WGU D115 OA Advanced Pathophysiology
Exam Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular
hypertrophy. Which pathophysiologic mechanism best explains
this cardiac adaptation?
A. Increased apoptosis of cardiac myocytes
B. Decreased workload on the left ventricle
C. Increased myocardial workload causing myocyte enlargement
D. Replacement of cardiac muscle with connective tissue
Rationale: Chronic pressure overload from hypertension increases the
workload required for the left ventricle to eject blood. Cardiac
myocytes respond through hypertrophy, increasing cell size to
compensate for the increased demand. This adaptation may
eventually lead to impaired cardiac function if the underlying stress
continues.
, 2. A nurse practitioner evaluates a patient with metabolic acidosis.
Which finding would most likely be present?
A. Increased arterial pH
B. Increased bicarbonate level
C. Decreased arterial pH with decreased bicarbonate level
D. Increased carbon dioxide with alkalemia
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an accumulation of
acids or loss of bicarbonate. The result is a decrease in blood pH and a
compensatory decrease in carbon dioxide through respiratory
mechanisms.
3. A patient develops edema due to congestive heart failure. Which
mechanism contributes most directly to fluid accumulation in
tissues?
A. Increased plasma protein production
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Increased hydrostatic pressure within capillaries
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Rationale: In heart failure, impaired cardiac pumping causes blood to
back up into the venous system, increasing capillary hydrostatic
,pressure. This pressure pushes fluid into surrounding tissues,
producing edema.
4. Which cellular adaptation occurs when cells increase their size in
response to increased workload?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size due to
increased functional demand. It commonly occurs in tissues with
limited ability to divide, such as cardiac muscle.
5. A patient with severe infection develops septic shock. Which
inflammatory mediator contributes significantly to systemic
vasodilation?
A. Insulin
B. Thyroxine
C. Nitric oxide
D. Erythropoietin
, Rationale: During septic shock, inflammatory cytokines stimulate
excessive nitric oxide production, causing widespread vasodilation,
decreased vascular resistance, and hypotension.
6. Which immune cell is primarily responsible for producing
antibodies?
A. Neutrophils
B. Macrophages
C. T lymphocytes
D. B lymphocytes
Rationale: B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells, which
produce antibodies that target specific antigens. This process is central
to humoral immunity.
7. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
develops respiratory acidosis. Which laboratory finding is
expected?
A. Low carbon dioxide level
B. High blood pH
Exam Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient with chronic hypertension develops left ventricular
hypertrophy. Which pathophysiologic mechanism best explains
this cardiac adaptation?
A. Increased apoptosis of cardiac myocytes
B. Decreased workload on the left ventricle
C. Increased myocardial workload causing myocyte enlargement
D. Replacement of cardiac muscle with connective tissue
Rationale: Chronic pressure overload from hypertension increases the
workload required for the left ventricle to eject blood. Cardiac
myocytes respond through hypertrophy, increasing cell size to
compensate for the increased demand. This adaptation may
eventually lead to impaired cardiac function if the underlying stress
continues.
, 2. A nurse practitioner evaluates a patient with metabolic acidosis.
Which finding would most likely be present?
A. Increased arterial pH
B. Increased bicarbonate level
C. Decreased arterial pH with decreased bicarbonate level
D. Increased carbon dioxide with alkalemia
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an accumulation of
acids or loss of bicarbonate. The result is a decrease in blood pH and a
compensatory decrease in carbon dioxide through respiratory
mechanisms.
3. A patient develops edema due to congestive heart failure. Which
mechanism contributes most directly to fluid accumulation in
tissues?
A. Increased plasma protein production
B. Decreased capillary permeability
C. Increased hydrostatic pressure within capillaries
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Rationale: In heart failure, impaired cardiac pumping causes blood to
back up into the venous system, increasing capillary hydrostatic
,pressure. This pressure pushes fluid into surrounding tissues,
producing edema.
4. Which cellular adaptation occurs when cells increase their size in
response to increased workload?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size due to
increased functional demand. It commonly occurs in tissues with
limited ability to divide, such as cardiac muscle.
5. A patient with severe infection develops septic shock. Which
inflammatory mediator contributes significantly to systemic
vasodilation?
A. Insulin
B. Thyroxine
C. Nitric oxide
D. Erythropoietin
, Rationale: During septic shock, inflammatory cytokines stimulate
excessive nitric oxide production, causing widespread vasodilation,
decreased vascular resistance, and hypotension.
6. Which immune cell is primarily responsible for producing
antibodies?
A. Neutrophils
B. Macrophages
C. T lymphocytes
D. B lymphocytes
Rationale: B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells, which
produce antibodies that target specific antigens. This process is central
to humoral immunity.
7. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
develops respiratory acidosis. Which laboratory finding is
expected?
A. Low carbon dioxide level
B. High blood pH
