WGU D313 Anatomy & Physiology Objective Assessment 2025
WGU D313 Anatomy & Physiology Objective
Assessment 2025
Current Test Questions with Answers and Study Guide
Verified for Guaranteed Success | Latest Update
Introduction
This document provides 80 high-quality, realistic multiple-choice questions designed for
the WGU D313 Anatomy & Physiology II Objective Assessment 2025. Each question
includes a correct answer with a detailed rationale to enhance understanding. Brief study
guide notes are included where relevant to aid preparation. The content focuses on key
topics such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, immune, endocrine, and reproductive
systems, aligning with the WGU D313 curriculum.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Question 1: Which structure contains lubricating fluid that allows the heart to expand and
contract smoothly?
A. Pericardial cavity
B. Myocardium
C. Endocardium
D. Epicardium
Answer: A. Pericardial cavity
Rationale: The pericardial cavity, located between the parietal and visceral layers
of the pericardium, contains serous fluid that reduces friction during heart move-
ments. The myocardium is the heart’s muscular layer, the endocardium lines the
heart chambers, and the epicardium is the outer layer of the heart wall.
Study Guide Note: Review the pericardium’s layers and their functions, focusing
on the role of serous fluid in the pericardial cavity.
Question 2: Where is the heart positioned in the thoracic cavity? (Choose two correct answers)
A. Superior to the diaphragm
B. Lateral to the lungs
C. Medial to the lungs
D. Inferior to the stomach
Answer: A. Superior to the diaphragm, C. Medial to the lungs
Rationale: The heart is located in the mediastinum, superior to the diaphragm
and medial to the lungs, ensuring its central position in the thoracic cavity. It is
not lateral to the lungs or inferior to the stomach.
Study Guide Note: Understand anatomical positioning terms (superior, medial,
etc.) and the heart’s location relative to other thoracic structures.
Question 3: Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?
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, WGU D313 Anatomy & Physiology Objective Assessment 2025
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Answer: C. Left atrium
Rationale: The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins,
which carry blood from the lungs. The right atrium and ventricle handle deoxy-
genated blood, while the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta.
Study Guide Note: Memorize the flow of blood through the heart: right atrium
→ right ventricle → lungs → left atrium → left ventricle.
Question 4: The mitral valve is located between which two heart chambers?
A. Right atrium and right ventricle
B. Left atrium and left ventricle
C. Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
D. Left ventricle and aorta
Answer: B. Left atrium and left ventricle
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve prevents backflow from the left ventricle
to the left atrium during systole. The other options describe different valves or
incorrect chamber pairings.
Study Guide Note: Learn the four heart valves (tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral,
aortic) and their specific locations and functions.
Question 5: Which artery becomes the femoral artery once it exits the body cavity?
A. Aorta
B. External iliac artery
C. Internal iliac artery
D. Common iliac artery
Answer: B. External iliac artery
Rationale: The external iliac artery continues as the femoral artery after passing
through the inguinal ligament. The aorta is the main artery, while the internal and
common iliac arteries serve different regions.
Study Guide Note: Trace the arterial pathway from the aorta to the lower limbs,
focusing on the iliac and femoral arteries.
Question 6: Which heart sound corresponds to the closing of the bicuspid valve?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
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, WGU D313 Anatomy & Physiology Objective Assessment 2025
Answer: A. S1
Rationale: The first heart sound (S1) results from the closure of the atrioven-
tricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) during ventricular systole. S2 occurs with
semilunar valve closure, while S3 and S4 are less common and associated with ven-
tricular filling.
Study Guide Note: Understand the cardiac cycle and the timing of heart sounds
(S1 and S2).
Question 7: What is the cardiac output if the heart rate is 72 beats per minute and stroke
volume is 66 ml?
A. 4,752 ml/min
B. 3,500 ml/min
C. 5,000 ml/min
D. 6,000 ml/min
Answer: A. 4,752 ml/min
Rationale: Cardiac output (CO) is calculated as CO = Heart Rate × Stroke
Volume. Thus, 72 × 66 = 4,752 ml/min.
Study Guide Note: Master the cardiac output formula and typical values for
heart rate and stroke volume.
Question 8: What effect does cutting the vagus nerve superior to its cardiac branches have on
resting heart rate?
A. No change
B. Increases
C. Decreases
D. Becomes irregular
Answer: B. Increases
Rationale: The vagus nerve provides parasympathetic innervation, slowing heart
rate. Cutting it removes this inhibition, increasing heart rate.
Study Guide Note: Review autonomic nervous system control of the heart
(parasympathetic vs. sympathetic).
Question 9: How does erythropoietin affect a patient’s hematocrit?
A. Increases hematocrit
B. Decreases hematocrit
C. No effect
D. Causes irregular hematocrit
Answer: A. Increases hematocrit
Rationale: Erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell production in the bone mar-
row, increasing hematocrit (the proportion of red blood cells in blood).
Study Guide Note: Understand erythropoietin’s role in erythropoiesis and its
clinical relevance.
3
WGU D313 Anatomy & Physiology Objective
Assessment 2025
Current Test Questions with Answers and Study Guide
Verified for Guaranteed Success | Latest Update
Introduction
This document provides 80 high-quality, realistic multiple-choice questions designed for
the WGU D313 Anatomy & Physiology II Objective Assessment 2025. Each question
includes a correct answer with a detailed rationale to enhance understanding. Brief study
guide notes are included where relevant to aid preparation. The content focuses on key
topics such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, immune, endocrine, and reproductive
systems, aligning with the WGU D313 curriculum.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Question 1: Which structure contains lubricating fluid that allows the heart to expand and
contract smoothly?
A. Pericardial cavity
B. Myocardium
C. Endocardium
D. Epicardium
Answer: A. Pericardial cavity
Rationale: The pericardial cavity, located between the parietal and visceral layers
of the pericardium, contains serous fluid that reduces friction during heart move-
ments. The myocardium is the heart’s muscular layer, the endocardium lines the
heart chambers, and the epicardium is the outer layer of the heart wall.
Study Guide Note: Review the pericardium’s layers and their functions, focusing
on the role of serous fluid in the pericardial cavity.
Question 2: Where is the heart positioned in the thoracic cavity? (Choose two correct answers)
A. Superior to the diaphragm
B. Lateral to the lungs
C. Medial to the lungs
D. Inferior to the stomach
Answer: A. Superior to the diaphragm, C. Medial to the lungs
Rationale: The heart is located in the mediastinum, superior to the diaphragm
and medial to the lungs, ensuring its central position in the thoracic cavity. It is
not lateral to the lungs or inferior to the stomach.
Study Guide Note: Understand anatomical positioning terms (superior, medial,
etc.) and the heart’s location relative to other thoracic structures.
Question 3: Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?
1
, WGU D313 Anatomy & Physiology Objective Assessment 2025
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Answer: C. Left atrium
Rationale: The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins,
which carry blood from the lungs. The right atrium and ventricle handle deoxy-
genated blood, while the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta.
Study Guide Note: Memorize the flow of blood through the heart: right atrium
→ right ventricle → lungs → left atrium → left ventricle.
Question 4: The mitral valve is located between which two heart chambers?
A. Right atrium and right ventricle
B. Left atrium and left ventricle
C. Right ventricle and pulmonary artery
D. Left ventricle and aorta
Answer: B. Left atrium and left ventricle
Rationale: The mitral (bicuspid) valve prevents backflow from the left ventricle
to the left atrium during systole. The other options describe different valves or
incorrect chamber pairings.
Study Guide Note: Learn the four heart valves (tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral,
aortic) and their specific locations and functions.
Question 5: Which artery becomes the femoral artery once it exits the body cavity?
A. Aorta
B. External iliac artery
C. Internal iliac artery
D. Common iliac artery
Answer: B. External iliac artery
Rationale: The external iliac artery continues as the femoral artery after passing
through the inguinal ligament. The aorta is the main artery, while the internal and
common iliac arteries serve different regions.
Study Guide Note: Trace the arterial pathway from the aorta to the lower limbs,
focusing on the iliac and femoral arteries.
Question 6: Which heart sound corresponds to the closing of the bicuspid valve?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
2
, WGU D313 Anatomy & Physiology Objective Assessment 2025
Answer: A. S1
Rationale: The first heart sound (S1) results from the closure of the atrioven-
tricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) during ventricular systole. S2 occurs with
semilunar valve closure, while S3 and S4 are less common and associated with ven-
tricular filling.
Study Guide Note: Understand the cardiac cycle and the timing of heart sounds
(S1 and S2).
Question 7: What is the cardiac output if the heart rate is 72 beats per minute and stroke
volume is 66 ml?
A. 4,752 ml/min
B. 3,500 ml/min
C. 5,000 ml/min
D. 6,000 ml/min
Answer: A. 4,752 ml/min
Rationale: Cardiac output (CO) is calculated as CO = Heart Rate × Stroke
Volume. Thus, 72 × 66 = 4,752 ml/min.
Study Guide Note: Master the cardiac output formula and typical values for
heart rate and stroke volume.
Question 8: What effect does cutting the vagus nerve superior to its cardiac branches have on
resting heart rate?
A. No change
B. Increases
C. Decreases
D. Becomes irregular
Answer: B. Increases
Rationale: The vagus nerve provides parasympathetic innervation, slowing heart
rate. Cutting it removes this inhibition, increasing heart rate.
Study Guide Note: Review autonomic nervous system control of the heart
(parasympathetic vs. sympathetic).
Question 9: How does erythropoietin affect a patient’s hematocrit?
A. Increases hematocrit
B. Decreases hematocrit
C. No effect
D. Causes irregular hematocrit
Answer: A. Increases hematocrit
Rationale: Erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell production in the bone mar-
row, increasing hematocrit (the proportion of red blood cells in blood).
Study Guide Note: Understand erythropoietin’s role in erythropoiesis and its
clinical relevance.
3
