WGU D115 Advanced Pathophysiology Sample
Questions 2025 – 75+ Practice Questions for
Units 2–7 with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | A+ Graded
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. Each question includes a verified answer
in blue and a detailed rationale aligned with WGU D115 Advanced Pathophysiology
competencies for 2025, covering Units 2–7 (genetic disorders, hematologic, cardiovascular,
respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological, and immune systems).
Question 1 (Unit 2: Genetic Disorders)
Which genetic disorder is characterized by a deletion on chromosome 5, presenting with a
cat-like cry in infancy?
A. Down syndrome
B. Cri du chat syndrome
C. Turner syndrome
D. Klinefelter syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: Cri du chat syndrome results from a deletion on chromosome 5p, leading to a high-
pitched, cat-like cry, microcephaly, and developmental delays. Down syndrome (A) involves
trisomy 21, Turner syndrome (C) is monosomy X, and Klinefelter syndrome (D) is XXY.
Nursing Explanation: Early intervention and genetic counseling are essential for management.
Question 2 (Unit 2: Genetic Disorders)
Why does an X-linked recessive disorder like hemophilia often skip generations?
A. Variable penetrance
B. Female carriers
C. Autosomal dominance
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
Answer: B
Rationale: X-linked recessive disorders skip generations because female carriers pass the
mutation to sons (who express the disease) or daughters (who may be carriers). Variable
,penetrance (A), autosomal dominance (C), and mitochondrial inheritance (D) do not apply.
Nursing Explanation: Screen family members; provide genetic counseling.
Question 3 (Unit 3: Hematologic Disorders)
A patient with fatigue, sore tongue, and hemoglobin of 7.8 g/dL is diagnosed with
macrocytic anemia. What is the most likely cause?
A. Hemolytic anemia
B. Sideroblastic anemia
C. Pernicious anemia
D. Iron-deficiency anemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Pernicious anemia, due to vitamin B12 deficiency from lack of intrinsic factor,
presents with fatigue, sore tongue, and macrocytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia (A) involves
hemolysis, sideroblastic (B) shows ringed sideroblasts, and iron-deficiency (D) is microcytic.
Nursing Explanation: Administer IM B12; monitor for neurologic symptoms.
Question 4 (Unit 3: Hematologic Disorders)
A patient presents with painless lymphadenopathy, night sweats, and Reed-Sternberg cells
on biopsy. What is the diagnosis?
A. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
B. Hodgkin lymphoma
C. Acute myeloid leukemia
D. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Reed-Sternberg cells are pathognomonic for Hodgkin lymphoma, presenting with
painless lymphadenopathy and B symptoms (night sweats, fever, weight loss). Non-Hodgkin
lymphoma (A) lacks these cells, AML (C) involves blasts, and CLL (D) is lymphocytic.
Nursing Explanation: Refer to oncology; stage with PET/CT.
Question 5 (Unit 3: Hematologic Disorders)
A patient with frequent nosebleeds has ecchymosis and petechiae. Which lab test is most
appropriate?
A. Lactic acid
B. Platelet count
, C. Monocyte count
D. Neutrophil count
Answer: B
Rationale: Nosebleeds, ecchymosis, and petechiae suggest thrombocytopenia, requiring a
platelet count. Lactic acid (A), monocytes (C), and neutrophils (D) are irrelevant for bleeding
disorders.
Nursing Explanation: Evaluate for ITP or bone marrow issues; monitor bleeding.
Question 6 (Unit 4: Cardiovascular Disorders)
A 56-year-old presents with chest pain after a spouse’s funeral, with ST elevation and
elevated troponins. What is the likely diagnosis?
A. Unstable angina
B. Ventricular aneurysm
C. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
D. Pulmonary hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome) is triggered by emotional stress,
mimicking MI with ST elevation and troponin elevation. Unstable angina (A) lacks ST elevation,
ventricular aneurysm (B) is a complication, and pulmonary hypertension (D) causes right-sided
symptoms.
Nursing Explanation: Provide supportive care; monitor for heart failure.
Question 7 (Unit 4: Cardiovascular Disorders)
In Kawasaki disease, what is the primary pathological mechanism?
A. Constriction of ductal tissue
B. Obstruction of left ventricular outflow
C. Intimal thickening of coronary arteries
D. Obstruction of aortic blood flow
Answer: C
Rationale: Kawasaki disease causes vasculitis with intimal thickening and stenosis of coronary
arteries, risking aneurysms. Ductal constriction (A), LV outflow obstruction (B), and aortic
obstruction (D) are unrelated.
Nursing Explanation: Administer IVIG and aspirin; monitor for coronary complications.
Question 8 (Unit 4: Cardiovascular Disorders)
Questions 2025 – 75+ Practice Questions for
Units 2–7 with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | A+ Graded
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question. Each question includes a verified answer
in blue and a detailed rationale aligned with WGU D115 Advanced Pathophysiology
competencies for 2025, covering Units 2–7 (genetic disorders, hematologic, cardiovascular,
respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, neurological, and immune systems).
Question 1 (Unit 2: Genetic Disorders)
Which genetic disorder is characterized by a deletion on chromosome 5, presenting with a
cat-like cry in infancy?
A. Down syndrome
B. Cri du chat syndrome
C. Turner syndrome
D. Klinefelter syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: Cri du chat syndrome results from a deletion on chromosome 5p, leading to a high-
pitched, cat-like cry, microcephaly, and developmental delays. Down syndrome (A) involves
trisomy 21, Turner syndrome (C) is monosomy X, and Klinefelter syndrome (D) is XXY.
Nursing Explanation: Early intervention and genetic counseling are essential for management.
Question 2 (Unit 2: Genetic Disorders)
Why does an X-linked recessive disorder like hemophilia often skip generations?
A. Variable penetrance
B. Female carriers
C. Autosomal dominance
D. Mitochondrial inheritance
Answer: B
Rationale: X-linked recessive disorders skip generations because female carriers pass the
mutation to sons (who express the disease) or daughters (who may be carriers). Variable
,penetrance (A), autosomal dominance (C), and mitochondrial inheritance (D) do not apply.
Nursing Explanation: Screen family members; provide genetic counseling.
Question 3 (Unit 3: Hematologic Disorders)
A patient with fatigue, sore tongue, and hemoglobin of 7.8 g/dL is diagnosed with
macrocytic anemia. What is the most likely cause?
A. Hemolytic anemia
B. Sideroblastic anemia
C. Pernicious anemia
D. Iron-deficiency anemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Pernicious anemia, due to vitamin B12 deficiency from lack of intrinsic factor,
presents with fatigue, sore tongue, and macrocytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia (A) involves
hemolysis, sideroblastic (B) shows ringed sideroblasts, and iron-deficiency (D) is microcytic.
Nursing Explanation: Administer IM B12; monitor for neurologic symptoms.
Question 4 (Unit 3: Hematologic Disorders)
A patient presents with painless lymphadenopathy, night sweats, and Reed-Sternberg cells
on biopsy. What is the diagnosis?
A. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
B. Hodgkin lymphoma
C. Acute myeloid leukemia
D. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Reed-Sternberg cells are pathognomonic for Hodgkin lymphoma, presenting with
painless lymphadenopathy and B symptoms (night sweats, fever, weight loss). Non-Hodgkin
lymphoma (A) lacks these cells, AML (C) involves blasts, and CLL (D) is lymphocytic.
Nursing Explanation: Refer to oncology; stage with PET/CT.
Question 5 (Unit 3: Hematologic Disorders)
A patient with frequent nosebleeds has ecchymosis and petechiae. Which lab test is most
appropriate?
A. Lactic acid
B. Platelet count
, C. Monocyte count
D. Neutrophil count
Answer: B
Rationale: Nosebleeds, ecchymosis, and petechiae suggest thrombocytopenia, requiring a
platelet count. Lactic acid (A), monocytes (C), and neutrophils (D) are irrelevant for bleeding
disorders.
Nursing Explanation: Evaluate for ITP or bone marrow issues; monitor bleeding.
Question 6 (Unit 4: Cardiovascular Disorders)
A 56-year-old presents with chest pain after a spouse’s funeral, with ST elevation and
elevated troponins. What is the likely diagnosis?
A. Unstable angina
B. Ventricular aneurysm
C. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
D. Pulmonary hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome) is triggered by emotional stress,
mimicking MI with ST elevation and troponin elevation. Unstable angina (A) lacks ST elevation,
ventricular aneurysm (B) is a complication, and pulmonary hypertension (D) causes right-sided
symptoms.
Nursing Explanation: Provide supportive care; monitor for heart failure.
Question 7 (Unit 4: Cardiovascular Disorders)
In Kawasaki disease, what is the primary pathological mechanism?
A. Constriction of ductal tissue
B. Obstruction of left ventricular outflow
C. Intimal thickening of coronary arteries
D. Obstruction of aortic blood flow
Answer: C
Rationale: Kawasaki disease causes vasculitis with intimal thickening and stenosis of coronary
arteries, risking aneurysms. Ductal constriction (A), LV outflow obstruction (B), and aortic
obstruction (D) are unrelated.
Nursing Explanation: Administer IVIG and aspirin; monitor for coronary complications.
Question 8 (Unit 4: Cardiovascular Disorders)
