WGU D236 Objective Assessment
Pathophysiology Exam 2024/2025 – 100%
Verified Questions and Expert Answers for
A+ Performance
Question 1: Which of the following is the primary characteristic of acute inflammation?
A. Increased vascular permeability
B. Tissue fibrosis
C. Immune tolerance
D. Chronic cell death
Correct Answer: A. Increased vascular permeability
Explanation: Acute inflammation is characterized by rapid onset and
involves increased vascular permeability, allowing immune cells, proteins,
and nutrients to reach the site of injury. This facilitates the inflammatory
response, including edema and immune cell infiltration. Tissue fibrosis
is associated with chronic inflammation, immune tolerance refers to im-
mune system regulation, and chronic cell death is not a hallmark of acute
inflammation.[](https://www.stuvia.com/en-us/doc/6937501/wgu-d236-objective-
assessment-pathophysiology-exam-updated-for-20242025-verified-questions-
and-answers-for-an-a-grade)
Question 2: What is the primary cause of edema in a patient with low plasma protein
levels?
A. Increased hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased osmotic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
1
, Correct Answer: B. Decreased osmotic pressure
Explanation: Low plasma protein levels, particularly albumin, reduce
colloid osmotic pressure, which normally draws fluid back into capillaries.
This leads to fluid accumulation in tissues, causing edema. Increased hy-
drostatic pressure or capillary permeability can contribute to edema but
are not the primary mechanisms in this scenario. Lymphatic obstruction
causes lymphedema, a different condition.
Question 3: How does the body respond to an infection at the cellular level?
A. T cells produce cytokines, stimulating B cells to produce antibodies
B. Neutrophils secrete antibodies to neutralize pathogens
C. Macrophages produce complement proteins
D. B cells directly engulf pathogens
Correct Answer: A. T cells produce cytokines, stimulating B cells
to produce antibodies
Explanation: During an infection, T cells release cytokines that activate
B cells, which then produce antibodies to target pathogens. Neutrophils
are involved in phagocytosis, not antibody production. Macrophages engulf
pathogens and present antigens but do not primarily produce complement
proteins. B cells do not engulf pathogens; they produce antibodies.[](https://www.studypo
pathophysiology-d236-exam-150-questions-with-correct-answers)
Question 4: What is the role of DNA changes in congenital abnormalities?
A. They enhance immune function
B. They cause mutations or chromosomal abnormalities
C. They regulate cell apoptosis
D. They stabilize cellular metabolism
2
, Correct Answer: B. They cause mutations or chromosomal ab-
normalities
Explanation: Congenital abnormalities often result from mutations in
genes or chromosomal abnormalities that disrupt normal development.
These changes can alter protein function or gene expression, leading to
structural or functional defects. DNA changes do not enhance immune
function, regulate apoptosis, or stabilize metabolism in this context.[](https://www.stuvia
us/doc/2945723/wgu-d236-pathophysiology-final-exam-with-100-verified-solutions-
2023-2024)
Question 5: Which electrolyte imbalance is a consequence of untreated metabolic aci-
dosis?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Correct Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Explanation: In metabolic acidosis, hydrogen ions move into cells, dis-
placing potassium ions into the bloodstream, causing hyperkalemia. This
can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias if untreated. Hyponatremia, hypocal-
cemia, and hyperphosphatemia are not directly associated with metabolic
acidosis.
Question 6: How do kidneys compensate for respiratory alkalosis?
A. Retain H+ and excrete HCO3-
B. Excrete H+ and retain HCO3-
C. Increase sodium reabsorption
3
, D. Decrease potassium excretion
Correct Answer: A. Retain H+ and excrete HCO3-
Explanation: In respiratory alkalosis, caused by hyperventilation and low
PCO2, the kidneys compensate by excreting bicarbonate (HCO3-) and re-
taining hydrogen ions (H+) to lower blood pH toward normal. Excreting
H+ or increasing sodium reabsorption does not address alkalosis.[](https://www.stuvia.com
us/doc/6911041/wgu-d236-pathophysiology-pa-questions-with-correct-answers-
2025)
Question 7: What is the primary cause of spina bifida?
A. Failure of neural tube closure
B. Excessive neural tube growth
C. Autoimmune destruction of spinal nerves
D. Infection during fetal development
Correct Answer: A. Failure of neural tube closure
Explanation: Spina bifida results from the failure of the neural tube
to close during early embryonic development, leading to defects in the
spinal cord and vertebrae. Folic acid deficiency is a risk factor. Exces-
sive neural tube growth, autoimmune destruction, or infection are not
causes.[](https://www.stuvia.com/en-us/doc/3527899/wgu-d236-objective-
assessment-pathophysiology-exam-latest-2023-2024-update-questions-and-verified-
answers-grade-a)
Question 8: What laboratory findings are associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Increased anion gap, decreased HCO3-
B. Decreased anion gap, increased HCO3-
C. Normal anion gap, normal HCO3-
4
Pathophysiology Exam 2024/2025 – 100%
Verified Questions and Expert Answers for
A+ Performance
Question 1: Which of the following is the primary characteristic of acute inflammation?
A. Increased vascular permeability
B. Tissue fibrosis
C. Immune tolerance
D. Chronic cell death
Correct Answer: A. Increased vascular permeability
Explanation: Acute inflammation is characterized by rapid onset and
involves increased vascular permeability, allowing immune cells, proteins,
and nutrients to reach the site of injury. This facilitates the inflammatory
response, including edema and immune cell infiltration. Tissue fibrosis
is associated with chronic inflammation, immune tolerance refers to im-
mune system regulation, and chronic cell death is not a hallmark of acute
inflammation.[](https://www.stuvia.com/en-us/doc/6937501/wgu-d236-objective-
assessment-pathophysiology-exam-updated-for-20242025-verified-questions-
and-answers-for-an-a-grade)
Question 2: What is the primary cause of edema in a patient with low plasma protein
levels?
A. Increased hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased osmotic pressure
C. Increased capillary permeability
D. Lymphatic obstruction
1
, Correct Answer: B. Decreased osmotic pressure
Explanation: Low plasma protein levels, particularly albumin, reduce
colloid osmotic pressure, which normally draws fluid back into capillaries.
This leads to fluid accumulation in tissues, causing edema. Increased hy-
drostatic pressure or capillary permeability can contribute to edema but
are not the primary mechanisms in this scenario. Lymphatic obstruction
causes lymphedema, a different condition.
Question 3: How does the body respond to an infection at the cellular level?
A. T cells produce cytokines, stimulating B cells to produce antibodies
B. Neutrophils secrete antibodies to neutralize pathogens
C. Macrophages produce complement proteins
D. B cells directly engulf pathogens
Correct Answer: A. T cells produce cytokines, stimulating B cells
to produce antibodies
Explanation: During an infection, T cells release cytokines that activate
B cells, which then produce antibodies to target pathogens. Neutrophils
are involved in phagocytosis, not antibody production. Macrophages engulf
pathogens and present antigens but do not primarily produce complement
proteins. B cells do not engulf pathogens; they produce antibodies.[](https://www.studypo
pathophysiology-d236-exam-150-questions-with-correct-answers)
Question 4: What is the role of DNA changes in congenital abnormalities?
A. They enhance immune function
B. They cause mutations or chromosomal abnormalities
C. They regulate cell apoptosis
D. They stabilize cellular metabolism
2
, Correct Answer: B. They cause mutations or chromosomal ab-
normalities
Explanation: Congenital abnormalities often result from mutations in
genes or chromosomal abnormalities that disrupt normal development.
These changes can alter protein function or gene expression, leading to
structural or functional defects. DNA changes do not enhance immune
function, regulate apoptosis, or stabilize metabolism in this context.[](https://www.stuvia
us/doc/2945723/wgu-d236-pathophysiology-final-exam-with-100-verified-solutions-
2023-2024)
Question 5: Which electrolyte imbalance is a consequence of untreated metabolic aci-
dosis?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Correct Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Explanation: In metabolic acidosis, hydrogen ions move into cells, dis-
placing potassium ions into the bloodstream, causing hyperkalemia. This
can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias if untreated. Hyponatremia, hypocal-
cemia, and hyperphosphatemia are not directly associated with metabolic
acidosis.
Question 6: How do kidneys compensate for respiratory alkalosis?
A. Retain H+ and excrete HCO3-
B. Excrete H+ and retain HCO3-
C. Increase sodium reabsorption
3
, D. Decrease potassium excretion
Correct Answer: A. Retain H+ and excrete HCO3-
Explanation: In respiratory alkalosis, caused by hyperventilation and low
PCO2, the kidneys compensate by excreting bicarbonate (HCO3-) and re-
taining hydrogen ions (H+) to lower blood pH toward normal. Excreting
H+ or increasing sodium reabsorption does not address alkalosis.[](https://www.stuvia.com
us/doc/6911041/wgu-d236-pathophysiology-pa-questions-with-correct-answers-
2025)
Question 7: What is the primary cause of spina bifida?
A. Failure of neural tube closure
B. Excessive neural tube growth
C. Autoimmune destruction of spinal nerves
D. Infection during fetal development
Correct Answer: A. Failure of neural tube closure
Explanation: Spina bifida results from the failure of the neural tube
to close during early embryonic development, leading to defects in the
spinal cord and vertebrae. Folic acid deficiency is a risk factor. Exces-
sive neural tube growth, autoimmune destruction, or infection are not
causes.[](https://www.stuvia.com/en-us/doc/3527899/wgu-d236-objective-
assessment-pathophysiology-exam-latest-2023-2024-update-questions-and-verified-
answers-grade-a)
Question 8: What laboratory findings are associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Increased anion gap, decreased HCO3-
B. Decreased anion gap, increased HCO3-
C. Normal anion gap, normal HCO3-
4
