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
Pathophysiology
Complete Practice Bank
NCLEX-Style Review — Acid-Base, Immunology, Cardiology, Neurology,
Pulmonology & More
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 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
This comprehensive review contains 65 practice questions covering key concepts from WGU
D236 Pathophysiology. Each question includes four answer choices, a clearly marked correct
answer, and a detailed clinical rationale explaining the underlying pathophysiology.
Category: Comprehensive Pathophysiology Review
1 The pH scale measures the concentration of which ions in a solution?
A Hydrogen ions (H+)
B Sodium ions (Na+)
C Potassium ions (K+)
D Bicarbonate ions (HCO3−)
Why A is correct: The pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a
solution. A pH of 0-7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and 7-14 is basic. The more H+ ions, the lower
the pH.
B — Sodium ions do not directly determine pH.
C — Potassium ions do not directly determine pH.
D — Bicarbonate is a buffer, not the measure of pH.
,2 Which of the following are types of acidosis in the body?
A Diabetic ketoacidosis and metabolic alkalosis
B Diabetic ketoacidosis and lactic acidosis
C Lactic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis
D Metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis
Why B is correct: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and lactic acidosis are two common types of
metabolic acidosis, characterized by an accumulation of acid in the body.
A — Metabolic alkalosis is not a type of acidosis.
C — Respiratory alkalosis is not a type of acidosis.
D — Both are alkalosis, not acidosis.
3 The anion gap is the difference between the concentrations of serum cations and
anions. An increasing anion gap indicates:
A Increasing acidity
B Increasing alkalosis
C Normal acid-base balance
D Decreasing acidity
Why A is correct: An increasing anion gap indicates increasing acidity (metabolic acidosis).
The anion gap is measured by the difference between sodium cations and chloride and
bicarbonate anions.
B — A decreasing anion gap indicates alkalosis.
C — Normal anion gap is within a specific range.
D — Decreasing anion gap indicates decreasing acidity.
, 4 Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by:
A Increased pH and increased CO2
B Decreased pH and decreased CO2
C Increased pH and decreased CO2
D Decreased pH and increased CO2
Why A is correct: Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by increased pH and increased CO2,
which occurs when bicarbonate levels are elevated and the body compensates by
hypoventilating to retain CO2.
B — This describes metabolic acidosis.
C — This describes respiratory alkalosis.
D — This describes respiratory acidosis.
5 Metabolic acidosis is characterized by:
A Increased pH and increased CO2
B Decreased pH and decreased CO2
C Increased pH and decreased CO2
D Decreased pH and increased CO2
Why B is correct: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by decreased pH and decreased CO2,
as the body compensates by hyperventilating to blow off CO2.
A — This describes metabolic alkalosis.
C — This describes respiratory alkalosis.
D — This describes respiratory acidosis.
WGU D236
Pathophysiology
Complete Practice Bank
NCLEX-Style Review — Acid-Base, Immunology, Cardiology, Neurology,
Pulmonology & More
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 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
This comprehensive review contains 65 practice questions covering key concepts from WGU
D236 Pathophysiology. Each question includes four answer choices, a clearly marked correct
answer, and a detailed clinical rationale explaining the underlying pathophysiology.
Category: Comprehensive Pathophysiology Review
1 The pH scale measures the concentration of which ions in a solution?
A Hydrogen ions (H+)
B Sodium ions (Na+)
C Potassium ions (K+)
D Bicarbonate ions (HCO3−)
Why A is correct: The pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a
solution. A pH of 0-7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and 7-14 is basic. The more H+ ions, the lower
the pH.
B — Sodium ions do not directly determine pH.
C — Potassium ions do not directly determine pH.
D — Bicarbonate is a buffer, not the measure of pH.
,2 Which of the following are types of acidosis in the body?
A Diabetic ketoacidosis and metabolic alkalosis
B Diabetic ketoacidosis and lactic acidosis
C Lactic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis
D Metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis
Why B is correct: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and lactic acidosis are two common types of
metabolic acidosis, characterized by an accumulation of acid in the body.
A — Metabolic alkalosis is not a type of acidosis.
C — Respiratory alkalosis is not a type of acidosis.
D — Both are alkalosis, not acidosis.
3 The anion gap is the difference between the concentrations of serum cations and
anions. An increasing anion gap indicates:
A Increasing acidity
B Increasing alkalosis
C Normal acid-base balance
D Decreasing acidity
Why A is correct: An increasing anion gap indicates increasing acidity (metabolic acidosis).
The anion gap is measured by the difference between sodium cations and chloride and
bicarbonate anions.
B — A decreasing anion gap indicates alkalosis.
C — Normal anion gap is within a specific range.
D — Decreasing anion gap indicates decreasing acidity.
, 4 Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by:
A Increased pH and increased CO2
B Decreased pH and decreased CO2
C Increased pH and decreased CO2
D Decreased pH and increased CO2
Why A is correct: Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by increased pH and increased CO2,
which occurs when bicarbonate levels are elevated and the body compensates by
hypoventilating to retain CO2.
B — This describes metabolic acidosis.
C — This describes respiratory alkalosis.
D — This describes respiratory acidosis.
5 Metabolic acidosis is characterized by:
A Increased pH and increased CO2
B Decreased pH and decreased CO2
C Increased pH and decreased CO2
D Decreased pH and increased CO2
Why B is correct: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by decreased pH and decreased CO2,
as the body compensates by hyperventilating to blow off CO2.
A — This describes metabolic alkalosis.
C — This describes respiratory alkalosis.
D — This describes respiratory acidosis.
