WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, less mature cell type?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell by
another, often as a response to chronic irritation, such as in the airway of a smoker.
2. What is the primary mechanism of cell injury resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning?
A. Inhibition of ATP production via glycolysis
B. Direct destruction of the cell membrane
C. Binding to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport
,D. Activation of lysosomal enzymes
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Carbon monoxide has a much higher affinity for hemoglobin
than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin and leading to systemic hypoxia.
3. Which process is a programmed, energy-dependent cell death that does not typically
trigger an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Gangrene
C. Autolysis
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is distinct from necrosis because it is programmed
and neatly removes cells without releasing harmful contents into the interstitial space.
4. In the context of genetics, what does the term ‘penetrance’ refer to?
A. The degree to which a phenotype is expressed
B. The percentage of individuals with a specific genotype who express the expected
phenotype
C. The movement of a gene from one chromosome to another
D. The silencing of one allele by the other
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Penetrance describes the frequency with which a gene manifests
itself; incomplete penetrance means a person carries the gene but does not show the trait.
5. A person with Turner syndrome has which of the following karyotypes?
A. 47, XXY
B. 47, XXX
C. 47, XY, +21
D. 45, X
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Turner syndrome is characterized by monosomy of the X
chromosome (45, X), resulting in female phenotypes with specific developmental
challenges.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek sign?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: A
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by the replacement of one mature cell type by
another, less mature cell type?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Atrophy
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell by
another, often as a response to chronic irritation, such as in the airway of a smoker.
2. What is the primary mechanism of cell injury resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning?
A. Inhibition of ATP production via glycolysis
B. Direct destruction of the cell membrane
C. Binding to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport
,D. Activation of lysosomal enzymes
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Carbon monoxide has a much higher affinity for hemoglobin
than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin and leading to systemic hypoxia.
3. Which process is a programmed, energy-dependent cell death that does not typically
trigger an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
B. Gangrene
C. Autolysis
D. Apoptosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is distinct from necrosis because it is programmed
and neatly removes cells without releasing harmful contents into the interstitial space.
4. In the context of genetics, what does the term ‘penetrance’ refer to?
A. The degree to which a phenotype is expressed
B. The percentage of individuals with a specific genotype who express the expected
phenotype
C. The movement of a gene from one chromosome to another
D. The silencing of one allele by the other
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Penetrance describes the frequency with which a gene manifests
itself; incomplete penetrance means a person carries the gene but does not show the trait.
5. A person with Turner syndrome has which of the following karyotypes?
A. 47, XXY
B. 47, XXX
C. 47, XY, +21
D. 45, X
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Turner syndrome is characterized by monosomy of the X
chromosome (45, X), resulting in female phenotypes with specific developmental
challenges.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek sign?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: A
