WGU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY D236 (LATEST 2026/2027 EDITION) –
COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE, IN-DEPTH
ANSWERS. FULLY VERIFIED, ALREADY GRADED (A+). BRAND NEW
AND UP TO DATE.
1.Consider the steps the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system [RAAS] goes through when there is a
decrease in circulation or a drop in blood pressure, ordered from the earliest to the latest. What is
the step directly after angiotensin I is produced?
A.The kidney senses decreased perfusion
B.Renin is released and cleaves angiotensinogen.
C.Blood volume is raised and blood pressure is increased.
D.Angiotensin-converting enzyme helps to produce angiotensin II in the lungs and to stimulate the
adrenal gland to release aldosterone
A.The kidney senses decreased perfusion.The kidney sensing decreased perfusion is the first step,
triggering RAAS, not following angiotensin I production. Angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II
next, making this choice incorrect for the step directly after angiotensin I formation.
B.Renin is released and cleaves angiotensinogen.
Renin cleaving angiotensinogen to produce angiotensin I occurs before, not after, angiotensin I is formed.
The next step is angiotensin II production, making this choice incorrect for the RAAS step following
angiotensin I production.
C.Blood volume is raised and blood pressure is increased.
Raising blood volume and pressure is the final RAAS outcome, not the immediate step after angiotensin
I. Angiotensin II production via ACE occurs next, making this choice incorrect for the step directly
following angiotensin I.
D.Angiotensin-converting enzyme helps to produce angiotensin II in the lungs and to stimulate the
adrenal gland to release aldosterone
After angiotensin I is produced, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) converts it to angiotensin II in the
lungs, which stimulates aldosterone release. This is the immediate next step, making it the correct choice
in the RAAS sequence.
,2.Which term describes a solution such as 0.9% NaCl (normal saline) relative to red blood cells?
A.Isotonic
B.Exotonic
C.Hypotonic
D.Hypertonic
A.Isotonic
A 0.9% NaCl solution is isotonic, matching the solute concentration of red blood cells, preventing water
movement in or out. This maintains cell integrity, making isotonic the correct term for normal saline's
effect on red blood cells.
B.Exotonic
Exotonic is not a recognized term in physiology. Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is isotonic, causing no net
water movement in red blood cells, making this choice incorrect for describing the solution's tonicity
relative to cells.
C.Hypotonic
Hypotonic solutions, like 0.45% NaCl, have lower solute concentration, causing water to enter cells and
potentially swell them. Normal saline is isotonic, making hypotonic incorrect for describing 0.9% NaCl's
effect on red blood cells.
D.Hypertonic
Hypertonic solutions, like 3% NaCl, have higher solute concentration, causing cells to shrink as water
exits. Normal saline is isotonic, maintaining cell volume, making hypertonic incorrect for 0.9% NaCl's
tonicity relative to red blood cells.
3. Which describes the function of diffusion?
A.It is the process by which a substance requires energy to pass through a membrane against a
concentration gradient
B.It is the process by which solvent molecules pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less
concentrated solution into a more concentrated one
C.It is the process by which molecules move from high-concentration areas to low-concentration areas.
D.It is the process by which certain molecules pass through the plasma membrane with the help of carrier
proteins.
,A.It is the process by which a substance requires energy to pass through a membrane against a
concentration gradient
Diffusion does not require energy or move against a concentration gradient; that describes active
transport. Diffusion is passive, moving molecules from high to low concentration, making this choice
incorrect for the function of diffusion in physiological processes.
B.It is the process by which solvent molecules pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less
concentrated solution into a more concentrated one
This describes osmosis, a specific type of diffusion involving solvent molecules, not general diffusion.
Diffusion broadly moves molecules down their concentration gradient, making this choice incorrect for
the overall description of diffusion's function.
C.It is the process by which molecules move from high-concentration areas to low-concentration areas.
Diffusion is the passive movement of molecules from areas of high concentration to low concentration,
driven by a concentration gradient. This accurately describes the process, making it the correct choice for
the function of diffusion in biological systems.
D.It is the process by which certain molecules pass through the plasma membrane with the help of carrier
proteins.
This describes facilitated diffusion, which uses carrier proteins but is a subset of diffusion. General
diffusion doesn't require proteins, making this choice incorrect as it does not fully capture the broad
function of diffusion
4.What are the symptoms of respiratory acidosis?
A.Headache and tremors
B.Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs
C.Crackles and rhonchi upon auscultation
D.Hyperactivity and reduced serum ionized calcium levels
A.Headache and tremors
Respiratory acidosis, from CO2 retention, causes headache, tremors, confusion, and drowsiness due to
hypercapnia's effect on the brain. These are hallmark symptoms, making this the correct choice for
symptoms of respiratory acidosis in clinical presentation.
B.Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs
Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs indicate hypocalcemia, not respiratory acidosis. Headache and tremors
are typical of CO2 retention, making this choice incorrect for the symptoms associated with respiratory
acidosis in affected patients.
, C.Crackles and rhonchi upon auscultationCrackles and rhonchi are lung sounds from conditions like
pneumonia, not specific to respiratory acidosis. Headache and tremors result from hypercapnia, making
this choice incorrect for the primary symptoms of respiratory acidosis.
D.Hyperactivity and reduced serum ionized calcium levels
Hyperactivity and low calcium are linked to respiratory alkalosis, not acidosis, which causes lethargy and
tremors. Headache and tremors are correct, making this choice incorrect for the symptoms of respiratory
acidosis in patients.
5.Which disease is communicable and paralyzes muscles as early as six hours from exposure?
A.Botulism
B.Malaria
C.Lyme disease
D.West Nile virus
A.Botulism
Botulism, caused by Clostridium botulinum toxin, is communicable via contaminated food and can cause
muscle paralysis within 6–36 hours. Its rapid onset matches the description, making it the correct disease
for early paralytic symptoms post-exposure.
B.Malaria
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium, is communicable but causes fever and chills, not paralysis. Botulism's
rapid paralysis onset fits the timeline, making malaria incorrect for a disease causing muscle paralysis
within six hours of exposure.
C.Lyme disease
Lyme disease, from Borrelia, causes joint pain and neurological issues over weeks, not rapid paralysis.
Botulism's toxin induces paralysis within hours, making Lyme disease incorrect for the described
communicable paralytic condition.
D.West Nile virus
West Nile virus may cause muscle weakness or paralysis, but onset is slower, typically days. Botulism's
rapid paralysis within hours fits the description, making West Nile incorrect for the communicable
disease with early paralysis.
6.What are B cells?
A.A type of cell that makes hormones and enzymes
COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE, IN-DEPTH
ANSWERS. FULLY VERIFIED, ALREADY GRADED (A+). BRAND NEW
AND UP TO DATE.
1.Consider the steps the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system [RAAS] goes through when there is a
decrease in circulation or a drop in blood pressure, ordered from the earliest to the latest. What is
the step directly after angiotensin I is produced?
A.The kidney senses decreased perfusion
B.Renin is released and cleaves angiotensinogen.
C.Blood volume is raised and blood pressure is increased.
D.Angiotensin-converting enzyme helps to produce angiotensin II in the lungs and to stimulate the
adrenal gland to release aldosterone
A.The kidney senses decreased perfusion.The kidney sensing decreased perfusion is the first step,
triggering RAAS, not following angiotensin I production. Angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II
next, making this choice incorrect for the step directly after angiotensin I formation.
B.Renin is released and cleaves angiotensinogen.
Renin cleaving angiotensinogen to produce angiotensin I occurs before, not after, angiotensin I is formed.
The next step is angiotensin II production, making this choice incorrect for the RAAS step following
angiotensin I production.
C.Blood volume is raised and blood pressure is increased.
Raising blood volume and pressure is the final RAAS outcome, not the immediate step after angiotensin
I. Angiotensin II production via ACE occurs next, making this choice incorrect for the step directly
following angiotensin I.
D.Angiotensin-converting enzyme helps to produce angiotensin II in the lungs and to stimulate the
adrenal gland to release aldosterone
After angiotensin I is produced, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) converts it to angiotensin II in the
lungs, which stimulates aldosterone release. This is the immediate next step, making it the correct choice
in the RAAS sequence.
,2.Which term describes a solution such as 0.9% NaCl (normal saline) relative to red blood cells?
A.Isotonic
B.Exotonic
C.Hypotonic
D.Hypertonic
A.Isotonic
A 0.9% NaCl solution is isotonic, matching the solute concentration of red blood cells, preventing water
movement in or out. This maintains cell integrity, making isotonic the correct term for normal saline's
effect on red blood cells.
B.Exotonic
Exotonic is not a recognized term in physiology. Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is isotonic, causing no net
water movement in red blood cells, making this choice incorrect for describing the solution's tonicity
relative to cells.
C.Hypotonic
Hypotonic solutions, like 0.45% NaCl, have lower solute concentration, causing water to enter cells and
potentially swell them. Normal saline is isotonic, making hypotonic incorrect for describing 0.9% NaCl's
effect on red blood cells.
D.Hypertonic
Hypertonic solutions, like 3% NaCl, have higher solute concentration, causing cells to shrink as water
exits. Normal saline is isotonic, maintaining cell volume, making hypertonic incorrect for 0.9% NaCl's
tonicity relative to red blood cells.
3. Which describes the function of diffusion?
A.It is the process by which a substance requires energy to pass through a membrane against a
concentration gradient
B.It is the process by which solvent molecules pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less
concentrated solution into a more concentrated one
C.It is the process by which molecules move from high-concentration areas to low-concentration areas.
D.It is the process by which certain molecules pass through the plasma membrane with the help of carrier
proteins.
,A.It is the process by which a substance requires energy to pass through a membrane against a
concentration gradient
Diffusion does not require energy or move against a concentration gradient; that describes active
transport. Diffusion is passive, moving molecules from high to low concentration, making this choice
incorrect for the function of diffusion in physiological processes.
B.It is the process by which solvent molecules pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less
concentrated solution into a more concentrated one
This describes osmosis, a specific type of diffusion involving solvent molecules, not general diffusion.
Diffusion broadly moves molecules down their concentration gradient, making this choice incorrect for
the overall description of diffusion's function.
C.It is the process by which molecules move from high-concentration areas to low-concentration areas.
Diffusion is the passive movement of molecules from areas of high concentration to low concentration,
driven by a concentration gradient. This accurately describes the process, making it the correct choice for
the function of diffusion in biological systems.
D.It is the process by which certain molecules pass through the plasma membrane with the help of carrier
proteins.
This describes facilitated diffusion, which uses carrier proteins but is a subset of diffusion. General
diffusion doesn't require proteins, making this choice incorrect as it does not fully capture the broad
function of diffusion
4.What are the symptoms of respiratory acidosis?
A.Headache and tremors
B.Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs
C.Crackles and rhonchi upon auscultation
D.Hyperactivity and reduced serum ionized calcium levels
A.Headache and tremors
Respiratory acidosis, from CO2 retention, causes headache, tremors, confusion, and drowsiness due to
hypercapnia's effect on the brain. These are hallmark symptoms, making this the correct choice for
symptoms of respiratory acidosis in clinical presentation.
B.Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs
Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs indicate hypocalcemia, not respiratory acidosis. Headache and tremors
are typical of CO2 retention, making this choice incorrect for the symptoms associated with respiratory
acidosis in affected patients.
, C.Crackles and rhonchi upon auscultationCrackles and rhonchi are lung sounds from conditions like
pneumonia, not specific to respiratory acidosis. Headache and tremors result from hypercapnia, making
this choice incorrect for the primary symptoms of respiratory acidosis.
D.Hyperactivity and reduced serum ionized calcium levels
Hyperactivity and low calcium are linked to respiratory alkalosis, not acidosis, which causes lethargy and
tremors. Headache and tremors are correct, making this choice incorrect for the symptoms of respiratory
acidosis in patients.
5.Which disease is communicable and paralyzes muscles as early as six hours from exposure?
A.Botulism
B.Malaria
C.Lyme disease
D.West Nile virus
A.Botulism
Botulism, caused by Clostridium botulinum toxin, is communicable via contaminated food and can cause
muscle paralysis within 6–36 hours. Its rapid onset matches the description, making it the correct disease
for early paralytic symptoms post-exposure.
B.Malaria
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium, is communicable but causes fever and chills, not paralysis. Botulism's
rapid paralysis onset fits the timeline, making malaria incorrect for a disease causing muscle paralysis
within six hours of exposure.
C.Lyme disease
Lyme disease, from Borrelia, causes joint pain and neurological issues over weeks, not rapid paralysis.
Botulism's toxin induces paralysis within hours, making Lyme disease incorrect for the described
communicable paralytic condition.
D.West Nile virus
West Nile virus may cause muscle weakness or paralysis, but onset is slower, typically days. Botulism's
rapid paralysis within hours fits the description, making West Nile incorrect for the communicable
disease with early paralysis.
6.What are B cells?
A.A type of cell that makes hormones and enzymes
