WGU D236 Pathophysiology Megan & Shay Study
Guides Questions & Answers 2026 | Latest Study
Guide
1. Describe how dehydration affects the body's fluid balance.
Dehydration causes an increase in blood volume and improves organ
function.
Dehydration has no significant effect on fluid balance.
Dehydration only affects the skin and does not impact internal organs.
Dehydration disrupts the body's fluid balance, leading to decreased
blood volume and potential organ dysfunction.
2. What is a defining feature of third-degree burns?
They cause blistering and pain.
They only affect the outer layer of skin.
They are characterized by redness and swelling.
They involve full thickness of the skin.
3. Describe the signs and symptoms commonly associated with hypokalemia.
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include muscle weakness,
cramping, fatigue, and arrhythmias.
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include nausea and vomiting.
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include high blood pressure and
increased heart rate.
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include excessive thirst and
frequent urination.
,4. All of the following are symptoms of Parkinson's Disease EXCEPT:
Dyskinesia
Tremors
Fever
Rigidity
5. Based on this diagram, what would happen if too much HCO3- entered the
bloodsteam?
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
6. Which of the following is a sign or symptom of cerebral edema?
Nausea
Blurred vision
Coma
Seizures
All of the other answers are true (are signs or symptoms)
7. Which of the following is the most important determinant of the oncotic
pressure in the ECV?
Sodium
RBCs
Albumin
, Potassium
8. In a clinical scenario where a patient with pulmonary edema is experiencing
respiratory acidosis, what renal adjustments would you expect to observe?
The kidneys excrete more H+ and conserve HCO3-
The kidneys conserve H+ and conserve HCO3-
The kidneys conserve H+ and excrete more HCO3-
The kidneys excrete more H+ and excrete more HCO3-
9. If a patient presents with sudden facial weakness and a recent history of a
viral illness, what condition might they be experiencing?
Stroke
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Multiple Sclerosis
Bell's Palsy
10. Describe the common signs and symptoms associated with
hypomagnesemia.
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include jaundice and
abdominal pain.
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include high blood
pressure and headaches.
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include muscle cramps,
weakness, and arrhythmias.
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include excessive thirst and
frequent urination.
, 11. If a patient presents with sudden onset headache and confusion, what would
be the most appropriate initial diagnostic step to assess for an intracranial
bleed in the intracerebral space?
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
MRI of the brain
Lumbar puncture
CT scan of the head
12. Describe the inheritance pattern of Marfan Syndrome and its implications for
affected individuals.
Marfan Syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern,
meaning one copy of the mutated gene from an affected parent
can cause the disorder.
Marfan Syndrome is inherited in a recessive pattern, requiring two
copies of the mutated gene.
Marfan Syndrome is inherited in a polygenic manner, requiring
multiple genes to be altered.
Marfan Syndrome is inherited through mitochondrial DNA, affecting
only males.
13. Describe the mechanism by which Riluzole is thought to benefit patients
with ALS.
Riluzole increases dopamine levels in the brain to improve motor
function.
Riluzole enhances the production of myelin to support nerve
regeneration.
Riluzole is believed to reduce the release of glutamate, which may
help protect motor neurons.
Guides Questions & Answers 2026 | Latest Study
Guide
1. Describe how dehydration affects the body's fluid balance.
Dehydration causes an increase in blood volume and improves organ
function.
Dehydration has no significant effect on fluid balance.
Dehydration only affects the skin and does not impact internal organs.
Dehydration disrupts the body's fluid balance, leading to decreased
blood volume and potential organ dysfunction.
2. What is a defining feature of third-degree burns?
They cause blistering and pain.
They only affect the outer layer of skin.
They are characterized by redness and swelling.
They involve full thickness of the skin.
3. Describe the signs and symptoms commonly associated with hypokalemia.
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include muscle weakness,
cramping, fatigue, and arrhythmias.
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include nausea and vomiting.
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include high blood pressure and
increased heart rate.
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include excessive thirst and
frequent urination.
,4. All of the following are symptoms of Parkinson's Disease EXCEPT:
Dyskinesia
Tremors
Fever
Rigidity
5. Based on this diagram, what would happen if too much HCO3- entered the
bloodsteam?
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
6. Which of the following is a sign or symptom of cerebral edema?
Nausea
Blurred vision
Coma
Seizures
All of the other answers are true (are signs or symptoms)
7. Which of the following is the most important determinant of the oncotic
pressure in the ECV?
Sodium
RBCs
Albumin
, Potassium
8. In a clinical scenario where a patient with pulmonary edema is experiencing
respiratory acidosis, what renal adjustments would you expect to observe?
The kidneys excrete more H+ and conserve HCO3-
The kidneys conserve H+ and conserve HCO3-
The kidneys conserve H+ and excrete more HCO3-
The kidneys excrete more H+ and excrete more HCO3-
9. If a patient presents with sudden facial weakness and a recent history of a
viral illness, what condition might they be experiencing?
Stroke
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Multiple Sclerosis
Bell's Palsy
10. Describe the common signs and symptoms associated with
hypomagnesemia.
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include jaundice and
abdominal pain.
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include high blood
pressure and headaches.
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include muscle cramps,
weakness, and arrhythmias.
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include excessive thirst and
frequent urination.
, 11. If a patient presents with sudden onset headache and confusion, what would
be the most appropriate initial diagnostic step to assess for an intracranial
bleed in the intracerebral space?
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
MRI of the brain
Lumbar puncture
CT scan of the head
12. Describe the inheritance pattern of Marfan Syndrome and its implications for
affected individuals.
Marfan Syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern,
meaning one copy of the mutated gene from an affected parent
can cause the disorder.
Marfan Syndrome is inherited in a recessive pattern, requiring two
copies of the mutated gene.
Marfan Syndrome is inherited in a polygenic manner, requiring
multiple genes to be altered.
Marfan Syndrome is inherited through mitochondrial DNA, affecting
only males.
13. Describe the mechanism by which Riluzole is thought to benefit patients
with ALS.
Riluzole increases dopamine levels in the brain to improve motor
function.
Riluzole enhances the production of myelin to support nerve
regeneration.
Riluzole is believed to reduce the release of glutamate, which may
help protect motor neurons.
