WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE OA PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2027
1. A 55-year-old male with long-standing hypertension shows an increase in the size of his left
ventricular cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to
increased workload, common in the heart muscle of hypertensive patients.
2. Which cellular process involves the programmed death of a cell without causing an
inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Apoptosis
,D. Infarction
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death, a regulated process that
does not typically trigger inflammation, unlike necrosis.
3. What is the primary characteristic of Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)?
A. Monosomy of the X chromosome
B. Three copies of chromosome 21
C. An extra Y chromosome in males
D. Deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Trisomy 21 is characterized by the presence of three copies of
chromosome 21 instead of the usual two.
4. In X-linked recessive disorders, who is most likely to express the phenotype?
A. Heterozygous females
B. Males who inherit the affected X chromosome
C. Homozygous females only
D. Males who inherit the affected Y chromosome
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Males have only one X chromosome; if they inherit an affected X
chromosome for a recessive trait, they will express the disorder.
5. Which mediator is primarily responsible for the increased capillary permeability seen in
acute inflammation?
A. Cortisol
B. Interleukin-10
C. Histamine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Histamine, released by mast cells, causes vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability during the early stages of inflammation.
6. A patient presents with widespread edema and a serum sodium level of 125 mEq/L. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: C
COMPREHENSIVE OA PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2027
1. A 55-year-old male with long-standing hypertension shows an increase in the size of his left
ventricular cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to
increased workload, common in the heart muscle of hypertensive patients.
2. Which cellular process involves the programmed death of a cell without causing an
inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Apoptosis
,D. Infarction
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death, a regulated process that
does not typically trigger inflammation, unlike necrosis.
3. What is the primary characteristic of Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)?
A. Monosomy of the X chromosome
B. Three copies of chromosome 21
C. An extra Y chromosome in males
D. Deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Trisomy 21 is characterized by the presence of three copies of
chromosome 21 instead of the usual two.
4. In X-linked recessive disorders, who is most likely to express the phenotype?
A. Heterozygous females
B. Males who inherit the affected X chromosome
C. Homozygous females only
D. Males who inherit the affected Y chromosome
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Males have only one X chromosome; if they inherit an affected X
chromosome for a recessive trait, they will express the disorder.
5. Which mediator is primarily responsible for the increased capillary permeability seen in
acute inflammation?
A. Cortisol
B. Interleukin-10
C. Histamine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Histamine, released by mast cells, causes vasodilation and
increased capillary permeability during the early stages of inflammation.
6. A patient presents with widespread edema and a serum sodium level of 125 mEq/L. Which
condition is most likely?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: C
