W E S T E R N G O V E R N O R S U N I V E R S I T Y · C O L L E G E O F H E A LT H P R O F E S S I O N S
WGU D236 Pre-
Assessment
Practice Question Bank
Pathophysiology — Comprehensive Review
Course: Pathophysiology
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
WGU D236 · Western Governors University Page 1
,WGU D236 PRE-ASSESSMENT PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
This comprehensive review contains 48 practice questions covering key concepts from the
WGU D236 Pathophysiology Pre-Assessment. Each question includes four answer choices, a
clearly marked correct answer, and a detailed clinical rationale explaining the underlying
pathophysiology.
Category: Pathophysiology — Pre-Assessment Review
1 Which type of sodium concentration change is caused by increased concentration of
extracellular sodium and a deficit of extracellular free water?
A Hypertonic fluid alteration
B Hypotonic fluid alteration
C Isotonic fluid alteration
D Osmotic fluid alteration
Why A is correct: Hypertonic fluid alteration occurs when there is an increased
concentration of extracellular sodium and a deficit of extracellular free water, leading to
cellular dehydration.
B — Hypotonic alterations involve decreased sodium concentration.
C — Isotonic alterations have no change in concentration.
D — Osmotic is not a specific type of fluid alteration.
, 2 Which type of imbalance is caused by use of loop diuretics, osmotic diuresis,
gastrointestinal losses, and unconcentrated urine?
A Hypovolemic hypernatremia
B Hypervolemic hypernatremia
C Euvolemic hypernatremia
D Dilutional hyponatremia
Why A is correct: Hypovolemic hypernatremia results from loss of water and sodium, with
greater water loss. Causes include loop diuretics, osmotic diuresis, gastrointestinal losses,
and unconcentrated urine.
B — Hypervolemic hypernatremia is rare and involves increased sodium and water.
C — Euvolemic hypernatremia involves pure water loss.
D — Dilutional hyponatremia is caused by water overload.
3 Which condition results from compulsive water drinking, tap water enemas, near
drowning, and use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors?
A Dilutional hypotonic hyponatremia
B Hypovolemic hyponatremia
C Hypervolemic hypernatremia
D Euvolemic hypernatremia
Why A is correct: Dilutional hypotonic hyponatremia occurs when excessive water intake
dilutes serum sodium. Causes include compulsive water drinking, tap water enemas, near
drowning, and SSRIs.
B — Hypovolemic hyponatremia involves sodium loss with greater water loss.
C — Hypervolemic hypernatremia is sodium excess with water excess.
D — Euvolemic hypernatremia is pure water loss.
WGU D236 Pre-
Assessment
Practice Question Bank
Pathophysiology — Comprehensive Review
Course: Pathophysiology
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
WGU D236 · Western Governors University Page 1
,WGU D236 PRE-ASSESSMENT PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
This comprehensive review contains 48 practice questions covering key concepts from the
WGU D236 Pathophysiology Pre-Assessment. Each question includes four answer choices, a
clearly marked correct answer, and a detailed clinical rationale explaining the underlying
pathophysiology.
Category: Pathophysiology — Pre-Assessment Review
1 Which type of sodium concentration change is caused by increased concentration of
extracellular sodium and a deficit of extracellular free water?
A Hypertonic fluid alteration
B Hypotonic fluid alteration
C Isotonic fluid alteration
D Osmotic fluid alteration
Why A is correct: Hypertonic fluid alteration occurs when there is an increased
concentration of extracellular sodium and a deficit of extracellular free water, leading to
cellular dehydration.
B — Hypotonic alterations involve decreased sodium concentration.
C — Isotonic alterations have no change in concentration.
D — Osmotic is not a specific type of fluid alteration.
, 2 Which type of imbalance is caused by use of loop diuretics, osmotic diuresis,
gastrointestinal losses, and unconcentrated urine?
A Hypovolemic hypernatremia
B Hypervolemic hypernatremia
C Euvolemic hypernatremia
D Dilutional hyponatremia
Why A is correct: Hypovolemic hypernatremia results from loss of water and sodium, with
greater water loss. Causes include loop diuretics, osmotic diuresis, gastrointestinal losses,
and unconcentrated urine.
B — Hypervolemic hypernatremia is rare and involves increased sodium and water.
C — Euvolemic hypernatremia involves pure water loss.
D — Dilutional hyponatremia is caused by water overload.
3 Which condition results from compulsive water drinking, tap water enemas, near
drowning, and use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors?
A Dilutional hypotonic hyponatremia
B Hypovolemic hyponatremia
C Hypervolemic hypernatremia
D Euvolemic hypernatremia
Why A is correct: Dilutional hypotonic hyponatremia occurs when excessive water intake
dilutes serum sodium. Causes include compulsive water drinking, tap water enemas, near
drowning, and SSRIs.
B — Hypovolemic hyponatremia involves sodium loss with greater water loss.
C — Hypervolemic hypernatremia is sodium excess with water excess.
D — Euvolemic hypernatremia is pure water loss.
