WGU D236 Pathophysiology OA V2 Exam Study
Guides (2026/2027) | Megan, Shay & Casey | Actual
Questions and Answers (WGU) Pass the OA
250 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Cellular Injury & Adaptation
2 Inflammation & Wound Healing
3 Immunity & Infection
4 Genetics
5 Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances
6 Acid-Base Balance
7 Cardiovascular
8 Respiratory
9 Renal
10 Gastrointestinal
11 Endocrine
12 Neurological
13 Musculoskeletal
14 Reproductive
15 Integumentary
16 Multisystem
,Q1
Which of the following is a reversible cellular adaptation characterized by an increase in cell
size?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy CORRECT
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Rationale
Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, often in response to increased workload (e.g., cardiac muscle).
Q2
A client has a blood pH of 7.25, PaCO₂ of 55 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base
disorder is present?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Respiratory acidosis CORRECT
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale
Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ indicates respiratory acidosis (hypoventilation).
Q3
Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE?
A) Type I
B) Type I CORRECT
C) Type II
D) Type III
2
,Rationale
Type I (immediate) hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated, causing allergic reactions.
Q4
The primary mediator of inflammation that causes vasodilation and increased permeability is:
A) Histamine
B) Histamine CORRECT
C) Prostaglandins
D) Leukotrienes
Rationale
Histamine is released from mast cells, causing vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
Q5
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a client with prolonged vomiting?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia CORRECT
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Rationale
Vomiting causes loss of gastric acid and potassium, leading to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
Q6
A client with heart failure has pitting edema. Which mechanism explains this?
A) Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B) Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure CORRECT
C) Decreased capillary permeability
D) Increased plasma oncotic pressure
3
, Rationale
Heart failure increases venous pressure, raising capillary hydrostatic pressure and causing edema.
Q7
The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is:
A) Alcohol use
B) Gallstones CORRECT
C) Trauma
D) Infection
Rationale
Gallstones and alcohol are the two most common causes; gallstones are most common overall.
Q8
Which of the following is a sign of left-sided heart failure?
A) Peripheral edema
B) Crackles in the lungs CORRECT
C) Jugular vein distention
D) Hepatomegaly
Rationale
Left-sided failure causes pulmonary congestion, leading to crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea.
Q9
A client with DKA has Kussmaul respirations. What is the purpose of this compensatory
mechanism?
A) Increase oxygen intake
B) Blow off CO₂ to raise pH CORRECT
4
Guides (2026/2027) | Megan, Shay & Casey | Actual
Questions and Answers (WGU) Pass the OA
250 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 Cellular Injury & Adaptation
2 Inflammation & Wound Healing
3 Immunity & Infection
4 Genetics
5 Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances
6 Acid-Base Balance
7 Cardiovascular
8 Respiratory
9 Renal
10 Gastrointestinal
11 Endocrine
12 Neurological
13 Musculoskeletal
14 Reproductive
15 Integumentary
16 Multisystem
,Q1
Which of the following is a reversible cellular adaptation characterized by an increase in cell
size?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy CORRECT
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Rationale
Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, often in response to increased workload (e.g., cardiac muscle).
Q2
A client has a blood pH of 7.25, PaCO₂ of 55 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base
disorder is present?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Respiratory acidosis CORRECT
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale
Low pH with elevated PaCO₂ indicates respiratory acidosis (hypoventilation).
Q3
Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE?
A) Type I
B) Type I CORRECT
C) Type II
D) Type III
2
,Rationale
Type I (immediate) hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated, causing allergic reactions.
Q4
The primary mediator of inflammation that causes vasodilation and increased permeability is:
A) Histamine
B) Histamine CORRECT
C) Prostaglandins
D) Leukotrienes
Rationale
Histamine is released from mast cells, causing vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
Q5
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a client with prolonged vomiting?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia CORRECT
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Rationale
Vomiting causes loss of gastric acid and potassium, leading to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
Q6
A client with heart failure has pitting edema. Which mechanism explains this?
A) Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B) Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure CORRECT
C) Decreased capillary permeability
D) Increased plasma oncotic pressure
3
, Rationale
Heart failure increases venous pressure, raising capillary hydrostatic pressure and causing edema.
Q7
The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is:
A) Alcohol use
B) Gallstones CORRECT
C) Trauma
D) Infection
Rationale
Gallstones and alcohol are the two most common causes; gallstones are most common overall.
Q8
Which of the following is a sign of left-sided heart failure?
A) Peripheral edema
B) Crackles in the lungs CORRECT
C) Jugular vein distention
D) Hepatomegaly
Rationale
Left-sided failure causes pulmonary congestion, leading to crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea.
Q9
A client with DKA has Kussmaul respirations. What is the purpose of this compensatory
mechanism?
A) Increase oxygen intake
B) Blow off CO₂ to raise pH CORRECT
4
