WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 FULL SOLVED
QUESTIONS ANSWERS CELLULAR
ADAPTATION REVIEW SHEET
◉ The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+
and K+) and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can
be useful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic
ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
Answer: The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in
the blood.
Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured
anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of
the excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
◉ Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose
in the blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)?
Answer: Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake
of glucose by the cells. Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
,In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas
is signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors
on a cells surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can
start to bind to other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of
function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of
glucose reacting with the endothelial lining, which can lead to
damage in the heart and kidneys.
◉ Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes
Answer: Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin
signaling, glucose will not be taken into the cell and leads to high
blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with insulin
injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling.
The insulin receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also
leads to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to
insulin (metformin), dietary and life-style changes or insulin
injections.
,◉ Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis
Answer: AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion,
overload, uremia. Patients with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from
the blood using a semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
◉ Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
What are some reasons for a patient choosing one over the other?
Answer: Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body
in one tube while dialysate (made of water, electrolytes and salts) is
pumped in the separate tube in the opposite direction. Waste from
the blood diffuses through the semipermeable membrane separating
the blood from the dialysate.
, Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a
solution of water and glucose into the abdominal cavity. The
peritoneum acts as the membrane instead of dialysis tubing. The
waste products diffuse into the abdominal cavity and the waste
solution is then drained from the body.
Peritoneal dialysis offers continuous filtration and is less disruption
to the patient's daily routines. However, it does require some
training of the patient and is not recommended for individuals who
are overweight or have severe kidney failure.
Hemodialysis provides medical care, but 3 times a week for several
hours sitting at a hospital or clinic. Individuals with acute kidney
failure are recommended to use hemodialysis.
◉ How does homeostasis and maintaining optimal physiological
health impact your wellbeing?
Answer: Homeostasis acts to create a constant and stable
environment in the body despite internal and external changes.
Proteins and other cellular processes require optimal conditions in
order to carry out their functions.
Alterations in pH, salt concentration, temperature, glucose levels,
etc. can have negative effects on health, so it is vital for mechanisms
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 FULL SOLVED
QUESTIONS ANSWERS CELLULAR
ADAPTATION REVIEW SHEET
◉ The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+
and K+) and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can
be useful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic
ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
Answer: The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in
the blood.
Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured
anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of
the excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
◉ Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose
in the blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)?
Answer: Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake
of glucose by the cells. Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
,In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas
is signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors
on a cells surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can
start to bind to other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of
function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of
glucose reacting with the endothelial lining, which can lead to
damage in the heart and kidneys.
◉ Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes
Answer: Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin
signaling, glucose will not be taken into the cell and leads to high
blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with insulin
injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling.
The insulin receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also
leads to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to
insulin (metformin), dietary and life-style changes or insulin
injections.
,◉ Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis
Answer: AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion,
overload, uremia. Patients with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from
the blood using a semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
◉ Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
What are some reasons for a patient choosing one over the other?
Answer: Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body
in one tube while dialysate (made of water, electrolytes and salts) is
pumped in the separate tube in the opposite direction. Waste from
the blood diffuses through the semipermeable membrane separating
the blood from the dialysate.
, Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a
solution of water and glucose into the abdominal cavity. The
peritoneum acts as the membrane instead of dialysis tubing. The
waste products diffuse into the abdominal cavity and the waste
solution is then drained from the body.
Peritoneal dialysis offers continuous filtration and is less disruption
to the patient's daily routines. However, it does require some
training of the patient and is not recommended for individuals who
are overweight or have severe kidney failure.
Hemodialysis provides medical care, but 3 times a week for several
hours sitting at a hospital or clinic. Individuals with acute kidney
failure are recommended to use hemodialysis.
◉ How does homeostasis and maintaining optimal physiological
health impact your wellbeing?
Answer: Homeostasis acts to create a constant and stable
environment in the body despite internal and external changes.
Proteins and other cellular processes require optimal conditions in
order to carry out their functions.
Alterations in pH, salt concentration, temperature, glucose levels,
etc. can have negative effects on health, so it is vital for mechanisms
