WGU D115 Advanced Pathophysiology Test bank
graded A+ 2025: neurology, reproductive,
endocrine, respiratory, integumentary
What are the two main components of the nervous system? - Answer- The central nervous
system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of? - Answer- The brain and spinal cord.
What is the primary cell type in the nervous system? - Answer- Neurons.
What are the three components of a neuron? - Answer- Cell body (soma), dendrites, and
axons.
What is the role of neuroglial cells? - Answer- They provide structural support, protection,
and nutrition for neurons.
Name two types of neuroglial cells found in the CNS. - Answer- Astrocytes and
oligodendrocytes.
What is the resting membrane potential? - Answer- The electrical potential maintained by an
unexcited neuron.
What is the all-or-none response in neurons? - Answer- The action potential response occurs
only when the stimulus is strong enough.
What is a synapse? - Answer- The region between adjacent neurons where impulses are
transmitted.
,What is synaptic plasticity? - Answer- The ability of brain synapses to change in strength and
number throughout life.
What are neurotransmitters? - Answer- Chemicals synthesized in neurons that transmit
signals across synapses.
What is the function of acetylcholine? - Answer- It can be excitatory or inhibitory and is
involved in memory and muscle activation.
What neurological disorder is associated with decreased acetylcholine? - Answer-
Alzheimer's disease.
What is norepinephrine's role in the nervous system? - Answer- It can be excitatory or
inhibitory and is altered in depressive and anxiety disorders.
What is the primary function of serotonin? - Answer- It is primarily inhibitory and involved in
mood regulation, anxiety, and sleep.
What effect does dopamine have in the nervous system? - Answer- It is excitatory and
associated with movement; its destruction leads to Parkinson's disease.
What is gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) known for? - Answer- It is an inhibitory
neurotransmitter that counteracts neuronal excitation.
What is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)? - Answer- A medical emergency caused by sudden
neurologic dysfunction due to brain ischemia.
What are the two main categories of stroke? - Answer- Hemorrhagic and ischemic.
,What causes an ischemic stroke? - Answer- Focal brain ischemia lasting more than 24 hours
or evidence of acute infarction.
What is the primary cause of intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke? - Answer- Chronic
hypertension.
What is a thrombotic stroke? - Answer- A stroke caused by arterial obstruction due to
thrombus formation.
What is an embolic stroke? - Answer- A stroke caused by fragments that break off from a
thrombus formed outside the brain.
What is the penumbra in relation to cerebral infarction? - Answer- The area surrounding the
core of irreversible ischemia that may still be salvageable.
What triggers the autoregulatory mechanisms of collateral circulation? - Answer- A
reduction in cerebral blood flow.
What are transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)? - Answer- Early symptoms of reduced blood flow
that may precede a stroke.
What happens to nerve cells if mechanisms are ineffective during a transient ischemic attack
(TIA)? - Answer- Electrical failure of nerve cells begins.
How long can it take for irreversible cell death to occur due to hypoxia? - Answer- Within 5
minutes.
When does cerebral edema peak after a stroke? - Answer- About 72 hours.
, What are some risk factors for stroke? - Answer- Poorly controlled hypertension, smoking,
diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, and obesity.
What is one potential consequence of sleep-disordered breathing related to stroke? -
Answer- It may precede stroke and contribute to its development.
What are common signs and symptoms of a stroke? - Answer- Episodic headache, vision
changes, speech disturbances, weakness, confusion, and change in level of consciousness.
What is a significant characteristic of a headache associated with stroke rupture? - Answer-
Described as the worst headache ever experienced.
What is the role of the basal ganglia in movement? - Answer- It is important for movement
and the dopamine system.
What is Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- A chronic neurologic condition resulting from the
destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
What are the histologic features of Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- Depigmentation of the
substantia nigra and presence of Lewy bodies.
What neurotransmitter imbalance occurs in Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- A deficiency of
dopamine leads to an imbalance with acetylcholine.
What are some risk factors for developing Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- Age, genetics,
stress, depression, and exposure to toxins.
What are the cardinal signs of Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- Involuntary resting tremor,
muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.
graded A+ 2025: neurology, reproductive,
endocrine, respiratory, integumentary
What are the two main components of the nervous system? - Answer- The central nervous
system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of? - Answer- The brain and spinal cord.
What is the primary cell type in the nervous system? - Answer- Neurons.
What are the three components of a neuron? - Answer- Cell body (soma), dendrites, and
axons.
What is the role of neuroglial cells? - Answer- They provide structural support, protection,
and nutrition for neurons.
Name two types of neuroglial cells found in the CNS. - Answer- Astrocytes and
oligodendrocytes.
What is the resting membrane potential? - Answer- The electrical potential maintained by an
unexcited neuron.
What is the all-or-none response in neurons? - Answer- The action potential response occurs
only when the stimulus is strong enough.
What is a synapse? - Answer- The region between adjacent neurons where impulses are
transmitted.
,What is synaptic plasticity? - Answer- The ability of brain synapses to change in strength and
number throughout life.
What are neurotransmitters? - Answer- Chemicals synthesized in neurons that transmit
signals across synapses.
What is the function of acetylcholine? - Answer- It can be excitatory or inhibitory and is
involved in memory and muscle activation.
What neurological disorder is associated with decreased acetylcholine? - Answer-
Alzheimer's disease.
What is norepinephrine's role in the nervous system? - Answer- It can be excitatory or
inhibitory and is altered in depressive and anxiety disorders.
What is the primary function of serotonin? - Answer- It is primarily inhibitory and involved in
mood regulation, anxiety, and sleep.
What effect does dopamine have in the nervous system? - Answer- It is excitatory and
associated with movement; its destruction leads to Parkinson's disease.
What is gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) known for? - Answer- It is an inhibitory
neurotransmitter that counteracts neuronal excitation.
What is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)? - Answer- A medical emergency caused by sudden
neurologic dysfunction due to brain ischemia.
What are the two main categories of stroke? - Answer- Hemorrhagic and ischemic.
,What causes an ischemic stroke? - Answer- Focal brain ischemia lasting more than 24 hours
or evidence of acute infarction.
What is the primary cause of intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke? - Answer- Chronic
hypertension.
What is a thrombotic stroke? - Answer- A stroke caused by arterial obstruction due to
thrombus formation.
What is an embolic stroke? - Answer- A stroke caused by fragments that break off from a
thrombus formed outside the brain.
What is the penumbra in relation to cerebral infarction? - Answer- The area surrounding the
core of irreversible ischemia that may still be salvageable.
What triggers the autoregulatory mechanisms of collateral circulation? - Answer- A
reduction in cerebral blood flow.
What are transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)? - Answer- Early symptoms of reduced blood flow
that may precede a stroke.
What happens to nerve cells if mechanisms are ineffective during a transient ischemic attack
(TIA)? - Answer- Electrical failure of nerve cells begins.
How long can it take for irreversible cell death to occur due to hypoxia? - Answer- Within 5
minutes.
When does cerebral edema peak after a stroke? - Answer- About 72 hours.
, What are some risk factors for stroke? - Answer- Poorly controlled hypertension, smoking,
diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, and obesity.
What is one potential consequence of sleep-disordered breathing related to stroke? -
Answer- It may precede stroke and contribute to its development.
What are common signs and symptoms of a stroke? - Answer- Episodic headache, vision
changes, speech disturbances, weakness, confusion, and change in level of consciousness.
What is a significant characteristic of a headache associated with stroke rupture? - Answer-
Described as the worst headache ever experienced.
What is the role of the basal ganglia in movement? - Answer- It is important for movement
and the dopamine system.
What is Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- A chronic neurologic condition resulting from the
destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
What are the histologic features of Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- Depigmentation of the
substantia nigra and presence of Lewy bodies.
What neurotransmitter imbalance occurs in Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- A deficiency of
dopamine leads to an imbalance with acetylcholine.
What are some risk factors for developing Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- Age, genetics,
stress, depression, and exposure to toxins.
What are the cardinal signs of Parkinson's Disease? - Answer- Involuntary resting tremor,
muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.
