WGU D236 Pathophysiology OA Exam 2025 [Actual
Exam] Real Questions & Well-Elaborated Verified
Answers
Question 1: Which plasma protein is most responsible for maintaining oncotic pressure and
therefore edema prevention?
A) Albumin
B) Fibrinogen
C) Immunoglobulin
D) Transferrin
Correct Answer: A) Albumin
Explanation: Albumin contributes ~75 % of plasma oncotic pressure; low levels reduce fluid
reabsorption and promote interstitial edema.
Question 2: A patient with prolonged vomiting develops metabolic alkalosis. Which compensatory
response occurs?
A) Hyperventilation to lower PaCO₂
B) Hypoventilation to raise PaCO₂
C) Increased renal HCO₃⁻ secretion
D) Decreased ammoniagenesis
Correct Answer: B) Hypoventilation to raise PaCO₂
Explanation: Respiratory compensation for metabolic alkalosis is hypoventilation, retaining CO₂
(acid) to return pH toward normal.
Question 3: The primary defect in hereditary spherocytosis is:
A) Defective β-globin chain
B) Spectrin deficiency in RBC membrane
C) G6PD enzyme deficiency
,D) Abnormal platelet adhesion
Correct Answer: B) Spectrin deficiency in RBC membrane
Explanation: Loss of membrane skeleton protein spectrin causes spherical, rigid RBCs trapped in
splenic microcirculation.
Question 4: Which cytokine is the principal mediator of fever during sepsis?
A) IL-1β
B) IL-10
C) TGF-β
D) IFN-α
Correct Answer: A) IL-1β
Explanation: IL-1β and TNF-α act on hypothalamic thermoregulatory center to raise set-point,
producing fever.
Question 5: In left-sided heart failure, pulmonary edema develops primarily due to:
A) Decreased colloid osmotic pressure
B) Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
C) Lymphatic obstruction
D) Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
Correct Answer: B) Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
Explanation: LV failure elevates left atrial and pulmonary venous pressures, pushing fluid across
capillary walls into alveoli.
Question 6: Which acid-base disorder is most commonly seen in patients with severe COPD during
acute exacerbation?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B) Respiratory acidosis
,Explanation: CO₂ retention (hypercapnia) from inadequate alveolar ventilation lowers pH, creating
acute respiratory acidosis.
Question 7: The hallmark of type 1 diabetes mellitus is:
A) Insulin resistance
B) β-cell autoimmune destruction
C) Glucagon deficiency
D) Amylin excess
Correct Answer: B) β-cell autoimmune destruction
Explanation: Autoantibodies (GAD, IA-2) and cytotoxic T-cells destroy pancreatic β-cells, abolishing
insulin production.
Question 8: Which ECG finding is characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A) Prolonged QT interval
B) Peaked T waves and widened QRS
C) U waves
D) Delta wave
Correct Answer: B) Peaked T waves and widened QRS
Explanation: High extracellular K⁺ increases membrane excitability early, then conduction slows,
producing peaked T and QRS widening.
Question 9: Which immunoglobulin is elevated in allergic (type I hypersensitivity) reactions?
A) IgA
B) IgE
C) IgM
D) IgD
Correct Answer: B) IgE
Explanation: IgE binds mast cells; re-exposure to allergen triggers degranulation and histamine
release.
, Question 10: Which organ is the primary site for conjugation and excretion of bilirubin?
A) Kidney
B) Liver
C) Spleen
D) Lung
Correct Answer: B) Liver
Explanation: Hepatocytes conjugate bilirubin with glucuronic acid, rendering it water-soluble for
biliary excretion.
Question 11: Which pathophysiologic process produces cobblestone appearance of the colon in
Crohn’s disease?
A) Transmural inflammation and fissures
B) Superficial mucosal ulceration only
C) Villous atrophy
D) Pseudopolyps
Correct Answer: A) Transmural inflammation and fissures
Explanation: Deep, transmural fissures and edema create elevated islands of mucosa between
ulcers → cobblestone.
Question 12: Which clotting factor is deficient in hemophilia A?
A) Factor IX
B) Factor VIII
C) Factor VII
D) von Willebrand factor
Correct Answer: B) Factor VIII
Explanation: X-linked deficiency of factor VIII impairs tenase complex, prolonging aPTT and causing
spontaneous bleeding.
Question 13: Which microscopic finding is diagnostic of membranous nephropathy?
A) Subepithelial immune deposits with basement-membrane spikes
B) Mesangial IgA deposits
Exam] Real Questions & Well-Elaborated Verified
Answers
Question 1: Which plasma protein is most responsible for maintaining oncotic pressure and
therefore edema prevention?
A) Albumin
B) Fibrinogen
C) Immunoglobulin
D) Transferrin
Correct Answer: A) Albumin
Explanation: Albumin contributes ~75 % of plasma oncotic pressure; low levels reduce fluid
reabsorption and promote interstitial edema.
Question 2: A patient with prolonged vomiting develops metabolic alkalosis. Which compensatory
response occurs?
A) Hyperventilation to lower PaCO₂
B) Hypoventilation to raise PaCO₂
C) Increased renal HCO₃⁻ secretion
D) Decreased ammoniagenesis
Correct Answer: B) Hypoventilation to raise PaCO₂
Explanation: Respiratory compensation for metabolic alkalosis is hypoventilation, retaining CO₂
(acid) to return pH toward normal.
Question 3: The primary defect in hereditary spherocytosis is:
A) Defective β-globin chain
B) Spectrin deficiency in RBC membrane
C) G6PD enzyme deficiency
,D) Abnormal platelet adhesion
Correct Answer: B) Spectrin deficiency in RBC membrane
Explanation: Loss of membrane skeleton protein spectrin causes spherical, rigid RBCs trapped in
splenic microcirculation.
Question 4: Which cytokine is the principal mediator of fever during sepsis?
A) IL-1β
B) IL-10
C) TGF-β
D) IFN-α
Correct Answer: A) IL-1β
Explanation: IL-1β and TNF-α act on hypothalamic thermoregulatory center to raise set-point,
producing fever.
Question 5: In left-sided heart failure, pulmonary edema develops primarily due to:
A) Decreased colloid osmotic pressure
B) Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
C) Lymphatic obstruction
D) Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
Correct Answer: B) Increased pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure
Explanation: LV failure elevates left atrial and pulmonary venous pressures, pushing fluid across
capillary walls into alveoli.
Question 6: Which acid-base disorder is most commonly seen in patients with severe COPD during
acute exacerbation?
A) Respiratory alkalosis
B) Respiratory acidosis
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B) Respiratory acidosis
,Explanation: CO₂ retention (hypercapnia) from inadequate alveolar ventilation lowers pH, creating
acute respiratory acidosis.
Question 7: The hallmark of type 1 diabetes mellitus is:
A) Insulin resistance
B) β-cell autoimmune destruction
C) Glucagon deficiency
D) Amylin excess
Correct Answer: B) β-cell autoimmune destruction
Explanation: Autoantibodies (GAD, IA-2) and cytotoxic T-cells destroy pancreatic β-cells, abolishing
insulin production.
Question 8: Which ECG finding is characteristic of hyperkalemia?
A) Prolonged QT interval
B) Peaked T waves and widened QRS
C) U waves
D) Delta wave
Correct Answer: B) Peaked T waves and widened QRS
Explanation: High extracellular K⁺ increases membrane excitability early, then conduction slows,
producing peaked T and QRS widening.
Question 9: Which immunoglobulin is elevated in allergic (type I hypersensitivity) reactions?
A) IgA
B) IgE
C) IgM
D) IgD
Correct Answer: B) IgE
Explanation: IgE binds mast cells; re-exposure to allergen triggers degranulation and histamine
release.
, Question 10: Which organ is the primary site for conjugation and excretion of bilirubin?
A) Kidney
B) Liver
C) Spleen
D) Lung
Correct Answer: B) Liver
Explanation: Hepatocytes conjugate bilirubin with glucuronic acid, rendering it water-soluble for
biliary excretion.
Question 11: Which pathophysiologic process produces cobblestone appearance of the colon in
Crohn’s disease?
A) Transmural inflammation and fissures
B) Superficial mucosal ulceration only
C) Villous atrophy
D) Pseudopolyps
Correct Answer: A) Transmural inflammation and fissures
Explanation: Deep, transmural fissures and edema create elevated islands of mucosa between
ulcers → cobblestone.
Question 12: Which clotting factor is deficient in hemophilia A?
A) Factor IX
B) Factor VIII
C) Factor VII
D) von Willebrand factor
Correct Answer: B) Factor VIII
Explanation: X-linked deficiency of factor VIII impairs tenase complex, prolonging aPTT and causing
spontaneous bleeding.
Question 13: Which microscopic finding is diagnostic of membranous nephropathy?
A) Subepithelial immune deposits with basement-membrane spikes
B) Mesangial IgA deposits
