WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
MASTERY OA EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. Biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, usually in response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. In the process of programmed cell death, which enzyme family is responsible for the
systematic dismantling of the cell?
A. Kinases
,B. Amylases
C. Caspases
D. Lipases
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Caspases are proteolytic enzymes that play a central role in the
execution of apoptosis.
3. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by ionizing radiation?
A. DNA fragmentation via free radical production
B. Direct inhibition of ATP synthesis
C. Rupture of the lysosomal membrane
D. Extracellular calcium influx
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Ionizing radiation causes water radiolysis, leading to the
formation of free radicals that damage DNA.
4. A patient with heart failure has an increased workload on the left ventricle, leading to an
increase in the size of the myocardial cells. This is an example of:
A. Physiological Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
, C. Metaplasia
D. Pathological Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size. In the heart, increased
workload leads to pathological hypertrophy.
5. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain due to the high lipid
content and lack of connective tissue structure.
6. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of Type I Hypersensitivity?
A. Antigen-antibody complexes depositing in tissues
B. IgE binding to mast cells and releasing histamine
C. T-cell mediated destruction of host cells
D. IgG antibodies attacking cell surface receptors
MASTERY OA EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A 55-year-old male smoker presents with a persistent cough. Biopsy of his bronchial
epithelium reveals that normal columnar ciliated cells have been replaced by stratified
squamous cells. What is this cellular adaptation called?
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Anaplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, usually in response to chronic irritation like smoking.
2. In the process of programmed cell death, which enzyme family is responsible for the
systematic dismantling of the cell?
A. Kinases
,B. Amylases
C. Caspases
D. Lipases
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Caspases are proteolytic enzymes that play a central role in the
execution of apoptosis.
3. What is the primary mechanism of cellular injury caused by ionizing radiation?
A. DNA fragmentation via free radical production
B. Direct inhibition of ATP synthesis
C. Rupture of the lysosomal membrane
D. Extracellular calcium influx
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Ionizing radiation causes water radiolysis, leading to the
formation of free radicals that damage DNA.
4. A patient with heart failure has an increased workload on the left ventricle, leading to an
increase in the size of the myocardial cells. This is an example of:
A. Physiological Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
, C. Metaplasia
D. Pathological Hypertrophy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size. In the heart, increased
workload leads to pathological hypertrophy.
5. Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with hypoxic injury in the brain?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Caseous necrosis
C. Liquefactive necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain due to the high lipid
content and lack of connective tissue structure.
6. Which of the following describes the pathophysiology of Type I Hypersensitivity?
A. Antigen-antibody complexes depositing in tissues
B. IgE binding to mast cells and releasing histamine
C. T-cell mediated destruction of host cells
D. IgG antibodies attacking cell surface receptors
