WGU C805 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (PDF) | 2026 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE |
100% CORRECT
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size, often in response to increased workload,
such as cardiac muscle enlargement in hypertension. Hyperplasia increases cell number,
metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type with another, and dysplasia involves abnormal cell
growth and organization.
2. A patient with chronic hepatitis C develops liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. This is an example of
which type of cellular adaptation?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another
due to chronic irritation. Hepatitis C causes chronic liver inflammation, which can lead to
metaplasia and eventually fibrosis and cirrhosis .
3. Which three are causes of cellular injury? (Select all that apply)
A) Hypoxia
B) Physical agents (trauma, temperature extremes)
C) Genetic mutations
D) Adequate ATP production
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Hypoxia (lack of oxygen), physical agents (trauma, temperature), and genetic
mutations can all cause cellular injury . Adequate ATP production is a sign of healthy cellular
function, not injury.
4. Apoptosis is best described as:
A) Uncontrolled cell death
B) Programmed cell death
, C) Infectious destruction
D) Tumor formation
Correct Answer: B) Programmed cell death
Rationale: Apoptosis is a regulated, orderly process of programmed cell death that eliminates
damaged or unnecessary cells without causing inflammation .
5. A hallmark of inflammation is:
A) Bradycardia
B) Vasoconstriction
C) Redness and swelling
D) Hypothermia
Correct Answer: C) Redness and swelling
Rationale: The cardinal signs of inflammation include redness, swelling, heat, and pain (rubor,
tumor, calor, dolor). These result from increased blood flow and capillary permeability .
6. Histamine is primarily released by:
A) Neutrophils
B) Mast cells
C) Erythrocytes
D) Platelets
Correct Answer: B) Mast cells
Rationale: Mast cells are the primary source of histamine, which is released during allergic and
inflammatory responses, causing vasodilation and increased capillary permeability .
7. Which leukocyte is most active in acute bacterial infection?
A) Eosinophil
B) Neutrophil
C) Basophil
D) Lymphocyte
Correct Answer: B) Neutrophil
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first responders to sites of acute bacterial infection and are highly
phagocytic. They are the most numerous white blood cells and play a key role in the early
inflammatory response .
8. Which immune cell produces antibodies?
A) T cells
B) B cells
C) Macrophages
D) Neutrophils
, Correct Answer: B) B cells
Rationale: B lymphocytes produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) that target specific antigens. T
cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity .
9. T cells primarily function in:
A) Antibody production
B) Phagocytosis
C) Cell-mediated immunity
D) Oxygen transport
Correct Answer: C) Cell-mediated immunity
Rationale: T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity, including directly killing infected
cells and regulating other immune responses .
10. An autoimmune disease example is:
A) Tuberculosis
B) Rheumatoid arthritis
C) Influenza
D) Malaria
Correct Answer: B) Rheumatoid arthritis
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the
joints. The other options are caused by infectious agents .
11. A malignant tumor differs from a benign tumor because it:
A) Is encapsulated
B) Does not invade tissues
C) Metastasizes
D) Grows slowly
Correct Answer: C) Metastasizes
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
(spread to distant sites). Benign tumors remain localized and do not metastasize .
12. Cachexia in cancer patients is caused by:
A) Increased appetite
B) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6, and other cytokines leading to muscle
wasting
C) Sedentary lifestyle
D) Overeating
Correct Answer: B) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6, and other cytokines
leading to muscle wasting
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE |
100% CORRECT
1. Which cellular adaptation involves an increase in cell size?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: B) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size, often in response to increased workload,
such as cardiac muscle enlargement in hypertension. Hyperplasia increases cell number,
metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type with another, and dysplasia involves abnormal cell
growth and organization.
2. A patient with chronic hepatitis C develops liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. This is an example of
which type of cellular adaptation?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: C) Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another
due to chronic irritation. Hepatitis C causes chronic liver inflammation, which can lead to
metaplasia and eventually fibrosis and cirrhosis .
3. Which three are causes of cellular injury? (Select all that apply)
A) Hypoxia
B) Physical agents (trauma, temperature extremes)
C) Genetic mutations
D) Adequate ATP production
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Hypoxia (lack of oxygen), physical agents (trauma, temperature), and genetic
mutations can all cause cellular injury . Adequate ATP production is a sign of healthy cellular
function, not injury.
4. Apoptosis is best described as:
A) Uncontrolled cell death
B) Programmed cell death
, C) Infectious destruction
D) Tumor formation
Correct Answer: B) Programmed cell death
Rationale: Apoptosis is a regulated, orderly process of programmed cell death that eliminates
damaged or unnecessary cells without causing inflammation .
5. A hallmark of inflammation is:
A) Bradycardia
B) Vasoconstriction
C) Redness and swelling
D) Hypothermia
Correct Answer: C) Redness and swelling
Rationale: The cardinal signs of inflammation include redness, swelling, heat, and pain (rubor,
tumor, calor, dolor). These result from increased blood flow and capillary permeability .
6. Histamine is primarily released by:
A) Neutrophils
B) Mast cells
C) Erythrocytes
D) Platelets
Correct Answer: B) Mast cells
Rationale: Mast cells are the primary source of histamine, which is released during allergic and
inflammatory responses, causing vasodilation and increased capillary permeability .
7. Which leukocyte is most active in acute bacterial infection?
A) Eosinophil
B) Neutrophil
C) Basophil
D) Lymphocyte
Correct Answer: B) Neutrophil
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first responders to sites of acute bacterial infection and are highly
phagocytic. They are the most numerous white blood cells and play a key role in the early
inflammatory response .
8. Which immune cell produces antibodies?
A) T cells
B) B cells
C) Macrophages
D) Neutrophils
, Correct Answer: B) B cells
Rationale: B lymphocytes produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) that target specific antigens. T
cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity .
9. T cells primarily function in:
A) Antibody production
B) Phagocytosis
C) Cell-mediated immunity
D) Oxygen transport
Correct Answer: C) Cell-mediated immunity
Rationale: T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity, including directly killing infected
cells and regulating other immune responses .
10. An autoimmune disease example is:
A) Tuberculosis
B) Rheumatoid arthritis
C) Influenza
D) Malaria
Correct Answer: B) Rheumatoid arthritis
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the
joints. The other options are caused by infectious agents .
11. A malignant tumor differs from a benign tumor because it:
A) Is encapsulated
B) Does not invade tissues
C) Metastasizes
D) Grows slowly
Correct Answer: C) Metastasizes
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by invasion of surrounding tissues and metastasis
(spread to distant sites). Benign tumors remain localized and do not metastasize .
12. Cachexia in cancer patients is caused by:
A) Increased appetite
B) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6, and other cytokines leading to muscle
wasting
C) Sedentary lifestyle
D) Overeating
Correct Answer: B) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6, and other cytokines
leading to muscle wasting
