D236 Pathophysiology Exam 2 Study Guide 2026 |WGU
1. Which electrolyte imbalance is most closely associated with the presence of
Chvostek and Trousseau signs?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to muscle spasms
and the characteristic Chvostek sign (facial twitching) and Trousseau sign (carpal spasm).
2. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results show pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg,
and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How would you interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 confirms the cause is respiratory in nature.
,3. In the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), which stage is characterized by
the ‘fight or flight’ response and the release of catecholamines?
A. Resistance stage
B. Alarm stage
C. Recovery stage
D. Exhaustion stage
Answer: B
Rationale: The alarm stage is the initial emergency response where the hypothalamus
triggers the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal medulla to release epinephrine and
norepinephrine.
4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction involves IgE-mediated mast cell
degranulation and is responsible for anaphylaxis?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies binding to mast cells, causing the release of histamine.
5. Which genetic condition is characterized by a karyotype of 47, XXY and results
in male phenotype with some female characteristics?
A. Klinefelter Syndrome
B. Down Syndrome
C. Turner Syndrome
D. Fragile X Syndrome
Answer: A
, Rationale: Klinefelter syndrome occurs when a male has at least two X chromosomes and
one Y chromosome, leading to reduced testosterone and infertility.
6. What is the primary extracellular cation responsible for maintaining osmotic
pressure?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Sodium is the most abundant cation in the extracellular fluid and is the primary
determinant of plasma osmolality.
7. Which process describes the movement of water from an area of low solute
concentration to an area of high solute concentration?
A. Diffusion
B. Active Transport
C. Osmosis
D. Filtration
Answer: C
Rationale: Osmosis is specifically the movement of water across a semipermeable
membrane driven by a concentration gradient of solutes.
8. A patient with chronic renal failure is likely to experience which acid-base
imbalance due to the inability to excrete metabolic acids?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
1. Which electrolyte imbalance is most closely associated with the presence of
Chvostek and Trousseau signs?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to muscle spasms
and the characteristic Chvostek sign (facial twitching) and Trousseau sign (carpal spasm).
2. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results show pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg,
and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How would you interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 confirms the cause is respiratory in nature.
,3. In the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), which stage is characterized by
the ‘fight or flight’ response and the release of catecholamines?
A. Resistance stage
B. Alarm stage
C. Recovery stage
D. Exhaustion stage
Answer: B
Rationale: The alarm stage is the initial emergency response where the hypothalamus
triggers the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal medulla to release epinephrine and
norepinephrine.
4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction involves IgE-mediated mast cell
degranulation and is responsible for anaphylaxis?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies binding to mast cells, causing the release of histamine.
5. Which genetic condition is characterized by a karyotype of 47, XXY and results
in male phenotype with some female characteristics?
A. Klinefelter Syndrome
B. Down Syndrome
C. Turner Syndrome
D. Fragile X Syndrome
Answer: A
, Rationale: Klinefelter syndrome occurs when a male has at least two X chromosomes and
one Y chromosome, leading to reduced testosterone and infertility.
6. What is the primary extracellular cation responsible for maintaining osmotic
pressure?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Sodium is the most abundant cation in the extracellular fluid and is the primary
determinant of plasma osmolality.
7. Which process describes the movement of water from an area of low solute
concentration to an area of high solute concentration?
A. Diffusion
B. Active Transport
C. Osmosis
D. Filtration
Answer: C
Rationale: Osmosis is specifically the movement of water across a semipermeable
membrane driven by a concentration gradient of solutes.
8. A patient with chronic renal failure is likely to experience which acid-base
imbalance due to the inability to excrete metabolic acids?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
