WGU D236 PATHO STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) 2025/2026 | ALREADY
GRADED A+
Pressure that is due to albumin in the bloodstream? --ANSWER--Oncotic
Oncotic --ANSWER--a form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins
In the blood, is the most common plasma protein and is, therefore, a primary determinant of
oncotic pressure --ANSWER--albumin
controls osmotic pressure in vascular system, builds volume --ANSWER--Albumin
One question was about the difference in children and adult immunity --ANSWER--Possible answer:
naive T cells
Learning check question: Which differences in immunity make children and older adult patients more
susceptible to infections? Choose 2 answers
Younger patients have fewer memory cells to combat infection
Older adult patients have a dwindling population of naive T cells
Older adult patients have more memory cells to combat infection
Younger patients have a large population of naive T cells
Older adult patients have a large population of naive T cells --ANSWER--Younger patients have fewer
memory cells to combat infection
Older adult patients have a dwindling population of naive T cells
,Rationale: younger patients have not been exposed to many pathogens, which means that they have
fewer memory cells than adults. The primary immune response is relatively weak compared to a
secondary response mediated by memory cells.
Older adult patients do not have as many T cells compared to younger patients. When these patients
encounter novel pathogens, the reduced number of naive T cells gives clonal selection fewer
opportunities to "find" T cells that will be effective.
Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by , which regulates actions such as thirst, ADH, the
kidneys, and RAAS. --ANSWER--osmoreceptors
Fluid deficit causes --ANSWER---Excessive loss
-Inadequate intake
-Or combination of both
Fluid deficit risk factors --ANSWER---Vomiting/diarrhea
-Excessive sweating
-Insufficient water intake
Fluid deficit manifestations --ANSWER---dry mucous membranes
-decreased skin turgor
-decreased urine output
-low blood pressure
-tachycardia
-confusion
ROME for ABGs --ANSWER--Respiratory Opposite Metabolic Equal
If pH and pCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is pCO2 levels that are causing the imbalance
and it is respiratory in nature
,If they are moving the same direction then it is metabolic in nature
Buffers, renal compensation, and respiratory compensation help to maintain a blood pH of -
✔✔7.35-7.45
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and a blood pH of 7.53. She is
breathing slowly. What condition does the patient have?
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis --ANSWER--Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 level are both elevating (moving in the same direction). This indicates
metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because her respiratory system is attempting to compensate
for the high pH by exhaling less and retaining more CO2
To prevent changes in pH, the body employs buffer systems. The body utilizes 3 buffer systems: -
✔✔proteins, phosphates, and the carbonic acid-bicarbonate system
Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system first line of defense is , second line of defense is -
✔✔respirations; kidneys
Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system equation --ANSWER--The equation moves in both directions
CABS Equation:
When CO2 levels are elevated, the equation moves , forming more H+ and HCO3- ions -
✔✔toward the right
CABS Equation:
, When H+ ions are elevated, the equation moves , as H+ ions are converted to CO2 and the CO2 is
exhaled. --ANSWER--toward the left
CO2 levels --ANSWER--35-45
HCO3 levels --ANSWER--22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH impact Michael's basal
metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the bloodstream.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out of the bloodstream, K+
moves from cells into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+ makes it easier for Ca+ to bind to
albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the bloodstream --ANSWER--His
CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the bloodstream.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out of the bloodstream, K+
moves from cells into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
There is a question about hypoventilation or hyperventilation --ANSWER--Metabolic acidosis pH
<7.35 = respirations increase in depth and rate to blow off CO2
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) 2025/2026 | ALREADY
GRADED A+
Pressure that is due to albumin in the bloodstream? --ANSWER--Oncotic
Oncotic --ANSWER--a form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins
In the blood, is the most common plasma protein and is, therefore, a primary determinant of
oncotic pressure --ANSWER--albumin
controls osmotic pressure in vascular system, builds volume --ANSWER--Albumin
One question was about the difference in children and adult immunity --ANSWER--Possible answer:
naive T cells
Learning check question: Which differences in immunity make children and older adult patients more
susceptible to infections? Choose 2 answers
Younger patients have fewer memory cells to combat infection
Older adult patients have a dwindling population of naive T cells
Older adult patients have more memory cells to combat infection
Younger patients have a large population of naive T cells
Older adult patients have a large population of naive T cells --ANSWER--Younger patients have fewer
memory cells to combat infection
Older adult patients have a dwindling population of naive T cells
,Rationale: younger patients have not been exposed to many pathogens, which means that they have
fewer memory cells than adults. The primary immune response is relatively weak compared to a
secondary response mediated by memory cells.
Older adult patients do not have as many T cells compared to younger patients. When these patients
encounter novel pathogens, the reduced number of naive T cells gives clonal selection fewer
opportunities to "find" T cells that will be effective.
Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by , which regulates actions such as thirst, ADH, the
kidneys, and RAAS. --ANSWER--osmoreceptors
Fluid deficit causes --ANSWER---Excessive loss
-Inadequate intake
-Or combination of both
Fluid deficit risk factors --ANSWER---Vomiting/diarrhea
-Excessive sweating
-Insufficient water intake
Fluid deficit manifestations --ANSWER---dry mucous membranes
-decreased skin turgor
-decreased urine output
-low blood pressure
-tachycardia
-confusion
ROME for ABGs --ANSWER--Respiratory Opposite Metabolic Equal
If pH and pCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is pCO2 levels that are causing the imbalance
and it is respiratory in nature
,If they are moving the same direction then it is metabolic in nature
Buffers, renal compensation, and respiratory compensation help to maintain a blood pH of -
✔✔7.35-7.45
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and a blood pH of 7.53. She is
breathing slowly. What condition does the patient have?
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis --ANSWER--Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 level are both elevating (moving in the same direction). This indicates
metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because her respiratory system is attempting to compensate
for the high pH by exhaling less and retaining more CO2
To prevent changes in pH, the body employs buffer systems. The body utilizes 3 buffer systems: -
✔✔proteins, phosphates, and the carbonic acid-bicarbonate system
Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system first line of defense is , second line of defense is -
✔✔respirations; kidneys
Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system equation --ANSWER--The equation moves in both directions
CABS Equation:
When CO2 levels are elevated, the equation moves , forming more H+ and HCO3- ions -
✔✔toward the right
CABS Equation:
, When H+ ions are elevated, the equation moves , as H+ ions are converted to CO2 and the CO2 is
exhaled. --ANSWER--toward the left
CO2 levels --ANSWER--35-45
HCO3 levels --ANSWER--22-26
Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How does pH impact Michael's basal
metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the bloodstream.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out of the bloodstream, K+
moves from cells into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of H+ makes it easier for Ca+ to bind to
albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it into the bloodstream --ANSWER--His
CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing it from the bloodstream.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt to get it out of the bloodstream, K+
moves from cells into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
There is a question about hypoventilation or hyperventilation --ANSWER--Metabolic acidosis pH
<7.35 = respirations increase in depth and rate to blow off CO2
