WGU D236 Pathophysiology Final Exam |
100% Correct Answers | Verified Latest
Update 2026/2027 Version
Question 1:
A client receives a phone call from her gynecologist's office nurse and is informed
that her Pap test results identified mild dysplasia. The best explanation for the
nurse to provide would be:
a. "Minor degrees of dysplasia are associated with chronic irritation or
inflammation. However, we will need to do additional diagnostic studies to
confirm the diagnosis."
b. "You definitely have cancer."
c. "Do not be concerned; this is not abnormal."
d. "You need emergency treatment; please come in to the office today."
Correct Answer: a
Question 2:
The nurse is educating about the importance of improving the metabolic process in
a client who has morbid obesity and is beginning a weight loss program with
exercise. What should the nurse inform the client about the importance of
improving the metabolic rate?
a. Increasing metabolism improves the process by which cells engulf materials
from their surroundings to improve electrolyte function.
b. Increasing metabolism will allow the client to be able to eat whatever foods he
wants as long as he is exercising.
c. Increasing metabolism improves the secretion of intracellular substances into the
extracellular spaces.
d. Increasing metabolism will improve the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins to provide energy for cell function.
Correct Answer: d
pg. 1
,Question 3:
A client has been exercising his arms repeatedly. Which statement by the nurse
explains the increase in the size of the arms?
a. "Your cells have atrophied in response to increased oxygen."
b. "Your cells have hypertrophied in response to increased workload."
c. "You have increased your number of cells due to increased oxygenation."
d. "You have caused the cells to clump together in response to exercise."
Correct Answer: b
Question 4:
What can the nurse tell family members to best explain muscle atrophy of a family
member who has been in a persistent coma?
a. "Cell size has increased in response to immobility."
b. "Cells hypertrophy in response to disuse."
c. "Cell size decreases as workload declines."
d. "Cells need more oxygen the longer they are immobile."
Correct Answer: c
Question 5:
Which statement would a nurse tell a client to best describe apoptosis?
a. "Apoptosis describes increase in number of cells."
b. "Apoptosis occurs in irreversibly damaged cells."
c. "Apoptosis is an increase in the size of cells."
d. "Apoptosis is the natural removal of injured or worn out cells."
Correct Answer: d
Question 6:
The student nurse is removing sutures on client after abdominal surgery, and the
wound begins to pull apart. The student asks the instructor, "Did I do something
wrong?" The instructor reviews wound healing and replies:
a. "Maybe the wound edges were not close enough together to allow
epithelialization of the wound to occur."
b. "Maybe the client was 'picking' at the wound and caused the edges to not be
well-approximated."
c. "Maybe you were a little rough when you pulled out the sutures."
pg. 2
, d. "Maybe the sutures were left in too long and impeded healing."
Correct Answer: a
Question 7:
Following hip replacement surgery, the client has had many weeks of physical
therapy. Upon assessing the wound, it is still red and draining thick, green,
odoriferous secretions. The client has limited range-of-motion and is constantly
reporting pain. The physician explains that the hip device needs to be removed.
Why is removal required?
a. A fragment of bone may be rubbing at the insertion site of the joint and keeping
it inflamed.
b. The body considers the hip replacement device a foreign body and an infection
has developed around the joint.
c. The device is impeding the supply of nutrients and oxygen to reach the inflamed
area.
d. No amount of antibiotic therapy will be able to reach the area around the new
joint and kill the infection.
Correct Answer: b
Question 8:
A nurse is assessing a client for the classic signs of acute inflammation. The nurse
would assess the client for:
a. Cyanosis, heat, and swelling
b. Paresthesias, redness, and coolness
c. Pain, pulselessness, and edema
d. Rubor, swelling, and pain
Correct Answer: d
Question 9:
During a review session discussing cells, a student asks, "What do you call it when
a cell becomes more specialized in terms of structure?" Which response answers
the question correctly?
a. Cell proliferation
b. Matrix
c. Mitosis
pg. 3
100% Correct Answers | Verified Latest
Update 2026/2027 Version
Question 1:
A client receives a phone call from her gynecologist's office nurse and is informed
that her Pap test results identified mild dysplasia. The best explanation for the
nurse to provide would be:
a. "Minor degrees of dysplasia are associated with chronic irritation or
inflammation. However, we will need to do additional diagnostic studies to
confirm the diagnosis."
b. "You definitely have cancer."
c. "Do not be concerned; this is not abnormal."
d. "You need emergency treatment; please come in to the office today."
Correct Answer: a
Question 2:
The nurse is educating about the importance of improving the metabolic process in
a client who has morbid obesity and is beginning a weight loss program with
exercise. What should the nurse inform the client about the importance of
improving the metabolic rate?
a. Increasing metabolism improves the process by which cells engulf materials
from their surroundings to improve electrolyte function.
b. Increasing metabolism will allow the client to be able to eat whatever foods he
wants as long as he is exercising.
c. Increasing metabolism improves the secretion of intracellular substances into the
extracellular spaces.
d. Increasing metabolism will improve the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins to provide energy for cell function.
Correct Answer: d
pg. 1
,Question 3:
A client has been exercising his arms repeatedly. Which statement by the nurse
explains the increase in the size of the arms?
a. "Your cells have atrophied in response to increased oxygen."
b. "Your cells have hypertrophied in response to increased workload."
c. "You have increased your number of cells due to increased oxygenation."
d. "You have caused the cells to clump together in response to exercise."
Correct Answer: b
Question 4:
What can the nurse tell family members to best explain muscle atrophy of a family
member who has been in a persistent coma?
a. "Cell size has increased in response to immobility."
b. "Cells hypertrophy in response to disuse."
c. "Cell size decreases as workload declines."
d. "Cells need more oxygen the longer they are immobile."
Correct Answer: c
Question 5:
Which statement would a nurse tell a client to best describe apoptosis?
a. "Apoptosis describes increase in number of cells."
b. "Apoptosis occurs in irreversibly damaged cells."
c. "Apoptosis is an increase in the size of cells."
d. "Apoptosis is the natural removal of injured or worn out cells."
Correct Answer: d
Question 6:
The student nurse is removing sutures on client after abdominal surgery, and the
wound begins to pull apart. The student asks the instructor, "Did I do something
wrong?" The instructor reviews wound healing and replies:
a. "Maybe the wound edges were not close enough together to allow
epithelialization of the wound to occur."
b. "Maybe the client was 'picking' at the wound and caused the edges to not be
well-approximated."
c. "Maybe you were a little rough when you pulled out the sutures."
pg. 2
, d. "Maybe the sutures were left in too long and impeded healing."
Correct Answer: a
Question 7:
Following hip replacement surgery, the client has had many weeks of physical
therapy. Upon assessing the wound, it is still red and draining thick, green,
odoriferous secretions. The client has limited range-of-motion and is constantly
reporting pain. The physician explains that the hip device needs to be removed.
Why is removal required?
a. A fragment of bone may be rubbing at the insertion site of the joint and keeping
it inflamed.
b. The body considers the hip replacement device a foreign body and an infection
has developed around the joint.
c. The device is impeding the supply of nutrients and oxygen to reach the inflamed
area.
d. No amount of antibiotic therapy will be able to reach the area around the new
joint and kill the infection.
Correct Answer: b
Question 8:
A nurse is assessing a client for the classic signs of acute inflammation. The nurse
would assess the client for:
a. Cyanosis, heat, and swelling
b. Paresthesias, redness, and coolness
c. Pain, pulselessness, and edema
d. Rubor, swelling, and pain
Correct Answer: d
Question 9:
During a review session discussing cells, a student asks, "What do you call it when
a cell becomes more specialized in terms of structure?" Which response answers
the question correctly?
a. Cell proliferation
b. Matrix
c. Mitosis
pg. 3
