WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Q&A 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary cause of cellular hypoxia?
A. Excess oxygen delivery
B. Reduced ATP production
C. Increased glucose uptake
D. Excess protein synthesis
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen availability, impairing ATP
production.
Correct Answer: B
2. Which type of cell injury is reversible?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Hydropic swelling
D. Gangrene
Rationale: Hydropic swelling is reversible if injury is removed.
Correct Answer: C
3. Inflammation is primarily characterized by:
A. Decreased immune response
B. Vascular and immune activation
C. Permanent tissue destruction
,D. Hormonal imbalance
Rationale: Inflammation involves vascular and immune system
activation.
Correct Answer: B
4. Which mediator increases vascular permeability in
inflammation?
A. Insulin
B. Histamine
C. Thyroxine
D. Hemoglobin
Rationale: Histamine causes vasodilation and permeability.
Correct Answer: B
5. The hallmark of necrosis is:
A. Controlled cell death
B. Inflammation and cell rupture
C. DNA repair
D. Protein synthesis
Rationale: Necrosis involves uncontrolled cell death with
inflammation.
Correct Answer: B
6. Apoptosis differs from necrosis because it is:
,A. Random
B. Always inflammatory
C. Programmed cell death
D. Infectious
Rationale: Apoptosis is regulated and non-inflammatory.
Correct Answer: C
7. What causes edema in heart failure?
A. Increased oncotic pressure
B. Sodium and water retention
C. Decreased blood volume
D. Increased oxygenation
Rationale: Heart failure activates RAAS causing fluid retention.
Correct Answer: B
8. Which condition leads to decreased cardiac output?
A. Tachycardia only
B. Heart failure
C. Fever
D. Exercise
Rationale: Heart failure reduces pumping efficiency.
Correct Answer: B
9. Atherosclerosis is primarily caused by:
, A. Viral infection
B. Lipid accumulation in arteries
C. Low calcium
D. Excess oxygen
Rationale: Plaque buildup from lipids narrows vessels.
Correct Answer: B
10. The most common cause of myocardial infarction is:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Coronary artery thrombosis
C. Lung infection
D. Kidney failure
Rationale: Thrombus blocks coronary blood flow.
Correct Answer: B
11. Stroke is most commonly caused by:
A. Brain tumor
B. Interrupted cerebral blood flow
C. Excess oxygen
D. High vitamin intake
Rationale: Ischemia leads to brain tissue death.
Correct Answer: B
12. Which type of shock is caused by severe blood loss?
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
Q&A 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary cause of cellular hypoxia?
A. Excess oxygen delivery
B. Reduced ATP production
C. Increased glucose uptake
D. Excess protein synthesis
Rationale: Hypoxia reduces oxygen availability, impairing ATP
production.
Correct Answer: B
2. Which type of cell injury is reversible?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Hydropic swelling
D. Gangrene
Rationale: Hydropic swelling is reversible if injury is removed.
Correct Answer: C
3. Inflammation is primarily characterized by:
A. Decreased immune response
B. Vascular and immune activation
C. Permanent tissue destruction
,D. Hormonal imbalance
Rationale: Inflammation involves vascular and immune system
activation.
Correct Answer: B
4. Which mediator increases vascular permeability in
inflammation?
A. Insulin
B. Histamine
C. Thyroxine
D. Hemoglobin
Rationale: Histamine causes vasodilation and permeability.
Correct Answer: B
5. The hallmark of necrosis is:
A. Controlled cell death
B. Inflammation and cell rupture
C. DNA repair
D. Protein synthesis
Rationale: Necrosis involves uncontrolled cell death with
inflammation.
Correct Answer: B
6. Apoptosis differs from necrosis because it is:
,A. Random
B. Always inflammatory
C. Programmed cell death
D. Infectious
Rationale: Apoptosis is regulated and non-inflammatory.
Correct Answer: C
7. What causes edema in heart failure?
A. Increased oncotic pressure
B. Sodium and water retention
C. Decreased blood volume
D. Increased oxygenation
Rationale: Heart failure activates RAAS causing fluid retention.
Correct Answer: B
8. Which condition leads to decreased cardiac output?
A. Tachycardia only
B. Heart failure
C. Fever
D. Exercise
Rationale: Heart failure reduces pumping efficiency.
Correct Answer: B
9. Atherosclerosis is primarily caused by:
, A. Viral infection
B. Lipid accumulation in arteries
C. Low calcium
D. Excess oxygen
Rationale: Plaque buildup from lipids narrows vessels.
Correct Answer: B
10. The most common cause of myocardial infarction is:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Coronary artery thrombosis
C. Lung infection
D. Kidney failure
Rationale: Thrombus blocks coronary blood flow.
Correct Answer: B
11. Stroke is most commonly caused by:
A. Brain tumor
B. Interrupted cerebral blood flow
C. Excess oxygen
D. High vitamin intake
Rationale: Ischemia leads to brain tissue death.
Correct Answer: B
12. Which type of shock is caused by severe blood loss?
