WGU PATHO D236 STUDY GUIDE 2026 EXAM
Q&A GRADED A+
◉ Osmotic Diarrhea. Answer: Caused by non-absorbable substances in
the intestine drawing water into the bowel.
◉ BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide). Answer: A marker used to diagnose
heart failure. A higher value indicates this.
◉ Pleural Effusion. Answer: Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space
around the lungs.
Causes: Severe pulmonary infection (PNA or TB), Congestive Heart
failure, Cancer, Pulmonary Embolism
S/S: Dyspnea, Tachypnea, Sharp pleuritic chest pain, dullness to
percussion, and diminished breath sounds on affected side.
◉ pH = 7.29 (Norm = 7.35-7.45)
Bicarb = 25 (Norm = 22-26)
CO2 = 55 (Norm = 35-45)
Which cause is consistent with these lab values? Answer: Respiratory
Acidosis; Lungs are NOT ventilating correctly, retention of carbon
,dioxide = reduction of pH (Caused by COPD, Infection, foreign body
obstruction, and severe asthma.
◉ How does the Respiratory System compensate for acid-base
disturbances? Answer: By changing the rate and depth of breathing.
Increasing = Expels CO2 to reduce acidity (compensates Metabolic
Acidosis)
Decreasing = Retains CO2 to increase acidity (compensates Metabolic
Alkalosis)
◉ One symptom of Acidosis? Answer: Rapid breathing aka
Hyperventilation (body trying to get rid of the CO2)
◉ What describes a gene when the same allele is inherited from both
parents? Answer: Homozygous (HH or hh)
◉ What statement describes the ICF (Intracellular Fluid) compartment?
Answer: The fluid contained within the cells, making up about 2/3 of the
body's total water content.
◉ Which two conditions will cause dehydration and increase water
requirements? Answer: State of diminished water volume in the body. A
deficit of intracellular fluid causes body cells to shrink.
Severe Diarrhea
Excessive Sweating
,Vomiting
◉ What are phagocytic cells? Answer: Part of innate immunity
(inflammatory response)
Cells that engulf and digest pathogens and debris
EX) Macrophages and Neutrophils
◉ Turner's Syndrome (Short, webbed neck girl). Answer: Complete or
partial missing X-chromosome in females
S/S: Hypothyroidism, Hypertension, Webbing of neck, amenorrhea,
short stature, infertility, vission issues, and aortic valve abnormalities.
◉ What are two symptoms of Huntington's Disease? Answer: Genetic
defect of Huntington gene
Lack of control-involuntary motor symptoms
Cognitive decline
Depression
Dementia later in disease
Muscle spasticity
Speech/swallow difficulty
◉ Which three issues would children with ND-PAE exhibit (fetal
alcohol syndrome)? Answer: Cognitive deficits, Behavioral problems,
and Physical Abnormalities
, Causes birth defects and developmental disabilities = Neurocognition,
Self-regulation, and Adaptive functioning
Facial features, slow growth, delayed development, vision/hearing
issues, and smaller head & brain.
◉ Grade 1 Sprain. Answer: Mild stretching or slight tear of a ligament
with little or no joint instability.
◉ Osteoarthritis. Answer: Morning stiffness
Swelling
Limited ROM
Symmetrical joint pain in hips during activity or cold weather
Herberden's and Bouchard's nodes noted on fingers
◉ Melanoma. Answer: Most lethal form of skin cancer; Categorize via
ABCDE's = Asymmetry/Border/Color/Diameter/Evolving
TX: Surgical Removal, Chemo/Radiation
◉ Basal Cell Carcinoma. Answer: Small dome-shaped bump covered by
superficial blood vessels (telangiectasis). Shiny, translucent, and pearly
in appearance.
TX: Surgery
Q&A GRADED A+
◉ Osmotic Diarrhea. Answer: Caused by non-absorbable substances in
the intestine drawing water into the bowel.
◉ BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide). Answer: A marker used to diagnose
heart failure. A higher value indicates this.
◉ Pleural Effusion. Answer: Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space
around the lungs.
Causes: Severe pulmonary infection (PNA or TB), Congestive Heart
failure, Cancer, Pulmonary Embolism
S/S: Dyspnea, Tachypnea, Sharp pleuritic chest pain, dullness to
percussion, and diminished breath sounds on affected side.
◉ pH = 7.29 (Norm = 7.35-7.45)
Bicarb = 25 (Norm = 22-26)
CO2 = 55 (Norm = 35-45)
Which cause is consistent with these lab values? Answer: Respiratory
Acidosis; Lungs are NOT ventilating correctly, retention of carbon
,dioxide = reduction of pH (Caused by COPD, Infection, foreign body
obstruction, and severe asthma.
◉ How does the Respiratory System compensate for acid-base
disturbances? Answer: By changing the rate and depth of breathing.
Increasing = Expels CO2 to reduce acidity (compensates Metabolic
Acidosis)
Decreasing = Retains CO2 to increase acidity (compensates Metabolic
Alkalosis)
◉ One symptom of Acidosis? Answer: Rapid breathing aka
Hyperventilation (body trying to get rid of the CO2)
◉ What describes a gene when the same allele is inherited from both
parents? Answer: Homozygous (HH or hh)
◉ What statement describes the ICF (Intracellular Fluid) compartment?
Answer: The fluid contained within the cells, making up about 2/3 of the
body's total water content.
◉ Which two conditions will cause dehydration and increase water
requirements? Answer: State of diminished water volume in the body. A
deficit of intracellular fluid causes body cells to shrink.
Severe Diarrhea
Excessive Sweating
,Vomiting
◉ What are phagocytic cells? Answer: Part of innate immunity
(inflammatory response)
Cells that engulf and digest pathogens and debris
EX) Macrophages and Neutrophils
◉ Turner's Syndrome (Short, webbed neck girl). Answer: Complete or
partial missing X-chromosome in females
S/S: Hypothyroidism, Hypertension, Webbing of neck, amenorrhea,
short stature, infertility, vission issues, and aortic valve abnormalities.
◉ What are two symptoms of Huntington's Disease? Answer: Genetic
defect of Huntington gene
Lack of control-involuntary motor symptoms
Cognitive decline
Depression
Dementia later in disease
Muscle spasticity
Speech/swallow difficulty
◉ Which three issues would children with ND-PAE exhibit (fetal
alcohol syndrome)? Answer: Cognitive deficits, Behavioral problems,
and Physical Abnormalities
, Causes birth defects and developmental disabilities = Neurocognition,
Self-regulation, and Adaptive functioning
Facial features, slow growth, delayed development, vision/hearing
issues, and smaller head & brain.
◉ Grade 1 Sprain. Answer: Mild stretching or slight tear of a ligament
with little or no joint instability.
◉ Osteoarthritis. Answer: Morning stiffness
Swelling
Limited ROM
Symmetrical joint pain in hips during activity or cold weather
Herberden's and Bouchard's nodes noted on fingers
◉ Melanoma. Answer: Most lethal form of skin cancer; Categorize via
ABCDE's = Asymmetry/Border/Color/Diameter/Evolving
TX: Surgical Removal, Chemo/Radiation
◉ Basal Cell Carcinoma. Answer: Small dome-shaped bump covered by
superficial blood vessels (telangiectasis). Shiny, translucent, and pearly
in appearance.
TX: Surgery
