WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL EXAM 2026
LATEST UPDATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+
How do you determine the probability of clinical outcomes
given information about the parents (e.g., two heterozygous
carriers of sickle cell disease)? - ANS-In two heterozygous (two different gene sets)
carriers (one dominant and one recessive gene), this creates a
50% chance outcome of offspring having sickle cell disease
How do calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin
D) work together to maintain normal blood calcium levels? - ANS-Calcitonin and PTH work
oppositely to balance
calcium. The three work together to shift calcium into bones, organs, and blood
What is the function of osteocytes within lacunae of bone? - ANS-Osteocytes maintain bone
mass through
anabolic activities; they promote bone repair through
recruitment of osteoclast-mediated turnover
What is bone remodeling? Which cells are involved in this
process and what is their function? - ANS-Osteoclasts destroy old, degenerative cells to
make room for new ones. Osteoblasts build new bone cells. Osteocytes facilitate this process
and help retain calcium for
bone strength and health.
,What is the process of articular degeneration? Which cells are
involved in this process and what is their function? - ANS-Articular degeneration is also known
as
osteoarthritis. Macrophages are the primary cell involved, and
they induce inflammation.
How does compartment syndrome develop? Which part of our
body tends to develop compartment syndrome? How do patients
typically recognize they may need to seek medical assistance for
rhabdomyolysis? What is the most sensitive laboratory test for
rhabdomyolysis? - ANS-Compartment syndrome occurs when blood
flow is restricted to an area for an extended period of time. It
usually develops in extremities. Patients recognize rhabdomyolysis by new muscle pain and
decreased urinary
output, and it is detected by creatine kinase in the blood.
What is a pulmonary embolism? What is a fat embolism? When
might a patient develop a pulmonary embolism? When might a
patient develop a fat embolism? How are they treated? - ANS-Pulmonary embolism is when a
blood clot is
lodged in a pulmonary artery, usually caused by a traveling clot
getting lodged. A fat embolism is when a clot of fat cells
disrupts blood flow, usually after a bone fracture. PEs are
treated with anticoagulants to thin the blood, while there is no
specific treatment for FEs.
,What is albinism? What portions of the body are negatively
affected by albinism? - ANS-It is an alteration in a gene that has decreased
pigment to skin, hair, and eyes.
How does retinal detachment lead to vision loss? - ANS-The areas where the retina detaches
lose their
blood supply and stop working, causing you to lose vision.
What are two biomarkers that can be used to confirm a
myocardial infarction occurred and what types of molecules are
they? - ANS-Troponin, creatine kinase
What is lymph? - ANS-Fluid that flows in the lymphatic system to
return fluid from tissues into circulation
What are lymph nodes? - ANS-Filter interstitial fluid. Swollen glands mean
you are fighting an infection
What are Peyer's patches? - ANS-The numerous areas of lymphoid tissue in the
wall of the small intestine that are involved in the development of immunity to antigens
present there.
What is the difference between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-
Hodgkin's Lymphoma? - ANS-If the Reed-Sternberg cell is not present, the
lymphoma is classified as non-Hodgkin's.
What is emphysema (COPD)? - ANS-Overdistention of alveoli resulting in the ability
, to remove CO2 is called
What is COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)? - ANS-Disease with enlarged lung
spaces, usually from
smoking, can cause shortness of breath
What are the three types of jaundice that may present as a result
of liver dysfunction? Describe the cause of each - ANS-Pre-hepatic: excessive breakdown of
RBCs.
Hepatic: loss of ability of liver to regulate bilirubin. Post- hepatic: due to blockage or obstruction
What are the functions of the following parts of a nephron:
glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, juxtaglomerular apparatus,
proximal tubule, Loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting
duct? - ANS-Glomerulus filters blood. Bowman's capsule
filters blood from glomerulus capillaries. Juxtaglomerular
apparatus helps maintain proper flow and blood pressure.
Proximal tubule reabsorbs filtrate. Loop of Henle reabsorbs salt
and water from urine. Distal convoluted tubule and collecting
duct both reabsorb ions and water and promote homeostasis.
What is endocarditis vs pericarditis? - ANS-Endo - inflammation inside heart causing valves
to not fully close - usually due to infection - treatment:
antibiotics, valve repair; Peri - inflammation outside of heart
causes heart to be compressed and not fully pump - from too
much fluid/blood surrounding heart from trauma or heart attack
- treatment: NSAIDs + steroids, pericardiocentesis. Both have
LATEST UPDATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+
How do you determine the probability of clinical outcomes
given information about the parents (e.g., two heterozygous
carriers of sickle cell disease)? - ANS-In two heterozygous (two different gene sets)
carriers (one dominant and one recessive gene), this creates a
50% chance outcome of offspring having sickle cell disease
How do calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, and calcitriol (Vitamin
D) work together to maintain normal blood calcium levels? - ANS-Calcitonin and PTH work
oppositely to balance
calcium. The three work together to shift calcium into bones, organs, and blood
What is the function of osteocytes within lacunae of bone? - ANS-Osteocytes maintain bone
mass through
anabolic activities; they promote bone repair through
recruitment of osteoclast-mediated turnover
What is bone remodeling? Which cells are involved in this
process and what is their function? - ANS-Osteoclasts destroy old, degenerative cells to
make room for new ones. Osteoblasts build new bone cells. Osteocytes facilitate this process
and help retain calcium for
bone strength and health.
,What is the process of articular degeneration? Which cells are
involved in this process and what is their function? - ANS-Articular degeneration is also known
as
osteoarthritis. Macrophages are the primary cell involved, and
they induce inflammation.
How does compartment syndrome develop? Which part of our
body tends to develop compartment syndrome? How do patients
typically recognize they may need to seek medical assistance for
rhabdomyolysis? What is the most sensitive laboratory test for
rhabdomyolysis? - ANS-Compartment syndrome occurs when blood
flow is restricted to an area for an extended period of time. It
usually develops in extremities. Patients recognize rhabdomyolysis by new muscle pain and
decreased urinary
output, and it is detected by creatine kinase in the blood.
What is a pulmonary embolism? What is a fat embolism? When
might a patient develop a pulmonary embolism? When might a
patient develop a fat embolism? How are they treated? - ANS-Pulmonary embolism is when a
blood clot is
lodged in a pulmonary artery, usually caused by a traveling clot
getting lodged. A fat embolism is when a clot of fat cells
disrupts blood flow, usually after a bone fracture. PEs are
treated with anticoagulants to thin the blood, while there is no
specific treatment for FEs.
,What is albinism? What portions of the body are negatively
affected by albinism? - ANS-It is an alteration in a gene that has decreased
pigment to skin, hair, and eyes.
How does retinal detachment lead to vision loss? - ANS-The areas where the retina detaches
lose their
blood supply and stop working, causing you to lose vision.
What are two biomarkers that can be used to confirm a
myocardial infarction occurred and what types of molecules are
they? - ANS-Troponin, creatine kinase
What is lymph? - ANS-Fluid that flows in the lymphatic system to
return fluid from tissues into circulation
What are lymph nodes? - ANS-Filter interstitial fluid. Swollen glands mean
you are fighting an infection
What are Peyer's patches? - ANS-The numerous areas of lymphoid tissue in the
wall of the small intestine that are involved in the development of immunity to antigens
present there.
What is the difference between Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Non-
Hodgkin's Lymphoma? - ANS-If the Reed-Sternberg cell is not present, the
lymphoma is classified as non-Hodgkin's.
What is emphysema (COPD)? - ANS-Overdistention of alveoli resulting in the ability
, to remove CO2 is called
What is COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)? - ANS-Disease with enlarged lung
spaces, usually from
smoking, can cause shortness of breath
What are the three types of jaundice that may present as a result
of liver dysfunction? Describe the cause of each - ANS-Pre-hepatic: excessive breakdown of
RBCs.
Hepatic: loss of ability of liver to regulate bilirubin. Post- hepatic: due to blockage or obstruction
What are the functions of the following parts of a nephron:
glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, juxtaglomerular apparatus,
proximal tubule, Loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting
duct? - ANS-Glomerulus filters blood. Bowman's capsule
filters blood from glomerulus capillaries. Juxtaglomerular
apparatus helps maintain proper flow and blood pressure.
Proximal tubule reabsorbs filtrate. Loop of Henle reabsorbs salt
and water from urine. Distal convoluted tubule and collecting
duct both reabsorb ions and water and promote homeostasis.
What is endocarditis vs pericarditis? - ANS-Endo - inflammation inside heart causing valves
to not fully close - usually due to infection - treatment:
antibiotics, valve repair; Peri - inflammation outside of heart
causes heart to be compressed and not fully pump - from too
much fluid/blood surrounding heart from trauma or heart attack
- treatment: NSAIDs + steroids, pericardiocentesis. Both have
