WGU D115 OA PRE – ASSESSMENT EXAM 60 QUESTIONS /
WGU D115 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2025
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is consulting with a teen patient who has
recently learned that she is pregnant. The APRN knows that a certain medication taken by
the patient can contribute to the development of congenital malformations in the fetus. The
APRN reviews the patient's current medication list and finds one medication that is a
concern.
Which medication is the APRN concerned about?
• Clindamycin
• Bisphenol A
• Retinoic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
2
A newborn's screening for cystic fibrosis is positive. An advanced practice registered nurse
(APRN) is reviewing screening results and taking a comprehensive genetic screening of the
parents. The APRN asks the parents questions to help determine the transmission of this
disease.
Which question should the APRN ask?
• "Are either of you showing symptoms of cystic fibrosis?"
• "Do you wish to have maternal genetic testing done?"
• "Do any of your siblings have cystic fibrosis?"
• "Are you both the genetic donor parents?"
3
A 30-day-old infant presents to the emergency room with decreased oral intake, decreased
urine output, and a fever of 101.8. The infant is admitted for further evaluation with a
workup to include a blood culture, a urine culture, a spinal tap, and a chest X-ray.
Which issue of innate immunity, as it relates to neonates, is of concern?
, • High levels of mannose-binding lectin
• Relative deficiency of factor B
• Dysfunctional chemotactic factor response
• Excess collectin and collectin-like protein
4
A 12-year-old African American patient presents with unilateral eye swelling and lower lip
swelling. The patient's parent reports that the swelling is spontaneous and resolves over
several days. The patient does not have complaints of fever, hives, or vomiting. Serum lab
results show hyperactivation of three plasma protein systems. The APRN suspects
hereditary angioedema.
What is the cause of the genetic defect suspected in this situation?
• Plasminogen
• Bradykinin
• Hageman factor
• C1 esterase inhibitor
5
The parent of a child diagnosed with Down syndrome expresses concerns about the child's
recurrent respiratory tract infections to an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). The
infections have occurred regularly since birth.
What should the APRN tell the parent is the underlying cause of this illness?
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes aspiration of thin fluids.
• Hypertonia causes airway restriction.
• Short stature causes poor lung development.
• Hyperthyroidism causes an increased risk of infection.
6
A 36-year-old patient is being seen by an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in a
primary care clinic for the first time. The patient reports feeling depressed due to a major
life change. Additional symptoms include weight gain, sedentary activity, and insomnia. The
APRN plans on providing the patient with several exercises to reduce the physiological
effect of stress.
Why is the APRN concerned about relieving this emotional response?
, • It increases protein synthesis.
• It decreases glucose uptake.
• It increases smooth muscle contraction.
7
An 80-year-old patient brings her grandchildren with her to a routine medical appointment.
The patient has moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is concerned
about developing pneumonia because of its increased incidence at the senior center.
What should the nurse practitioner recommend for this patient?
• Undergoing prophylactic anticoagulation
• Increasing inhaler use to four times daily
• Getting an annual influenza vaccine
• Avoiding her grandchildren this winter
8
An advanced practice nurse (APRN) is working with a patient who is choosing to undergo
breast removal due to family history of breast cancer. The patient's genetic testing revealed
an abnormal BRCA1. The patient shares with the APRN that she is relieved that she will not
need to worry about cancer once the breast tissue is removed. The APRN proceeds to
educate the patient about additional risks.
Which other type of cancer is the patient at risk for developing?
• Brain
• Liver
• Ovarian
• Bladder
9
A patient presents to the hospital complaining of blurred vision, muscle weaknesses,
impaired gait, and fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. The patient has a history of smoking
and vitamin D deficiency. Extensive diagnostic testing and a comprehensive neurological
assessment reveals a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Which pathological mechanism will support this diagnosis?
• A defect in nerve impulse transmission at the neuromuscular junction
WGU D115 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2025
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is consulting with a teen patient who has
recently learned that she is pregnant. The APRN knows that a certain medication taken by
the patient can contribute to the development of congenital malformations in the fetus. The
APRN reviews the patient's current medication list and finds one medication that is a
concern.
Which medication is the APRN concerned about?
• Clindamycin
• Bisphenol A
• Retinoic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
2
A newborn's screening for cystic fibrosis is positive. An advanced practice registered nurse
(APRN) is reviewing screening results and taking a comprehensive genetic screening of the
parents. The APRN asks the parents questions to help determine the transmission of this
disease.
Which question should the APRN ask?
• "Are either of you showing symptoms of cystic fibrosis?"
• "Do you wish to have maternal genetic testing done?"
• "Do any of your siblings have cystic fibrosis?"
• "Are you both the genetic donor parents?"
3
A 30-day-old infant presents to the emergency room with decreased oral intake, decreased
urine output, and a fever of 101.8. The infant is admitted for further evaluation with a
workup to include a blood culture, a urine culture, a spinal tap, and a chest X-ray.
Which issue of innate immunity, as it relates to neonates, is of concern?
, • High levels of mannose-binding lectin
• Relative deficiency of factor B
• Dysfunctional chemotactic factor response
• Excess collectin and collectin-like protein
4
A 12-year-old African American patient presents with unilateral eye swelling and lower lip
swelling. The patient's parent reports that the swelling is spontaneous and resolves over
several days. The patient does not have complaints of fever, hives, or vomiting. Serum lab
results show hyperactivation of three plasma protein systems. The APRN suspects
hereditary angioedema.
What is the cause of the genetic defect suspected in this situation?
• Plasminogen
• Bradykinin
• Hageman factor
• C1 esterase inhibitor
5
The parent of a child diagnosed with Down syndrome expresses concerns about the child's
recurrent respiratory tract infections to an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). The
infections have occurred regularly since birth.
What should the APRN tell the parent is the underlying cause of this illness?
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes aspiration of thin fluids.
• Hypertonia causes airway restriction.
• Short stature causes poor lung development.
• Hyperthyroidism causes an increased risk of infection.
6
A 36-year-old patient is being seen by an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in a
primary care clinic for the first time. The patient reports feeling depressed due to a major
life change. Additional symptoms include weight gain, sedentary activity, and insomnia. The
APRN plans on providing the patient with several exercises to reduce the physiological
effect of stress.
Why is the APRN concerned about relieving this emotional response?
, • It increases protein synthesis.
• It decreases glucose uptake.
• It increases smooth muscle contraction.
7
An 80-year-old patient brings her grandchildren with her to a routine medical appointment.
The patient has moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is concerned
about developing pneumonia because of its increased incidence at the senior center.
What should the nurse practitioner recommend for this patient?
• Undergoing prophylactic anticoagulation
• Increasing inhaler use to four times daily
• Getting an annual influenza vaccine
• Avoiding her grandchildren this winter
8
An advanced practice nurse (APRN) is working with a patient who is choosing to undergo
breast removal due to family history of breast cancer. The patient's genetic testing revealed
an abnormal BRCA1. The patient shares with the APRN that she is relieved that she will not
need to worry about cancer once the breast tissue is removed. The APRN proceeds to
educate the patient about additional risks.
Which other type of cancer is the patient at risk for developing?
• Brain
• Liver
• Ovarian
• Bladder
9
A patient presents to the hospital complaining of blurred vision, muscle weaknesses,
impaired gait, and fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. The patient has a history of smoking
and vitamin D deficiency. Extensive diagnostic testing and a comprehensive neurological
assessment reveals a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Which pathological mechanism will support this diagnosis?
• A defect in nerve impulse transmission at the neuromuscular junction
