WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAMINATION
TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result
in increased blood volume and increased blood pressure? Answer: A
drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which
in turn begins to secrete renin.
Renin then triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is
converted to Angiotensin I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the
enzyme
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates
peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
Angiotensin II is also stimulating the adrenal gland to release
aldosterone, which acts to increase sodium and water reabsorption
increasing blood volume, while also increased potassium secretion in
urine.
◉ How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? Answer: Normal levels
of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to
potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
,A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles.
Too low and muscle weakness occurs and too much can cause muscle
spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular
heartbeat can cause a heart attack
◉ The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering
System, and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH imbalance. Answer:
Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH
changes. Any increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of
the protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as well
◉ Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels). Answer: Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood
Gases) Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-100 mm Hg
HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2.
Higher = acidosis and lower = alkalosis
,Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than
abnormal CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure
or excessive GI losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic in
nature. -If pH and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is the
pCO2 levels that are causing the imbalance and it is respiratory in
nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same direction as the pH, then
the imbalance is metabolic in nature.
◉ The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and
K+) and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be
useful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis
or lactic acidosis? Answer: The anion gap is the calculation of
unmeasured anions in the blood.
Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured
anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of the
excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
, ◉ Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in
the blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)? Answer: Insulin is
the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells.
Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is
signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a
cells surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can start to
bind to other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of glucose
reacting with the endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the
heart and kidneys.
◉ Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes. Answer: Type I
diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose
will not be taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose
(hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The
insulin receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to
hyperglycemia.
TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result
in increased blood volume and increased blood pressure? Answer: A
drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which
in turn begins to secrete renin.
Renin then triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is
converted to Angiotensin I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the
enzyme
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates
peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
Angiotensin II is also stimulating the adrenal gland to release
aldosterone, which acts to increase sodium and water reabsorption
increasing blood volume, while also increased potassium secretion in
urine.
◉ How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? Answer: Normal levels
of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to
potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
,A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles.
Too low and muscle weakness occurs and too much can cause muscle
spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular
heartbeat can cause a heart attack
◉ The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering
System, and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH imbalance. Answer:
Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH
changes. Any increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of
the protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as well
◉ Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels). Answer: Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood
Gases) Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-100 mm Hg
HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2.
Higher = acidosis and lower = alkalosis
,Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than
abnormal CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure
or excessive GI losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic in
nature. -If pH and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is the
pCO2 levels that are causing the imbalance and it is respiratory in
nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same direction as the pH, then
the imbalance is metabolic in nature.
◉ The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and
K+) and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be
useful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis
or lactic acidosis? Answer: The anion gap is the calculation of
unmeasured anions in the blood.
Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured
anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of the
excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
, ◉ Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in
the blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)? Answer: Insulin is
the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells.
Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is
signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a
cells surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can start to
bind to other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of glucose
reacting with the endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the
heart and kidneys.
◉ Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes. Answer: Type I
diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose
will not be taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose
(hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The
insulin receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to
hyperglycemia.
