WEST GOVERNORS UNIVRSITY (WGU D236)
WGU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY D236 EXAM 2025/2026
FALL SEMESTER. COMPLETE ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS.
What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces?
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child would have
edema? - CORRECT ANSWER >>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.
How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in
increased blood volume and increased blood pressure? - CORRECT
ANSWER >>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
,WEST GOVERNORS UNIVRSITY (WGU D236)
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.
How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? - CORRECT ANSWER
>>Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL.
Hyperkalemia refers to potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
,WEST GOVERNORS UNIVRSITY (WGU D236)
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
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 -
ANSWER- 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
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels). - CORRECT ANSWER >>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.
, WEST GOVERNORS UNIVRSITY (WGU D236)
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 in the same direction as the pH, then the
imbalance is metabolic in nature.
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? - CORRECT ANSWER >>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.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)? - CORRECT ANSWER
>>Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by
the cells. Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
WGU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY D236 EXAM 2025/2026
FALL SEMESTER. COMPLETE ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS.
What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces?
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child would have
edema? - CORRECT ANSWER >>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.
How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in
increased blood volume and increased blood pressure? - CORRECT
ANSWER >>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
,WEST GOVERNORS UNIVRSITY (WGU D236)
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.
How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? - CORRECT ANSWER
>>Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL.
Hyperkalemia refers to potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
,WEST GOVERNORS UNIVRSITY (WGU D236)
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
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 -
ANSWER- 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
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels). - CORRECT ANSWER >>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.
, WEST GOVERNORS UNIVRSITY (WGU D236)
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 in the same direction as the pH, then the
imbalance is metabolic in nature.
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? - CORRECT ANSWER >>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.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)? - CORRECT ANSWER
>>Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by
the cells. Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
