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WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
OA COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE FOR 2026 |ALL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | RATED A+ |
NEW AND REVISED
Don't panic!
Pause, breathe, and reason through it.
Your calm mind is your greatest study partner Lets
go FUTURE RN!
1. Uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue, such as tumors or
damaged nerves
TREATMENT FOR PROSTATE CANCER: cryoablation
2. Lung disease caused by a long term inhalation of silica dust which leads to lung
inflammation, scarring, and breathing difficulties.
GUY WITH SANDBLASTER: silicosis
3. Damages motor neurons which control voluntary muscle movements: Amy- otrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS)
4. INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS, WEAKNESS, LOWER EXTREMITY
TWITCHING AND.
PRESCRIBED ANTI GLUTAMATE: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
5. Most common form of ALS that occurs randomly without a known genetic cause
or family history: SPORADIC ALS
6. A 60-year-old man presents with progressive muscle weakness. He reports difficulty
walking, muscle twitching, and recent trouble swallowing. On exam, he has both
upper motor neuron signs (e.g., hyperreflexia, spasticity) and lower motor neuron signs
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(e.g., muscle atrophy, fasciculations). Sensation remains intact.: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS)
7. Chronic degenerative joint disease that occurs when cartilage that cushions
The end of bones gradually wears down over time.: osteoarthritis
8. (associated with Osteoarthritis instead of RA)
Enlargement and bulging of a joint contour, commonly described as swelling, are
attributed to the thickening of the subchondral bone from the proliferation of
osteophytes around the margins of the joint and hypertrophy in the joint capsule.:
Bouchard nodes
And
Heberden nodes
9. A 68-year-old woman complains of chronic knee pain that worsens with activity and
improves with rest. On examination, there is bony enlargement of
,3|Page
The distal interphalangeal joints (Heberden's nodes) and crepitus in the knees. There is
no warmth or significant swelling.: osteoarthritis
10. Chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the
synovium causing inflammation, pain, and joint damage.: rheumatoid arthritis
11. A 45-year-old woman presents with joint pain and stiffness in her hands and
wrists. She reports the stiffness is worst in the morning and lasts for over an hour.
On exam, there is swelling, tenderness, and limited range of
Motion in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints
bilaterally. Lab results show positive rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP antibodies.:
rheumatoid arthritis
12. An infection or inflammation of the inner lining of the heart affecting the
Heart valves.
It is caused by bacteria, fungi, or other germs (tooth decay)
**Night sweats
***loud heart murmur
VEGETATION SHOWN ON AN ECHO: ENDOCARDITIS
13. A 35-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use presents with fever, chills,
and fatigue. On exam, he has a new systolic murmur and small, painless lesions on the
palms and soles ( Janeway lesions). Blood cultures are positive for Staphylococcus
aureus.: ENDOCARDITIS
14. NECK/JAW PAIN
CHEST PAIN (angina pectoris) VOMITING
DIAGNOSIS
**LACK OF O2=death to muscle tissue (necrosis)
**OCCLUSION OF CORONARY ATERY: MI (myocardial infarction)
15. A 58-year-old man presents to the emergency department with crushing chest pain
radiating to his left arm, shortness of breath, and nausea. He is diaphoretic. ECG shows
ST-segment elevations in leads II, III, and avf. Troponin levels are elevated.: MI (myocardial
infarction)
,4|Page
16. Occurs when there is a mismatch between oxygen supply and demand in the heart
leading to ischemia (lack of oxygen) and heart muscle damage but without a direct
blockage of a coronary artery: type 2 MI (myocardial infarction)
17. A 70-year-old woman is admitted with sepsis from a urinary tract infection. She
develops chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Troponin levels are ele- vated, but
ECG shows no ST-segment elevations. Coronary angiography reveals no significant
obstructive coronary artery disease: type 2 MI (myocardial infarction)
18. What is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction?: HEART DISEASE
19. Chronic liver disease where healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue which
impairs the livers ability to function properly: cirrhosis
20. Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity)
jaundice
Elevated AST and ALT: cirrhosis
21. Cirrhosis =: scarred liver, can't filter ’ascites (fluid accumulates) + jaundice.
22. A 58-year-old man with a history of chronic alcohol use presents with fatigue,
abdominal swelling, and confusion. Physical exam reveals jaundice, ascites, spider
angiomas, and asterixis. Lab tests show elevated liver enzymes, low albumin, and an
increased INR.: cirrhosis
23. Stroke = FAST: Face droop
Arm weak
Speech slurred
Time to act
24. The final stage of chronic kidney disease where the kidneys have severely
deteriorated and can no longer function: end stage renal disease
25. DECREASED URINE OUTPUT (oliguria)
ANEMIA
FATIGUE (asthenia)
ITCHY SKIN (pruritus)
DIAGNOSIS: end stage renal disease
26. A 62-year-old man with a history of diabetes and hypertension presents with fatigue,
pruritus, swelling in his legs, and decreased urine output over several
WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
OA COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE FOR 2026 |ALL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | RATED A+ |
NEW AND REVISED
Don't panic!
Pause, breathe, and reason through it.
Your calm mind is your greatest study partner Lets
go FUTURE RN!
1. Uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue, such as tumors or
damaged nerves
TREATMENT FOR PROSTATE CANCER: cryoablation
2. Lung disease caused by a long term inhalation of silica dust which leads to lung
inflammation, scarring, and breathing difficulties.
GUY WITH SANDBLASTER: silicosis
3. Damages motor neurons which control voluntary muscle movements: Amy- otrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS)
4. INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS, WEAKNESS, LOWER EXTREMITY
TWITCHING AND.
PRESCRIBED ANTI GLUTAMATE: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
5. Most common form of ALS that occurs randomly without a known genetic cause
or family history: SPORADIC ALS
6. A 60-year-old man presents with progressive muscle weakness. He reports difficulty
walking, muscle twitching, and recent trouble swallowing. On exam, he has both
upper motor neuron signs (e.g., hyperreflexia, spasticity) and lower motor neuron signs
,2|Page
(e.g., muscle atrophy, fasciculations). Sensation remains intact.: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS)
7. Chronic degenerative joint disease that occurs when cartilage that cushions
The end of bones gradually wears down over time.: osteoarthritis
8. (associated with Osteoarthritis instead of RA)
Enlargement and bulging of a joint contour, commonly described as swelling, are
attributed to the thickening of the subchondral bone from the proliferation of
osteophytes around the margins of the joint and hypertrophy in the joint capsule.:
Bouchard nodes
And
Heberden nodes
9. A 68-year-old woman complains of chronic knee pain that worsens with activity and
improves with rest. On examination, there is bony enlargement of
,3|Page
The distal interphalangeal joints (Heberden's nodes) and crepitus in the knees. There is
no warmth or significant swelling.: osteoarthritis
10. Chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the
synovium causing inflammation, pain, and joint damage.: rheumatoid arthritis
11. A 45-year-old woman presents with joint pain and stiffness in her hands and
wrists. She reports the stiffness is worst in the morning and lasts for over an hour.
On exam, there is swelling, tenderness, and limited range of
Motion in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints
bilaterally. Lab results show positive rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP antibodies.:
rheumatoid arthritis
12. An infection or inflammation of the inner lining of the heart affecting the
Heart valves.
It is caused by bacteria, fungi, or other germs (tooth decay)
**Night sweats
***loud heart murmur
VEGETATION SHOWN ON AN ECHO: ENDOCARDITIS
13. A 35-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use presents with fever, chills,
and fatigue. On exam, he has a new systolic murmur and small, painless lesions on the
palms and soles ( Janeway lesions). Blood cultures are positive for Staphylococcus
aureus.: ENDOCARDITIS
14. NECK/JAW PAIN
CHEST PAIN (angina pectoris) VOMITING
DIAGNOSIS
**LACK OF O2=death to muscle tissue (necrosis)
**OCCLUSION OF CORONARY ATERY: MI (myocardial infarction)
15. A 58-year-old man presents to the emergency department with crushing chest pain
radiating to his left arm, shortness of breath, and nausea. He is diaphoretic. ECG shows
ST-segment elevations in leads II, III, and avf. Troponin levels are elevated.: MI (myocardial
infarction)
,4|Page
16. Occurs when there is a mismatch between oxygen supply and demand in the heart
leading to ischemia (lack of oxygen) and heart muscle damage but without a direct
blockage of a coronary artery: type 2 MI (myocardial infarction)
17. A 70-year-old woman is admitted with sepsis from a urinary tract infection. She
develops chest discomfort and shortness of breath. Troponin levels are ele- vated, but
ECG shows no ST-segment elevations. Coronary angiography reveals no significant
obstructive coronary artery disease: type 2 MI (myocardial infarction)
18. What is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction?: HEART DISEASE
19. Chronic liver disease where healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue which
impairs the livers ability to function properly: cirrhosis
20. Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity)
jaundice
Elevated AST and ALT: cirrhosis
21. Cirrhosis =: scarred liver, can't filter ’ascites (fluid accumulates) + jaundice.
22. A 58-year-old man with a history of chronic alcohol use presents with fatigue,
abdominal swelling, and confusion. Physical exam reveals jaundice, ascites, spider
angiomas, and asterixis. Lab tests show elevated liver enzymes, low albumin, and an
increased INR.: cirrhosis
23. Stroke = FAST: Face droop
Arm weak
Speech slurred
Time to act
24. The final stage of chronic kidney disease where the kidneys have severely
deteriorated and can no longer function: end stage renal disease
25. DECREASED URINE OUTPUT (oliguria)
ANEMIA
FATIGUE (asthenia)
ITCHY SKIN (pruritus)
DIAGNOSIS: end stage renal disease
26. A 62-year-old man with a history of diabetes and hypertension presents with fatigue,
pruritus, swelling in his legs, and decreased urine output over several
