D236 Pathophysiology Final Exam Study Guide 2026 |WGU
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when there is a replacement of one mature
cell type by another, less mature cell type?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as a response to chronic irritation.
2. A patient has a serum sodium level of 155 mEq/L. Which condition does this
reflect?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypernatremia is defined as a serum sodium level greater than 145 mEq/L.
,3. What is the primary characteristic of irreversible cellular injury?
A. Mitochondrial swelling
B. Plasma membrane damage
C. Ribosome detachment
D. Cellular swelling
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe damage to the plasma membrane is a hallmark of irreversible cell injury
and death.
4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves mast
cell degranulation?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies.
5. Which hormone is responsible for the reabsorption of water in the distal
tubule and collecting duct of the kidney?
A. Aldosterone
B. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide
C. Renin
D. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Answer: D
Rationale: ADH increases water permeability in the kidneys, leading to water
reabsorption.
, 6. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of Left Heart Failure?
A. Pulmonary edema and crackles
B. Jugular venous distension
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: A
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the lungs, resulting in
pulmonary symptoms.
7. What is the primary cause of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance
B. Obesity
C. Excessive glucagon secretion
D. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Answer: D
Rationale: Type 1 DM is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due to
autoimmune destruction of beta cells.
8. Which acid-base imbalance is characterized by a pH of 7.25 and a PaCO2 of 55
mmHg?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A low pH (<7.35) combined with a high PaCO2 (>45 mmHg) indicates
respiratory acidosis.
1. Which cellular adaptation occurs when there is a replacement of one mature
cell type by another, less mature cell type?
A. Metaplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another,
often as a response to chronic irritation.
2. A patient has a serum sodium level of 155 mEq/L. Which condition does this
reflect?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypernatremia is defined as a serum sodium level greater than 145 mEq/L.
,3. What is the primary characteristic of irreversible cellular injury?
A. Mitochondrial swelling
B. Plasma membrane damage
C. Ribosome detachment
D. Cellular swelling
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe damage to the plasma membrane is a hallmark of irreversible cell injury
and death.
4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves mast
cell degranulation?
A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE
antibodies.
5. Which hormone is responsible for the reabsorption of water in the distal
tubule and collecting duct of the kidney?
A. Aldosterone
B. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide
C. Renin
D. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Answer: D
Rationale: ADH increases water permeability in the kidneys, leading to water
reabsorption.
, 6. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of Left Heart Failure?
A. Pulmonary edema and crackles
B. Jugular venous distension
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: A
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the lungs, resulting in
pulmonary symptoms.
7. What is the primary cause of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance
B. Obesity
C. Excessive glucagon secretion
D. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Answer: D
Rationale: Type 1 DM is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due to
autoimmune destruction of beta cells.
8. Which acid-base imbalance is characterized by a pH of 7.25 and a PaCO2 of 55
mmHg?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A low pH (<7.35) combined with a high PaCO2 (>45 mmHg) indicates
respiratory acidosis.
