WGU C805 Pathophysiology Objective Assessment Final Exam
Version 2 (2025) — verified style, complete with detailed
rationales. Questions cover common topics such as cellular
adaptation, inflammation, immune response, fluid and
electrolyte imbalances, acid-base balance, cardiovascular,
respiratory, renal, endocrine, and neoplasia concepts.
1. What cellular adaptation results in an increase in cell size due to increased
workload?
Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy occurs when individual cells increase in size, commonly seen
in muscle tissue responding to increased workload.
2. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with myocardial
infarction?
Coagulative necrosis
Coagulative necrosis is due to ischemia or infarction; cell proteins
denature but tissue architecture is preserved.
3. What type of hypersensitivity reaction involves IgE and mast cell
degranulation?
Type I hypersensitivity
Type I reactions are immediate, involving IgE antibodies, mast cells, and
histamine release, as in allergic reactions.
,4. Which electrolyte imbalance is likely to cause tetany?
Hypocalcemia
Low calcium increases neuromuscular excitability, causing muscle spasms
and tetany.
5. A patient with metabolic acidosis would have which compensatory
mechanism?
Hyperventilation
The body tries to blow off CO₂ to decrease acidity through respiratory
compensation.
6. Which lab finding is most indicative of renal failure?
Elevated serum creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product cleared by the kidneys; high levels indicate
impaired renal function.
7. What is the primary cause of edema in right-sided heart failure?
Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Venous congestion raises hydrostatic pressure, pushing fluid into
interstitial spaces.
8. Which hormone regulates water reabsorption in the kidneys?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
ADH increases water reabsorption in the collecting ducts, concentrating
urine.
9. Which condition is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and
reversible bronchoconstriction?
Asthma
, Asthma involves airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus production, and
bronchoconstriction that is reversible.
10.Which hematologic disorder involves excessive RBC destruction?
Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia results from premature destruction of red blood cells,
causing anemia.
11.A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites due to:
Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Hypoalbuminemia reduces oncotic pressure, allowing fluid to shift into the
peritoneal cavity.
12.What is the pathophysiology of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Increased ketone production from fat breakdown
Lack of insulin leads to lipolysis and ketone production, causing metabolic
acidosis.
13.Which type of shock results from severe allergic reaction?
Anaphylactic shock
Anaphylactic shock is caused by systemic vasodilation due to massive
histamine release.
14.Which hormone is deficient in Addison’s disease?
Cortisol
Addison’s disease involves adrenal insufficiency leading to low cortisol
and aldosterone levels.
15.What is the underlying issue in Graves’ disease?
Autoantibody stimulation of TSH receptors
, Graves’ disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroidism caused by antibodies
stimulating thyroid hormone production.
16.Which compensation occurs in chronic respiratory acidosis?
Increased bicarbonate reabsorption by kidneys
The kidneys retain bicarbonate to buffer excess CO₂ in chronic respiratory
acidosis.
17.What is the hallmark of nephrotic syndrome?
Proteinuria
Large amounts of protein are lost in urine due to increased glomerular
permeability.
18.Which dysrhythmia is most life-threatening?
Ventricular fibrillation
V-fib results in no effective cardiac output, requiring immediate
defibrillation.
19.Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with peaked T waves?
Hyperkalemia
Elevated potassium levels cause cardiac conduction changes, including
peaked T waves.
20.What is the main cause of pulmonary edema in left-sided heart failure?
Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
Blood backs up into the lungs, increasing hydrostatic pressure and causing
fluid leakage into alveoli.
21.What type of immunity is provided by vaccination?
Active acquired immunity
Version 2 (2025) — verified style, complete with detailed
rationales. Questions cover common topics such as cellular
adaptation, inflammation, immune response, fluid and
electrolyte imbalances, acid-base balance, cardiovascular,
respiratory, renal, endocrine, and neoplasia concepts.
1. What cellular adaptation results in an increase in cell size due to increased
workload?
Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy occurs when individual cells increase in size, commonly seen
in muscle tissue responding to increased workload.
2. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with myocardial
infarction?
Coagulative necrosis
Coagulative necrosis is due to ischemia or infarction; cell proteins
denature but tissue architecture is preserved.
3. What type of hypersensitivity reaction involves IgE and mast cell
degranulation?
Type I hypersensitivity
Type I reactions are immediate, involving IgE antibodies, mast cells, and
histamine release, as in allergic reactions.
,4. Which electrolyte imbalance is likely to cause tetany?
Hypocalcemia
Low calcium increases neuromuscular excitability, causing muscle spasms
and tetany.
5. A patient with metabolic acidosis would have which compensatory
mechanism?
Hyperventilation
The body tries to blow off CO₂ to decrease acidity through respiratory
compensation.
6. Which lab finding is most indicative of renal failure?
Elevated serum creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product cleared by the kidneys; high levels indicate
impaired renal function.
7. What is the primary cause of edema in right-sided heart failure?
Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Venous congestion raises hydrostatic pressure, pushing fluid into
interstitial spaces.
8. Which hormone regulates water reabsorption in the kidneys?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
ADH increases water reabsorption in the collecting ducts, concentrating
urine.
9. Which condition is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and
reversible bronchoconstriction?
Asthma
, Asthma involves airway hyperresponsiveness, mucus production, and
bronchoconstriction that is reversible.
10.Which hematologic disorder involves excessive RBC destruction?
Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia results from premature destruction of red blood cells,
causing anemia.
11.A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites due to:
Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Hypoalbuminemia reduces oncotic pressure, allowing fluid to shift into the
peritoneal cavity.
12.What is the pathophysiology of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Increased ketone production from fat breakdown
Lack of insulin leads to lipolysis and ketone production, causing metabolic
acidosis.
13.Which type of shock results from severe allergic reaction?
Anaphylactic shock
Anaphylactic shock is caused by systemic vasodilation due to massive
histamine release.
14.Which hormone is deficient in Addison’s disease?
Cortisol
Addison’s disease involves adrenal insufficiency leading to low cortisol
and aldosterone levels.
15.What is the underlying issue in Graves’ disease?
Autoantibody stimulation of TSH receptors
, Graves’ disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroidism caused by antibodies
stimulating thyroid hormone production.
16.Which compensation occurs in chronic respiratory acidosis?
Increased bicarbonate reabsorption by kidneys
The kidneys retain bicarbonate to buffer excess CO₂ in chronic respiratory
acidosis.
17.What is the hallmark of nephrotic syndrome?
Proteinuria
Large amounts of protein are lost in urine due to increased glomerular
permeability.
18.Which dysrhythmia is most life-threatening?
Ventricular fibrillation
V-fib results in no effective cardiac output, requiring immediate
defibrillation.
19.Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with peaked T waves?
Hyperkalemia
Elevated potassium levels cause cardiac conduction changes, including
peaked T waves.
20.What is the main cause of pulmonary edema in left-sided heart failure?
Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
Blood backs up into the lungs, increasing hydrostatic pressure and causing
fluid leakage into alveoli.
21.What type of immunity is provided by vaccination?
Active acquired immunity
