WGU D115 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS 2025 AND ANSWERS
ELABORATED 100%
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - CORRECT ANSWER The GCS is scored between 3
and 15, 3 being the worst and 15 the best.
Severe TBI GCS Score - CORRECT ANSWER A GCS score of 3-8 describes a severe
TBI.
Obsessions - CORRECT ANSWER Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts,
impulses, or images that cause distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Characteristics - CORRECT ANSWER Impaired
concentration and irritability are major characteristics of GAD.
Schizophrenia Symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER The characteristics of schizophrenia
are paranoia, delusions, tangential thoughts, suspiciousness, disorganized behavior,
and hallucinations.
Acute Otitis Media - CORRECT ANSWER The classic presentation of otitis media is
otalgia, muffled hearing, popping sensation, and a recent history of a cold or flare up of
allergic rhinitis.
Peritonsillar Abscess - CORRECT ANSWER Peritonsillar abscess is characterized by
severe sore throat, pain or difficulty swallowing, jaw muscle spasms, and a hot potato
voice.
Graves' Disease - CORRECT ANSWER Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition
also known as 'diffuse toxic goiter' is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in this
age group.
Insulin Resistance Finding - CORRECT ANSWER Triglycerides > 150mg/dL is
associated with increasing insulin resistance.
Postprandial Glucose Level Influencer - CORRECT ANSWER Carbohydrate is a
macronutrient with the greatest impact on the postprandial glucose levels.
,Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus - CORRECT ANSWER Type 1 DM is associated with beta
cell destruction leading to absolute insulin deficiency resulting in significant
hyperglycemia and potential for ketoacidosis.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors - CORRECT ANSWER Major risk factors are
heredity and obesity.
Endometrial Cancer Risk Factor - CORRECT ANSWER Oral contraceptives have been
shown to reduce the incidence of endometrial cancer.
Mixed Precocious Puberty - CORRECT ANSWER Mixed precocious puberty cases the
child to develop some secondary characteristics of the opposite sex, such as the
feminization of a boy.
Delayed Puberty Cause - CORRECT ANSWER In 95% of cases, delayed puberty is
physiologic in nature.
Priapism Association - CORRECT ANSWER Priapism has been associated with the
abuse of certain substances.
Priapism - CORRECT ANSWER Prolonged penile erection, often idiopathic.
Cocaine - CORRECT ANSWER Substance associated with priapism.
Ovulation - CORRECT ANSWER Triggered by a sudden increase of LH.
Follicular cyst - CORRECT ANSWER Develops when no dominant follicle matures.
Benign ovarian cyst - CORRECT ANSWER Functional cyst from incomplete follicle
maturation.
Genetic counseling - CORRECT ANSWER Advisory service for individuals at genetic
risk.
Maternal age - CORRECT ANSWER Common reason for seeking genetic counseling.
Amniocentesis - CORRECT ANSWER Procedure to perform genetic studies on fetus.
Turner Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER Condition with monosomy X in affected cells.
Cri du chat syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER Genetic disorder with distinctive cat-like
cry.
Adaptive immunity - CORRECT ANSWER Immune response mediated by T and B
cells.
, Minimally conscious state - CORRECT ANSWER Patient shows limited but definite
responses.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - CORRECT ANSWER Severe lung
inflammation with bilateral infiltrates.
Capillary hydrostatic pressure - CORRECT ANSWER Increased pressure causing
pulmonary edema.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) - CORRECT ANSWER Antibody involved in asthma
pathophysiology.
Airway remodeling - CORRECT ANSWER Long-term damage from uncontrolled airway
inflammation.
Angiotensin II - CORRECT ANSWER Hormone linked to myocardial hypertrophy in
hypertension.
Hypertrophy of myocardium - CORRECT ANSWER Heart muscle thickening due to
increased load.
Blood pressure measurement - CORRECT ANSWER First reading indicates
hypertension if elevated.
Sickle cell disease - CORRECT ANSWER Blood disorder associated with priapism.
Spinal cord trauma - CORRECT ANSWER Potential cause of priapism.
Pelvic tumors - CORRECT ANSWER Associated with priapism in some cases.
Leukemia - CORRECT ANSWER Blood cancer linked to priapism.
High-pitched cry - CORRECT ANSWER Characteristic symptom of cri du chat
syndrome.
Hypotonia - CORRECT ANSWER Reduced muscle tone seen in cri du chat.
Microcephaly - CORRECT ANSWER Small head size, symptom of cri du chat.
Hypertelorism - CORRECT ANSWER Widely spaced eyes, seen in cri du chat.
Bilateral infiltrates - CORRECT ANSWER Key feature in diagnosing ARDS.
Decreased pulmonary compliance - CORRECT ANSWER Characteristic of ARDS,
indicating stiff lungs.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS 2025 AND ANSWERS
ELABORATED 100%
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - CORRECT ANSWER The GCS is scored between 3
and 15, 3 being the worst and 15 the best.
Severe TBI GCS Score - CORRECT ANSWER A GCS score of 3-8 describes a severe
TBI.
Obsessions - CORRECT ANSWER Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts,
impulses, or images that cause distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Characteristics - CORRECT ANSWER Impaired
concentration and irritability are major characteristics of GAD.
Schizophrenia Symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER The characteristics of schizophrenia
are paranoia, delusions, tangential thoughts, suspiciousness, disorganized behavior,
and hallucinations.
Acute Otitis Media - CORRECT ANSWER The classic presentation of otitis media is
otalgia, muffled hearing, popping sensation, and a recent history of a cold or flare up of
allergic rhinitis.
Peritonsillar Abscess - CORRECT ANSWER Peritonsillar abscess is characterized by
severe sore throat, pain or difficulty swallowing, jaw muscle spasms, and a hot potato
voice.
Graves' Disease - CORRECT ANSWER Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition
also known as 'diffuse toxic goiter' is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in this
age group.
Insulin Resistance Finding - CORRECT ANSWER Triglycerides > 150mg/dL is
associated with increasing insulin resistance.
Postprandial Glucose Level Influencer - CORRECT ANSWER Carbohydrate is a
macronutrient with the greatest impact on the postprandial glucose levels.
,Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus - CORRECT ANSWER Type 1 DM is associated with beta
cell destruction leading to absolute insulin deficiency resulting in significant
hyperglycemia and potential for ketoacidosis.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors - CORRECT ANSWER Major risk factors are
heredity and obesity.
Endometrial Cancer Risk Factor - CORRECT ANSWER Oral contraceptives have been
shown to reduce the incidence of endometrial cancer.
Mixed Precocious Puberty - CORRECT ANSWER Mixed precocious puberty cases the
child to develop some secondary characteristics of the opposite sex, such as the
feminization of a boy.
Delayed Puberty Cause - CORRECT ANSWER In 95% of cases, delayed puberty is
physiologic in nature.
Priapism Association - CORRECT ANSWER Priapism has been associated with the
abuse of certain substances.
Priapism - CORRECT ANSWER Prolonged penile erection, often idiopathic.
Cocaine - CORRECT ANSWER Substance associated with priapism.
Ovulation - CORRECT ANSWER Triggered by a sudden increase of LH.
Follicular cyst - CORRECT ANSWER Develops when no dominant follicle matures.
Benign ovarian cyst - CORRECT ANSWER Functional cyst from incomplete follicle
maturation.
Genetic counseling - CORRECT ANSWER Advisory service for individuals at genetic
risk.
Maternal age - CORRECT ANSWER Common reason for seeking genetic counseling.
Amniocentesis - CORRECT ANSWER Procedure to perform genetic studies on fetus.
Turner Syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER Condition with monosomy X in affected cells.
Cri du chat syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER Genetic disorder with distinctive cat-like
cry.
Adaptive immunity - CORRECT ANSWER Immune response mediated by T and B
cells.
, Minimally conscious state - CORRECT ANSWER Patient shows limited but definite
responses.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - CORRECT ANSWER Severe lung
inflammation with bilateral infiltrates.
Capillary hydrostatic pressure - CORRECT ANSWER Increased pressure causing
pulmonary edema.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) - CORRECT ANSWER Antibody involved in asthma
pathophysiology.
Airway remodeling - CORRECT ANSWER Long-term damage from uncontrolled airway
inflammation.
Angiotensin II - CORRECT ANSWER Hormone linked to myocardial hypertrophy in
hypertension.
Hypertrophy of myocardium - CORRECT ANSWER Heart muscle thickening due to
increased load.
Blood pressure measurement - CORRECT ANSWER First reading indicates
hypertension if elevated.
Sickle cell disease - CORRECT ANSWER Blood disorder associated with priapism.
Spinal cord trauma - CORRECT ANSWER Potential cause of priapism.
Pelvic tumors - CORRECT ANSWER Associated with priapism in some cases.
Leukemia - CORRECT ANSWER Blood cancer linked to priapism.
High-pitched cry - CORRECT ANSWER Characteristic symptom of cri du chat
syndrome.
Hypotonia - CORRECT ANSWER Reduced muscle tone seen in cri du chat.
Microcephaly - CORRECT ANSWER Small head size, symptom of cri du chat.
Hypertelorism - CORRECT ANSWER Widely spaced eyes, seen in cri du chat.
Bilateral infiltrates - CORRECT ANSWER Key feature in diagnosing ARDS.
Decreased pulmonary compliance - CORRECT ANSWER Characteristic of ARDS,
indicating stiff lungs.
