WGU D236 – Pathophysiology (Western
Governors University) | Exam 2025/2026 –
Actual Exam Questions, Verified Answers &
Expert Rationales | Grade A Certified
Comprehensive Assessment
Student ID: _________________ Date: _________________
Instructor: [Instructor Name] Course Mentor: [Mentor Name]
Time Limit: 120 minutes Total Points: 100 points
Instructions: This exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, each worth
approximately 1.67 points (totaling 100 points). Select the best answer (A–D) for
each question. Mark your answers clearly. Good luck!
Section 1: Cellular Injury and Adaptation (Questions 1–15)
Question 1
What is the primary mechanism by which cells adapt to chronic hypoxia in tissues?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy involves a decrease in cell size and function due to reduced
nutrient or oxygen supply, such as in chronic hypoxia. This reversible adaptation
conserves energy to maintain cell viability. Hypertrophy increases cell size for
,workload, hyperplasia increases cell number, and metaplasia replaces one cell type
with another.
Question 2
In cellular injury, which process directly results from ATP depletion leading to
sodium-potassium pump failure?
A. Apoptosis
B. Cellular swelling
C. Necrosis
D. Autophagy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ATP depletion impairs the Na+/K+ ATPase pump, causing sodium
influx and water retention, leading to cellular swelling (edema). Apoptosis is
programmed cell death, necrosis is uncontrolled cell death, and autophagy recycles
cellular components, none of which directly result from pump failure.
Question 3
Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with bacterial infections like
tuberculosis?
A. Coagulative
B. Liquefactive
C. Caseous
D. Fat
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Caseous necrosis, characterized by a cheese-like appearance, is typical
in granulomatous infections like tuberculosis due to macrophage activity.
Coagulative necrosis is seen in ischemic tissues, liquefactive in brain or abscesses,
and fat necrosis in pancreatic or breast tissue injury.
Question 4
What is the primary source of free radical production during reperfusion injury?
A. Mitochondrial dysfunction
, B. Lysosomal rupture
C. Endoplasmic reticulum stress
D. Nuclear fragmentation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: During reperfusion, mitochondria generate reactive oxygen species
(ROS) due to restored oxygen reacting with accumulated electrons, causing
oxidative stress. Other options contribute to injury but are not the primary ROS
source.
Question 5
Which cellular adaptation is most likely in cardiac muscle subjected to chronic
hypertension?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy, an increase in cell size, occurs in cardiac muscle to
compensate for increased workload from chronic hypertension. Atrophy reduces
size, dysplasia is abnormal growth, and metaplasia changes cell type.
Question 6
What is the hallmark feature of apoptosis compared to necrosis?
A. Inflammation
B. Cell membrane rupture
C. DNA fragmentation
D. Tissue liquefaction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death with organized DNA
fragmentation, preserving membrane integrity and avoiding inflammation.
Governors University) | Exam 2025/2026 –
Actual Exam Questions, Verified Answers &
Expert Rationales | Grade A Certified
Comprehensive Assessment
Student ID: _________________ Date: _________________
Instructor: [Instructor Name] Course Mentor: [Mentor Name]
Time Limit: 120 minutes Total Points: 100 points
Instructions: This exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, each worth
approximately 1.67 points (totaling 100 points). Select the best answer (A–D) for
each question. Mark your answers clearly. Good luck!
Section 1: Cellular Injury and Adaptation (Questions 1–15)
Question 1
What is the primary mechanism by which cells adapt to chronic hypoxia in tissues?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrophy involves a decrease in cell size and function due to reduced
nutrient or oxygen supply, such as in chronic hypoxia. This reversible adaptation
conserves energy to maintain cell viability. Hypertrophy increases cell size for
,workload, hyperplasia increases cell number, and metaplasia replaces one cell type
with another.
Question 2
In cellular injury, which process directly results from ATP depletion leading to
sodium-potassium pump failure?
A. Apoptosis
B. Cellular swelling
C. Necrosis
D. Autophagy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ATP depletion impairs the Na+/K+ ATPase pump, causing sodium
influx and water retention, leading to cellular swelling (edema). Apoptosis is
programmed cell death, necrosis is uncontrolled cell death, and autophagy recycles
cellular components, none of which directly result from pump failure.
Question 3
Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with bacterial infections like
tuberculosis?
A. Coagulative
B. Liquefactive
C. Caseous
D. Fat
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Caseous necrosis, characterized by a cheese-like appearance, is typical
in granulomatous infections like tuberculosis due to macrophage activity.
Coagulative necrosis is seen in ischemic tissues, liquefactive in brain or abscesses,
and fat necrosis in pancreatic or breast tissue injury.
Question 4
What is the primary source of free radical production during reperfusion injury?
A. Mitochondrial dysfunction
, B. Lysosomal rupture
C. Endoplasmic reticulum stress
D. Nuclear fragmentation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: During reperfusion, mitochondria generate reactive oxygen species
(ROS) due to restored oxygen reacting with accumulated electrons, causing
oxidative stress. Other options contribute to injury but are not the primary ROS
source.
Question 5
Which cellular adaptation is most likely in cardiac muscle subjected to chronic
hypertension?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertrophy, an increase in cell size, occurs in cardiac muscle to
compensate for increased workload from chronic hypertension. Atrophy reduces
size, dysplasia is abnormal growth, and metaplasia changes cell type.
Question 6
What is the hallmark feature of apoptosis compared to necrosis?
A. Inflammation
B. Cell membrane rupture
C. DNA fragmentation
D. Tissue liquefaction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Apoptosis is programmed cell death with organized DNA
fragmentation, preserving membrane integrity and avoiding inflammation.
