WGU D236 Pathophysiology Exam Prep | 350+
Practice QUESTIONs with Correct Answers &
Detailed Explanations 2026/2027 newets latest
updated
QUESTION 1
Which cellular adaptation occurs in the left ventricle of an individual
with chronic, uncontrolled systemic hypertension?
• A. Atrophy
• B. Hypertrophy
• C. Hyperplasia
• D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Detailed Rationale: Because mature cardiac myocytes have a limited
capacity to divide, increased workload (afterload) forces existing cells to
increase in size rather than number, resulting in myocardial
hypertrophy.
QUESTION 2
What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism responsible for the
formation of dependent pitting edema in a patient with right-sided
heart failure?
• A. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
, • B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure due to systemic venous
congestion
• C. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure resulting from liver protein
loss
• D. Enhanced lymphatic drainage clearing interstitial fluid
Correct Answer: B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure due to
systemic venous congestion
Detailed Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes blood to back up
into the systemic venous system, elevating capillary hydrostatic
pressure. This pushes excess fluid out of the capillaries and into the
interstitial space, forming pitting edema.
QUESTION 3
What is the inheritance risk when a female carrier of an X-linked
recessive disorder (such as Hemophilia A) and an unaffected male have
children?
• A. 50% chance for each son to be affected, and 50% chance for
each daughter to be a carrier
• B. 25% chance for all children to be affected regardless of sex
• C. 100% chance for daughters to be affected and 0% for sons
• D. 50% chance for daughters to be affected and 0% for sons
Correct Answer: A. 50% chance for each son to be affected, and 50%
chance for each daughter to be a carrier
Detailed Rationale: A carrier mother passes one of her two X
chromosomes randomly. Sons have a 50% chance of inheriting the
,mutated X (and being affected since they only have one X), while
daughters have a 50% chance of becoming carriers.
QUESTION 4
Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is exemplified by an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction following the administration of
mismatched blood types?
• A. Type I
• B. Type II
• C. Type III
• D. Type IV
Correct Answer: B. Type II
Detailed Rationale: Type II hypersensitivity involves cytotoxic reactions
where IgG or IgM antibodies bind to antigens on target cell surfaces
(such as red blood cells), activating the complement system and leading
to cell lysis.
QUESTION 5
A patient presents with severe, persistent vomiting over several days.
Which acid-base imbalance is most likely to develop?
• A. Respiratory acidosis
• B. Respiratory alkalosis
• C. Metabolic acidosis
• D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic alkalosis
, Detailed Rationale: Gastric secretions contain high concentrations of
hydrochloric acid (𝐻𝐶𝑙). Vomiting results in the loss of hydrogen ions
and chloride from the body, leaving an excess of bicarbonate and
triggering metabolic alkalosis.
QUESTION 6
What is the primary cellular role of foam cells in the early development
of an atherosclerotic plaque?
• A. Macrophages that have engulfed large amounts of oxidized LDL
cholesterol
• B. Smooth muscle cells that have migrated from the tunica media
to form a fibrous cap
• C. Endothelial cells undergoing apoptosis due to mechanical shear
stress
• D. Platelets forming a localized micro-thrombus over an injured
area
Correct Answer: A. Macrophages that have engulfed large amounts of
oxidized LDL cholesterol
Detailed Rationale: Early in atherosclerosis, monocytes migrate into the
arterial intima and transform into macrophages, which engulf large
quantities of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) until they look
foamy under a microscope, forming fatty streaks.
QUESTION 7
Which compensatory peptide hormone is released by the ventricles of
the heart in response to stretching caused by increased blood volume
and pressure overload?
Practice QUESTIONs with Correct Answers &
Detailed Explanations 2026/2027 newets latest
updated
QUESTION 1
Which cellular adaptation occurs in the left ventricle of an individual
with chronic, uncontrolled systemic hypertension?
• A. Atrophy
• B. Hypertrophy
• C. Hyperplasia
• D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hypertrophy
Detailed Rationale: Because mature cardiac myocytes have a limited
capacity to divide, increased workload (afterload) forces existing cells to
increase in size rather than number, resulting in myocardial
hypertrophy.
QUESTION 2
What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism responsible for the
formation of dependent pitting edema in a patient with right-sided
heart failure?
• A. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
, • B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure due to systemic venous
congestion
• C. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure resulting from liver protein
loss
• D. Enhanced lymphatic drainage clearing interstitial fluid
Correct Answer: B. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure due to
systemic venous congestion
Detailed Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes blood to back up
into the systemic venous system, elevating capillary hydrostatic
pressure. This pushes excess fluid out of the capillaries and into the
interstitial space, forming pitting edema.
QUESTION 3
What is the inheritance risk when a female carrier of an X-linked
recessive disorder (such as Hemophilia A) and an unaffected male have
children?
• A. 50% chance for each son to be affected, and 50% chance for
each daughter to be a carrier
• B. 25% chance for all children to be affected regardless of sex
• C. 100% chance for daughters to be affected and 0% for sons
• D. 50% chance for daughters to be affected and 0% for sons
Correct Answer: A. 50% chance for each son to be affected, and 50%
chance for each daughter to be a carrier
Detailed Rationale: A carrier mother passes one of her two X
chromosomes randomly. Sons have a 50% chance of inheriting the
,mutated X (and being affected since they only have one X), while
daughters have a 50% chance of becoming carriers.
QUESTION 4
Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is exemplified by an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction following the administration of
mismatched blood types?
• A. Type I
• B. Type II
• C. Type III
• D. Type IV
Correct Answer: B. Type II
Detailed Rationale: Type II hypersensitivity involves cytotoxic reactions
where IgG or IgM antibodies bind to antigens on target cell surfaces
(such as red blood cells), activating the complement system and leading
to cell lysis.
QUESTION 5
A patient presents with severe, persistent vomiting over several days.
Which acid-base imbalance is most likely to develop?
• A. Respiratory acidosis
• B. Respiratory alkalosis
• C. Metabolic acidosis
• D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic alkalosis
, Detailed Rationale: Gastric secretions contain high concentrations of
hydrochloric acid (𝐻𝐶𝑙). Vomiting results in the loss of hydrogen ions
and chloride from the body, leaving an excess of bicarbonate and
triggering metabolic alkalosis.
QUESTION 6
What is the primary cellular role of foam cells in the early development
of an atherosclerotic plaque?
• A. Macrophages that have engulfed large amounts of oxidized LDL
cholesterol
• B. Smooth muscle cells that have migrated from the tunica media
to form a fibrous cap
• C. Endothelial cells undergoing apoptosis due to mechanical shear
stress
• D. Platelets forming a localized micro-thrombus over an injured
area
Correct Answer: A. Macrophages that have engulfed large amounts of
oxidized LDL cholesterol
Detailed Rationale: Early in atherosclerosis, monocytes migrate into the
arterial intima and transform into macrophages, which engulf large
quantities of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) until they look
foamy under a microscope, forming fatty streaks.
QUESTION 7
Which compensatory peptide hormone is released by the ventricles of
the heart in response to stretching caused by increased blood volume
and pressure overload?
