D236 Pathophysiology Midterm Practice Exam 2026 |WGU
1. A patient’s muscle mass decreased after their leg was in a cast for six weeks.
What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often caused by disuse, such
as when a limb is immobilized in a cast.
2. Which chromosomal abnormality is characterized by the presence of three
copies of chromosome 21?
A. Down Syndrome
B. Klinefelter Syndrome
C. Turner Syndrome
D. Edwards Syndrome
Answer: A
Rationale: Down syndrome is also known as Trisomy 21, meaning there are three copies
of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two.
,3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows a pH of 7.30 and a PaCO2 of 50
mmHg. What is the interpretation?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. An elevated PaCO2 (above 45 mmHg)
indicates that the acidosis is respiratory in origin.
4. Which mechanism is responsible for the edema seen in a patient with liver
failure and low albumin levels?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin provides the majority of plasma oncotic pressure. When albumin
levels drop (hypoalbuminemia), fluid moves from the capillaries into the interstitial space.
5. What is the first step in the inflammatory response after tissue injury?
A. Phagocytosis
B. Leukocyte migration
C. Vasodilation
D. Vasoconstriction
Answer: D
Rationale: Brief vasoconstriction is the immediate initial response, followed quickly by
vasodilation to increase blood flow to the injured area.
, 6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is an IgE-mediated allergic reaction,
such as anaphylaxis?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity reactions are IgE-mediated and involve the release of
histamine from mast cells, potentially leading to anaphylaxis.
7. What term describes a tumor that is encapsulated, well-differentiated, and
does not spread to distant sites?
A. Malignant
B. Metastatic
C. Benign
D. Carcinoma
Answer: C
Rationale: Benign tumors are usually encapsulated, well-differentiated, and do not
metastasize.
8. During the ‘Alarm Stage’ of the General Adaptation Syndrome, which
hormone is primarily released by the adrenal medulla?
A. Cortisol
B. Epinephrine
C. Aldosterone
D. ADH
Answer: B
Rationale: The adrenal medulla releases catecholamines (epinephrine and
norepinephrine) during the alarm stage to trigger the fight-or-flight response.
1. A patient’s muscle mass decreased after their leg was in a cast for six weeks.
What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Answer: D
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size, often caused by disuse, such
as when a limb is immobilized in a cast.
2. Which chromosomal abnormality is characterized by the presence of three
copies of chromosome 21?
A. Down Syndrome
B. Klinefelter Syndrome
C. Turner Syndrome
D. Edwards Syndrome
Answer: A
Rationale: Down syndrome is also known as Trisomy 21, meaning there are three copies
of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two.
,3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows a pH of 7.30 and a PaCO2 of 50
mmHg. What is the interpretation?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. An elevated PaCO2 (above 45 mmHg)
indicates that the acidosis is respiratory in origin.
4. Which mechanism is responsible for the edema seen in a patient with liver
failure and low albumin levels?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased capillary oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
Answer: B
Rationale: Albumin provides the majority of plasma oncotic pressure. When albumin
levels drop (hypoalbuminemia), fluid moves from the capillaries into the interstitial space.
5. What is the first step in the inflammatory response after tissue injury?
A. Phagocytosis
B. Leukocyte migration
C. Vasodilation
D. Vasoconstriction
Answer: D
Rationale: Brief vasoconstriction is the immediate initial response, followed quickly by
vasodilation to increase blood flow to the injured area.
, 6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is an IgE-mediated allergic reaction,
such as anaphylaxis?
A. Type II
B. Type I
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity reactions are IgE-mediated and involve the release of
histamine from mast cells, potentially leading to anaphylaxis.
7. What term describes a tumor that is encapsulated, well-differentiated, and
does not spread to distant sites?
A. Malignant
B. Metastatic
C. Benign
D. Carcinoma
Answer: C
Rationale: Benign tumors are usually encapsulated, well-differentiated, and do not
metastasize.
8. During the ‘Alarm Stage’ of the General Adaptation Syndrome, which
hormone is primarily released by the adrenal medulla?
A. Cortisol
B. Epinephrine
C. Aldosterone
D. ADH
Answer: B
Rationale: The adrenal medulla releases catecholamines (epinephrine and
norepinephrine) during the alarm stage to trigger the fight-or-flight response.
