WGU D236 Pathophysiology OA V2 2026 | Latest Exam
Prep Questions & Answers | 3 Practice Exam Sets
1.
A patient is experiencing hypoventilation due to severe respiratory depression. Which acid-base imbalance
is most likely to develop?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: D. Respiratory acidosis
Explanation: Hypoventilation decreases carbon dioxide elimination. The resulting increase in PaCO ₂
increases carbonic acid and lowers blood pH, producing respiratory acidosis.
2.
A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis has a blood pH of 7.20 and decreased bicarbonate. Which condition is
present?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Metabolic acidosis
Explanation: DKA causes accumulation of acidic ketone bodies, consuming bicarbonate and producing
metabolic acidosis. The anion gap is typically increased.
,3.
Which mechanism primarily causes edema when plasma protein levels are severely reduced?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Correct Answer: C. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Explanation: Plasma proteins, especially albumin, help retain fluid within blood vessels. Low albumin
decreases plasma oncotic pressure and promotes movement of fluid into the interstitial space.
4.
Which hormone directly promotes sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys?
A. Insulin
B. Aldosterone
C. Calcitonin
D. Antidiuretic hormone
Correct Answer: B. Aldosterone
Explanation: Aldosterone acts primarily on the distal nephron to increase sodium reabsorption and
potassium secretion, helping regulate blood volume and electrolyte balance.
5.
,A patient develops muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias after severe vomiting. Which electrolyte
abnormality is most concerning?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: A. Hypokalemia
Explanation: Prolonged vomiting can cause potassium loss. Hypokalemia can produce muscle weakness
and potentially dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias.
6.
Which type of immunity is present when antibodies are produced following vaccination?
A. Passive innate immunity
B. Active adaptive immunity
C. Passive adaptive immunity
D. Nonspecific immunity
Correct Answer: B. Active adaptive immunity
Explanation: Vaccination exposes the immune system to an antigen and stimulates the person's own
adaptive immune response, including memory-cell formation.
7.
Which immune cell is primarily responsible for producing antibodies?
, A. B lymphocyte
B. Neutrophil
C. Natural killer cell
D. Macrophage
Correct Answer: A. B lymphocyte
Explanation: Activated B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells, which produce antibodies against
specific antigens.
8.
A patient develops a bull's-eye-shaped rash after a tick bite. Which infection should be suspected?
A. West Nile virus
B. Lyme disease
C. Malaria
D. Botulism
Correct Answer: B. Lyme disease
Explanation: Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by infected ticks. Erythema
migrans is the classic expanding target-like rash.
9.
Which finding is most characteristic of West Nile virus infection?
A. Bull's-eye rash after a tick bite
B. Severe neurologic symptoms following mosquito exposure
Prep Questions & Answers | 3 Practice Exam Sets
1.
A patient is experiencing hypoventilation due to severe respiratory depression. Which acid-base imbalance
is most likely to develop?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: D. Respiratory acidosis
Explanation: Hypoventilation decreases carbon dioxide elimination. The resulting increase in PaCO ₂
increases carbonic acid and lowers blood pH, producing respiratory acidosis.
2.
A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis has a blood pH of 7.20 and decreased bicarbonate. Which condition is
present?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B. Metabolic acidosis
Explanation: DKA causes accumulation of acidic ketone bodies, consuming bicarbonate and producing
metabolic acidosis. The anion gap is typically increased.
,3.
Which mechanism primarily causes edema when plasma protein levels are severely reduced?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
C. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Correct Answer: C. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Explanation: Plasma proteins, especially albumin, help retain fluid within blood vessels. Low albumin
decreases plasma oncotic pressure and promotes movement of fluid into the interstitial space.
4.
Which hormone directly promotes sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys?
A. Insulin
B. Aldosterone
C. Calcitonin
D. Antidiuretic hormone
Correct Answer: B. Aldosterone
Explanation: Aldosterone acts primarily on the distal nephron to increase sodium reabsorption and
potassium secretion, helping regulate blood volume and electrolyte balance.
5.
,A patient develops muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias after severe vomiting. Which electrolyte
abnormality is most concerning?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: A. Hypokalemia
Explanation: Prolonged vomiting can cause potassium loss. Hypokalemia can produce muscle weakness
and potentially dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias.
6.
Which type of immunity is present when antibodies are produced following vaccination?
A. Passive innate immunity
B. Active adaptive immunity
C. Passive adaptive immunity
D. Nonspecific immunity
Correct Answer: B. Active adaptive immunity
Explanation: Vaccination exposes the immune system to an antigen and stimulates the person's own
adaptive immune response, including memory-cell formation.
7.
Which immune cell is primarily responsible for producing antibodies?
, A. B lymphocyte
B. Neutrophil
C. Natural killer cell
D. Macrophage
Correct Answer: A. B lymphocyte
Explanation: Activated B lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells, which produce antibodies against
specific antigens.
8.
A patient develops a bull's-eye-shaped rash after a tick bite. Which infection should be suspected?
A. West Nile virus
B. Lyme disease
C. Malaria
D. Botulism
Correct Answer: B. Lyme disease
Explanation: Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by infected ticks. Erythema
migrans is the classic expanding target-like rash.
9.
Which finding is most characteristic of West Nile virus infection?
A. Bull's-eye rash after a tick bite
B. Severe neurologic symptoms following mosquito exposure
