WGU D236 pathophysiology: Objective Assessment Questions and Verified Answers 2026

WGU D236 pathophysiology: Objective
Assessment Questions and Verified
Answers 2026

What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces?


How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child would have edema?


- ☑☑Starling's Law describes how fluids move across the capillary membrane. There are two major

opposing forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic pressure (pushing water out of the

capillaries) and osmotic pressure (including oncontic pressure, which pushes fluid into the capillaries).




Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood affect osmotic pressure,

high electrolyte and protein concentrations in the blood would cause water to leave the

cells and interstitial space and enter the blood stream to dilute the high concentrations.




On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen in a nutritionally deficient

child) would cause water to leave the capillaries and enter the cells and interstitial fluid which can

lead to edema.




How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in increased blood volume and

increased blood pressure?

,- ☑☑A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which in turn begins to secrete

renin.




Renin then triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is converted to Angiotensin I in the

lungs and then angiotensin II by the enzyme




Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates peripheral arterial vasoconstriction

which raises BP.




Angiotensin II is also stimulating the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which acts to increase

sodium and water reabsorption increasing blood volume, while also increased potassium secretion in

urine.




How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest?


- ☑☑Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to potassium

levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.




A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too low and muscle weakness

occurs and too much can cause muscle spasms.

,This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat can cause a heart attack




The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System, and Carbonic Acid-

Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH

imbalance


- ☑☑Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH changes. Any increase or

decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as

well




Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory

acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie relative pH and CO2 levels).


- ☑☑Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-100 mm Hg

HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%




Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2. Higher = acidosis and lower =

alkalosis




Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than abnormal CO2 levels. This could

include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or excessive GI losses.

, Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic in nature. -If pH and PCO2
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are moving in opposite directions, then it is the pCO2 levels that are causing the imbalance and it
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is respiratory in nature.
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-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same direction as the pH, then the imbalance is metabolic in
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nature.
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The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and K+) and measured anions
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(Cl-and HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
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Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
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- ☑☑The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in the blood.
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Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured anions, which remove HCO3- (a
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measured anion) due to buffering of the excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
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Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the blood (ie describe the
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pathogenesis of diabetes)?
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- ☑☑Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells. Cells
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use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
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