WGU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS UPDATED
GRADED A+
◉ Osmosis. Answer: Movement of fluid from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration
◉ Filtration. Answer: Water AND solute movement occur from an area
of high hydrostatic pressure to an area of low hydrostatic pressure (ex.
kidneys)
◉ Interferons. Answer: Type of cytokine that signals cells to increase
anti-viral defenses. Released by cells that are infected with a virus,
helping nearby cells become more resistant. Also play a role in tumor
suppression and activating immnune cells
◉ Fluid overload causes. Answer: - Increased hydrostatic (water)
pressure (ex. increased volume)
- Decreased colloid osmotic pressure (ex. decreased albumin, cirrhosis,
starvation)
- Increased capillary permeability (ex. bacterial infection and burns)
,- Obstruction of the lymphatic system (ex. cancer (tumor blockage) or
infection (significant lymph nodes))
◉ Fluid overload weight gain flags. Answer: 2-3lbs in 1 day or 5lbs in 1
week
◉ S/S of fluid overload. Answer: Hypertension, JVD, distended veins,
periorbital edema, pitting edema, pale/cool skin, ALOC, headaches,
weakness, paresthesia, rales, rapid and shallow RR, decreased urine
specific gravity, hemodilution
◉ Hypocalcemia signs. Answer: Trousseau's sign: bp cuff with fingers
Chvostek's sign: face
◉ Innate immunity. Answer: Present at birth, includes barrier defenses,
phagocytic cells, antimicrobial peptides (interferons), complement
system.
◉ Adaptive immunity. Answer: Includes B-cells and T-cells. Naive cells
have not been exposed to a pathogen before. Once exposed, they
replicate and turn into memory cells or plasma cells
◉ Helper T cells. Answer: Selected when an antigen is presented by
another immune cell. Antigen binds to T-cell receptor, produces
, cytokines, Cytokines activate B-cells and cytotoxic T-cells. Cytotoxic T-
cells bind to infected body cells when they present foreign antigens,
◉ Adaptive acquired immunity. Answer: Exposure to foreign substances
and the immune system responds
◉ Passive aquired. Answer: Antibodies are passed from one host to
another
◉ humoral immunity (B cells). Answer: Antibody (immunoglobins) are
produced based on specific antigens
◉ Hypernatremia s/s. Answer: AMS and irritability (confusion, coma,
seizures), weakness, lethargy, muscle twitching, hyperreflexia
◉ Hypomagnesemia causes. Answer: Malnutrition, alcoholism,
prolonged vomiting and diarrhea
◉ Hypomagnesemia s/s. Answer: Depression, confusion, irritability,
increased reflexes, muscle weakness, ataxia, nystagmus, tetany,
convulsions, tachydysrhythmias
◉ Hypercapnia definition. Answer: excessive carbon dioxide in the
blood, pCO2 >45 mmHg
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS UPDATED
GRADED A+
◉ Osmosis. Answer: Movement of fluid from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration
◉ Filtration. Answer: Water AND solute movement occur from an area
of high hydrostatic pressure to an area of low hydrostatic pressure (ex.
kidneys)
◉ Interferons. Answer: Type of cytokine that signals cells to increase
anti-viral defenses. Released by cells that are infected with a virus,
helping nearby cells become more resistant. Also play a role in tumor
suppression and activating immnune cells
◉ Fluid overload causes. Answer: - Increased hydrostatic (water)
pressure (ex. increased volume)
- Decreased colloid osmotic pressure (ex. decreased albumin, cirrhosis,
starvation)
- Increased capillary permeability (ex. bacterial infection and burns)
,- Obstruction of the lymphatic system (ex. cancer (tumor blockage) or
infection (significant lymph nodes))
◉ Fluid overload weight gain flags. Answer: 2-3lbs in 1 day or 5lbs in 1
week
◉ S/S of fluid overload. Answer: Hypertension, JVD, distended veins,
periorbital edema, pitting edema, pale/cool skin, ALOC, headaches,
weakness, paresthesia, rales, rapid and shallow RR, decreased urine
specific gravity, hemodilution
◉ Hypocalcemia signs. Answer: Trousseau's sign: bp cuff with fingers
Chvostek's sign: face
◉ Innate immunity. Answer: Present at birth, includes barrier defenses,
phagocytic cells, antimicrobial peptides (interferons), complement
system.
◉ Adaptive immunity. Answer: Includes B-cells and T-cells. Naive cells
have not been exposed to a pathogen before. Once exposed, they
replicate and turn into memory cells or plasma cells
◉ Helper T cells. Answer: Selected when an antigen is presented by
another immune cell. Antigen binds to T-cell receptor, produces
, cytokines, Cytokines activate B-cells and cytotoxic T-cells. Cytotoxic T-
cells bind to infected body cells when they present foreign antigens,
◉ Adaptive acquired immunity. Answer: Exposure to foreign substances
and the immune system responds
◉ Passive aquired. Answer: Antibodies are passed from one host to
another
◉ humoral immunity (B cells). Answer: Antibody (immunoglobins) are
produced based on specific antigens
◉ Hypernatremia s/s. Answer: AMS and irritability (confusion, coma,
seizures), weakness, lethargy, muscle twitching, hyperreflexia
◉ Hypomagnesemia causes. Answer: Malnutrition, alcoholism,
prolonged vomiting and diarrhea
◉ Hypomagnesemia s/s. Answer: Depression, confusion, irritability,
increased reflexes, muscle weakness, ataxia, nystagmus, tetany,
convulsions, tachydysrhythmias
◉ Hypercapnia definition. Answer: excessive carbon dioxide in the
blood, pCO2 >45 mmHg
