WGU D236 Objective Assessment Pathophysiology Exam | Actual
Questions and Answers + Expert Rationales | 2026 Updates | 100%
correct
1. What are two pulmonary causes leading to respiratory acidosis?
a. Asthma and shortness of breath
b. Hyperventilation and fever
c. Cystic fibrosis and hypoventilation
d. Anemia and pain
Correct Answer: c. Cystic fibrosis and hypoventilation
Expert Rationale: Respiratory acidosis occurs when the lungs cannot adequately
eliminate CO₂, leading to increased carbonic acid and decreased pH. Cystic fibrosis
causes thick mucus obstructing airways, impairing gas exchange. Hypoventilation
directly reduces CO₂ exhalation, causing CO₂ retention. Asthma can cause respiratory
acidosis only during severe exacerbations, but "shortness of breath" is a symptom, not a
cause. Hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis by blowing off too much CO₂.
2. Which issue would a child with Neurobehavioral Disorder Associated with
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE) exhibit?
a. Nearsightedness
b. Trouble planning
c. Frequent nausea
d. Helpfulness
Correct Answer: b. Trouble planning
Expert Rationale: ND-PAE is characterized by significant neurocognitive and behavioral
impairments resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Executive function deficits—
including trouble with planning, organization, and impulse control—are hallmark
features. Nearsightedness, nausea, and helpfulness are not core diagnostic criteria.
,3. Which sign is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
a. Impaired mental flexibility
b. Blurred vision
c. Head drop
d. Slowed thought processing
Correct Answer: c. Head drop
Expert Rationale: ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and
lower motor neurons. "Head drop" results from severe neck extensor muscle weakness
due to lower motor neuron degeneration. Cognitive changes can occur but are not the
classic presenting sign. Blurred vision is more consistent with multiple sclerosis.
4. Which classification of drugs can trigger hemolytic anemia?
a. Nitrates
b. Diuretics
c. Cephalosporins
d. CNS stimulants
Correct Answer: c. Cephalosporins
Expert Rationale: Drug-induced hemolytic anemia occurs when certain medications
trigger an immune response against red blood cells. Cephalosporins (especially
cefotetan and ceftriaxone) are well-documented causes. Nitrates, diuretics, and CNS
stimulants are not typically associated.
5. A patient records documents headaches with memory defects. The patient's
color and temperature are unusual, and the patient reports pain at night. Which
condition is described?
a. Angina pectoris
b. Atherosclerosis
,c. Myocardial infarction
d. Thrombophlebitis
Correct Answer: d. Thrombophlebitis
Expert Rationale: Thrombophlebitis is inflammation of a vein with clot formation,
causing localized pain (often worse at night), changes in skin color and temperature
over the affected vessel, and if cerebral veins are involved, headaches and cognitive
changes. Angina, atherosclerosis, and MI are cardiac/vascular conditions without these
peripheral findings.
6. Which condition is caused by Adenovirus?
a. Mononucleosis
b. Erythema infection
c. Gastroenteritis
d. Upper respiratory infection
Correct Answer: d. Upper respiratory infection
Expert Rationale: Adenoviruses are common causes of upper respiratory tract
infections, including pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and the common cold. Mononucleosis is
caused by Epstein-Barr virus. Erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) is caused by
parvovirus B19.
7. Classify each condition as either an upper tract infection or a lower tract
infection. Answer options may be used more than once or not at all.
Condition Classification
Laryngitis Upper
Rhinitis Upper
, Condition Classification
Pneumonia Lower
COPD Lower
Pharyngitis Upper
Asthma Lower
Correct Answers: Laryngitis – Upper, Rhinitis – Upper, Pharyngitis – Upper,
Pneumonia – Lower, COPD – Lower, Asthma – Lower
Expert Rationale: Upper respiratory tract infections affect structures above the vocal
cords (nose, pharynx, larynx). Lower respiratory tract infections affect the trachea,
bronchi, and lungs. COPD and asthma are chronic lower airway diseases.
8. Which two infections affect the lower respiratory tract? (Choose 2 answers)
a. Infectious mononucleosis
b. Respiratory mycoses
c. Acute laryngitis
d. Pulmonary tuberculosis
Correct Answers: b. Respiratory mycoses and d. Pulmonary tuberculosis
Expert Rationale: Respiratory mycoses (fungal infections) and pulmonary tuberculosis
both primarily affect the lung parenchyma—a lower respiratory structure.
Mononucleosis is systemic. Laryngitis is an upper respiratory infection.
9. Which symptom is associated with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
a. Arthralgias
b. Dark urine
Questions and Answers + Expert Rationales | 2026 Updates | 100%
correct
1. What are two pulmonary causes leading to respiratory acidosis?
a. Asthma and shortness of breath
b. Hyperventilation and fever
c. Cystic fibrosis and hypoventilation
d. Anemia and pain
Correct Answer: c. Cystic fibrosis and hypoventilation
Expert Rationale: Respiratory acidosis occurs when the lungs cannot adequately
eliminate CO₂, leading to increased carbonic acid and decreased pH. Cystic fibrosis
causes thick mucus obstructing airways, impairing gas exchange. Hypoventilation
directly reduces CO₂ exhalation, causing CO₂ retention. Asthma can cause respiratory
acidosis only during severe exacerbations, but "shortness of breath" is a symptom, not a
cause. Hyperventilation causes respiratory alkalosis by blowing off too much CO₂.
2. Which issue would a child with Neurobehavioral Disorder Associated with
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE) exhibit?
a. Nearsightedness
b. Trouble planning
c. Frequent nausea
d. Helpfulness
Correct Answer: b. Trouble planning
Expert Rationale: ND-PAE is characterized by significant neurocognitive and behavioral
impairments resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Executive function deficits—
including trouble with planning, organization, and impulse control—are hallmark
features. Nearsightedness, nausea, and helpfulness are not core diagnostic criteria.
,3. Which sign is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
a. Impaired mental flexibility
b. Blurred vision
c. Head drop
d. Slowed thought processing
Correct Answer: c. Head drop
Expert Rationale: ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and
lower motor neurons. "Head drop" results from severe neck extensor muscle weakness
due to lower motor neuron degeneration. Cognitive changes can occur but are not the
classic presenting sign. Blurred vision is more consistent with multiple sclerosis.
4. Which classification of drugs can trigger hemolytic anemia?
a. Nitrates
b. Diuretics
c. Cephalosporins
d. CNS stimulants
Correct Answer: c. Cephalosporins
Expert Rationale: Drug-induced hemolytic anemia occurs when certain medications
trigger an immune response against red blood cells. Cephalosporins (especially
cefotetan and ceftriaxone) are well-documented causes. Nitrates, diuretics, and CNS
stimulants are not typically associated.
5. A patient records documents headaches with memory defects. The patient's
color and temperature are unusual, and the patient reports pain at night. Which
condition is described?
a. Angina pectoris
b. Atherosclerosis
,c. Myocardial infarction
d. Thrombophlebitis
Correct Answer: d. Thrombophlebitis
Expert Rationale: Thrombophlebitis is inflammation of a vein with clot formation,
causing localized pain (often worse at night), changes in skin color and temperature
over the affected vessel, and if cerebral veins are involved, headaches and cognitive
changes. Angina, atherosclerosis, and MI are cardiac/vascular conditions without these
peripheral findings.
6. Which condition is caused by Adenovirus?
a. Mononucleosis
b. Erythema infection
c. Gastroenteritis
d. Upper respiratory infection
Correct Answer: d. Upper respiratory infection
Expert Rationale: Adenoviruses are common causes of upper respiratory tract
infections, including pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and the common cold. Mononucleosis is
caused by Epstein-Barr virus. Erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) is caused by
parvovirus B19.
7. Classify each condition as either an upper tract infection or a lower tract
infection. Answer options may be used more than once or not at all.
Condition Classification
Laryngitis Upper
Rhinitis Upper
, Condition Classification
Pneumonia Lower
COPD Lower
Pharyngitis Upper
Asthma Lower
Correct Answers: Laryngitis – Upper, Rhinitis – Upper, Pharyngitis – Upper,
Pneumonia – Lower, COPD – Lower, Asthma – Lower
Expert Rationale: Upper respiratory tract infections affect structures above the vocal
cords (nose, pharynx, larynx). Lower respiratory tract infections affect the trachea,
bronchi, and lungs. COPD and asthma are chronic lower airway diseases.
8. Which two infections affect the lower respiratory tract? (Choose 2 answers)
a. Infectious mononucleosis
b. Respiratory mycoses
c. Acute laryngitis
d. Pulmonary tuberculosis
Correct Answers: b. Respiratory mycoses and d. Pulmonary tuberculosis
Expert Rationale: Respiratory mycoses (fungal infections) and pulmonary tuberculosis
both primarily affect the lung parenchyma—a lower respiratory structure.
Mononucleosis is systemic. Laryngitis is an upper respiratory infection.
9. Which symptom is associated with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
a. Arthralgias
b. Dark urine
