WGU D236 – Pathophysiology Final Exam
| Western Governors University | 2026
Verified Questions & Correct Answers |
A+ Rated Study Guide
Section 1: Foundational Concepts & Homeostasis (Questions 1-15)
Q1. Describe how your body responds to an infection.
• A) B cells produce cytokines, which stimulate T cells to produce
antibodies
• B) T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B cells to produce
antibodies
• C) Antibodies directly destroy infected cells without immune cell
involvement
• D) Macrophages produce antibodies to neutralize pathogens
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B
cells to produce antibodies
Rationale: When the body detects an infection, helper T cells are activated
and release cytokines. These signaling molecules stimulate B
lymphocytes to differentiate into plasma cells, which then produce
specific antibodies targeting the pathogen. This is the adaptive immune
response .
,Q2. What is accomplished by diffusion?
• A) Movement of water from low solute concentration to high solute
concentration
• B) Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to
an area of lower concentration
• C) Movement of fluid from high hydrostatic pressure to low
hydrostatic pressure
• D) Active transport of molecules against a concentration gradient
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) Movement of molecules from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration
Rationale: Diffusion is a passive transport process where molecules move
down their concentration gradient (from high to low concentration)
without energy expenditure. This is a fundamental mechanism for gas
exchange (O2 and CO2) and solute movement across cell membranes .
Q3. A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated
CO2 level and pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does
she have?
• A) Respiratory acidosis
• B) Respiratory alkalosis
• C) Metabolic acidosis
• D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,answer,,,: D) Metabolic alkalosis
,*Rationale: The patient's pH is elevated (7.53, normal 7.35-7.45),
indicating alkalemia. CO2 is also elevated, and both pH and CO2 are
moving in the same direction (both high). This pattern indicates primary
metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation (hypoventilation
retaining CO2 to increase acidity and partially correct the pH). Severe
vomiting causes loss of gastric acid (HCl), leading to metabolic
alkalosis .*
Q4. How do the kidneys compensate for alkalosis?
• A) Retain H+ and excrete HCO3-
• B) Excrete H+ and retain HCO3-
• C) Retain both H+ and HCO3-
• D) Excrete both H+ and HCO3-
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A) Retain H+ and excrete HCO3-
*Rationale: In alkalosis (elevated pH), the kidneys compensate by
retaining hydrogen ions (H+) to increase acidity and excreting bicarbonate
(HCO3-) to reduce the base load. This renal compensation occurs over
hours to days .*
Q5. Untreated acidosis leads to an increase in which electrolyte?
• A) Sodium
• B) Calcium
• C) Potassium
• D) Chloride
, Correct ,,,answer,,,: C) Potassium
Rationale: In metabolic acidosis, excess hydrogen ions (H+) move into
cells to buffer the acidosis. To maintain electrical neutrality, potassium
(K+) moves out of cells and into the bloodstream, causing hyperkalemia.
This is why acidosis and hyperkalemia often occur together .
Q6. What is the normal pH range of blood?
• A) 7.00-7.25
• B) 7.25-7.35
• C) 7.35-7.45
• D) 7.45-7.55
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C) 7.35-7.45
Rationale: Normal arterial blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and
7.45. Values below 7.35 indicate acidosis; values above 7.45 indicate
alkalosis. The body maintains this range through buffer systems,
respiratory regulation, and renal compensation .
Q7. What is the normal CO2 (PaCO2) level?
• A) 20-30 mmHg
• B) 35-45 mmHg
• C) 50-60 mmHg
• D) 65-75 mmHg
| Western Governors University | 2026
Verified Questions & Correct Answers |
A+ Rated Study Guide
Section 1: Foundational Concepts & Homeostasis (Questions 1-15)
Q1. Describe how your body responds to an infection.
• A) B cells produce cytokines, which stimulate T cells to produce
antibodies
• B) T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B cells to produce
antibodies
• C) Antibodies directly destroy infected cells without immune cell
involvement
• D) Macrophages produce antibodies to neutralize pathogens
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) T cells produce cytokines, which stimulate B
cells to produce antibodies
Rationale: When the body detects an infection, helper T cells are activated
and release cytokines. These signaling molecules stimulate B
lymphocytes to differentiate into plasma cells, which then produce
specific antibodies targeting the pathogen. This is the adaptive immune
response .
,Q2. What is accomplished by diffusion?
• A) Movement of water from low solute concentration to high solute
concentration
• B) Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to
an area of lower concentration
• C) Movement of fluid from high hydrostatic pressure to low
hydrostatic pressure
• D) Active transport of molecules against a concentration gradient
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) Movement of molecules from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration
Rationale: Diffusion is a passive transport process where molecules move
down their concentration gradient (from high to low concentration)
without energy expenditure. This is a fundamental mechanism for gas
exchange (O2 and CO2) and solute movement across cell membranes .
Q3. A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated
CO2 level and pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does
she have?
• A) Respiratory acidosis
• B) Respiratory alkalosis
• C) Metabolic acidosis
• D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct ,,,answer,,,: D) Metabolic alkalosis
,*Rationale: The patient's pH is elevated (7.53, normal 7.35-7.45),
indicating alkalemia. CO2 is also elevated, and both pH and CO2 are
moving in the same direction (both high). This pattern indicates primary
metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation (hypoventilation
retaining CO2 to increase acidity and partially correct the pH). Severe
vomiting causes loss of gastric acid (HCl), leading to metabolic
alkalosis .*
Q4. How do the kidneys compensate for alkalosis?
• A) Retain H+ and excrete HCO3-
• B) Excrete H+ and retain HCO3-
• C) Retain both H+ and HCO3-
• D) Excrete both H+ and HCO3-
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A) Retain H+ and excrete HCO3-
*Rationale: In alkalosis (elevated pH), the kidneys compensate by
retaining hydrogen ions (H+) to increase acidity and excreting bicarbonate
(HCO3-) to reduce the base load. This renal compensation occurs over
hours to days .*
Q5. Untreated acidosis leads to an increase in which electrolyte?
• A) Sodium
• B) Calcium
• C) Potassium
• D) Chloride
, Correct ,,,answer,,,: C) Potassium
Rationale: In metabolic acidosis, excess hydrogen ions (H+) move into
cells to buffer the acidosis. To maintain electrical neutrality, potassium
(K+) moves out of cells and into the bloodstream, causing hyperkalemia.
This is why acidosis and hyperkalemia often occur together .
Q6. What is the normal pH range of blood?
• A) 7.00-7.25
• B) 7.25-7.35
• C) 7.35-7.45
• D) 7.45-7.55
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C) 7.35-7.45
Rationale: Normal arterial blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and
7.45. Values below 7.35 indicate acidosis; values above 7.45 indicate
alkalosis. The body maintains this range through buffer systems,
respiratory regulation, and renal compensation .
Q7. What is the normal CO2 (PaCO2) level?
• A) 20-30 mmHg
• B) 35-45 mmHg
• C) 50-60 mmHg
• D) 65-75 mmHg
