WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM VERIFIED QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS
1. Which symptom does the nurse observe in a client diagnosed with pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID)?
Decrease in the C-reactive protein levels
Presence of white blood cells in the vaginal secretions
Feedback: This is correct. The client who is infected with N. gonorrhoeae will have
increased white blood cells in response to the inflammation of the cells; therefore, white
blood cells would be present in the vaginal secretions.
2. A female client reports missed menstrual periods after discontinuing
hormonal contraceptives. Which reason does the nurse recognize as the
cause for the missed menstrual periods?
Hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian dysfunction
Feedback: This is correct. Discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives may lead to a
dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis, preventing the release of the
egg by the ovaries. This results in missed menstrual periods.
3. The nurse is reviewing the medical records of a client who is pregnant
and finds the client has a Chlamydia infection. Which complication is the
nurse aware of in the newborn if the client is not treated?
Conjunctivitis
Feedback: This is correct. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva. The
client who is pregnant and has a Chlamydia infection may transfer the infection to the
newborn during a vaginal birth; therefore, the newborn would have direct exposure to the
bacteria, which may cause conjunctivitis in the newborn.
4. After reviewing the medical records of a client, the nurse finds that the
client was previously diagnosed with mild salpingitis and later had tubal
dysfunction. The nurse also finds strains of Chlamydia in the client’s
blood specimen. Which does the nurse interpret from these findings?
The client has PID.
Feedback: This is correct. A client who is infected with HPV will have condyloma
acuminata or genital warts.
5. The nurse counsels a male client about healthy spermatogenesis. During
a follow-up visit, the nurse learns the client is still experiencing diminished
sperm production. Which statement by the client indicates a need for
additional teaching?
“I sit in the hot tub daily after exercising.”
6. A client with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is prescribed selective
serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) and nutritional supplements. Which
symptom in the client indicates the effectiveness of the therapy?
The client has decreased irritability and mood swings.
, Feedback: This is correct. PMS is characterized by irritability and mood swings. Therapy
with SSRIs and nutritional supplements will provide relief from symptoms of PMS.
7. Which hormone stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes to
secrete testosterone?
Luteinizing hormone
Feedback: This is correct. Luteinizing hormone stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes to
secrete testosterone.
8. While assessing a male client, a nurse observes that the client has a
small penis and testicles, long legs, short trunk, enlarged breast tissue,
and a history of sexual dysfunction. Which condition does the nurse
suspect?
Presence of an extra X chromosome
9. The nurse is reviewing the causes and manifestations of
perimenopause with a group of staff nurses. Which comment by an
attending staff nurse indicates understanding of the difference between
perimenopause and menopause?
“Perimenopause is confirmed by high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).”
10. The nurse is aware of multiple methods of testing to identify
microorganisms causing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Which
laboratory test is used in order to detect microorganisms in sample of
tissue, blood, or body fluid?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Feedback: This is correct. In lieu of cultures, the diagnostic test called PCRis
increasingly being used to detect microorganisms ina sample of tissue, blood, or body
fluid.
11. The registered nurse is teaching about medications for benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to a group of staff nurses. Which statement
made by a nurse indicates the need for additional teaching?
“Alpha-blockers reduce the size of the prostate.”
12. The nurse is providing care for a neonate immediately after a
spontaneous vaginal birth to a mother who tested positive for gonorrhea.
Which prescription does the nurse anticipate to be most beneficial to the
neonate?
Tetracycline ophthalmic ointment (Ocudox)
Feedback: This is correct. Tetracycline ophthalmic ointment (Ocudox) protects the neonate
against eye infections, such as ophthalmia neonatorum, that are caused by gonorrheal
infection; therefore, the nurse should anticipate that tetracycline ophthalmic ointment
(Ocudox) would be most beneficial to the neonate.
13. A female client at 14 years of age is identified with constitutional growth
delay. The client tells a nurse, “I am not getting any taller! I am the same
height I was last year!” In which manner does the nurse respond?
WITH COMPLETE RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS
1. Which symptom does the nurse observe in a client diagnosed with pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID)?
Decrease in the C-reactive protein levels
Presence of white blood cells in the vaginal secretions
Feedback: This is correct. The client who is infected with N. gonorrhoeae will have
increased white blood cells in response to the inflammation of the cells; therefore, white
blood cells would be present in the vaginal secretions.
2. A female client reports missed menstrual periods after discontinuing
hormonal contraceptives. Which reason does the nurse recognize as the
cause for the missed menstrual periods?
Hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian dysfunction
Feedback: This is correct. Discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives may lead to a
dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis, preventing the release of the
egg by the ovaries. This results in missed menstrual periods.
3. The nurse is reviewing the medical records of a client who is pregnant
and finds the client has a Chlamydia infection. Which complication is the
nurse aware of in the newborn if the client is not treated?
Conjunctivitis
Feedback: This is correct. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva. The
client who is pregnant and has a Chlamydia infection may transfer the infection to the
newborn during a vaginal birth; therefore, the newborn would have direct exposure to the
bacteria, which may cause conjunctivitis in the newborn.
4. After reviewing the medical records of a client, the nurse finds that the
client was previously diagnosed with mild salpingitis and later had tubal
dysfunction. The nurse also finds strains of Chlamydia in the client’s
blood specimen. Which does the nurse interpret from these findings?
The client has PID.
Feedback: This is correct. A client who is infected with HPV will have condyloma
acuminata or genital warts.
5. The nurse counsels a male client about healthy spermatogenesis. During
a follow-up visit, the nurse learns the client is still experiencing diminished
sperm production. Which statement by the client indicates a need for
additional teaching?
“I sit in the hot tub daily after exercising.”
6. A client with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is prescribed selective
serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) and nutritional supplements. Which
symptom in the client indicates the effectiveness of the therapy?
The client has decreased irritability and mood swings.
, Feedback: This is correct. PMS is characterized by irritability and mood swings. Therapy
with SSRIs and nutritional supplements will provide relief from symptoms of PMS.
7. Which hormone stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes to
secrete testosterone?
Luteinizing hormone
Feedback: This is correct. Luteinizing hormone stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes to
secrete testosterone.
8. While assessing a male client, a nurse observes that the client has a
small penis and testicles, long legs, short trunk, enlarged breast tissue,
and a history of sexual dysfunction. Which condition does the nurse
suspect?
Presence of an extra X chromosome
9. The nurse is reviewing the causes and manifestations of
perimenopause with a group of staff nurses. Which comment by an
attending staff nurse indicates understanding of the difference between
perimenopause and menopause?
“Perimenopause is confirmed by high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).”
10. The nurse is aware of multiple methods of testing to identify
microorganisms causing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Which
laboratory test is used in order to detect microorganisms in sample of
tissue, blood, or body fluid?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Feedback: This is correct. In lieu of cultures, the diagnostic test called PCRis
increasingly being used to detect microorganisms ina sample of tissue, blood, or body
fluid.
11. The registered nurse is teaching about medications for benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to a group of staff nurses. Which statement
made by a nurse indicates the need for additional teaching?
“Alpha-blockers reduce the size of the prostate.”
12. The nurse is providing care for a neonate immediately after a
spontaneous vaginal birth to a mother who tested positive for gonorrhea.
Which prescription does the nurse anticipate to be most beneficial to the
neonate?
Tetracycline ophthalmic ointment (Ocudox)
Feedback: This is correct. Tetracycline ophthalmic ointment (Ocudox) protects the neonate
against eye infections, such as ophthalmia neonatorum, that are caused by gonorrheal
infection; therefore, the nurse should anticipate that tetracycline ophthalmic ointment
(Ocudox) would be most beneficial to the neonate.
13. A female client at 14 years of age is identified with constitutional growth
delay. The client tells a nurse, “I am not getting any taller! I am the same
height I was last year!” In which manner does the nurse respond?
