WGU Pathophysiology Study Guide: D236 Pathophysiology EXAM QUESTIONS
Completed with Correct ANSWERS
Course
Patho D236
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when skeletal muscle increases in size after consistent
weight training?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of existing cells. Skeletal muscle enlarges
because muscle fibers become larger, not because more muscle cells are formed.
2. A patient experiences tissue injury due to reduced blood flow. This condition is called:
A. Hyperemia
B. Congestion
C. Ischemia
D. Edema
Correct Answer: C. Ischemia
Explanation: Ischemia occurs when blood supply is insufficient, leading to inadequate oxygen
and nutrient delivery.
3. Which electrolyte is the primary intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Chloride
D. Potassium
Correct Answer: D. Potassium
Explanation: Potassium is the major intracellular cation and is essential for maintaining
membrane potential.
4. Which process is responsible for programmed cell death?
,A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Apoptosis
D. Gangrene
Correct Answer: C. Apoptosis
Explanation: Apoptosis is a controlled, energy-dependent process that removes damaged or
unnecessary cells.
5. During acute inflammation, which white blood cell arrives first?
A. Monocytes
B. Lymphocytes
C. Eosinophils
D. Neutrophils
Correct Answer: D. Neutrophils
Explanation: Neutrophils are the first responders to bacterial infection and tissue injury.
6. Which inflammatory mediator causes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Dopamine
B. Insulin
C. Histamine
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: C. Histamine
Explanation: Histamine released from mast cells produces redness, warmth, and swelling.
7. Which acid-base imbalance is commonly caused by prolonged vomiting?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic alkalosis
Explanation: Vomiting causes loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, increasing blood pH.
,8. Which hormone primarily lowers blood glucose?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Epinephrine
D. Insulin
Correct Answer: D. Insulin
Explanation: Insulin promotes glucose uptake into cells and decreases circulating blood
glucose.
9. A patient with uncontrolled diabetes develops ketoacidosis because of:
A. Excess insulin production
B. Excess glycogen storage
C. Increased fat breakdown producing ketones
D. Increased calcium absorption
Correct Answer: C. Increased fat breakdown producing ketones
Explanation: Insulin deficiency forces cells to metabolize fat, producing acidic ketone bodies.
10. Which condition most directly increases the risk of thrombus formation?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperglycemia alone
C. Endothelial injury
D. Hypothermia
Correct Answer: C. Endothelial injury
Explanation: Endothelial damage is one component of Virchow's triad.
11. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood into systemic circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
, Correct Answer: D. Left ventricle
Explanation: The left ventricle pumps blood into the aorta for systemic circulation.
12. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is primarily caused by:
A. Poor ventricular contraction
B. Valve rupture
C. Impaired ventricular relaxation
D. Myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: C. Impaired ventricular relaxation
Explanation: Diastolic dysfunction reduces ventricular filling despite preserved contractility.
13. Which lung disease is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls?
A. Asthma
B. Pneumonia
C. Bronchitis
D. Emphysema
Correct Answer: D. Emphysema
Explanation: Emphysema destroys alveolar septa, reducing gas exchange surface area.
14. Which disorder is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible
bronchoconstriction?
A. COPD
B. Tuberculosis
C. Asthma
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Correct Answer: C. Asthma
Explanation: Asthma produces episodic reversible airway obstruction.
15. Which renal structure performs filtration of blood?
A. Loop of Henle
B. Collecting duct
Completed with Correct ANSWERS
Course
Patho D236
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when skeletal muscle increases in size after consistent
weight training?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of existing cells. Skeletal muscle enlarges
because muscle fibers become larger, not because more muscle cells are formed.
2. A patient experiences tissue injury due to reduced blood flow. This condition is called:
A. Hyperemia
B. Congestion
C. Ischemia
D. Edema
Correct Answer: C. Ischemia
Explanation: Ischemia occurs when blood supply is insufficient, leading to inadequate oxygen
and nutrient delivery.
3. Which electrolyte is the primary intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Chloride
D. Potassium
Correct Answer: D. Potassium
Explanation: Potassium is the major intracellular cation and is essential for maintaining
membrane potential.
4. Which process is responsible for programmed cell death?
,A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Apoptosis
D. Gangrene
Correct Answer: C. Apoptosis
Explanation: Apoptosis is a controlled, energy-dependent process that removes damaged or
unnecessary cells.
5. During acute inflammation, which white blood cell arrives first?
A. Monocytes
B. Lymphocytes
C. Eosinophils
D. Neutrophils
Correct Answer: D. Neutrophils
Explanation: Neutrophils are the first responders to bacterial infection and tissue injury.
6. Which inflammatory mediator causes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability?
A. Dopamine
B. Insulin
C. Histamine
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: C. Histamine
Explanation: Histamine released from mast cells produces redness, warmth, and swelling.
7. Which acid-base imbalance is commonly caused by prolonged vomiting?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic alkalosis
Explanation: Vomiting causes loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, increasing blood pH.
,8. Which hormone primarily lowers blood glucose?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Epinephrine
D. Insulin
Correct Answer: D. Insulin
Explanation: Insulin promotes glucose uptake into cells and decreases circulating blood
glucose.
9. A patient with uncontrolled diabetes develops ketoacidosis because of:
A. Excess insulin production
B. Excess glycogen storage
C. Increased fat breakdown producing ketones
D. Increased calcium absorption
Correct Answer: C. Increased fat breakdown producing ketones
Explanation: Insulin deficiency forces cells to metabolize fat, producing acidic ketone bodies.
10. Which condition most directly increases the risk of thrombus formation?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperglycemia alone
C. Endothelial injury
D. Hypothermia
Correct Answer: C. Endothelial injury
Explanation: Endothelial damage is one component of Virchow's triad.
11. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood into systemic circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
, Correct Answer: D. Left ventricle
Explanation: The left ventricle pumps blood into the aorta for systemic circulation.
12. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is primarily caused by:
A. Poor ventricular contraction
B. Valve rupture
C. Impaired ventricular relaxation
D. Myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: C. Impaired ventricular relaxation
Explanation: Diastolic dysfunction reduces ventricular filling despite preserved contractility.
13. Which lung disease is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls?
A. Asthma
B. Pneumonia
C. Bronchitis
D. Emphysema
Correct Answer: D. Emphysema
Explanation: Emphysema destroys alveolar septa, reducing gas exchange surface area.
14. Which disorder is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible
bronchoconstriction?
A. COPD
B. Tuberculosis
C. Asthma
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Correct Answer: C. Asthma
Explanation: Asthma produces episodic reversible airway obstruction.
15. Which renal structure performs filtration of blood?
A. Loop of Henle
B. Collecting duct
