WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY STUDY
GUIDE 2026 OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OA
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
Chlamydia - CORRECT ANSWER -A bacterial infection that affects the
reproductive organs of both males and females; male symptoms include
penile discharge, uncomfortable walking
Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER -using cold for therapeutic purposes,
used for prostate therapy
Explain Starling's Law of Capillary Forces and how it causes edema. -
CORRECT ANSWER -Starling's hypothesis states that the fluid movement
due to filtration across the wall of a capillary is dependent on the balance
between the hydrostatic pressure gradient and the pressure gradient across
the capillary. This causes edema by the retention of water in the tissues
instead of vascular system.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood? - CORRECT ANSWER -glucose is used for energy and is not
synthesized by the brain, so it is needed to maintain brain/motor functions
,Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - CORRECT ANSWER -
Type 1- The body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that
produces insulin (typically in kids/ teens)
Type 2- "insulin resistance" - when cells fail to respond normally to the
hormone insulin.
Differentiate between Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity - CORRECT
ANSWER -Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense against
pathogens. It is general and non-specific, which means it does not
differentiate between types of pathogens. Adaptive immunity is a type of
immunity that is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated.
Describe how and why our injury response results in the signs of redness,
swelling, heat, and pain? Be sure to use chemokines, histamine, and
vasodilation in your response. - CORRECT ANSWER -Our body first releases
cytokines which produce inflammatory cells or chemokines directly to the
affected area to stimulate healing. Vasodilation occurs simultaneously to
facilitate quicker and easier movement of inflammatory cells to the area.
Describe how to determine the probability of clinical outcomes given
information about the parents (eg two heterozygous carriers of sickle cell
disease) - CORRECT ANSWER -in two heterozygous (two different gene sets)
carriers (one dominant and one recessive gene) creates a 50% chance
outcome of offspring having sickle cell disease
Describe how calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin D)
work together to maintain normal blood calcium levels. - CORRECT
ANSWER -calcitonin and PTH work oppositely to balance calcium. the three
work together to shift calcium into bones, organs and blood
, Describe the function of osteocytes within lacunae of bone - CORRECT
ANSWER -Osteocytes maintain bone mass through anabolic activities; they
promote bone repair through recruitment of osteoclast mediated turnover
Describe bone remodeling. Which cells are involved in this process and
what is their function? - CORRECT ANSWER -osteoclasts destroy old,
degenerative cells to make room for new ones. osteoblasts build new bone
cells. osteocytes facilitate this process and help retain calcium for bone
strength and health.
Describe the process of articular degeneration. Which cells are involved in
this process and what is their function? - CORRECT ANSWER -articular
degeneration is also known as osteoarthritis. macrophages are the primary
cell involved, and they induce inflammation.
How does denosumab treat osteoporosis? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Denosumab is an antibody that slows down the natural rate your bones are
broken down. It works by blocking a protein and suppressing the cells that
break down bone.
How does compartment syndrome develop? Which part of our body tends
to develop compartment syndrome? How do patients typically recognize
they may need to seek medical assistance for rhabdomyolysis? What is the
most sensitive laboratory test for rhabdomyolosis? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Compartment syndrome occurs when blood flow is restricted to area for an
extended period of time. It usually develops in extremities. Patients
recognize rhabdo by new muscle pain and decreased urinary output, and is
detected by creatine kinase in the blood.
GUIDE 2026 OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OA
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
Chlamydia - CORRECT ANSWER -A bacterial infection that affects the
reproductive organs of both males and females; male symptoms include
penile discharge, uncomfortable walking
Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER -using cold for therapeutic purposes,
used for prostate therapy
Explain Starling's Law of Capillary Forces and how it causes edema. -
CORRECT ANSWER -Starling's hypothesis states that the fluid movement
due to filtration across the wall of a capillary is dependent on the balance
between the hydrostatic pressure gradient and the pressure gradient across
the capillary. This causes edema by the retention of water in the tissues
instead of vascular system.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood? - CORRECT ANSWER -glucose is used for energy and is not
synthesized by the brain, so it is needed to maintain brain/motor functions
,Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - CORRECT ANSWER -
Type 1- The body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that
produces insulin (typically in kids/ teens)
Type 2- "insulin resistance" - when cells fail to respond normally to the
hormone insulin.
Differentiate between Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity - CORRECT
ANSWER -Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense against
pathogens. It is general and non-specific, which means it does not
differentiate between types of pathogens. Adaptive immunity is a type of
immunity that is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated.
Describe how and why our injury response results in the signs of redness,
swelling, heat, and pain? Be sure to use chemokines, histamine, and
vasodilation in your response. - CORRECT ANSWER -Our body first releases
cytokines which produce inflammatory cells or chemokines directly to the
affected area to stimulate healing. Vasodilation occurs simultaneously to
facilitate quicker and easier movement of inflammatory cells to the area.
Describe how to determine the probability of clinical outcomes given
information about the parents (eg two heterozygous carriers of sickle cell
disease) - CORRECT ANSWER -in two heterozygous (two different gene sets)
carriers (one dominant and one recessive gene) creates a 50% chance
outcome of offspring having sickle cell disease
Describe how calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin D)
work together to maintain normal blood calcium levels. - CORRECT
ANSWER -calcitonin and PTH work oppositely to balance calcium. the three
work together to shift calcium into bones, organs and blood
, Describe the function of osteocytes within lacunae of bone - CORRECT
ANSWER -Osteocytes maintain bone mass through anabolic activities; they
promote bone repair through recruitment of osteoclast mediated turnover
Describe bone remodeling. Which cells are involved in this process and
what is their function? - CORRECT ANSWER -osteoclasts destroy old,
degenerative cells to make room for new ones. osteoblasts build new bone
cells. osteocytes facilitate this process and help retain calcium for bone
strength and health.
Describe the process of articular degeneration. Which cells are involved in
this process and what is their function? - CORRECT ANSWER -articular
degeneration is also known as osteoarthritis. macrophages are the primary
cell involved, and they induce inflammation.
How does denosumab treat osteoporosis? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Denosumab is an antibody that slows down the natural rate your bones are
broken down. It works by blocking a protein and suppressing the cells that
break down bone.
How does compartment syndrome develop? Which part of our body tends
to develop compartment syndrome? How do patients typically recognize
they may need to seek medical assistance for rhabdomyolysis? What is the
most sensitive laboratory test for rhabdomyolosis? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Compartment syndrome occurs when blood flow is restricted to area for an
extended period of time. It usually develops in extremities. Patients
recognize rhabdo by new muscle pain and decreased urinary output, and is
detected by creatine kinase in the blood.
