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OA PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WGU D236
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025 -2026 with
EXPERT RATIONALES
Homeostasis - correct answer- process by which organisms
maintain a relatively stable internal environment
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Intracellular Fluid - correct answer- fluid inside of the cell, 2/3 of
body weight
- mainly in muscle cells
Extracellular Fluid - correct answer- fluid outside of the cell, 1/3
of bodily fluids
- blood vessels
- skin tissues
- spinal cord
Diffusion - correct answer- Movement of molecules from an
area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Osmosis - correct answer- movement of fluid from an area of
lower solute concentration to a higher concentration
Filtration - correct answer- water and solute movement occurs
from an area of high hydrostatic pressure to an area of low
hydrostatic pressure
Osmolality - correct answer- the number of osmotically active
particles per kg of water
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Hypertonic - correct answer- osmolality greater than 300.
Hypotonic - correct answer- osmolality less than 300.
- osmotic pressure is more significant in the body
- fluids pulled from body into cell
An isotonic solution - correct answer- 0.09% normal saline
Interferons (IFNs) - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- fluid volume overload
Edema - correct answer- swelling of soft tissues because of
excess fluid accumulation
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Causes of edema include: - correct answer- -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: - correct answer- - 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
OA PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WGU D236
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025 -2026 with
EXPERT RATIONALES
Homeostasis - correct answer- process by which organisms
maintain a relatively stable internal environment
,2 | Page
Intracellular Fluid - correct answer- fluid inside of the cell, 2/3 of
body weight
- mainly in muscle cells
Extracellular Fluid - correct answer- fluid outside of the cell, 1/3
of bodily fluids
- blood vessels
- skin tissues
- spinal cord
Diffusion - correct answer- Movement of molecules from an
area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Osmosis - correct answer- movement of fluid from an area of
lower solute concentration to a higher concentration
Filtration - correct answer- water and solute movement occurs
from an area of high hydrostatic pressure to an area of low
hydrostatic pressure
Osmolality - correct answer- the number of osmotically active
particles per kg of water
,3 | Page
Hypertonic - correct answer- osmolality greater than 300.
Hypotonic - correct answer- osmolality less than 300.
- osmotic pressure is more significant in the body
- fluids pulled from body into cell
An isotonic solution - correct answer- 0.09% normal saline
Interferons (IFNs) - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- fluid volume overload
Edema - correct answer- swelling of soft tissues because of
excess fluid accumulation
, 4 | Page
Causes of edema include: - correct answer- -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: - correct answer- - 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
