WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s biopsy reveals that columnar epithelial cells in the esophagus have been
replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This process is best described as:
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation.
2. Which of the following processes is characterized by the programmed death of a cell
without an inflammatory response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
,C. Autophagy
D. Infarction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a distinct type of cell death that is programmed and
does not typically trigger an inflammatory response, unlike necrosis.
3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
What is the acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (normal
35-45) indicates the cause is respiratory.
4. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which EKG change is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
, D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) typically causes peaked T waves on an
EKG due to rapid repolarization.
5. Type I hypersensitivity reactions are mediated by which of the following?
A. IgG
B. IgE
C. IgM
D. Complement system
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type I reactions (allergic/anaphylactic) are mediated by IgE
binding to mast cells and basophils.
6. Which type of shock is primarily caused by a massive release of histamine and other
mediators leading to systemic vasodilation?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Anaphylactic shock
D. Septic shock
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient’s biopsy reveals that columnar epithelial cells in the esophagus have been
replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells. This process is best described as:
A. Atrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type
by another, often as a response to chronic irritation.
2. Which of the following processes is characterized by the programmed death of a cell
without an inflammatory response?
A. Apoptosis
B. Necrosis
,C. Autophagy
D. Infarction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Apoptosis is a distinct type of cell death that is programmed and
does not typically trigger an inflammatory response, unlike necrosis.
3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
What is the acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a high PaCO2 (normal
35-45) indicates the cause is respiratory.
4. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which EKG change is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
, D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) typically causes peaked T waves on an
EKG due to rapid repolarization.
5. Type I hypersensitivity reactions are mediated by which of the following?
A. IgG
B. IgE
C. IgM
D. Complement system
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type I reactions (allergic/anaphylactic) are mediated by IgE
binding to mast cells and basophils.
6. Which type of shock is primarily caused by a massive release of histamine and other
mediators leading to systemic vasodilation?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Anaphylactic shock
D. Septic shock
