WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s biopsy reveals that columnar epithelium in the bronchi has been replaced by
stratified squamous epithelium. Which term best describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen during hypoxic
injury?
A. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Increased intracellular calcium levels
C. Release of lysosomal enzymes
,D. Decrease in protein synthesis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, causing the Na+/K+ pump to
fail, which results in sodium entering the cell and water following via osmosis.
3. A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experiences tissue damage caused by
the deposition of antigen-antibody complexes. Which type of hypersensitivity is this?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type IV
D. Type III
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type III hypersensitivity involves the formation of immune
complexes (antigen-antibody) that deposit in tissues and cause inflammation.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T-waves and a widened QRS
complex on an EKG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hyponatremia
, Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia alters the resting membrane potential, leading to
characteristic EKG changes like peaked T-waves and potential cardiac arrest.
5. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, a PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and a HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. What
is the acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (>45)
indicates a respiratory cause.
6. Which condition is characterized by an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern?
A. Hemophilia A
B. Cystic Fibrosis
C. Huntington’s Disease
D. Down Syndrome
Answer: A
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s biopsy reveals that columnar epithelium in the bronchi has been replaced by
stratified squamous epithelium. Which term best describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the cellular swelling seen during hypoxic
injury?
A. Failure of the sodium-potassium pump
B. Increased intracellular calcium levels
C. Release of lysosomal enzymes
,D. Decrease in protein synthesis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxia leads to ATP depletion, causing the Na+/K+ pump to
fail, which results in sodium entering the cell and water following via osmosis.
3. A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experiences tissue damage caused by
the deposition of antigen-antibody complexes. Which type of hypersensitivity is this?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type IV
D. Type III
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Type III hypersensitivity involves the formation of immune
complexes (antigen-antibody) that deposit in tissues and cause inflammation.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause peaked T-waves and a widened QRS
complex on an EKG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hyponatremia
, Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia alters the resting membrane potential, leading to
characteristic EKG changes like peaked T-waves and potential cardiac arrest.
5. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, a PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and a HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. What
is the acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (>45)
indicates a respiratory cause.
6. Which condition is characterized by an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern?
A. Hemophilia A
B. Cystic Fibrosis
C. Huntington’s Disease
D. Down Syndrome
Answer: A
