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WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS ALL 2023 UPTO DATE COVERED EXAM QS & AS
Explain Starling's Law of Capillary Forces and how it causes edema. correct answer
Starling's hypothesis states that the fluid movement due to filtration across the wall of a
capillary is dependent on the balance between the hydrostatic pressure gradient and the
pressure gradient across the capillary. This causes edema by the retention of water in the
tissues instead of vascular system.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the blood? correct answer
glucose is used for energy and is not synthesized by the brain, so it is needed to maintain
brain/motor functions
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes correct answer Type 1- The body's
immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produces insulin (typically in kids/
teens)
Type 2- "insulin resistance" - when cells fail to respond normally to the hormone insulin.
,2
Differentiate between Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity correct answer Innate
immunity is the body's first line of defense against pathogens. It is general and non-specific,
which means it does not differentiate between types of pathogens. Adaptive immunity is a type
of immunity that is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated.
Describe how and why our injury response results in the signs of redness, swelling, heat, and
pain? Be sure to use chemokines, histamine, and vasodilation in your response. correct answer
Our body first releases cytokines which produce inflammatory cells or chemokines directly to
the affected area to stimulate healing. Vasodilation occurs simultaneously to facilitate quicker
and easier movement of inflammatory cells to the area.
Describe how to determine the probability of clinical outcomes given information about the
parents (eg two heterozygous carriers of sickle cell disease) correct answer in two
heterozygous (two different gene sets) carriers (one dominant and one recessive gene) creates a
50% chance outcome of offspring having sickle cell disease
Describe how calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin D) work together to
maintain normal blood calcium levels. correct answer
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calcitonin and PTH work oppositely to balance calcium. the three work together to shift
calcium into bones, organs and blood
Describe the function of osteocytes within lacunae of bone correct answer
Osteocytes maintain bone mass through anabolic activities; they promote bone repair
through recruitment of osteoclast mediated turnover
Describe bone remodeling. Which cells are involved in this process and what is their function?
correct answer osteoclasts destroy old, degenerative cells to make room for new ones.
osteoblasts build new bone cells. osteocytes facilitate this process and help retain calcium for
bone strength and health.
Describe the process of articular degeneration. Which cells are involved in this process and
what is their function? correct answer articular degeneration is also known as osteoarthritis.
macrophages are the primary cell involved, and they induce inflammation.
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How does denosumab treat osteoporosis? correct answer Denosumab is an antibody that
slows down the natural rate your bones are broken down. It works by blocking a protein and
suppressing the cells that break down bone.
How does compartment syndrome develop? Which part of our body tends to develop
compartment syndrome? How do patients typically recognize they may need to seek medical
assistance for rhabdomyolysis? What is the most sensitive laboratory test for rhabdomyolosis?
correct answer
Compartment syndrome occurs when blood flow is restricted to area for an extended period
of time. It usually develops in extremities. Patients recognize rhabdo by new muscle pain and
decreased urinary output, and is detected by creatine kinase in the blood.
What is a pulmonary embolism? What is a fat embolism? When might a patient develop a
pulmonary embolism? When might a patient develop a fat embolism? How are they treated?
correct answer Pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot is lodge in a pulmonary artery,
usually caused by a traveling clot getting lodged. A fat embolism is when a clot of fat cells
disrupts blood flow, usually after a bone fracture. PEs are treated with anticoagulants to thin
the blood, while there is no specific treatment for FEs.
WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS ALL 2023 UPTO DATE COVERED EXAM QS & AS
Explain Starling's Law of Capillary Forces and how it causes edema. correct answer
Starling's hypothesis states that the fluid movement due to filtration across the wall of a
capillary is dependent on the balance between the hydrostatic pressure gradient and the
pressure gradient across the capillary. This causes edema by the retention of water in the
tissues instead of vascular system.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the blood? correct answer
glucose is used for energy and is not synthesized by the brain, so it is needed to maintain
brain/motor functions
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes correct answer Type 1- The body's
immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produces insulin (typically in kids/
teens)
Type 2- "insulin resistance" - when cells fail to respond normally to the hormone insulin.
,2
Differentiate between Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity correct answer Innate
immunity is the body's first line of defense against pathogens. It is general and non-specific,
which means it does not differentiate between types of pathogens. Adaptive immunity is a type
of immunity that is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated.
Describe how and why our injury response results in the signs of redness, swelling, heat, and
pain? Be sure to use chemokines, histamine, and vasodilation in your response. correct answer
Our body first releases cytokines which produce inflammatory cells or chemokines directly to
the affected area to stimulate healing. Vasodilation occurs simultaneously to facilitate quicker
and easier movement of inflammatory cells to the area.
Describe how to determine the probability of clinical outcomes given information about the
parents (eg two heterozygous carriers of sickle cell disease) correct answer in two
heterozygous (two different gene sets) carriers (one dominant and one recessive gene) creates a
50% chance outcome of offspring having sickle cell disease
Describe how calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin D) work together to
maintain normal blood calcium levels. correct answer
,3
calcitonin and PTH work oppositely to balance calcium. the three work together to shift
calcium into bones, organs and blood
Describe the function of osteocytes within lacunae of bone correct answer
Osteocytes maintain bone mass through anabolic activities; they promote bone repair
through recruitment of osteoclast mediated turnover
Describe bone remodeling. Which cells are involved in this process and what is their function?
correct answer osteoclasts destroy old, degenerative cells to make room for new ones.
osteoblasts build new bone cells. osteocytes facilitate this process and help retain calcium for
bone strength and health.
Describe the process of articular degeneration. Which cells are involved in this process and
what is their function? correct answer articular degeneration is also known as osteoarthritis.
macrophages are the primary cell involved, and they induce inflammation.
, 4
How does denosumab treat osteoporosis? correct answer Denosumab is an antibody that
slows down the natural rate your bones are broken down. It works by blocking a protein and
suppressing the cells that break down bone.
How does compartment syndrome develop? Which part of our body tends to develop
compartment syndrome? How do patients typically recognize they may need to seek medical
assistance for rhabdomyolysis? What is the most sensitive laboratory test for rhabdomyolosis?
correct answer
Compartment syndrome occurs when blood flow is restricted to area for an extended period
of time. It usually develops in extremities. Patients recognize rhabdo by new muscle pain and
decreased urinary output, and is detected by creatine kinase in the blood.
What is a pulmonary embolism? What is a fat embolism? When might a patient develop a
pulmonary embolism? When might a patient develop a fat embolism? How are they treated?
correct answer Pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot is lodge in a pulmonary artery,
usually caused by a traveling clot getting lodged. A fat embolism is when a clot of fat cells
disrupts blood flow, usually after a bone fracture. PEs are treated with anticoagulants to thin
the blood, while there is no specific treatment for FEs.
