WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY -
MEGAN/SHAY’S EXAM STUDY
GUIDE WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What is the primary determinant of oncotic pressure? - ANSWER- Albumin
Form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins - ANSWER- Oncotic Pressure
What is the difference between adult and child immunity? - ANSWER- Naive T
Cells
Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by _________________, which
regulates actions such as thirst, ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS. - ANSWER-
Osmoreceptors
What are the causes of dehydration? - ANSWER- #Excessive loss
#Inadequate intake
#Both
What s/sx are associated with dehydration? - ANSWER- #Dry mucous
membranes
#Decreased skin turgor
#Decreased urine output
#Low blood pressure
#Tachycardia
#Weak heart rate
#Confusion
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level
and pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does she have? -
ANSWER- Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 levels are both elevated (moving in the same
direction). This indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because
her respiratory system is attempting to compensate for the high pH by
exhaling less and retaining more CO2.
,Normal CO2 level - ANSWER- 35-45
Normal pH level - ANSWER- 7.35-7.45
Normal HCO3 level - ANSWER- 22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH
impact Michael's basal metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from
the bloodstream.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+
makes it easier for Ca+ to bind to albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the
bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get
it out of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream. -
ANSWER- His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty
removing it from the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get
it out of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
A hormone panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and
fluid volume overload. Which elevated hormone on the patient's chart is
indicative of the body's attempt to reduce the fluid overload?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Aldosterone
Renin - ANSWER- BNP
BNP is released when fluid volume excess is present.
Normal sodium level - ANSWER- 135-145
,Hyponatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER- Na < 135
Loss of energy or fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Muscle spasms
Low blood pressure
Dark scanty urine
Irritability, disorientation and neurological manifestations
Seizures
Hypernatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx - ANSWER- Na > 145
Excessive thirst
Extreme fatigue
Confusion
Muscle twitching or spasms
Restlessness
Seizures
Normal potassium level - ANSWER- 3.5-5.0
Hypokalemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx - ANSWER- K < 3.5
#Muscle fatigue/cramping
#Nausea, vomiting, constipation
#Cardiac dysrhythmias
#Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
Hyperkalemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER- K > 5.0
Muscle weakness/paralysis
Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Cardiac arrest/MI
Normal calcium level - ANSWER- 8.5-10.5
Hypocalcemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER- Calcium <
8.5
Overexcitability of the muscles
Muscle twitching
Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
, Chvostek and Trousseau sign (twitching on the cheek when touched)
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Hypercalcemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER- Calcium >
10.5
Muscle weakness
Loss of muscle tone
Spontaneous fractures
Kidney stones
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Normal magnesium level - ANSWER- 1.6-2.6
Hypomagnesemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER-
Magnesium level < 1.6
Tremors
Hyperreflexia
Insomnia
Muscle cramps
Irregular heart beat
Hypermagnesemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER-
Magnesium level > 2.6
Hyporeflexia
Lethargy
Respiratory depression
N/V
Slow/Irregular heart beat
Tay-Sachs Disease - ANSWER- An autosomal recessive inherited genetic
disorder caused by a recessive allele (chromosome 15) that leads to the
accumulation of certain lipids in the brain. Seizures, blindness, and
degeneration of motor and mental performance usually become manifest a
few months after birth, followed by death within a few years.
Marfan Syndrome - ANSWER- Inherited autosomal dominant trait (only one
abnormal copy of the Marfan gene inherited from one parent) FBN1 gene.
Genetic connective tissue disorder that can affect aorta and heart valve
structures.
**If one parent has Marfan syndrome, each child has a 50% chance of
inheriting the abnormal gene and developing the condition. If both parents
MEGAN/SHAY’S EXAM STUDY
GUIDE WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What is the primary determinant of oncotic pressure? - ANSWER- Albumin
Form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins - ANSWER- Oncotic Pressure
What is the difference between adult and child immunity? - ANSWER- Naive T
Cells
Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by _________________, which
regulates actions such as thirst, ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS. - ANSWER-
Osmoreceptors
What are the causes of dehydration? - ANSWER- #Excessive loss
#Inadequate intake
#Both
What s/sx are associated with dehydration? - ANSWER- #Dry mucous
membranes
#Decreased skin turgor
#Decreased urine output
#Low blood pressure
#Tachycardia
#Weak heart rate
#Confusion
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level
and pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does she have? -
ANSWER- Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 levels are both elevated (moving in the same
direction). This indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because
her respiratory system is attempting to compensate for the high pH by
exhaling less and retaining more CO2.
,Normal CO2 level - ANSWER- 35-45
Normal pH level - ANSWER- 7.35-7.45
Normal HCO3 level - ANSWER- 22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH
impact Michael's basal metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from
the bloodstream.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+
makes it easier for Ca+ to bind to albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the
bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get
it out of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream. -
ANSWER- His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty
removing it from the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get
it out of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
A hormone panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and
fluid volume overload. Which elevated hormone on the patient's chart is
indicative of the body's attempt to reduce the fluid overload?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Aldosterone
Renin - ANSWER- BNP
BNP is released when fluid volume excess is present.
Normal sodium level - ANSWER- 135-145
,Hyponatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER- Na < 135
Loss of energy or fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Muscle spasms
Low blood pressure
Dark scanty urine
Irritability, disorientation and neurological manifestations
Seizures
Hypernatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx - ANSWER- Na > 145
Excessive thirst
Extreme fatigue
Confusion
Muscle twitching or spasms
Restlessness
Seizures
Normal potassium level - ANSWER- 3.5-5.0
Hypokalemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx - ANSWER- K < 3.5
#Muscle fatigue/cramping
#Nausea, vomiting, constipation
#Cardiac dysrhythmias
#Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
Hyperkalemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER- K > 5.0
Muscle weakness/paralysis
Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Cardiac arrest/MI
Normal calcium level - ANSWER- 8.5-10.5
Hypocalcemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER- Calcium <
8.5
Overexcitability of the muscles
Muscle twitching
Paresthesia (numbness/tingling)
, Chvostek and Trousseau sign (twitching on the cheek when touched)
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Hypercalcemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER- Calcium >
10.5
Muscle weakness
Loss of muscle tone
Spontaneous fractures
Kidney stones
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Normal magnesium level - ANSWER- 1.6-2.6
Hypomagnesemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER-
Magnesium level < 1.6
Tremors
Hyperreflexia
Insomnia
Muscle cramps
Irregular heart beat
Hypermagnesemia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx? - ANSWER-
Magnesium level > 2.6
Hyporeflexia
Lethargy
Respiratory depression
N/V
Slow/Irregular heart beat
Tay-Sachs Disease - ANSWER- An autosomal recessive inherited genetic
disorder caused by a recessive allele (chromosome 15) that leads to the
accumulation of certain lipids in the brain. Seizures, blindness, and
degeneration of motor and mental performance usually become manifest a
few months after birth, followed by death within a few years.
Marfan Syndrome - ANSWER- Inherited autosomal dominant trait (only one
abnormal copy of the Marfan gene inherited from one parent) FBN1 gene.
Genetic connective tissue disorder that can affect aorta and heart valve
structures.
**If one parent has Marfan syndrome, each child has a 50% chance of
inheriting the abnormal gene and developing the condition. If both parents
