ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2026
MASTER REVIEW GUIDE (WGU D115) |
COMPLETE SYSTEM-BY-SYSTEM STUDY
COMPANION || NEW 2026 VERSION
100-Word Description
This Advanced Pathophysiology 2026 Master Review Guide provides a comprehensive, system-
by-system breakdown of disease mechanisms for WGU D115 learners. It covers cellular injury,
fluid and electrolytes, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, neurological, and immune
disorders with emphasis on diagnostic markers, compensatory responses, and differential
patterns. Students will understand how dysfunction at the cellular, organ, and systemic levels
manifests clinically. This guide integrates high-yield exam concepts, including inflammation,
acid–base imbalance, hemodynamics, hormonal regulation, and multi-organ failure. It prepares
learners to analyze clinical scenarios, predict physiologic responses, and identify pathologic
patterns crucial for advanced patient care decisions.
Key Words
1. Homeostasis
2. Cellular injury
3. Hemodynamics
4. Inflammation
5. Compensation
100 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Correct Answer Marked
with )
(High-yield, exam-style, WGU-aligned)
CELLULAR INJURY & ADAPTATION
,1. Which cellular adaptation describes an increase in cell size?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
2. Reversible cellular injury is primarily characterized by:
A. Nuclear fragmentation
B. Cellular swelling
C. Mitochondrial rupture
D. Caspase activation
3. A hallmark of irreversible cell injury is:
A. Loss of membrane integrity
B. Mild mitochondrial swelling
C. Decreased protein synthesis
D. Cellular edema
4. Free radicals cause cell injury primarily by:
A. DNA hypermethylation
B. Lipid peroxidation
C. Decreased ATP demand
D. Apoptosis inhibition
5. Apoptosis differs from necrosis because apoptosis:
A. Causes inflammation
B. Is accidental
C. Is energy-dependent
D. Leads to cell swelling
GENETICS & CELLULAR REPLICATION
6. Proto-oncogenes become oncogenes when:
A. Upregulated
B. Deleted
C. Silenced
D. Methylated
,7. A frameshift mutation results from:
A. Base substitution
B. Codon redundancy
C. Insertion or deletion of bases
D. Silent mutation
8. Tumor suppressor genes function by:
A. Promoting cell cycle progression
B. Repairing DNA damage
C. Activating telomerase
D. Enhancing angiogenesis
9. BRCA1 mutation increases cancer risk because it impairs:
A. Microtubule repair
B. DNA double-strand break repair
C. Protein phosphorylation
D. Cell membrane signaling
10. Oncogene activation commonly leads to:
A. Apoptosis
B. Uncontrolled proliferation
C. Decreased mitosis
D. Cellular senescence
FLUID & ELECTROLYTES
11. Primary regulator of osmolarity is:
A. Aldosterone
B. ADH
C. ANP
D. Insulin
12. Hyperkalemia typically causes:
A. Flattened T waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. U waves
D. Prolonged PR
, 13. Hypocalcemia leads to:
A. Decreased neuromuscular excitability
B. Trousseau sign
C. Short QT interval
D. Muscle flaccidity
14. Main cause of edema in liver failure:
A. Increased hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased oncotic pressure
C. High sodium intake
D. Lymphatic compression
15. Metabolic acidosis presents with:
A. Hypoventilation
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Bradypnea
D. Decreased anion gap
ACID–BASE BALANCE
16. Respiratory alkalosis is caused by:
A. COPD
B. Panic attack
C. Opiate overdose
D. Hypoventilation
17. Compensation for metabolic alkalosis includes:
A. Increased respiratory rate
B. Hypoventilation
C. Decreased bicarbonate reabsorption
D. Increased renal excretion of H⁺
18. Metabolic acidosis with normal anion gap is most associated with:
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis
B. Renal failure
C. Diarrhea
D. Lactic acidosis
MASTER REVIEW GUIDE (WGU D115) |
COMPLETE SYSTEM-BY-SYSTEM STUDY
COMPANION || NEW 2026 VERSION
100-Word Description
This Advanced Pathophysiology 2026 Master Review Guide provides a comprehensive, system-
by-system breakdown of disease mechanisms for WGU D115 learners. It covers cellular injury,
fluid and electrolytes, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, neurological, and immune
disorders with emphasis on diagnostic markers, compensatory responses, and differential
patterns. Students will understand how dysfunction at the cellular, organ, and systemic levels
manifests clinically. This guide integrates high-yield exam concepts, including inflammation,
acid–base imbalance, hemodynamics, hormonal regulation, and multi-organ failure. It prepares
learners to analyze clinical scenarios, predict physiologic responses, and identify pathologic
patterns crucial for advanced patient care decisions.
Key Words
1. Homeostasis
2. Cellular injury
3. Hemodynamics
4. Inflammation
5. Compensation
100 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Correct Answer Marked
with )
(High-yield, exam-style, WGU-aligned)
CELLULAR INJURY & ADAPTATION
,1. Which cellular adaptation describes an increase in cell size?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Dysplasia
2. Reversible cellular injury is primarily characterized by:
A. Nuclear fragmentation
B. Cellular swelling
C. Mitochondrial rupture
D. Caspase activation
3. A hallmark of irreversible cell injury is:
A. Loss of membrane integrity
B. Mild mitochondrial swelling
C. Decreased protein synthesis
D. Cellular edema
4. Free radicals cause cell injury primarily by:
A. DNA hypermethylation
B. Lipid peroxidation
C. Decreased ATP demand
D. Apoptosis inhibition
5. Apoptosis differs from necrosis because apoptosis:
A. Causes inflammation
B. Is accidental
C. Is energy-dependent
D. Leads to cell swelling
GENETICS & CELLULAR REPLICATION
6. Proto-oncogenes become oncogenes when:
A. Upregulated
B. Deleted
C. Silenced
D. Methylated
,7. A frameshift mutation results from:
A. Base substitution
B. Codon redundancy
C. Insertion or deletion of bases
D. Silent mutation
8. Tumor suppressor genes function by:
A. Promoting cell cycle progression
B. Repairing DNA damage
C. Activating telomerase
D. Enhancing angiogenesis
9. BRCA1 mutation increases cancer risk because it impairs:
A. Microtubule repair
B. DNA double-strand break repair
C. Protein phosphorylation
D. Cell membrane signaling
10. Oncogene activation commonly leads to:
A. Apoptosis
B. Uncontrolled proliferation
C. Decreased mitosis
D. Cellular senescence
FLUID & ELECTROLYTES
11. Primary regulator of osmolarity is:
A. Aldosterone
B. ADH
C. ANP
D. Insulin
12. Hyperkalemia typically causes:
A. Flattened T waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. U waves
D. Prolonged PR
, 13. Hypocalcemia leads to:
A. Decreased neuromuscular excitability
B. Trousseau sign
C. Short QT interval
D. Muscle flaccidity
14. Main cause of edema in liver failure:
A. Increased hydrostatic pressure
B. Decreased oncotic pressure
C. High sodium intake
D. Lymphatic compression
15. Metabolic acidosis presents with:
A. Hypoventilation
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Bradypnea
D. Decreased anion gap
ACID–BASE BALANCE
16. Respiratory alkalosis is caused by:
A. COPD
B. Panic attack
C. Opiate overdose
D. Hypoventilation
17. Compensation for metabolic alkalosis includes:
A. Increased respiratory rate
B. Hypoventilation
C. Decreased bicarbonate reabsorption
D. Increased renal excretion of H⁺
18. Metabolic acidosis with normal anion gap is most associated with:
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis
B. Renal failure
C. Diarrhea
D. Lactic acidosis
