D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM LATEST
2023/WGU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY LATEST EXAM
-STUDY GUIDE-WITH 100% VERIFIED
ANSWERS-2023 LESSON 1- LESSSON 12
LESSON 1
1. What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces? How does this explain why a
nutritionally deficient child would have edema?
Starling’s Law describes how fluids move across the capillary membrane. There are two
major opposing forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic pressure (pushing water out of
the capillaries) and osmotic pressure (including oncontic pressure, which pushes fluid into the
capillaries). Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood affect osmotic
pressure, high electrolyte and protein concentrations in the blood would cause water to leave the
cells and interstitial space and enter the blood stream to dilute the high concentrations. On, the
other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen in a nutritionally deficient child)
would cause water to leave the capillaries and enter the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead
to edema.
2. How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in
increased blood volume and increased blood pressure?
A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which in turn begins to
secrete renin. Renin then triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is converted to
Angiotensin I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the enzyme Angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP. Angiotensin II
is also stimulating the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which acts to increase sodium and
water reabsorption increasing blood volume, while also increased potassium secretion in urine.
3. How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest?
Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to
potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL. A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses
in muscles. Too low and muscle weakness occurs and too much can cause muscle spasms. This is
especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat can cause a heart attack.
4. The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System,
and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH imbalance?
Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH changes. Any
increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein (denature), thereby
affecting its function as well.
5. Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels).
1
,2
, Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-100
mm Hg HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100% Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes
in PCO2. Higher = acidosis and lower = alkalosis Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by
something other than abnormal CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or
excessive GI losses. Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic in
nature. -If pH and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is the pCO2 levels that are causing
the imbalance and it is respiratory in nature. -If PCO2 is normal or is moving tin the same direction
as the pH, then the imbalance is metabolic in nature.
6. The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and K+)
and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in
determining the cause of metabolic acidosis. Why would an increased
anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in the blood. Lactic acid and ketones
both lead to the production of unmeasured anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to
buffering of the excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
7. Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)?
Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells. Cells
use glucose to produce energy (ATP). In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the
pancreas is signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells surface and
initiates the uptake of glucose. Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can
start to bind to other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function. AGEs are advanced
glycation end products that are a result of glucose reacting with the endothelial lining, which can
lead to damage in the heart and kidneys.
8. Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes
Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose will not be
taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with
insulin injections. Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The insulin
receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to hyperglycemia. Type II is usually
treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to insulin (metformin), dietary and life-style
changes or insulin injections.
9. Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis AEIOU-
acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia. Patients with kidney or heart
failure. A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood using a semi-
permeable membrane and dialysate. AEIOU: A—acidosis; E —electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure; U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis.
10. Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. What are
some reasons for a patient choosing one over the other?
Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body in one tube while dialysate
(made of water, electrolytes and salts) is pumped in the separate tube in the opposite direction.
Waste from the blood diffuses through the semipermeable membrane separating the blood from
the dialysate. Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a solution of water
3
2023/WGU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY LATEST EXAM
-STUDY GUIDE-WITH 100% VERIFIED
ANSWERS-2023 LESSON 1- LESSSON 12
LESSON 1
1. What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces? How does this explain why a
nutritionally deficient child would have edema?
Starling’s Law describes how fluids move across the capillary membrane. There are two
major opposing forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic pressure (pushing water out of
the capillaries) and osmotic pressure (including oncontic pressure, which pushes fluid into the
capillaries). Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood affect osmotic
pressure, high electrolyte and protein concentrations in the blood would cause water to leave the
cells and interstitial space and enter the blood stream to dilute the high concentrations. On, the
other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen in a nutritionally deficient child)
would cause water to leave the capillaries and enter the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead
to edema.
2. How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in
increased blood volume and increased blood pressure?
A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys by low perfusion, which in turn begins to
secrete renin. Renin then triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, which is converted to
Angiotensin I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the enzyme Angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP. Angiotensin II
is also stimulating the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which acts to increase sodium and
water reabsorption increasing blood volume, while also increased potassium secretion in urine.
3. How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest?
Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to
potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL. A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses
in muscles. Too low and muscle weakness occurs and too much can cause muscle spasms. This is
especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat can cause a heart attack.
4. The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System,
and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH imbalance?
Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH changes. Any
increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein (denature), thereby
affecting its function as well.
5. Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels).
1
,2
, Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-100
mm Hg HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100% Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes
in PCO2. Higher = acidosis and lower = alkalosis Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by
something other than abnormal CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or
excessive GI losses. Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic in
nature. -If pH and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is the pCO2 levels that are causing
the imbalance and it is respiratory in nature. -If PCO2 is normal or is moving tin the same direction
as the pH, then the imbalance is metabolic in nature.
6. The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and K+)
and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in
determining the cause of metabolic acidosis. Why would an increased
anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis?
The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured anions in the blood. Lactic acid and ketones
both lead to the production of unmeasured anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to
buffering of the excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
7. Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)?
Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells. Cells
use glucose to produce energy (ATP). In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the
pancreas is signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells surface and
initiates the uptake of glucose. Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can
start to bind to other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function. AGEs are advanced
glycation end products that are a result of glucose reacting with the endothelial lining, which can
lead to damage in the heart and kidneys.
8. Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes
Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose will not be
taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with
insulin injections. Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The insulin
receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to hyperglycemia. Type II is usually
treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to insulin (metformin), dietary and life-style
changes or insulin injections.
9. Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis AEIOU-
acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia. Patients with kidney or heart
failure. A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood using a semi-
permeable membrane and dialysate. AEIOU: A—acidosis; E —electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure; U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis.
10. Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. What are
some reasons for a patient choosing one over the other?
Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body in one tube while dialysate
(made of water, electrolytes and salts) is pumped in the separate tube in the opposite direction.
Waste from the blood diffuses through the semipermeable membrane separating the blood from
the dialysate. Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a solution of water
3
