WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient who has smoked cigarettes for 20 years exhibits a change in the bronchial
epithelium from ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. What is this cellular
adaptation called?
A. Atrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another mature cell type, often as an adaptive response to chronic irritation like
cigarette smoke.
,2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the presence of U waves
on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) leads to delayed
repolarization, which can manifest as flattened T waves and the appearance of U waves on
an electrocardiogram.
3. In the process of cellular injury, what is the primary consequence of a failure of the
sodium-potassium (Na+/K+) pump due to lack of ATP?
A. Cellular shrinkage
B. Increased intracellular potassium
C. Intracellular acidosis
D. Cellular swelling
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Without ATP, the Na+/K+ pump fails, causing sodium to
accumulate inside the cell. This draws water into the cell via osmosis, leading to acute
cellular swelling (oncosis).
4. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. How would you interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (greater
than 45 mmHg) indicates that the primary cause is respiratory, as CO2 is an acid.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and involves the
release of histamine from mast cells?
A. Type IV
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type I
Answer: D
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient who has smoked cigarettes for 20 years exhibits a change in the bronchial
epithelium from ciliated columnar cells to stratified squamous cells. What is this cellular
adaptation called?
A. Atrophy
B. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
D. Hyperplasia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another mature cell type, often as an adaptive response to chronic irritation like
cigarette smoke.
,2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the presence of U waves
on an ECG?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) leads to delayed
repolarization, which can manifest as flattened T waves and the appearance of U waves on
an electrocardiogram.
3. In the process of cellular injury, what is the primary consequence of a failure of the
sodium-potassium (Na+/K+) pump due to lack of ATP?
A. Cellular shrinkage
B. Increased intracellular potassium
C. Intracellular acidosis
D. Cellular swelling
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Without ATP, the Na+/K+ pump fails, causing sodium to
accumulate inside the cell. This draws water into the cell via osmosis, leading to acute
cellular swelling (oncosis).
4. A patient presents with arterial blood gas results: pH 7.25, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. How would you interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (greater
than 45 mmHg) indicates that the primary cause is respiratory, as CO2 is an acid.
5. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and involves the
release of histamine from mast cells?
A. Type IV
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type I
Answer: D
