WGU D236 Objective Assessment Pathophysiology Exam (Updated for 2025/2026) – Verified Questions and Answers for an A Grade

WGU D236 Objective Assessment Pathophysiology Exam (Updated for 2025/2026) – Verified Questions and Answers for an A Grade Homeostasis - Ans →process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment Intracellular Fluid - Ans →fluid inside of the cell, 2/3 of body weight - mainly in muscle cells Extracellular Fluid - Ans →fluid outside of the cell, 1/3 of bodily fluids - blood vessels - skin tissues - spinal cord Diffusion - Ans →Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Osmosis - Ans →movement of fluid from an area of lower solute concentration to a higher concentration Filtration - Ans →water and solute movement occurs from an area of high hydrostatic pressure to an area of low hydrostatic pressure Osmolality - Ans →the number of osmotically active particles per kg of water Hypertonic - Ans →osmolality greater than 300. Hypotonic - Ans →osmolality less than 300. - osmotic pressure is more significant in the body - fluids pulled from body into cell An isotonic solution - Ans →0.09% normal saline Interferons (IFNs) - Ans →type of cytokine that signals cells to increase anti-viral defenses. - are released by cells that are infected with a virus, causing other cells to become resistant to the virus - play a role in tumor suppression Hypervolemia - Ans →fluid volume overload Edema - Ans →swelling of soft tissues because of excess fluid accumulation Causes of edema include: - Ans →-Increased hydrostatic (water) pressure - Manifestation: High BP and pitting edema - Renal Failure, Heart Failure - Decreased colloid osmotic pressure - low albumin - cirrhosis, starvation - bacteria infections/burns - obstruction of lymphatic system (cancer or infection) Symptoms of edema include: - Ans →- weight gain - hypertension - jugular vein distention - ALOC (altered level of consciousness) - weakness - increased urine output / or decreased in patients with renal failure - Rapid RR (resp rate) - shallow RR - fluid in lungs - diarrhea, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), ascites - low lab values Hypovolemia - Ans →fluid volume deficit Symptoms of hypovolemia include: - Ans →- vomiting - diarrhea - hot body & sweating - fever - heat stroke - thyroid crisis - urination diabetes insipidus (DI) - Ans →insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) Diabetes Ketoacidosis (DKA) - Ans →-primary complication of type 1 diabetes -the body produces excess ketones into the blood -also referred to as diabetic acidosis or diabetic coma Diuretics - Ans →medications that reduce fluid volume in the body - increase urine output Name two diuretics - Ans →furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide Symptoms of 3 D's include: - Ans →- weight loss - water loss - low BP - decreased CVP (central venous pressure) - lethargy to coma - weakness - sunken eyes - dry skin - rapid and deep RR - high lab values Fluid Imbalance - Ans →when fluids are gained and lost via the organs such as; the kidneys, skin, lungs, and g.i. tract How are fluids lost in the g.i. tract? - Ans →diarrhea and fistulas How are fluids lost via the kidneys? - Ans →high urine output of 1-2 liters per hour Normal amount of urine output - Ans →400-600 mL / 6 hours