuse into the abdominal cavity and the waste
solution is then drained from the body.
Peritoneal dialysis offers continuous filtration and is less disruption to the patient's daily
routines. However, it does require some training of the patient and is not recommended
for individuals who are overweight or have severe kidney failure.
Hemodialysis provides medical care, but 3 times a week for several hours sitting at a
hospital or clinic. Individuals with acute kidney failure are recommended to use
hemodialysis.
How does homeostasis and maintaining optimal physiological Homeostasis acts to create a constant and stable environment in the body despite
health impact your wellbeing? internal and external changes. Proteins and other cellular processes require optimal
conditions in order to carry out their functions.
Alterations in pH, salt concentration, temperature, glucose levels, etc. can have negative
effects on health, so it is vital for mechanisms that regulate homeostasis to function
properly for maintaining good health
PA QUESTION BANK QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE EXAM PREP
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to
potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too low and
muscle weakness occurs and too much can cause muscle spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat can cause a
heart attack
The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH changes. Any
Buffering System, and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein (denature),
regulate and maintain homeostatic pH, what is the thereby affecting its function as well
consequence of a pH imbalance
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-
acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and 100 mm Hg HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
respiratory alkalosis. (ie relative pH and CO2 levels).
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2. Higher = acidosis and
lower = alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than abnormal CO2
levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or excessive GI losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic in nature. -If pH
and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is the pCO2 levels that are causing
the imbalance and it is respiratory in nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same direction as the pH, then the imbalance is
metabolic in nature.
The anion gap is the difference between measured cations The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in the blood.
(Na+ and K+) and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this
calculation can be useful in determining the cause of Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured anions, which
metabolic acidosis. remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of the excess H+ and therefore leads
to an increase in the AG.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic
ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
,Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells. Cells
glucose in the blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
diabetes)?
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is signaled to
produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells surface and initiates the
uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can start to bind to other
proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of glucose reacting with the
endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the heart and kidneys.
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose will not be
taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I is usually
treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The insulin receptors
are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to insulin (metformin),
dietary and life-style changes or insulin injections.
Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia. Patients with
kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood using a
semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
, Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body in one tube while dialysate
(made of water, electrolytes and salts) is pumped in the separate tube in the opposite
What are some reasons for a patient choosing one over the direction. Waste from the blood diffuses through the semipermeable membrane
other? separating the blood from the dialysate.
Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a solution of water and
glucose into the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum acts as the membrane instead of
dialysis tubing. The waste products diffuse into the abdominal cavity and the waste
solution is then drained from the body.
Peritoneal dialysis offers continuous filtration and is less disruption to the patient's daily
routines. However, it does require some training of the patient and is not recommended
for individuals who are overweight or have severe kidney failure.
Hemodialysis provides medical care, but 3 times a week for several hours sitting at a
hospital or clinic. Individuals with acute kidney failure are recommended to use
hemodialysis.
How does homeostasis and maintaining optimal physiological Homeostasis acts to create a constant and stable environment in the body despite
health impact your wellbeing? internal and external changes. Proteins and other cellular processes require optimal
conditions in order to carry out their functions.
Alterations in pH, salt concentration, temperature, glucose levels, etc. can have negative
effects on health, so it is vital for mechanisms that regulate homeostasis to function
properly for maintaining good health
