WGU D236 Pathophysiology Practice Questions
2026 | Questions & Answers PDF
1. What is the primary characteristic of an autoimmune disease?
The body has a deficiency in white blood cells.
The body fails to produce enough antibodies.
The body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
The immune system is overly reactive to external pathogens.
2. Crohn disease is characterized by:
transmural, full thickness intestinal lesions
mucosa with cobblestone appearance on endoscopy
discontinuity of affected GI segments
frequent involvement of terminal ileum
all of the above
3. In patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, what parts of the body are
affected?
stomach
none of the above
virtually any part of the GI tract from mouth to anus
large intestine, rectum
small intestine, rectum
,4. Describe the primary area of the body that ulcerative colitis impacts and its
classification.
Ulcerative colitis is classified as an autoimmune disease that
primarily impacts the large intestine, specifically the colon and
rectum.
Ulcerative colitis is an infectious disease that affects the stomach.
Ulcerative colitis is a metabolic disorder impacting the liver.
Ulcerative colitis is a genetic disorder affecting the small intestine.
5. Describe the relationship between cancer treatment and the development of
lymphedema.
Only patients undergoing chemotherapy are at risk for lymphedema.
Lymphedema can develop in patients who have had lymph nodes
removed during cancer treatment, leading to a blockage in the
lymphatic system.
Cancer treatment always causes lymphedema regardless of lymph
node removal.
Lymphedema is unrelated to cancer treatment and occurs due to
genetic factors.
6. Inflammation of/enlarged lymph nodes usually due to infection:
lymphangitis
lymphadenitis
7. Describe a common symptom associated with peptic ulcers and its
significance.
Fever, which indicates an infection.
, Upper abdominal pain, which indicates irritation of the stomach
lining.
Chest pain, which is a sign of heart disease.
Nausea, which suggests a viral infection.
8. Describe the two main problems that can occur with heart valves and their
impact on blood flow.
Heart valve disease can cause regurgitation, which allows blood to
flow backward, and stenosis, which narrows the valve and restricts
blood flow.
Heart valve disease results in the formation of blood clots and
increased oxygen levels.
Heart valve disease is characterized by inflammation and infection of
the heart tissue.
Heart valve disease leads to increased heart rate and decreased
blood pressure.
9. Another name for coal worker's pneumoconiosis is:
Black Lung
Silicosis
Green Lung
Rheumatoid Arthritis
10. Complications of mitral valve prolapse may include:
Dysrhythmias
Both
Neither
, Mitral regurgitation
11. A 32-year-old woman has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. She is
asking questions about the disease and asks what portion of her intestine is
affected. The nurse would be correct in stating that the disease usually
affects the:
rectum and proceeds up the colon
rectum only
full thickness of the colon
small intestine
12. Which of the following is a symptom of end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?
Fatigue
Increased appetite
High blood pressure
Rapid weight gain
13. Describe the impact of Diabetes Insipidus on kidney function and fluid
balance in the body.
Diabetes Insipidus has no effect on kidney function or fluid balance.
Diabetes Insipidus causes the kidneys to retain water, leading to
reduced urine output.
Diabetes Insipidus increases the secretion of antidiuretic hormone,
causing fluid retention.
Diabetes Insipidus leads to an inability to concentrate urine,
resulting in excessive urination and potential dehydration.
2026 | Questions & Answers PDF
1. What is the primary characteristic of an autoimmune disease?
The body has a deficiency in white blood cells.
The body fails to produce enough antibodies.
The body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
The immune system is overly reactive to external pathogens.
2. Crohn disease is characterized by:
transmural, full thickness intestinal lesions
mucosa with cobblestone appearance on endoscopy
discontinuity of affected GI segments
frequent involvement of terminal ileum
all of the above
3. In patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, what parts of the body are
affected?
stomach
none of the above
virtually any part of the GI tract from mouth to anus
large intestine, rectum
small intestine, rectum
,4. Describe the primary area of the body that ulcerative colitis impacts and its
classification.
Ulcerative colitis is classified as an autoimmune disease that
primarily impacts the large intestine, specifically the colon and
rectum.
Ulcerative colitis is an infectious disease that affects the stomach.
Ulcerative colitis is a metabolic disorder impacting the liver.
Ulcerative colitis is a genetic disorder affecting the small intestine.
5. Describe the relationship between cancer treatment and the development of
lymphedema.
Only patients undergoing chemotherapy are at risk for lymphedema.
Lymphedema can develop in patients who have had lymph nodes
removed during cancer treatment, leading to a blockage in the
lymphatic system.
Cancer treatment always causes lymphedema regardless of lymph
node removal.
Lymphedema is unrelated to cancer treatment and occurs due to
genetic factors.
6. Inflammation of/enlarged lymph nodes usually due to infection:
lymphangitis
lymphadenitis
7. Describe a common symptom associated with peptic ulcers and its
significance.
Fever, which indicates an infection.
, Upper abdominal pain, which indicates irritation of the stomach
lining.
Chest pain, which is a sign of heart disease.
Nausea, which suggests a viral infection.
8. Describe the two main problems that can occur with heart valves and their
impact on blood flow.
Heart valve disease can cause regurgitation, which allows blood to
flow backward, and stenosis, which narrows the valve and restricts
blood flow.
Heart valve disease results in the formation of blood clots and
increased oxygen levels.
Heart valve disease is characterized by inflammation and infection of
the heart tissue.
Heart valve disease leads to increased heart rate and decreased
blood pressure.
9. Another name for coal worker's pneumoconiosis is:
Black Lung
Silicosis
Green Lung
Rheumatoid Arthritis
10. Complications of mitral valve prolapse may include:
Dysrhythmias
Both
Neither
, Mitral regurgitation
11. A 32-year-old woman has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. She is
asking questions about the disease and asks what portion of her intestine is
affected. The nurse would be correct in stating that the disease usually
affects the:
rectum and proceeds up the colon
rectum only
full thickness of the colon
small intestine
12. Which of the following is a symptom of end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?
Fatigue
Increased appetite
High blood pressure
Rapid weight gain
13. Describe the impact of Diabetes Insipidus on kidney function and fluid
balance in the body.
Diabetes Insipidus has no effect on kidney function or fluid balance.
Diabetes Insipidus causes the kidneys to retain water, leading to
reduced urine output.
Diabetes Insipidus increases the secretion of antidiuretic hormone,
causing fluid retention.
Diabetes Insipidus leads to an inability to concentrate urine,
resulting in excessive urination and potential dehydration.
