1
WGU C805 Pathophysiology OA Exam Study Guide
Complete Questions & Verified Answers | Updated for
2026-2027
Objective Assessment | 100% Correct | Graded A+
QUESTION 1
Which of the following is the most common cause of infectious disease-
related death in the United States?
A) Tuberculosis
B) HIV/AIDS
C) Lyme disease
D) MRSA
Rationale: HIV/AIDS remains a leading cause of infectious disease-related
death in the United States. It attacks CD4+ T cells, leading to
immunodeficiency and opportunistic infections .
QUESTION 2
A patient presents with an itchy vesicular rash that is described as "dew
drops on a rose petal." The patient also has a fever and malaise. Which
disease is most likely?
A) Shingles
B) Chickenpox
Sure pass
,2
C) Measles
D) Impetigo
Rationale: The classic description of chickenpox rash is "dew drops on a rose
petal"—vesicles on an erythematous base. The rash is pruritic and appears in
crops, progressing from macules to papules to vesicles to crusts .
QUESTION 3
What is the characteristic rash pattern of shingles (herpes zoster)?
A) Diffuse rash on the trunk
B) Unilateral, dermatomal vesicular rash
C) Rash on the palms and soles
D) Rash on the face only
Rationale: Shingles presents with a painful, vesicular rash in a dermatomal
distribution (unilateral). The rash follows the path of a sensory nerve
(dermatome), typically on the trunk .
QUESTION 4
A patient presents with fever, sore throat, and a sandpaper-like rash. Which
condition is most likely?
Sure pass
,3
A) Measles
B) Scarlet fever
C) Fifth Disease
D) Impetigo
Rationale: Scarlet fever presents with fever, sore throat, strawberry tongue,
and a fine, papular rash that feels like sandpaper. It is caused by group A
Streptococcus .
QUESTION 5
What is the cause of Fifth Disease (erythema infectiosum)?
A) Group A Streptococcus
B) Parvovirus B19
C) Varicella-zoster virus
D) Measles virus
Rationale: Fifth Disease is caused by parvovirus B19. It presents with a
"slapped cheek" facial rash followed by a lacy, reticular rash on the body .
QUESTION 6
What is the most common complication of Fifth Disease in pregnant
women?
Sure pass
, 4
A) Preterm labor
B) Fetal anemia and hydrops fetalis
C) Preeclampsia
D) Cesarean section
Rationale: Parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy can cause fetal anemia
(because the virus infects RBC precursors) and hydrops fetalis. It can also lead
to miscarriage .
QUESTION 7
A patient presents with a "slapped cheek" appearance. Which disease is
most likely?
A) Measles
B) Fifth Disease
C) Scarlet fever
D) Chickenpox
Rationale: The "slapped cheek" facial rash is the hallmark of Fifth Disease
(erythema infectiosum) caused by parvovirus B19. It is followed by a lacy rash
on the trunk and extremities .
QUESTION 8
Sure pass
WGU C805 Pathophysiology OA Exam Study Guide
Complete Questions & Verified Answers | Updated for
2026-2027
Objective Assessment | 100% Correct | Graded A+
QUESTION 1
Which of the following is the most common cause of infectious disease-
related death in the United States?
A) Tuberculosis
B) HIV/AIDS
C) Lyme disease
D) MRSA
Rationale: HIV/AIDS remains a leading cause of infectious disease-related
death in the United States. It attacks CD4+ T cells, leading to
immunodeficiency and opportunistic infections .
QUESTION 2
A patient presents with an itchy vesicular rash that is described as "dew
drops on a rose petal." The patient also has a fever and malaise. Which
disease is most likely?
A) Shingles
B) Chickenpox
Sure pass
,2
C) Measles
D) Impetigo
Rationale: The classic description of chickenpox rash is "dew drops on a rose
petal"—vesicles on an erythematous base. The rash is pruritic and appears in
crops, progressing from macules to papules to vesicles to crusts .
QUESTION 3
What is the characteristic rash pattern of shingles (herpes zoster)?
A) Diffuse rash on the trunk
B) Unilateral, dermatomal vesicular rash
C) Rash on the palms and soles
D) Rash on the face only
Rationale: Shingles presents with a painful, vesicular rash in a dermatomal
distribution (unilateral). The rash follows the path of a sensory nerve
(dermatome), typically on the trunk .
QUESTION 4
A patient presents with fever, sore throat, and a sandpaper-like rash. Which
condition is most likely?
Sure pass
,3
A) Measles
B) Scarlet fever
C) Fifth Disease
D) Impetigo
Rationale: Scarlet fever presents with fever, sore throat, strawberry tongue,
and a fine, papular rash that feels like sandpaper. It is caused by group A
Streptococcus .
QUESTION 5
What is the cause of Fifth Disease (erythema infectiosum)?
A) Group A Streptococcus
B) Parvovirus B19
C) Varicella-zoster virus
D) Measles virus
Rationale: Fifth Disease is caused by parvovirus B19. It presents with a
"slapped cheek" facial rash followed by a lacy, reticular rash on the body .
QUESTION 6
What is the most common complication of Fifth Disease in pregnant
women?
Sure pass
, 4
A) Preterm labor
B) Fetal anemia and hydrops fetalis
C) Preeclampsia
D) Cesarean section
Rationale: Parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy can cause fetal anemia
(because the virus infects RBC precursors) and hydrops fetalis. It can also lead
to miscarriage .
QUESTION 7
A patient presents with a "slapped cheek" appearance. Which disease is
most likely?
A) Measles
B) Fifth Disease
C) Scarlet fever
D) Chickenpox
Rationale: The "slapped cheek" facial rash is the hallmark of Fifth Disease
(erythema infectiosum) caused by parvovirus B19. It is followed by a lacy rash
on the trunk and extremities .
QUESTION 8
Sure pass
