WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE OA PREP V2 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male with long-standing hypertension shows an increase in the size of his left
ventricular cardiomyocytes. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to
mechanical load or stress, common in cardiac muscle exposed to high afterload.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
liver failure and low serum albumin?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
,D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for plasma oncotic
pressure. Low levels lead to fluid shifting from the intravascular space to the interstitial
space.
3. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. How would you interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and an elevated PaCO2
(>45) indicates a respiratory cause with no compensation from the bicarbonate.
4. In the TNM staging system for cancer, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. The number of tumors present
B. The neoplasm’s growth rate
C. The degree of necrosis within the tumor
D. The involvement of regional lymph nodes
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In TNM staging, T stands for tumor size/extent, N for regional
lymph node involvement, and M for distant metastasis.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a widened QRS complex and peaked T
waves on an ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia decreases the resting membrane potential,
leading to characteristic ECG changes including peaked T waves and eventually QRS
widening.
6. Cystic Fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder. If both parents are carriers, what is the
probability that their child will have the disease?
A. 50%
B. 25%
C. 75%
D. 100%
COMPREHENSIVE OA PREP V2 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male with long-standing hypertension shows an increase in the size of his left
ventricular cardiomyocytes. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to
mechanical load or stress, common in cardiac muscle exposed to high afterload.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the development of edema in a patient with
liver failure and low serum albumin?
A. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
,D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein responsible for plasma oncotic
pressure. Low levels lead to fluid shifting from the intravascular space to the interstitial
space.
3. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. How would you interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and an elevated PaCO2
(>45) indicates a respiratory cause with no compensation from the bicarbonate.
4. In the TNM staging system for cancer, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. The number of tumors present
B. The neoplasm’s growth rate
C. The degree of necrosis within the tumor
D. The involvement of regional lymph nodes
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In TNM staging, T stands for tumor size/extent, N for regional
lymph node involvement, and M for distant metastasis.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a widened QRS complex and peaked T
waves on an ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia decreases the resting membrane potential,
leading to characteristic ECG changes including peaked T waves and eventually QRS
widening.
6. Cystic Fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder. If both parents are carriers, what is the
probability that their child will have the disease?
A. 50%
B. 25%
C. 75%
D. 100%
