WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND PA 2025
2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS LATEST UPDATE BRAND
NEW
1/
118
,WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND PA 2025
2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS LATEST UPDATE BRAND
NEW
1. What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces?
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child would have edema?-
*Answer√√ Starling's Law describes how fluids move across the capillary membrane. There are two major opposing
forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and osmotic pressure
(including
oncontic pressure, which pushes fluid into the capillaries).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood attect osmotic pressure, high electrolyte and protein
concentrations in the blood would cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the blood stream to
2/
118
,WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND PA 2025
2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS LATEST UPDATE BRAND
NEW
dilute the high concentrations.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen in a nutritionally deficient child) would cause
water to leave the capillaries and enter the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead to edema.
2. How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in in-
creased blood volume and increased blood pressure?
*Answer√√ A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which in turn begins to
secrete renin.
Renin then triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is converted to Angiotensin I in the lungs and then
angiotensin II by the enzyme
3/
118
,WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND PA 2025
2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS LATEST UPDATE BRAND
NEW
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
Angiotensin II is also stimulating the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which acts to increase sodium and water
reabsorption increasing blood volume, while also increased potassium secretion in urine.
3. How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest?
*Answer√√ Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5
and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too low and muscle weakness occurs and too
much can cause muscle spasms.
4/
118
2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS LATEST UPDATE BRAND
NEW
1/
118
,WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND PA 2025
2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS LATEST UPDATE BRAND
NEW
1. What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces?
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child would have edema?-
*Answer√√ Starling's Law describes how fluids move across the capillary membrane. There are two major opposing
forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and osmotic pressure
(including
oncontic pressure, which pushes fluid into the capillaries).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood attect osmotic pressure, high electrolyte and protein
concentrations in the blood would cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the blood stream to
2/
118
,WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND PA 2025
2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS LATEST UPDATE BRAND
NEW
dilute the high concentrations.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen in a nutritionally deficient child) would cause
water to leave the capillaries and enter the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead to edema.
2. How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in in-
creased blood volume and increased blood pressure?
*Answer√√ A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which in turn begins to
secrete renin.
Renin then triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is converted to Angiotensin I in the lungs and then
angiotensin II by the enzyme
3/
118
,WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA AND PA 2025
2026 BANK VERSION AND STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS LATEST UPDATE BRAND
NEW
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
Angiotensin II is also stimulating the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which acts to increase sodium and water
reabsorption increasing blood volume, while also increased potassium secretion in urine.
3. How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest?
*Answer√√ Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5
and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too low and muscle weakness occurs and too
much can cause muscle spasms.
4/
118
