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WGU D236 OA V2 – (2026) Pathophysiology OA EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
WGU D236 OA V2 – (2026) Pathophysiology OA
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Cellular Adaptation & Injury – Questions cover atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia,
metaplasia, dysplasia, apoptosis, necrosis, ischemia, and hypoxia .
2. Genetics & Congenital Disorders – Autosomal dominant/recessive inheritance, X-linked
disorders, chromosomal abnormalities (Down, Turner, Klinefelter), single-gene disorders
(cystic fibrosis, Huntington's, hemophilia, Marfan, Tay-Sachs) .
3. Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance – Sodium/potassium/calcium disorders,
dehydration/edema, metabolic/respiratory acidosis/alkalosis, compensation
mechanisms, ABG interpretation, anion gap .
4. Immunology & Inflammation – Innate vs. adaptive immunity, hypersensitivity Types I–IV,
autoimmune disorders (RA, lupus, MS, T1DM), immunodeficiencies (HIV/AIDS),
transplant rejection .
5. Oncology & Hematology – Carcinogenesis, oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes (p53,
BRCA), metastasis, tumor grading/staging; anemias (iron deficiency, B12, pernicious,
aplastic, hemolytic, sickle cell), leukemias, lymphomas, coagulopathies .
6. Cardiovascular Disorders – Hypertension (essential vs. malignant), atherosclerosis, CAD,
angina, MI, heart failure (left vs. right, systolic vs. diastolic), arrhythmias, valvular
disorders, endocarditis, pericarditis .
7. Respiratory Disorders – COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis), asthma, pneumonia,
pulmonary embolism, ARDS, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer .
8. Renal & Urinary Disorders – AKI (prerenal/intrarenal/postrenal), CKD (GFR staging),
glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, pyelonephritis, nephrolithiasis, UTI, renal
failure .
9. Gastrointestinal & Endocrine Disorders – GERD, PUD (H. pylori), IBD (Crohn's vs. UC),
hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis; diabetes (Type 1 vs. 2, DKA, HHS), thyroid
disorders (Graves', Hashimoto's), adrenal disorders (Addison's, Cushing's) .
10. Neurological & Musculoskeletal Disorders – Stroke (ischemic vs. hemorrhagic),
seizures/epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, ALS, meningitis; osteoporosis, OA vs. RA,
gout, fractures, compartment syndrome .
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QUESTIONS 1-250
1. A patient with a genetic disorder is found to have a mutation in the FBN1 gene, leading to
abnormalities in connective tissue. Which of the following conditions is most likely present?
A) Tay-Sachs disease
B) Cystic fibrosis
C) Marfan syndrome
D) Hemophilia A
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder caused by a
mutation in the FBN1 gene on chromosome 15. It affects the fibrillin protein, leading to
manifestations in the skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular systems .
2. Which of the following is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the
accumulation of lipids in the brain, leading to seizures, blindness, and motor degeneration
within the first few years of life?
A) Huntington's disease
B) Tay-Sachs disease
C) Marfan syndrome
D) Neurofibromatosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tay-Sachs disease is an autosomal recessive disorder (chromosome 15) that leads to
a deficiency of hexosaminidase A, causing accumulation of GM2 gangliosides in the brain.
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Symptoms include seizures, blindness, and degeneration of motor and mental performance,
manifesting a few months after birth .
3. Why are males more commonly affected by hemophilia than females?
A) Hemophilia is an autosomal dominant trait
B) Hemophilia is an X-linked recessive disorder, and males have only one X chromosome
C) Hemophilia is a Y-linked disorder
D) Hemophilia is caused by a mitochondrial gene mutation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hemophilia is an X-linked recessive disorder. Males have only one X chromosome
(XY), so a single mutated gene on the X chromosome will cause the disease. Females (XX) would
need two mutated copies to be affected and are typically carriers .
4. A newborn is diagnosed with a condition resulting from the failure of the neural tube to
close during early gestation. Which of the following findings would be most consistent with
this diagnosis?
A) Webbed neck and short stature
B) Intellectual disability and epicanthal folds
C) A fluid-filled sac on the lower back
D) Cleft lip and palate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Spina bifida results from failure of the neural tube to close during early gestation. A
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physical sign is a fluid-filled sac (meningocele or myelomeningocele) on the lower back. Obesity
and diabetes in the mother are risk factors .
5. Which of the following best describes the difference between connective tissue disorders
and muscle tissue disorders?
A) Connective tissue disorders include Lupus and RA; muscle tissue disorders include MS and
Muscular Dystrophy
B) Connective tissue disorders affect bones; muscle disorders affect skin
C) Connective tissue disorders are inherited; muscle disorders are acquired
D) Connective tissue disorders are acute; muscle disorders are chronic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Connective tissue disorders include Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Scleroderma, and
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus). Muscle tissue disorders include Multiple Sclerosis (MS),
Muscular Dystrophy, and Myasthenia Gravis .
6. Which of the following conditions is an inflammatory disorder characterized by joint pain
and a classic butterfly-shaped rash on the face?
A) Rheumatoid arthritis
B) Scleroderma
C) Systemic lupus erythematosus
D) Polymyositis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder. A
WGU D236 OA V2 – (2026) Pathophysiology OA EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
WGU D236 OA V2 – (2026) Pathophysiology OA
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Cellular Adaptation & Injury – Questions cover atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia,
metaplasia, dysplasia, apoptosis, necrosis, ischemia, and hypoxia .
2. Genetics & Congenital Disorders – Autosomal dominant/recessive inheritance, X-linked
disorders, chromosomal abnormalities (Down, Turner, Klinefelter), single-gene disorders
(cystic fibrosis, Huntington's, hemophilia, Marfan, Tay-Sachs) .
3. Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance – Sodium/potassium/calcium disorders,
dehydration/edema, metabolic/respiratory acidosis/alkalosis, compensation
mechanisms, ABG interpretation, anion gap .
4. Immunology & Inflammation – Innate vs. adaptive immunity, hypersensitivity Types I–IV,
autoimmune disorders (RA, lupus, MS, T1DM), immunodeficiencies (HIV/AIDS),
transplant rejection .
5. Oncology & Hematology – Carcinogenesis, oncogenes/tumor suppressor genes (p53,
BRCA), metastasis, tumor grading/staging; anemias (iron deficiency, B12, pernicious,
aplastic, hemolytic, sickle cell), leukemias, lymphomas, coagulopathies .
6. Cardiovascular Disorders – Hypertension (essential vs. malignant), atherosclerosis, CAD,
angina, MI, heart failure (left vs. right, systolic vs. diastolic), arrhythmias, valvular
disorders, endocarditis, pericarditis .
7. Respiratory Disorders – COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis), asthma, pneumonia,
pulmonary embolism, ARDS, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer .
8. Renal & Urinary Disorders – AKI (prerenal/intrarenal/postrenal), CKD (GFR staging),
glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, pyelonephritis, nephrolithiasis, UTI, renal
failure .
9. Gastrointestinal & Endocrine Disorders – GERD, PUD (H. pylori), IBD (Crohn's vs. UC),
hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis; diabetes (Type 1 vs. 2, DKA, HHS), thyroid
disorders (Graves', Hashimoto's), adrenal disorders (Addison's, Cushing's) .
10. Neurological & Musculoskeletal Disorders – Stroke (ischemic vs. hemorrhagic),
seizures/epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, ALS, meningitis; osteoporosis, OA vs. RA,
gout, fractures, compartment syndrome .
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QUESTIONS 1-250
1. A patient with a genetic disorder is found to have a mutation in the FBN1 gene, leading to
abnormalities in connective tissue. Which of the following conditions is most likely present?
A) Tay-Sachs disease
B) Cystic fibrosis
C) Marfan syndrome
D) Hemophilia A
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder caused by a
mutation in the FBN1 gene on chromosome 15. It affects the fibrillin protein, leading to
manifestations in the skeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular systems .
2. Which of the following is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the
accumulation of lipids in the brain, leading to seizures, blindness, and motor degeneration
within the first few years of life?
A) Huntington's disease
B) Tay-Sachs disease
C) Marfan syndrome
D) Neurofibromatosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tay-Sachs disease is an autosomal recessive disorder (chromosome 15) that leads to
a deficiency of hexosaminidase A, causing accumulation of GM2 gangliosides in the brain.
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Symptoms include seizures, blindness, and degeneration of motor and mental performance,
manifesting a few months after birth .
3. Why are males more commonly affected by hemophilia than females?
A) Hemophilia is an autosomal dominant trait
B) Hemophilia is an X-linked recessive disorder, and males have only one X chromosome
C) Hemophilia is a Y-linked disorder
D) Hemophilia is caused by a mitochondrial gene mutation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hemophilia is an X-linked recessive disorder. Males have only one X chromosome
(XY), so a single mutated gene on the X chromosome will cause the disease. Females (XX) would
need two mutated copies to be affected and are typically carriers .
4. A newborn is diagnosed with a condition resulting from the failure of the neural tube to
close during early gestation. Which of the following findings would be most consistent with
this diagnosis?
A) Webbed neck and short stature
B) Intellectual disability and epicanthal folds
C) A fluid-filled sac on the lower back
D) Cleft lip and palate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Spina bifida results from failure of the neural tube to close during early gestation. A
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physical sign is a fluid-filled sac (meningocele or myelomeningocele) on the lower back. Obesity
and diabetes in the mother are risk factors .
5. Which of the following best describes the difference between connective tissue disorders
and muscle tissue disorders?
A) Connective tissue disorders include Lupus and RA; muscle tissue disorders include MS and
Muscular Dystrophy
B) Connective tissue disorders affect bones; muscle disorders affect skin
C) Connective tissue disorders are inherited; muscle disorders are acquired
D) Connective tissue disorders are acute; muscle disorders are chronic
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Connective tissue disorders include Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Scleroderma, and
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus). Muscle tissue disorders include Multiple Sclerosis (MS),
Muscular Dystrophy, and Myasthenia Gravis .
6. Which of the following conditions is an inflammatory disorder characterized by joint pain
and a classic butterfly-shaped rash on the face?
A) Rheumatoid arthritis
B) Scleroderma
C) Systemic lupus erythematosus
D) Polymyositis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder. A
