WGU D236 Pathophysiology Study Guide | High-
Yield Actual Questions, Detailed Rationales &
Objective Assessment (OA) Exam Prep | Most
Frequently Tested Questions , Graded A+, Well
Updated and Verified | Latest Exam and Newest
Updated Version!!!!
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and
pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does she have?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Metabolic alkalosis
RATIONALE: The patient's pH and CO2 levels are both elevated (moving in the
same direction). This indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high
because her respiratory system is attempting to compensate for the high pH by
exhaling less and retaining more CO2.
Respiratory rate increases during exercise. How does this increased
respiratory rate allow the body to maintain a homeostatic pH level?
CORRECT ANSWER:
The increased exhalation of CO2 helps to increase pH.
RATIONALE: (The increased respiratory rate allows more CO2 to be exhaled.
Since CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, getting rid of more CO2
through increased respiration will raise pH)
An ICU patient's arterial blood gas results show low pH and low CO2 levels. The
patient's respiratory rate is increased. What is the name of this condition?
,CORRECT ANSWER:
Metabolic acidosis
RATIONALE: (Since the pH is low, and the pH and CO2 are trending in the same
direction, the condition is metabolic acidosis. The low CO2 indicates that CO2 is
not causing the acidosis. The increased respiratory rate lowers blood CO2 in an
attempt to compensate for the metabolic acidosis.)
What is the primary determinant of oncotic pressure?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Albumin
Form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins
CORRECT ANSWER:
Oncotic Pressure
What is the difference between adult and child immunity?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Naive T Cells
Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by _________________, which regulates
actions such as thirst, ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS.
CORRECT ANSWER:
Osmoreceptors
What are the causes of dehydration?
CORRECT ANSWER:
#Excessive loss
#Inadequate intake
#Both
What s/sx are associated with dehydration?
CORRECT ANSWER:
#Dry mucous membranes
#Decreased skin turgor
#Decreased urine output
,#Low blood pressure
#Tachycardia
#Weak heart rate
#Confusion
Normal CO2 level
CORRECT ANSWER:
35-45
Normal pH level
CORRECT ANSWER:
7.35-7.45
Normal HCO3 level
CORRECT ANSWER:
22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH impact
Michael's basal metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the
bloodstream.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+ makes it
easier for Ca+ to bind to albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the
bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out
of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
CORRECT ANSWER:
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the
bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
, His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out
of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
A hormone panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and fluid
volume overload. Which elevated hormone on the patient's chart is indicative of
the body's attempt to reduce the fluid overload?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Aldosterone
Renin
CORRECT ANSWER:
BNP
BNP is released when fluid volume excess is present.
Normal sodium level
CORRECT ANSWER:
135-145
Hyponatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Na < 135
Loss of energy or fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Muscle spasms
Low blood pressure
Dark scanty urine
Irritability, disorientation and neurological manifestations
Seizures
Hypernatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx
Yield Actual Questions, Detailed Rationales &
Objective Assessment (OA) Exam Prep | Most
Frequently Tested Questions , Graded A+, Well
Updated and Verified | Latest Exam and Newest
Updated Version!!!!
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and
pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does she have?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Metabolic alkalosis
RATIONALE: The patient's pH and CO2 levels are both elevated (moving in the
same direction). This indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high
because her respiratory system is attempting to compensate for the high pH by
exhaling less and retaining more CO2.
Respiratory rate increases during exercise. How does this increased
respiratory rate allow the body to maintain a homeostatic pH level?
CORRECT ANSWER:
The increased exhalation of CO2 helps to increase pH.
RATIONALE: (The increased respiratory rate allows more CO2 to be exhaled.
Since CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, getting rid of more CO2
through increased respiration will raise pH)
An ICU patient's arterial blood gas results show low pH and low CO2 levels. The
patient's respiratory rate is increased. What is the name of this condition?
,CORRECT ANSWER:
Metabolic acidosis
RATIONALE: (Since the pH is low, and the pH and CO2 are trending in the same
direction, the condition is metabolic acidosis. The low CO2 indicates that CO2 is
not causing the acidosis. The increased respiratory rate lowers blood CO2 in an
attempt to compensate for the metabolic acidosis.)
What is the primary determinant of oncotic pressure?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Albumin
Form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins
CORRECT ANSWER:
Oncotic Pressure
What is the difference between adult and child immunity?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Naive T Cells
Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by _________________, which regulates
actions such as thirst, ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS.
CORRECT ANSWER:
Osmoreceptors
What are the causes of dehydration?
CORRECT ANSWER:
#Excessive loss
#Inadequate intake
#Both
What s/sx are associated with dehydration?
CORRECT ANSWER:
#Dry mucous membranes
#Decreased skin turgor
#Decreased urine output
,#Low blood pressure
#Tachycardia
#Weak heart rate
#Confusion
Normal CO2 level
CORRECT ANSWER:
35-45
Normal pH level
CORRECT ANSWER:
7.35-7.45
Normal HCO3 level
CORRECT ANSWER:
22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH impact
Michael's basal metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the
bloodstream.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+ makes it
easier for Ca+ to bind to albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the
bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out
of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
CORRECT ANSWER:
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the
bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
, His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out
of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the bloodstream.
A hormone panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and fluid
volume overload. Which elevated hormone on the patient's chart is indicative of
the body's attempt to reduce the fluid overload?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Aldosterone
Renin
CORRECT ANSWER:
BNP
BNP is released when fluid volume excess is present.
Normal sodium level
CORRECT ANSWER:
135-145
Hyponatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx?
CORRECT ANSWER:
Na < 135
Loss of energy or fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Muscle spasms
Low blood pressure
Dark scanty urine
Irritability, disorientation and neurological manifestations
Seizures
Hypernatremia is indicated by what lab result? S/Sx
