WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a chronic cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that the normal ciliated columnar cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous epithelial cells. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another mature cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which process results in the programmed death of a cell without initiating an inflammatory
response?
A. Necrosis
,B. Apoptosis
C. Autolysis
D. Karyolysis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death, a clean process that does
not cause inflammation, unlike necrosis which causes cell bursting and inflammatory
spillover.
3. A patient is diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. Which of the following karyotypes
represents this condition?
A. 45, X
B. 47, XXX
C. 47, XXY
D. 47, XYY
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Klinefelter syndrome is characterized by at least two X
chromosomes and one Y chromosome (typically 47, XXY).
4. An ABG shows: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. What is the acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
, B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause), while the bicarbonate is within normal range, indicating respiratory acidosis.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause Trousseau and Chvostek signs?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
tetany, which is clinically assessed via Trousseau (carpal spasm) and Chvostek (facial
twitch) signs.
6. In the context of fluid shifts, what is the primary cause of edema in a patient with severe
liver cirrhosis and low albumin?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a chronic cough. A biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that the normal ciliated columnar cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous epithelial cells. Which cellular adaptation is this?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hyperplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another mature cell type, often as a response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. Which process results in the programmed death of a cell without initiating an inflammatory
response?
A. Necrosis
,B. Apoptosis
C. Autolysis
D. Karyolysis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is programmed cell death, a clean process that does
not cause inflammation, unlike necrosis which causes cell bursting and inflammatory
spillover.
3. A patient is diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. Which of the following karyotypes
represents this condition?
A. 45, X
B. 47, XXX
C. 47, XXY
D. 47, XYY
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Klinefelter syndrome is characterized by at least two X
chromosomes and one Y chromosome (typically 47, XXY).
4. An ABG shows: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 26 mEq/L. What is the acid-base
imbalance?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
, B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
cause), while the bicarbonate is within normal range, indicating respiratory acidosis.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause Trousseau and Chvostek signs?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
tetany, which is clinically assessed via Trousseau (carpal spasm) and Chvostek (facial
twitch) signs.
6. In the context of fluid shifts, what is the primary cause of edema in a patient with severe
liver cirrhosis and low albumin?
A. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
