WGU D236 Pathophysiology Exam 2026/2027 | Verified
Questions & A+ Answers
1. Cell Injury
Q1. What is the primary difference between reversible and irreversible cell injury?
Answer: Reversible injury allows the cell to recover if the stress is removed, while
irreversible injury leads to cell death.
Rationale: Reversible injury involves swelling and mild mitochondrial dysfunction, but
irreversible injury involves membrane damage and loss of nuclear integrity.
2. Inflammation
Q2. Which chemical mediator is most responsible for vasodilation during acute
inflammation?
Answer: Histamine
Rationale: Histamine is released from mast cells and causes immediate vasodilation and
increased vascular permeability.
3. Immune System
Q3. What is the main function of T-helper (CD4+) cells?
Answer: To activate other immune cells such as B cells and cytotoxic T cells.
Rationale: CD4+ cells coordinate immune responses by releasing cytokines.
4. Cardiovascular System
Q4. What condition is most associated with left-sided heart failure?
Answer: Pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Left-sided failure causes blood to back up into the lungs, leading to fluid
accumulation.
5. Respiratory System
Q5. In COPD, what causes chronic airway obstruction?
Answer: Inflammation and structural narrowing of airways with mucus hypersecretion
Rationale: COPD involves chronic bronchitis and emphysema, leading to airflow limitation.
6. Renal System
Q6. What is a hallmark sign of acute kidney injury (AKI)?
, Answer: Sudden decrease in urine output (oliguria)
Rationale: AKI causes rapid decline in glomerular filtration rate.
7. Endocrine System
Q7. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, what is the primary underlying problem?
Answer: Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: This leads to absolute insulin deficiency.
8. Acid-Base Balance
Q8. What is the primary compensation mechanism in metabolic acidosis?
Answer: Increased respiratory rate (hyperventilation)
Rationale: The lungs blow off CO₂ to reduce acidity.
9. Neurological System
Q9. What causes ischemic stroke?
Answer: Obstruction of blood flow to the brain
Rationale: Usually due to thrombus or embolus blocking cerebral arteries.
10. Shock
Q10. What is the first compensatory response in hypovolemic shock?
Answer: Tachycardia
Rationale: The body increases heart rate to maintain cardiac output and perfusion.
Q11. What is hypertrophy?
Answer: Increase in cell size
Rationale: Hypertrophy occurs when cells enlarge in response to increased workload (e.g.,
left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension).
12. Cellular Adaptation
Q12. What is hyperplasia?
Answer: Increase in the number of cells
Rationale: Hyperplasia occurs in tissues capable of division, such as liver regeneration.
13. Necrosis
Q13. Which type of necrosis is commonly seen in myocardial infarction?
Questions & A+ Answers
1. Cell Injury
Q1. What is the primary difference between reversible and irreversible cell injury?
Answer: Reversible injury allows the cell to recover if the stress is removed, while
irreversible injury leads to cell death.
Rationale: Reversible injury involves swelling and mild mitochondrial dysfunction, but
irreversible injury involves membrane damage and loss of nuclear integrity.
2. Inflammation
Q2. Which chemical mediator is most responsible for vasodilation during acute
inflammation?
Answer: Histamine
Rationale: Histamine is released from mast cells and causes immediate vasodilation and
increased vascular permeability.
3. Immune System
Q3. What is the main function of T-helper (CD4+) cells?
Answer: To activate other immune cells such as B cells and cytotoxic T cells.
Rationale: CD4+ cells coordinate immune responses by releasing cytokines.
4. Cardiovascular System
Q4. What condition is most associated with left-sided heart failure?
Answer: Pulmonary congestion
Rationale: Left-sided failure causes blood to back up into the lungs, leading to fluid
accumulation.
5. Respiratory System
Q5. In COPD, what causes chronic airway obstruction?
Answer: Inflammation and structural narrowing of airways with mucus hypersecretion
Rationale: COPD involves chronic bronchitis and emphysema, leading to airflow limitation.
6. Renal System
Q6. What is a hallmark sign of acute kidney injury (AKI)?
, Answer: Sudden decrease in urine output (oliguria)
Rationale: AKI causes rapid decline in glomerular filtration rate.
7. Endocrine System
Q7. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, what is the primary underlying problem?
Answer: Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: This leads to absolute insulin deficiency.
8. Acid-Base Balance
Q8. What is the primary compensation mechanism in metabolic acidosis?
Answer: Increased respiratory rate (hyperventilation)
Rationale: The lungs blow off CO₂ to reduce acidity.
9. Neurological System
Q9. What causes ischemic stroke?
Answer: Obstruction of blood flow to the brain
Rationale: Usually due to thrombus or embolus blocking cerebral arteries.
10. Shock
Q10. What is the first compensatory response in hypovolemic shock?
Answer: Tachycardia
Rationale: The body increases heart rate to maintain cardiac output and perfusion.
Q11. What is hypertrophy?
Answer: Increase in cell size
Rationale: Hypertrophy occurs when cells enlarge in response to increased workload (e.g.,
left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension).
12. Cellular Adaptation
Q12. What is hyperplasia?
Answer: Increase in the number of cells
Rationale: Hyperplasia occurs in tissues capable of division, such as liver regeneration.
13. Necrosis
Q13. Which type of necrosis is commonly seen in myocardial infarction?
