,WGU D115 Advanced Pathophysiology
OA Exam 2026/2027 | 150 Verified
Questions & Answers | Western
Governors University Prep | 6 Core
Domains | Instant Download | rated
100% correct.
DOMAIN 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY &
GENETICS
1. What are genes and chromosomes?
A. Genes are proteins; chromosomes are lipids
B. Genes are basic units of inheritance composed of DNA; chromosomes are
structures that contain genes
C. Genes are only found in gametes; chromosomes are only found in somatic
cells
D. Genes are found in the cytoplasm; chromosomes are found in the nucleus
Correct Answer: B (Genes are basic units of inheritance composed of
DNA; chromosomes are structures that contain genes)
Rationale: Genes are segments of DNA that encode specific proteins and
serve as the fundamental units of heredity. Chromosomes are organized
structures of DNA and proteins that contain thousands of genes. Humans
have 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total). DNA is composed of four
nitrogenous bases: Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), and Thymine (T) .
Teaching Point: Genes = DNA segments; Chromosomes = structures
containing genes.
Source: WGU D115 Study Guide
,2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size and
function in response to increased workload?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B (Hypertrophy)
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size and functional capacity in
response to increased demand. Hyperplasia (A) is an increase in cell number.
Atrophy (C) is a decrease in cell size. Metaplasia (D) is replacement of one
differentiated cell type with another .
Teaching Point: Hypertrophy = increase in cell SIZE; Hyperplasia =
increase in cell NUMBER.
Source: WGU D115 OA Advanced Pathophysiology Exam
3. A 60-year-old male with a history of smoking presents with a persistent
cough and weight loss. A biopsy of a lung mass reveals anaplastic cells with
abnormal nuclei. This is characteristic of:
A. Benign tumor
B. Malignant tumor
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B (Malignant tumor)
Rationale: Anaplasia refers to a lack of differentiation and is a hallmark of
malignancy. Benign tumors (A) are well-differentiated. Hyperplasia (C) is
increased cell number. Dysplasia (D) is disordered but not necessarily
malignant .
Teaching Point: Anaplasia = lack of differentiation = malignancy hallmark.
Source: WGU D115 OA Advanced Pathophysiology Exam
, 4. A 55-year-old male with a 30-pack-year smoking history develops a lung
mass. Biopsy reveals squamous cell carcinoma. The transition from normal
respiratory epithelium to squamous cell carcinoma best exemplifies which
cellular adaptation?
A. Anaplasia progressing to metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia progressing to hypertrophy
C. Atrophy progressing to aplasia
D. Metaplasia progressing to dysplasia
Correct Answer: D (Metaplasia progressing to dysplasia)
Rationale: Chronic irritation from smoking causes the normal
pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the bronchi to undergo squamous
metaplasia, a reversible change to a more resilient squamous epithelium.
This metaplastic tissue is then susceptible to further genetic mutations,
progressing through dysplasia to carcinoma in situ and finally invasive
carcinoma .
Teaching Point: Metaplasia → dysplasia → carcinoma progression.
Source: WGU D115 OA Exam 2026
5. A cell undergoes programmed, energy-dependent death without
triggering an inflammatory response. This process is known as:
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Coagulative necrosis
D. Caseous necrosis
Correct Answer: B (Apoptosis)
Rationale: Apoptosis is a highly regulated, energy-dependent process of
programmed cell death. It is characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin
condensation, and the formation of apoptotic bodies. It does not trigger
inflammation because contents are contained within membrane-bound
vesicles and cleared by phagocytes .
Teaching Point: Apoptosis = programmed, no inflammation; Necrosis =
pathological, inflammation.
Source: WGU D115 OA Exam 2026
OA Exam 2026/2027 | 150 Verified
Questions & Answers | Western
Governors University Prep | 6 Core
Domains | Instant Download | rated
100% correct.
DOMAIN 1: CELLULAR ADAPTATION, INJURY &
GENETICS
1. What are genes and chromosomes?
A. Genes are proteins; chromosomes are lipids
B. Genes are basic units of inheritance composed of DNA; chromosomes are
structures that contain genes
C. Genes are only found in gametes; chromosomes are only found in somatic
cells
D. Genes are found in the cytoplasm; chromosomes are found in the nucleus
Correct Answer: B (Genes are basic units of inheritance composed of
DNA; chromosomes are structures that contain genes)
Rationale: Genes are segments of DNA that encode specific proteins and
serve as the fundamental units of heredity. Chromosomes are organized
structures of DNA and proteins that contain thousands of genes. Humans
have 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total). DNA is composed of four
nitrogenous bases: Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), and Thymine (T) .
Teaching Point: Genes = DNA segments; Chromosomes = structures
containing genes.
Source: WGU D115 Study Guide
,2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size and
function in response to increased workload?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B (Hypertrophy)
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size and functional capacity in
response to increased demand. Hyperplasia (A) is an increase in cell number.
Atrophy (C) is a decrease in cell size. Metaplasia (D) is replacement of one
differentiated cell type with another .
Teaching Point: Hypertrophy = increase in cell SIZE; Hyperplasia =
increase in cell NUMBER.
Source: WGU D115 OA Advanced Pathophysiology Exam
3. A 60-year-old male with a history of smoking presents with a persistent
cough and weight loss. A biopsy of a lung mass reveals anaplastic cells with
abnormal nuclei. This is characteristic of:
A. Benign tumor
B. Malignant tumor
C. Hyperplasia
D. Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B (Malignant tumor)
Rationale: Anaplasia refers to a lack of differentiation and is a hallmark of
malignancy. Benign tumors (A) are well-differentiated. Hyperplasia (C) is
increased cell number. Dysplasia (D) is disordered but not necessarily
malignant .
Teaching Point: Anaplasia = lack of differentiation = malignancy hallmark.
Source: WGU D115 OA Advanced Pathophysiology Exam
, 4. A 55-year-old male with a 30-pack-year smoking history develops a lung
mass. Biopsy reveals squamous cell carcinoma. The transition from normal
respiratory epithelium to squamous cell carcinoma best exemplifies which
cellular adaptation?
A. Anaplasia progressing to metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia progressing to hypertrophy
C. Atrophy progressing to aplasia
D. Metaplasia progressing to dysplasia
Correct Answer: D (Metaplasia progressing to dysplasia)
Rationale: Chronic irritation from smoking causes the normal
pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the bronchi to undergo squamous
metaplasia, a reversible change to a more resilient squamous epithelium.
This metaplastic tissue is then susceptible to further genetic mutations,
progressing through dysplasia to carcinoma in situ and finally invasive
carcinoma .
Teaching Point: Metaplasia → dysplasia → carcinoma progression.
Source: WGU D115 OA Exam 2026
5. A cell undergoes programmed, energy-dependent death without
triggering an inflammatory response. This process is known as:
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Coagulative necrosis
D. Caseous necrosis
Correct Answer: B (Apoptosis)
Rationale: Apoptosis is a highly regulated, energy-dependent process of
programmed cell death. It is characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin
condensation, and the formation of apoptotic bodies. It does not trigger
inflammation because contents are contained within membrane-bound
vesicles and cleared by phagocytes .
Teaching Point: Apoptosis = programmed, no inflammation; Necrosis =
pathological, inflammation.
Source: WGU D115 OA Exam 2026
