WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
VERIFIED 2025/2026.
Homeostasis - ANS process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal
environment
Intracellular Fluid - ANS fluid inside of the cell, 2/3 of body weight
- mainly in muscle cells
Extracellular Fluid - ANS fluid outside of the cell, 1/3 of bodily fluids
- blood vessels
- skin tissues
- spinal cord
Diffusion - ANS Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration.
Osmosis - ANS movement of fluid from an area of lower solute concentration to a higher
concentration
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,Filtration - ANS water and solute movement occurs from an area of high hydrostatic pressure
to an area of low hydrostatic pressure
Osmolality - ANS the number of osmotically active particles per kg of water
Hypertonic - ANS osmolality greater than 300.
Hypotonic - ANS osmolality less than 300.
- osmotic pressure is more significant in the body
- fluids pulled from body into cell
An isotonic solution - ANS 0.09% normal saline
Interferons (IFNs) - ANS type of cytokine that signals cells to increase anti-viral defenses.
- are released by cells that are infected with a virus, causing other cells to become resistant to
the virus
- play a role in tumor suppression
Hypervolemia - ANS fluid volume overload
Edema - ANS swelling of soft tissues because of excess fluid accumulation
Causes of edema include: - ANS -Increased hydrostatic (water) pressure
- Manifestation: High BP and pitting edema
- Renal Failure, Heart Failure
- Decreased colloid osmotic pressure
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,- low albumin
- cirrhosis, starvation
- bacteria infections/burns
- obstruction of lymphatic system (cancer or infection)
Symptoms of edema include: - ANS - weight gain
- hypertension
- jugular vein distention
- ALOC (altered level of consciousness)
- weakness
- increased urine output / or decreased in patients with renal failure
- Rapid RR (resp rate)
- shallow RR
- fluid in lungs
- diarrhea, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), ascites
- low lab values
Hypovolemia - ANS fluid volume deficit
Symptoms of hypovolemia include: - ANS - vomiting
- diarrhea
- hot body & sweating
- fever
- heat stroke
- thyroid crisis
- urination
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, diabetes insipidus (DI) - ANS insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)
Diabetes Ketoacidosis (DKA) - ANS -primary complication of type 1 diabetes
-the body produces excess ketones into the blood
-also referred to as diabetic acidosis or diabetic coma
Diuretics - ANS medications that reduce fluid volume in the body
- increase urine output
Name two diuretics - ANS furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide
Symptoms of 3 D's include: - ANS - weight loss
- water loss
- low BP
- decreased CVP (central venous pressure)
- lethargy to coma
- weakness
- sunken eyes
- dry skin
- rapid and deep RR
- high lab values
Fluid Imbalance - ANS when fluids are gained and lost via the organs such as; the kidneys,
skin, lungs, and g.i. tract
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
VERIFIED 2025/2026.
Homeostasis - ANS process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal
environment
Intracellular Fluid - ANS fluid inside of the cell, 2/3 of body weight
- mainly in muscle cells
Extracellular Fluid - ANS fluid outside of the cell, 1/3 of bodily fluids
- blood vessels
- skin tissues
- spinal cord
Diffusion - ANS Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration.
Osmosis - ANS movement of fluid from an area of lower solute concentration to a higher
concentration
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Filtration - ANS water and solute movement occurs from an area of high hydrostatic pressure
to an area of low hydrostatic pressure
Osmolality - ANS the number of osmotically active particles per kg of water
Hypertonic - ANS osmolality greater than 300.
Hypotonic - ANS osmolality less than 300.
- osmotic pressure is more significant in the body
- fluids pulled from body into cell
An isotonic solution - ANS 0.09% normal saline
Interferons (IFNs) - ANS type of cytokine that signals cells to increase anti-viral defenses.
- are released by cells that are infected with a virus, causing other cells to become resistant to
the virus
- play a role in tumor suppression
Hypervolemia - ANS fluid volume overload
Edema - ANS swelling of soft tissues because of excess fluid accumulation
Causes of edema include: - ANS -Increased hydrostatic (water) pressure
- Manifestation: High BP and pitting edema
- Renal Failure, Heart Failure
- Decreased colloid osmotic pressure
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,- low albumin
- cirrhosis, starvation
- bacteria infections/burns
- obstruction of lymphatic system (cancer or infection)
Symptoms of edema include: - ANS - weight gain
- hypertension
- jugular vein distention
- ALOC (altered level of consciousness)
- weakness
- increased urine output / or decreased in patients with renal failure
- Rapid RR (resp rate)
- shallow RR
- fluid in lungs
- diarrhea, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), ascites
- low lab values
Hypovolemia - ANS fluid volume deficit
Symptoms of hypovolemia include: - ANS - vomiting
- diarrhea
- hot body & sweating
- fever
- heat stroke
- thyroid crisis
- urination
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, diabetes insipidus (DI) - ANS insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)
Diabetes Ketoacidosis (DKA) - ANS -primary complication of type 1 diabetes
-the body produces excess ketones into the blood
-also referred to as diabetic acidosis or diabetic coma
Diuretics - ANS medications that reduce fluid volume in the body
- increase urine output
Name two diuretics - ANS furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide
Symptoms of 3 D's include: - ANS - weight loss
- water loss
- low BP
- decreased CVP (central venous pressure)
- lethargy to coma
- weakness
- sunken eyes
- dry skin
- rapid and deep RR
- high lab values
Fluid Imbalance - ANS when fluids are gained and lost via the organs such as; the kidneys,
skin, lungs, and g.i. tract
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
