D236 Pathophysiology Final Exam Practice Questions 2026 |WGU
1. A patient’s biopsy results reveal that one mature cell type has been replaced
by another mature cell type in the bronchial lining. What is this cellular
adaptation called?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the presence
of a prominent U wave on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) typically presents with flattened T waves and the
appearance of U waves on an ECG.
,3. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg,
and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause.
4. Down Syndrome is caused by which chromosomal abnormality?
A. Trisomy 21
B. Monosomy X
C. Trisomy 18
D. XXY configuration
Answer: A
Rationale: Down Syndrome is characterized by having three copies of chromosome 21,
known as Trisomy 21.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and
involves the release of histamine from mast cells?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is immediate and IgE-mediated, leading to allergic
reactions and anaphylaxis.
, 6. In the TNM staging system for cancer, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. The size of the tumor
B. The presence of distant metastasis
C. Involvement of regional lymph nodes
D. The number of tumors found
Answer: C
Rationale: In TNM staging, T is tumor size, N is regional lymph node involvement, and M is
distant metastasis.
7. A patient with heart failure exhibits bilateral peripheral edema and jugular
venous distension. Which side of the heart is primarily failing?
A. Left side
B. Both sides equally
C. Right side
D. The atria only
Answer: C
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic congestion, resulting in peripheral
edema and jugular venous distension.
8. Which condition is characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons
in the substantia nigra?
A. Parkinson’s Disease
B. Multiple Sclerosis
C. Alzheimer’s Disease
D. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the depletion of
dopamine in the basal ganglia.
1. A patient’s biopsy results reveal that one mature cell type has been replaced
by another mature cell type in the bronchial lining. What is this cellular
adaptation called?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the presence
of a prominent U wave on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) typically presents with flattened T waves and the
appearance of U waves on an ECG.
,3. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg,
and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause.
4. Down Syndrome is caused by which chromosomal abnormality?
A. Trisomy 21
B. Monosomy X
C. Trisomy 18
D. XXY configuration
Answer: A
Rationale: Down Syndrome is characterized by having three copies of chromosome 21,
known as Trisomy 21.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and
involves the release of histamine from mast cells?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is immediate and IgE-mediated, leading to allergic
reactions and anaphylaxis.
, 6. In the TNM staging system for cancer, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. The size of the tumor
B. The presence of distant metastasis
C. Involvement of regional lymph nodes
D. The number of tumors found
Answer: C
Rationale: In TNM staging, T is tumor size, N is regional lymph node involvement, and M is
distant metastasis.
7. A patient with heart failure exhibits bilateral peripheral edema and jugular
venous distension. Which side of the heart is primarily failing?
A. Left side
B. Both sides equally
C. Right side
D. The atria only
Answer: C
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic congestion, resulting in peripheral
edema and jugular venous distension.
8. Which condition is characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons
in the substantia nigra?
A. Parkinson’s Disease
B. Multiple Sclerosis
C. Alzheimer’s Disease
D. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the depletion of
dopamine in the basal ganglia.
