1|Page
WGU D115 OA ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
2025/2026 – 2 VERSIONS COMPLETE TEST BANK WITH
DETAILED ANSWERS, OA READINESS PRACTICE, STUDY
GUIDE & EXPERT VERIFIED GUARANTEED PASS
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is evaluating a 12-month-
old patient in a clinic. The child's parents are worried that the child has had
frequent respiratory problems including persistent cough, wheezing, and
thick sputum production. They also report frequent greasy-looking, bulky
stools and constipation. The APRN finds that the child has been to the
clinic with chronic bacterial infections every month since birth.
Which abnormal pathological finding of the pulmonary system should be of
concern to the APRN? - ANSWER-Defective chloride secretion and excess
sodium absorption
A patient presents to an emergency department complaining of coughing,
salty-tasting skin, bulky stools, and frequent respiratory infections. On
examination, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) notes nasal
polyps and a barrel chest. A diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is confirmed.
What is the pathological mechanism of this disorder? - ANSWER-Thick
mucus causing progressive clogging of the bronchi and bronchioles
An older adult patient presents with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). An advanced practice registered nurse
(APRN) notes that despite using medications as prescribed, the patient
feels much worse during these exacerbations than in the past.
Which response should the APRN provide to this patient? - ANSWER-The
effects of aging contribute to decreased lung function.
A patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
admitted to a hospital with pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. The
patient has a history of CO2 retention. An advanced practice registered
nurse (APRN) needs to assess for rising CO2 levels.
Which form of monitoring should the APRN use for this purpose? -
ANSWER-Continuous capnography monitoring
, 2|Page
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) examines an older adult
patient diagnosed with a bronchial tumor and notes the following:
cyanosis
fever
tachycardia
cough
pleural pain
decreased breath sounds
positive sputum and thoracentesis culture: Klebsiella pneumoniae
Which treatment should the APRN prescribe for this condition? - ANSWER-
Antimicrobials and chest tube
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) assesses a patient with a
long history of infections, mood swings, and gastrointestinal complaints.
The patient complains of increasing fatigue, difficulty walking, and a sore
tongue. Lab results indicate a hemoglobin of 7.8 g/dL.
Which type of anemia should the APRN consider? - ANSWER-Pernicious
anemia
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is evaluating a male
patient. Findings include a painless supraclavicular adenopathy, a
nonproductive cough, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, fever, night sweats,
pruritus, and the findings of Reed-Sternberg cells on a lab microscopic
exam.
Which disease should be suspected by the APRN? - ANSWER-Hodgkin
lymphoma
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is evaluating an anemic
patient with stage 4 renal disease.
Which pathological mechanism should the APRN note? - ANSWER-
Suppressed production of erythropoietin
A patient presents to a clinic with complaints of frequent nosebleeds. An
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) does an assessment and
notes areas of ecchymosis and petechiae. The APRN questions the patient
about current activities and medications and orders lab studies.
Which lab exam should the APRN order for this patient? - ANSWER-
Platelet count
WGU D115 OA ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
2025/2026 – 2 VERSIONS COMPLETE TEST BANK WITH
DETAILED ANSWERS, OA READINESS PRACTICE, STUDY
GUIDE & EXPERT VERIFIED GUARANTEED PASS
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is evaluating a 12-month-
old patient in a clinic. The child's parents are worried that the child has had
frequent respiratory problems including persistent cough, wheezing, and
thick sputum production. They also report frequent greasy-looking, bulky
stools and constipation. The APRN finds that the child has been to the
clinic with chronic bacterial infections every month since birth.
Which abnormal pathological finding of the pulmonary system should be of
concern to the APRN? - ANSWER-Defective chloride secretion and excess
sodium absorption
A patient presents to an emergency department complaining of coughing,
salty-tasting skin, bulky stools, and frequent respiratory infections. On
examination, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) notes nasal
polyps and a barrel chest. A diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is confirmed.
What is the pathological mechanism of this disorder? - ANSWER-Thick
mucus causing progressive clogging of the bronchi and bronchioles
An older adult patient presents with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). An advanced practice registered nurse
(APRN) notes that despite using medications as prescribed, the patient
feels much worse during these exacerbations than in the past.
Which response should the APRN provide to this patient? - ANSWER-The
effects of aging contribute to decreased lung function.
A patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
admitted to a hospital with pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. The
patient has a history of CO2 retention. An advanced practice registered
nurse (APRN) needs to assess for rising CO2 levels.
Which form of monitoring should the APRN use for this purpose? -
ANSWER-Continuous capnography monitoring
, 2|Page
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) examines an older adult
patient diagnosed with a bronchial tumor and notes the following:
cyanosis
fever
tachycardia
cough
pleural pain
decreased breath sounds
positive sputum and thoracentesis culture: Klebsiella pneumoniae
Which treatment should the APRN prescribe for this condition? - ANSWER-
Antimicrobials and chest tube
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) assesses a patient with a
long history of infections, mood swings, and gastrointestinal complaints.
The patient complains of increasing fatigue, difficulty walking, and a sore
tongue. Lab results indicate a hemoglobin of 7.8 g/dL.
Which type of anemia should the APRN consider? - ANSWER-Pernicious
anemia
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is evaluating a male
patient. Findings include a painless supraclavicular adenopathy, a
nonproductive cough, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, fever, night sweats,
pruritus, and the findings of Reed-Sternberg cells on a lab microscopic
exam.
Which disease should be suspected by the APRN? - ANSWER-Hodgkin
lymphoma
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is evaluating an anemic
patient with stage 4 renal disease.
Which pathological mechanism should the APRN note? - ANSWER-
Suppressed production of erythropoietin
A patient presents to a clinic with complaints of frequent nosebleeds. An
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) does an assessment and
notes areas of ecchymosis and petechiae. The APRN questions the patient
about current activities and medications and orders lab studies.
Which lab exam should the APRN order for this patient? - ANSWER-
Platelet count
