WGU D236 Pathophysiology V2 Exam Study Guide 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
WGU D236 Pathophysiology V2 Exam Study Guide
2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,WGU D236 Pathophysiology V2 Exam Study Guide 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is diagnosed with cardiac hypertrophy. Which cellular change characterizes this
condition?
A. Increase in the number of cells
B. Shrinkage of cell size
C. Replacement of one cell type with another
D. Increase in the size of the individual cells
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical load or stress, whereas
hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
2. Which process describes the replacement of normal ciliated columnar epithelium with
stratified squamous epithelium in a smoker’s airway?
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often as an adaptation
to chronic irritation. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Shrinkage of the mitochondria
B. Increased intracellular potassium
C. Decreased ATP production
D. Alkalosis within the cell
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to a reduction in aerobic metabolism and ATP production, which causes the
sodium-potassium pump to fail, leading to cellular swelling. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish
this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this
knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, WGU D236 Pathophysiology V2 Exam Study Guide 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with a myocardial infarction?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs primarily in the heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands, usually as a result
of hypoxia from severe ischemia. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. A patient has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which clinical finding is the priority?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Increased bowel sounds
C. Abdominal cramping
D. Peaked T waves on ECG
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias; peaked T waves are an
early sign of toxicity. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. Which acid-base imbalance is likely in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. ?
Answer: C
Rationale: COPD leads to hypoventilation and CO2 retention, causing an increase in carbonic acid and
respiratory acidosis. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
WGU D236 Pathophysiology V2 Exam Study Guide
2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,WGU D236 Pathophysiology V2 Exam Study Guide 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is diagnosed with cardiac hypertrophy. Which cellular change characterizes this
condition?
A. Increase in the number of cells
B. Shrinkage of cell size
C. Replacement of one cell type with another
D. Increase in the size of the individual cells
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical load or stress, whereas
hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
2. Which process describes the replacement of normal ciliated columnar epithelium with
stratified squamous epithelium in a smoker’s airway?
A. Metaplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another, often as an adaptation
to chronic irritation. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by hypoxia?
A. Shrinkage of the mitochondria
B. Increased intracellular potassium
C. Decreased ATP production
D. Alkalosis within the cell
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to a reduction in aerobic metabolism and ATP production, which causes the
sodium-potassium pump to fail, leading to cellular swelling. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish
this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this
knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, WGU D236 Pathophysiology V2 Exam Study Guide 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with a myocardial infarction?
A. Liquefactive necrosis
B. Coagulative necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Coagulative necrosis occurs primarily in the heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands, usually as a result
of hypoxia from severe ischemia. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. A patient has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which clinical finding is the priority?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Increased bowel sounds
C. Abdominal cramping
D. Peaked T waves on ECG
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias; peaked T waves are an
early sign of toxicity. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. Which acid-base imbalance is likely in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD)?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. ?
Answer: C
Rationale: COPD leads to hypoventilation and CO2 retention, causing an increase in carbonic acid and
respiratory acidosis. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
