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WGU D115 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
FINAL EXAM TEST BANK 2025
• Which cellular adaptation is most likely to occur in the left ventricle due to chronic
hypertension?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B — Hypertrophy is the increase in cell size seen in cardiac muscle as it works harder
against high afterload from hypertension.
• Which statement best describes the role of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system
(RAAS)?
A. Lowers blood pressure by vasodilation
B. Increases blood pressure and sodium retention
C. Reduces sodium reabsorption in kidneys
D. Promotes potassium retention
Answer: B — RAAS activation causes vasoconstriction and aldosterone-mediated sodium and
water retention, raising blood pressure.
• Which immune cells are primarily responsible for producing antibodies?
A. T-helper cells
B. B lymphocytes
,2
,3
C. Natural killer cells
D. Macrophages
Answer: B — Activated B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies.
• A nurse notes increased intracranial pressure in a client after traumatic brain injury.
Which change explains the pathophysiology?
A. Decrease in cerebrospinal fluid production
B. Vasodilation leading to increased cerebral blood volume
C. Increased lymphatic drainage from the brain
D. Reduced capillary permeability
Answer: B — Cerebral vasodilation increases intracranial volume and pressure.
• Which lab finding indicates metabolic acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L
B. pH 7.32, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.45, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg
D. pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 50 mm Hg
Answer: B — Low pH and low bicarbonate confirm metabolic acidosis.
• Select all that apply: Which conditions may result in left-sided heart failure?
☐ A. Chronic hypertension
☐ B. Myocardial infarction
☐ C. Pulmonary embolism
, 4
☐ D. Aortic stenosis
Answers: A, B, D — Each increases workload or damages the left ventricle. Pulmonary
embolism primarily causes right-sided failure.
• Which finding is most consistent with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
secretion (SIADH)?
A. Dehydration and hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia with fluid retention
C. Hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis
D. Hypocalcemia and dehydration
Answer: B — SIADH causes water retention and dilutional hyponatremia.
• Which genetic principle explains why a child inherits cystic fibrosis only if both parents
carry the defective gene?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked dominant
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
Answer: B — CF follows an autosomal recessive pattern.
• A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) retains CO₂. What acid–
base imbalance is expected?
WGU D115 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
FINAL EXAM TEST BANK 2025
• Which cellular adaptation is most likely to occur in the left ventricle due to chronic
hypertension?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B — Hypertrophy is the increase in cell size seen in cardiac muscle as it works harder
against high afterload from hypertension.
• Which statement best describes the role of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system
(RAAS)?
A. Lowers blood pressure by vasodilation
B. Increases blood pressure and sodium retention
C. Reduces sodium reabsorption in kidneys
D. Promotes potassium retention
Answer: B — RAAS activation causes vasoconstriction and aldosterone-mediated sodium and
water retention, raising blood pressure.
• Which immune cells are primarily responsible for producing antibodies?
A. T-helper cells
B. B lymphocytes
,2
,3
C. Natural killer cells
D. Macrophages
Answer: B — Activated B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies.
• A nurse notes increased intracranial pressure in a client after traumatic brain injury.
Which change explains the pathophysiology?
A. Decrease in cerebrospinal fluid production
B. Vasodilation leading to increased cerebral blood volume
C. Increased lymphatic drainage from the brain
D. Reduced capillary permeability
Answer: B — Cerebral vasodilation increases intracranial volume and pressure.
• Which lab finding indicates metabolic acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L
B. pH 7.32, HCO₃⁻ 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.45, PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg
D. pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 50 mm Hg
Answer: B — Low pH and low bicarbonate confirm metabolic acidosis.
• Select all that apply: Which conditions may result in left-sided heart failure?
☐ A. Chronic hypertension
☐ B. Myocardial infarction
☐ C. Pulmonary embolism
, 4
☐ D. Aortic stenosis
Answers: A, B, D — Each increases workload or damages the left ventricle. Pulmonary
embolism primarily causes right-sided failure.
• Which finding is most consistent with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
secretion (SIADH)?
A. Dehydration and hypernatremia
B. Hyponatremia with fluid retention
C. Hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis
D. Hypocalcemia and dehydration
Answer: B — SIADH causes water retention and dilutional hyponatremia.
• Which genetic principle explains why a child inherits cystic fibrosis only if both parents
carry the defective gene?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked dominant
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
Answer: B — CF follows an autosomal recessive pattern.
• A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) retains CO₂. What acid–
base imbalance is expected?
