WGU D236 PATHOPHARMACOLOGY
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
1. A patient is diagnosed with a condition where one cell type is replaced by another cell type
that can better withstand an adverse environment. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often less differentiated, cell type to better handle chronic irritation or stress.
2. Which process is characterized by programmed cell death that does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
,D. Autophagy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is distinct from necrosis because it is a regulated,
programmed process of cell suicide that avoids releasing cellular contents into the
extracellular space, thus preventing inflammation.
3. A couple has a child with an autosomal recessive disorder. Both parents are carriers. What
is the probability that their next child will be affected by the same disorder?
A. 75%
B. 50%
C. 25%
D. 100%
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In autosomal recessive inheritance, if both parents are carriers
(Aa), the Punnett square yields a 25% chance of an affected child (aa).
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T waves and a widened QRS
complex on an EKG?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
, D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia affects cardiac conduction; peaked T waves are
often the earliest sign, followed by QRS widening as potassium levels continue to rise.
5. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause). The bicarbonate is within normal range, indicating no compensation yet.
6. A positive Chvostek sign and Trousseau sign are clinical indicators of which electrolyte
abnormality?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
1. A patient is diagnosed with a condition where one cell type is replaced by another cell type
that can better withstand an adverse environment. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often less differentiated, cell type to better handle chronic irritation or stress.
2. Which process is characterized by programmed cell death that does not typically trigger an
inflammatory response?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
,D. Autophagy
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is distinct from necrosis because it is a regulated,
programmed process of cell suicide that avoids releasing cellular contents into the
extracellular space, thus preventing inflammation.
3. A couple has a child with an autosomal recessive disorder. Both parents are carriers. What
is the probability that their next child will be affected by the same disorder?
A. 75%
B. 50%
C. 25%
D. 100%
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In autosomal recessive inheritance, if both parents are carriers
(Aa), the Punnett square yields a 25% chance of an affected child (aa).
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T waves and a widened QRS
complex on an EKG?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
, D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia affects cardiac conduction; peaked T waves are
often the earliest sign, followed by QRS widening as potassium levels continue to rise.
5. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause). The bicarbonate is within normal range, indicating no compensation yet.
6. A positive Chvostek sign and Trousseau sign are clinical indicators of which electrolyte
abnormality?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
