D236-WGU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
GUIDE -SET QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
One symptom of Acidosis? - ANSWER -Rapid breathing aka Hyperventilation (body
trying to get rid of the CO2)
What describes a gene when the same allele is inherited from both parents? - ANSWER
-Homozygous (HH or hh)
What statement describes the ICF (Intracellular Fluid) compartment? - ANSWER -The
fluid contained within the cells, making up about 2/3 of the body's total water content.
Which two conditions will cause dehydration and increase water requirements? -
ANSWER -State of diminished water volume in the body. A deficit of intracellular fluid
causes body cells to shrink.
Severe Diarrhea
Excessive Sweating
Vomiting
What are phagocytic cells? - ANSWER -Part of innate immunity (inflammatory
response)
Cells that engulf and digest pathogens and debris
EX) Macrophages and Neutrophils
Turner's Syndrome (Short, webbed neck girl) - ANSWER -Complete or partial missing
X-chromosome in females
S/S: Hypothyroidism, Hypertension, Webbing of neck, amenorrhea, short stature,
infertility, vission issues, and aortic valve abnormalities.
What are two symptoms of Huntington's Disease? - ANSWER -Genetic defect of
Huntington gene
Lack of control-involuntary motor symptoms
Cognitive decline
Depression
Dementia later in disease
Muscle spasticity
Speech/swallow difficulty
What is accomplished by diffusion? - ANSWER -Movement of molecules from an area
of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
,Osmotic Diarrhea - ANSWER -Caused by non-absorbable substances in the intestine
drawing water into the bowel.
BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide) - ANSWER -A marker used to diagnose heart failure.
A higher value indicates this.
Pleural Effusion - ANSWER -Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space around the
lungs.
Causes: Severe pulmonary infection (PNA or TB), Congestive Heart failure, Cancer,
Pulmonary Embolism
S/S: Dyspnea, Tachypnea, Sharp pleuritic chest pain, dullness to percussion, and
diminished breath sounds on affected side.
pH = 7.29 (Norm = 7.35-7.45)
Bicarb = 25 (Norm = 22-26)
CO2 = 55 (Norm = 35-45)
Which cause is consistent with these lab values? - ANSWER -Respiratory Acidosis;
Lungs are NOT ventilating correctly, retention of carbon dioxide = reduction of pH
(Caused by COPD, Infection, foreign body obstruction, and severe asthma.
How does the Respiratory System compensate for acid-base disturbances? - ANSWER
-By changing the rate and depth of breathing.
Increasing = Expels CO2 to reduce acidity (compensates Metabolic Acidosis)
Decreasing = Retains CO2 to increase acidity (compensates Metabolic Alkalosis)
Which three issues would children with ND-PAE exhibit (fetal alcohol syndrome)? -
ANSWER -Cognitive deficits, Behavioral problems, and Physical Abnormalities
Causes birth defects and developmental disabilities = Neurocognition, Self-regulation,
and Adaptive functioning
Facial features, slow growth, delayed development, vision/hearing issues, and smaller
head & brain.
Grade 1 Sprain - ANSWER -Mild stretching or slight tear of a ligament with little or no
joint instability.
Osteoarthritis - ANSWER -Morning stiffness
Swelling
Limited ROM
Symmetrical joint pain in hips during activity or cold weather
Herberden's and Bouchard's nodes noted on fingers
Melanoma - ANSWER -Most lethal form of skin cancer; Categorize via ABCDE's =
Asymmetry/Border/Color/Diameter/Evolving
TX: Surgical Removal, Chemo/Radiation
, Basal Cell Carcinoma - ANSWER -Small dome-shaped bump covered by superficial
blood vessels (telangiectasis). Shiny, translucent, and pearly in appearance.
TX: Surgery
Squamous Cell Carcinoma - ANSWER -Red, crusted, scaly patch; non-healing ulcer,
firm, red nodule
TX: Surgery; Chemo/Radiation
Rule of Nines - ANSWER -The face and back of head =4.5% each
Entire Head = 9%
Ant/Post Arm = 9%
Front leg = 9% and Back Leg = 9% (18%)
Torso (chest/abd) front = 18% and Torso (chest/abd) Back = 18% (36%)
Genitalia = 1%
Partial-Thickness Burns - ANSWER -Second degree burns = swelling, blisters; blanches
with pressure.
Inflammation - ANSWER -When the body automatically reacts to injured tissue by
trauma or bacteria.
Transcription - ANSWER -The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.
Innate Immunity - ANSWER -The body's 1st line of defense against pathogens,
involving physical, chemical, and cellular defenses.
What is one cause of hypomagnesemia? - ANSWER -Prolonged diarrhea
Laxative Abuse
Increased renal excretion of Magnesium
Sepsis
Burns
Serious wounds requiring debridement
Alcoholism
What are clinical manifestations of Hypernatremia? - ANSWER -Weight gain
HTN
Mental Changes
Dehydration
Irritability
Tachycardia
Flushed skin
Dry mucous membranes
Oliguria
Suspected Musculoskeletal Trauma? - ANSWER -Assess for pain, swelling, bruising,
and deformity. Perform appropriate imaging studies.
GUIDE -SET QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
One symptom of Acidosis? - ANSWER -Rapid breathing aka Hyperventilation (body
trying to get rid of the CO2)
What describes a gene when the same allele is inherited from both parents? - ANSWER
-Homozygous (HH or hh)
What statement describes the ICF (Intracellular Fluid) compartment? - ANSWER -The
fluid contained within the cells, making up about 2/3 of the body's total water content.
Which two conditions will cause dehydration and increase water requirements? -
ANSWER -State of diminished water volume in the body. A deficit of intracellular fluid
causes body cells to shrink.
Severe Diarrhea
Excessive Sweating
Vomiting
What are phagocytic cells? - ANSWER -Part of innate immunity (inflammatory
response)
Cells that engulf and digest pathogens and debris
EX) Macrophages and Neutrophils
Turner's Syndrome (Short, webbed neck girl) - ANSWER -Complete or partial missing
X-chromosome in females
S/S: Hypothyroidism, Hypertension, Webbing of neck, amenorrhea, short stature,
infertility, vission issues, and aortic valve abnormalities.
What are two symptoms of Huntington's Disease? - ANSWER -Genetic defect of
Huntington gene
Lack of control-involuntary motor symptoms
Cognitive decline
Depression
Dementia later in disease
Muscle spasticity
Speech/swallow difficulty
What is accomplished by diffusion? - ANSWER -Movement of molecules from an area
of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
,Osmotic Diarrhea - ANSWER -Caused by non-absorbable substances in the intestine
drawing water into the bowel.
BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide) - ANSWER -A marker used to diagnose heart failure.
A higher value indicates this.
Pleural Effusion - ANSWER -Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space around the
lungs.
Causes: Severe pulmonary infection (PNA or TB), Congestive Heart failure, Cancer,
Pulmonary Embolism
S/S: Dyspnea, Tachypnea, Sharp pleuritic chest pain, dullness to percussion, and
diminished breath sounds on affected side.
pH = 7.29 (Norm = 7.35-7.45)
Bicarb = 25 (Norm = 22-26)
CO2 = 55 (Norm = 35-45)
Which cause is consistent with these lab values? - ANSWER -Respiratory Acidosis;
Lungs are NOT ventilating correctly, retention of carbon dioxide = reduction of pH
(Caused by COPD, Infection, foreign body obstruction, and severe asthma.
How does the Respiratory System compensate for acid-base disturbances? - ANSWER
-By changing the rate and depth of breathing.
Increasing = Expels CO2 to reduce acidity (compensates Metabolic Acidosis)
Decreasing = Retains CO2 to increase acidity (compensates Metabolic Alkalosis)
Which three issues would children with ND-PAE exhibit (fetal alcohol syndrome)? -
ANSWER -Cognitive deficits, Behavioral problems, and Physical Abnormalities
Causes birth defects and developmental disabilities = Neurocognition, Self-regulation,
and Adaptive functioning
Facial features, slow growth, delayed development, vision/hearing issues, and smaller
head & brain.
Grade 1 Sprain - ANSWER -Mild stretching or slight tear of a ligament with little or no
joint instability.
Osteoarthritis - ANSWER -Morning stiffness
Swelling
Limited ROM
Symmetrical joint pain in hips during activity or cold weather
Herberden's and Bouchard's nodes noted on fingers
Melanoma - ANSWER -Most lethal form of skin cancer; Categorize via ABCDE's =
Asymmetry/Border/Color/Diameter/Evolving
TX: Surgical Removal, Chemo/Radiation
, Basal Cell Carcinoma - ANSWER -Small dome-shaped bump covered by superficial
blood vessels (telangiectasis). Shiny, translucent, and pearly in appearance.
TX: Surgery
Squamous Cell Carcinoma - ANSWER -Red, crusted, scaly patch; non-healing ulcer,
firm, red nodule
TX: Surgery; Chemo/Radiation
Rule of Nines - ANSWER -The face and back of head =4.5% each
Entire Head = 9%
Ant/Post Arm = 9%
Front leg = 9% and Back Leg = 9% (18%)
Torso (chest/abd) front = 18% and Torso (chest/abd) Back = 18% (36%)
Genitalia = 1%
Partial-Thickness Burns - ANSWER -Second degree burns = swelling, blisters; blanches
with pressure.
Inflammation - ANSWER -When the body automatically reacts to injured tissue by
trauma or bacteria.
Transcription - ANSWER -The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.
Innate Immunity - ANSWER -The body's 1st line of defense against pathogens,
involving physical, chemical, and cellular defenses.
What is one cause of hypomagnesemia? - ANSWER -Prolonged diarrhea
Laxative Abuse
Increased renal excretion of Magnesium
Sepsis
Burns
Serious wounds requiring debridement
Alcoholism
What are clinical manifestations of Hypernatremia? - ANSWER -Weight gain
HTN
Mental Changes
Dehydration
Irritability
Tachycardia
Flushed skin
Dry mucous membranes
Oliguria
Suspected Musculoskeletal Trauma? - ANSWER -Assess for pain, swelling, bruising,
and deformity. Perform appropriate imaging studies.
