D236 Pathophysiology Comprehensive Review Exam 2026 |WGU
1. Which type of cellular adaptation involves the replacement of one mature cell
type by another, often as a response to chronic irritation?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one adult cell type is replaced by
another to better withstand environment stress, such as in smokers’ respiratory tracts.
2. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PCO2 of 35 mmHg, and HCO3 of 18
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A low pH (< 7.35) indicates acidosis, and a low bicarbonate (< 22 mEq/L)
confirms the cause is metabolic.
,3. What is the primary characteristic of an autosomal recessive disorder?
A. It affects males only.
B. Two copies of the mutated gene are required for the disease to manifest.
C. Only one copy of the mutated gene is needed for expression.
D. It is always passed from father to son.
Answer: B
Rationale: Autosomal recessive disorders require individuals to inherit two copies of the
defective gene (one from each parent) to show the phenotype.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with tall, peaked
T-waves on an ECG?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) affects cardiac repolarization, classically
presenting as tall, peaked T-waves on an electrocardiogram.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and
involves mast cell degranulation?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity (immediate) involves IgE binding to mast cells,
triggering the release of histamine, as seen in allergies and anaphylaxis.
, 6. In the TNM staging system for cancer, what does ‘N’ represent?
A. Number of tumors
B. Necrosis level
C. Node involvement
D. New growth
Answer: C
Rationale: TNM stands for Tumor (size/extent), Node (regional lymph node involvement),
and Metastasis (presence of distant spread).
7. Which condition is characterized by an excessive production of cortisol by the
adrenal cortex?
A. Addison’s disease
B. Cushing syndrome
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Hashimoto thyroiditis
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing syndrome is the clinical condition resulting from chronic exposure to
excess glucocorticoids like cortisol.
8. What is the primary pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Excessive glucose intake in the diet
C. Overproduction of glucagon by alpha cells
D. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Answer: D
Rationale: Type 1 DM is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks
and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
1. Which type of cellular adaptation involves the replacement of one mature cell
type by another, often as a response to chronic irritation?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change where one adult cell type is replaced by
another to better withstand environment stress, such as in smokers’ respiratory tracts.
2. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PCO2 of 35 mmHg, and HCO3 of 18
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A low pH (< 7.35) indicates acidosis, and a low bicarbonate (< 22 mEq/L)
confirms the cause is metabolic.
,3. What is the primary characteristic of an autosomal recessive disorder?
A. It affects males only.
B. Two copies of the mutated gene are required for the disease to manifest.
C. Only one copy of the mutated gene is needed for expression.
D. It is always passed from father to son.
Answer: B
Rationale: Autosomal recessive disorders require individuals to inherit two copies of the
defective gene (one from each parent) to show the phenotype.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with tall, peaked
T-waves on an ECG?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) affects cardiac repolarization, classically
presenting as tall, peaked T-waves on an electrocardiogram.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and
involves mast cell degranulation?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity (immediate) involves IgE binding to mast cells,
triggering the release of histamine, as seen in allergies and anaphylaxis.
, 6. In the TNM staging system for cancer, what does ‘N’ represent?
A. Number of tumors
B. Necrosis level
C. Node involvement
D. New growth
Answer: C
Rationale: TNM stands for Tumor (size/extent), Node (regional lymph node involvement),
and Metastasis (presence of distant spread).
7. Which condition is characterized by an excessive production of cortisol by the
adrenal cortex?
A. Addison’s disease
B. Cushing syndrome
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Hashimoto thyroiditis
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing syndrome is the clinical condition resulting from chronic exposure to
excess glucocorticoids like cortisol.
8. What is the primary pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B. Excessive glucose intake in the diet
C. Overproduction of glucagon by alpha cells
D. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Answer: D
Rationale: Type 1 DM is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks
and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
