WGU D236 Patho Study Guide
____ deficiency is the most common cause of a goiter - ANS - Iodine
- the body needs iodine to produce thyroid hormone
____ disorders, such as asthma or COPD, make it difficult for the individual to fully
exhale carbon dioxide and may also make inhalation difficult - ANS - Obstructive
____ disorders, such as pneumothorax, make it difficult for the lungs to fully expand for
ventilation - ANS - Restrictive
____ is used to detect AVN - ANS - MRI
____ regulates blood calcium by stimulated bone remodeling, triggering vitamin D
synthesis in the kidney, enhancing GI absorption of calcium and reabsorbing calcium in
the kidney - ANS - PTH
_____ controls osmotic pressure in vascular system, builds volume - ANS - Albumin
*NOTE* 1 question about the causes of bells palsy, one was viral and I believe the other
was autoimmune - ANS -
*NOTE* I don't remember the exact question, but one was about a burn that was painful
and wanted to know what the other symptom was that was not listed, so just know the
symptoms of each burn category that is painful. - ANS -
*NOTE* One question was about 2 diseases that fall under COPD: asthma and
emphysema - ANS -
*NOTE* One question was about a cancer that you needed a transurethral resection of
the tumor, I believe the answer was bladder - ANS - Transurethral resection of bladder
tumor (TURBT) allows your surgeon to biopsy your tumor, or remove an entire small
tumor from the inside of your bladder, while leaving the bladder intact. TURBT is
essential to obtain a biopsy to confirm the cancer diagnosis and determine the stage
and grade of your cancer.
,*NOTE* One question was about someone coming into the ER with a head injury, know
the s/s of concussion and contusion - ANS -
*NOTE* there are several questions about signs and symptoms of different electrolyte
imbalances - ANS -
*NOTE* There was 4 questions about ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes - ANS -
*NOTE* There was a question about a disease with ascites and jaundice, I believe the
answer was cirrhosis - ANS -
4 types of intracranial bleeds - ANS - includes: epidural, subdural and subarachnoid
hemorrhages and hematomas
A female patient presents with irregular menstrual cycles and hirsutism. Lab work
reveals elevated androgen levels. Which is the most likely diagnosis for this patient? -
ANS - PCOS
A hormonal panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and fluid volume
overload. Which elevated hormone on the patient's chart is indicative of the body's
attempt to reduce the fluid overload? - ANS - BNP - it's released when fluid volume
excess is present
A patient asks the provider about a new diagnosis of aortic stenosis. What does the
provider explain about stenosis? - ANS - It is a thickening and narrowing of the valve
that decreases the ability of blood to move through the valve
A patient has been diagnosed with ESRD and will be undergoing hemodialysis. Which
is true of hemodialysis? - ANS - it can cause significant fluid shifts and place the client
at risk for hypotension
A patient has been diagnosed with pyelonephritis and asks the provider to explain the
condition. What is the best response? - ANS - "Pyelonephritis is an infection of the
kidney that most commonly is caused by a bacterium called E. coli."
- inflammation of the kidneys
- Tx: abx, usually hospitalization
A patient has been diagnosed with renal cancer. What manifestation would the provider
expect to see? - ANS - Hematuria
,- although renal cancers may be asymptomatic, hematuria is a common sign associated
with renal cancer
A patient is diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When evaluating the cbc,
what does the provider expect to see and why? - ANS - A low rbc count because the
cancerous lymphoblast crowd out healthy bone marrow tissue
A patient presents to the clinic with a blood pressure of 178/92. When repeated 10
minutes later it's 176/96. The patient denies experiencing a headache, chest pain, or
visual disturbances. What is the patient experiencing? - ANS - HTN stage 2
- The clients bp meets the criteria of systolic >140, diastolic >90
A patient presents with a blood pressure of 204/102 mmHg. The patient complains of
chest palpitations, a headache and blurred vision. What is the patient experiencing? -
ANS - Hypertensive crisis
Systolic pressure >180 with symptoms of organ damage indicates hypertensive crisis
A patient presents with a puffy face, acne, elevated BP, and muscle weakness. What
disorder is consistent with this patient's symptoms? - ANS - Cushing's
A patient presents with acute pelvic pain and fevers. Testing reveals the presence of N.
gonorrhoeae. MRI reveals thickened, inflamed fallopian tubes and uterus. Which
diagnosis is consistent with these manifestations?q - ANS - PID
A patient presents with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting following several
days of heavy alcohol intake. The provider notes a dark-blue discoloration around the
umbilicus (Cullen's sign). What is the patient most likely experiencing? - ANS - Acute
pancreatitis
A patient presents with severe left-sided flank pain. The patient was working extensively
outside yesterday on a hot day and did not drink much water. The patient's medication
list indicates regular use of a calcium-containing antacid for heartburn. Which disorder is
the patient most likely experiencing? - ANS - Renal calculi
- dehydration combined with high dietary intake of calcium
A patient reports a family hx of renal cancer to the provider and asks how to reduce the
risk of experiencing renal cancer. What advice should the provider include in patient
teaching? - ANS - Do not smoke tobacco and avoid exposure to second hand smoke,
, maintain a healthy weight, air for a blood pressure of <130/80, an test your urine for
blood yearly
A patient was recently diagnosed with HIV and asks the provider to explain the concept
of immunodeficiency and how it is caused by HIV. What is the best response by the
provider? - ANS - The virus targets your CD4 cells. Without these cells, your immune
system has a hard time fighting off infection
A patient was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. Which type of cell does the provider
know this is a cancer of? - ANS - Lymphocytes
A patient who recently underwent a knee replacement suddenly complains of severe
shortness of breath and anxiety. Which disorder is the most likely cause of the patient's
symptoms? - ANS - Pulmonary embolism
Patients are at risk for thrombosis and embolism following a major orthopedic surgery,
like a knee replacement. The patient's sudden onset of symptoms suggests PE
A patient with a hx of MS presents with a fever, nausea, and vomiting that began
several days ago. The patient also reports mid flank pain. Which disorder is the patient
most likely experiencing? - ANS - Pyelonephritis
- hx of MS has a risk for nerogenic bladder, combined with indications of infection
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and a blood
pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does the patient have?
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis - ANS - Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 level are both elevating (moving in the same direction). This
indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because her respiratory system is
attempting to compensate for the high pH by exhaling less and retaining more CO2
A provider is providing care for a patient following a hemorrhagic CVA. The patient asks
the provider to explain what happened during the CVA. Which response by the provider
is best? - ANS - "A blood vessel in your brain broke open, causing bleeding in your
brain and a lack of blood flow to an area."
____ deficiency is the most common cause of a goiter - ANS - Iodine
- the body needs iodine to produce thyroid hormone
____ disorders, such as asthma or COPD, make it difficult for the individual to fully
exhale carbon dioxide and may also make inhalation difficult - ANS - Obstructive
____ disorders, such as pneumothorax, make it difficult for the lungs to fully expand for
ventilation - ANS - Restrictive
____ is used to detect AVN - ANS - MRI
____ regulates blood calcium by stimulated bone remodeling, triggering vitamin D
synthesis in the kidney, enhancing GI absorption of calcium and reabsorbing calcium in
the kidney - ANS - PTH
_____ controls osmotic pressure in vascular system, builds volume - ANS - Albumin
*NOTE* 1 question about the causes of bells palsy, one was viral and I believe the other
was autoimmune - ANS -
*NOTE* I don't remember the exact question, but one was about a burn that was painful
and wanted to know what the other symptom was that was not listed, so just know the
symptoms of each burn category that is painful. - ANS -
*NOTE* One question was about 2 diseases that fall under COPD: asthma and
emphysema - ANS -
*NOTE* One question was about a cancer that you needed a transurethral resection of
the tumor, I believe the answer was bladder - ANS - Transurethral resection of bladder
tumor (TURBT) allows your surgeon to biopsy your tumor, or remove an entire small
tumor from the inside of your bladder, while leaving the bladder intact. TURBT is
essential to obtain a biopsy to confirm the cancer diagnosis and determine the stage
and grade of your cancer.
,*NOTE* One question was about someone coming into the ER with a head injury, know
the s/s of concussion and contusion - ANS -
*NOTE* there are several questions about signs and symptoms of different electrolyte
imbalances - ANS -
*NOTE* There was 4 questions about ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes - ANS -
*NOTE* There was a question about a disease with ascites and jaundice, I believe the
answer was cirrhosis - ANS -
4 types of intracranial bleeds - ANS - includes: epidural, subdural and subarachnoid
hemorrhages and hematomas
A female patient presents with irregular menstrual cycles and hirsutism. Lab work
reveals elevated androgen levels. Which is the most likely diagnosis for this patient? -
ANS - PCOS
A hormonal panel was done on a patient with congestive heart failure and fluid volume
overload. Which elevated hormone on the patient's chart is indicative of the body's
attempt to reduce the fluid overload? - ANS - BNP - it's released when fluid volume
excess is present
A patient asks the provider about a new diagnosis of aortic stenosis. What does the
provider explain about stenosis? - ANS - It is a thickening and narrowing of the valve
that decreases the ability of blood to move through the valve
A patient has been diagnosed with ESRD and will be undergoing hemodialysis. Which
is true of hemodialysis? - ANS - it can cause significant fluid shifts and place the client
at risk for hypotension
A patient has been diagnosed with pyelonephritis and asks the provider to explain the
condition. What is the best response? - ANS - "Pyelonephritis is an infection of the
kidney that most commonly is caused by a bacterium called E. coli."
- inflammation of the kidneys
- Tx: abx, usually hospitalization
A patient has been diagnosed with renal cancer. What manifestation would the provider
expect to see? - ANS - Hematuria
,- although renal cancers may be asymptomatic, hematuria is a common sign associated
with renal cancer
A patient is diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When evaluating the cbc,
what does the provider expect to see and why? - ANS - A low rbc count because the
cancerous lymphoblast crowd out healthy bone marrow tissue
A patient presents to the clinic with a blood pressure of 178/92. When repeated 10
minutes later it's 176/96. The patient denies experiencing a headache, chest pain, or
visual disturbances. What is the patient experiencing? - ANS - HTN stage 2
- The clients bp meets the criteria of systolic >140, diastolic >90
A patient presents with a blood pressure of 204/102 mmHg. The patient complains of
chest palpitations, a headache and blurred vision. What is the patient experiencing? -
ANS - Hypertensive crisis
Systolic pressure >180 with symptoms of organ damage indicates hypertensive crisis
A patient presents with a puffy face, acne, elevated BP, and muscle weakness. What
disorder is consistent with this patient's symptoms? - ANS - Cushing's
A patient presents with acute pelvic pain and fevers. Testing reveals the presence of N.
gonorrhoeae. MRI reveals thickened, inflamed fallopian tubes and uterus. Which
diagnosis is consistent with these manifestations?q - ANS - PID
A patient presents with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting following several
days of heavy alcohol intake. The provider notes a dark-blue discoloration around the
umbilicus (Cullen's sign). What is the patient most likely experiencing? - ANS - Acute
pancreatitis
A patient presents with severe left-sided flank pain. The patient was working extensively
outside yesterday on a hot day and did not drink much water. The patient's medication
list indicates regular use of a calcium-containing antacid for heartburn. Which disorder is
the patient most likely experiencing? - ANS - Renal calculi
- dehydration combined with high dietary intake of calcium
A patient reports a family hx of renal cancer to the provider and asks how to reduce the
risk of experiencing renal cancer. What advice should the provider include in patient
teaching? - ANS - Do not smoke tobacco and avoid exposure to second hand smoke,
, maintain a healthy weight, air for a blood pressure of <130/80, an test your urine for
blood yearly
A patient was recently diagnosed with HIV and asks the provider to explain the concept
of immunodeficiency and how it is caused by HIV. What is the best response by the
provider? - ANS - The virus targets your CD4 cells. Without these cells, your immune
system has a hard time fighting off infection
A patient was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. Which type of cell does the provider
know this is a cancer of? - ANS - Lymphocytes
A patient who recently underwent a knee replacement suddenly complains of severe
shortness of breath and anxiety. Which disorder is the most likely cause of the patient's
symptoms? - ANS - Pulmonary embolism
Patients are at risk for thrombosis and embolism following a major orthopedic surgery,
like a knee replacement. The patient's sudden onset of symptoms suggests PE
A patient with a hx of MS presents with a fever, nausea, and vomiting that began
several days ago. The patient also reports mid flank pain. Which disorder is the patient
most likely experiencing? - ANS - Pyelonephritis
- hx of MS has a risk for nerogenic bladder, combined with indications of infection
A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated CO2 level and a blood
pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition does the patient have?
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis - ANS - Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 level are both elevating (moving in the same direction). This
indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is high because her respiratory system is
attempting to compensate for the high pH by exhaling less and retaining more CO2
A provider is providing care for a patient following a hemorrhagic CVA. The patient asks
the provider to explain what happened during the CVA. Which response by the provider
is best? - ANS - "A blood vessel in your brain broke open, causing bleeding in your
brain and a lack of blood flow to an area."
