WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT STUDY GUIDE
polycystic ovary syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER-a condition caused by a
hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries are enlarged by the presence of
many cysts formed by incompletely developed follicles; elevated levels of
androgens; s/s: infertility, irregular periods, hirsutism, insulin restistance
which STIs can be passed via birth canal - CORRECT ANSWER-
gonorrhea, chlamydia
endometriosis - CORRECT ANSWER-a condition in which patches of
endometrial tissue escape the uterus and become attached to other
structures in the pelvic cavity
Triple negative breast cancer - CORRECT ANSWER-patients lack estrogen
and progesterone receptors, do not respond to hormone therapy (only
chemo)
Antiandrogen therapy - CORRECT ANSWER-(Spironolactone or
flutamide) causes lack of testosterone > erectyle dysfunction or decreased
bone density or hotflashes
,Cullen's sign - CORRECT ANSWER-ecchymosis in umbilical area, seen
with pancreatitis
anemia can cause - CORRECT ANSWER-pelvic pain, menorrhagia,
constipation, uterine leiomyomas
epididymitis - CORRECT ANSWER-inflammation of the epididymis that is
frequently caused by the spread of infection from the urethra or the bladder
or by chlamadia
Chlamydia - CORRECT ANSWER-A bacterial infection that affects the
reproductive organs of both males and females; male symptoms include
penile discharge, uncomfortable walking
Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER-using cold for therapeutic purposes,
used for prostate therapy
Explain Starling's Law of Capillary Forces and how it causes edema. -
CORRECT ANSWER-Starling's hypothesis states that the fluid movement
due to filtration across the wall of a capillary is dependent on the balance
between the hydrostatic pressure gradient and the pressure gradient across
the capillary. This causes edema by the retention of water in the tissues
instead of vascular system.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood? - CORRECT ANSWER-glucose is used for energy and is not
synthesized by the brain, so it is needed to maintain brain/motor functions
, Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - CORRECT ANSWER-
Type 1- The body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that
produces insulin (typically in kids/ teens)
Type 2- "insulin resistance" - when cells fail to respond normally to the
hormone insulin.
Differentiate between Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity -
CORRECT ANSWER-Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense
against pathogens. It is general and non-specific, which means it does not
differentiate between types of pathogens. Adaptive immunity is a type of
immunity that is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated.
Describe how and why our injury response results in the signs of redness,
swelling, heat, and pain? Be sure to use chemokines, histamine, and
vasodilation in your response. - CORRECT ANSWER-Our body first
releases cytokines which produce inflammatory cells or chemokines directly
to the affected area to stimulate healing. Vasodilation occurs
simultaneously to facilitate quicker and easier movement of inflammatory
cells to the area.
Describe how to determine the probability of clinical outcomes given
information about the parents (eg two heterozygous carriers of sickle cell
disease) - CORRECT ANSWER-in two heterozygous (two different gene
sets) carriers (one dominant and one recessive gene) creates a 50% chance
outcome of offspring having sickle cell disease
Describe how calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin D)
work together to maintain normal blood calcium levels. - CORRECT
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT STUDY GUIDE
polycystic ovary syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER-a condition caused by a
hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries are enlarged by the presence of
many cysts formed by incompletely developed follicles; elevated levels of
androgens; s/s: infertility, irregular periods, hirsutism, insulin restistance
which STIs can be passed via birth canal - CORRECT ANSWER-
gonorrhea, chlamydia
endometriosis - CORRECT ANSWER-a condition in which patches of
endometrial tissue escape the uterus and become attached to other
structures in the pelvic cavity
Triple negative breast cancer - CORRECT ANSWER-patients lack estrogen
and progesterone receptors, do not respond to hormone therapy (only
chemo)
Antiandrogen therapy - CORRECT ANSWER-(Spironolactone or
flutamide) causes lack of testosterone > erectyle dysfunction or decreased
bone density or hotflashes
,Cullen's sign - CORRECT ANSWER-ecchymosis in umbilical area, seen
with pancreatitis
anemia can cause - CORRECT ANSWER-pelvic pain, menorrhagia,
constipation, uterine leiomyomas
epididymitis - CORRECT ANSWER-inflammation of the epididymis that is
frequently caused by the spread of infection from the urethra or the bladder
or by chlamadia
Chlamydia - CORRECT ANSWER-A bacterial infection that affects the
reproductive organs of both males and females; male symptoms include
penile discharge, uncomfortable walking
Cryotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER-using cold for therapeutic purposes,
used for prostate therapy
Explain Starling's Law of Capillary Forces and how it causes edema. -
CORRECT ANSWER-Starling's hypothesis states that the fluid movement
due to filtration across the wall of a capillary is dependent on the balance
between the hydrostatic pressure gradient and the pressure gradient across
the capillary. This causes edema by the retention of water in the tissues
instead of vascular system.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood? - CORRECT ANSWER-glucose is used for energy and is not
synthesized by the brain, so it is needed to maintain brain/motor functions
, Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - CORRECT ANSWER-
Type 1- The body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that
produces insulin (typically in kids/ teens)
Type 2- "insulin resistance" - when cells fail to respond normally to the
hormone insulin.
Differentiate between Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity -
CORRECT ANSWER-Innate immunity is the body's first line of defense
against pathogens. It is general and non-specific, which means it does not
differentiate between types of pathogens. Adaptive immunity is a type of
immunity that is built up as we are exposed to diseases or get vaccinated.
Describe how and why our injury response results in the signs of redness,
swelling, heat, and pain? Be sure to use chemokines, histamine, and
vasodilation in your response. - CORRECT ANSWER-Our body first
releases cytokines which produce inflammatory cells or chemokines directly
to the affected area to stimulate healing. Vasodilation occurs
simultaneously to facilitate quicker and easier movement of inflammatory
cells to the area.
Describe how to determine the probability of clinical outcomes given
information about the parents (eg two heterozygous carriers of sickle cell
disease) - CORRECT ANSWER-in two heterozygous (two different gene
sets) carriers (one dominant and one recessive gene) creates a 50% chance
outcome of offspring having sickle cell disease
Describe how calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin D)
work together to maintain normal blood calcium levels. - CORRECT
