WGU D115 ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus - ANSWER -Type 1 DM is associated with beta cell
destruction leading to absolute insulin deficiency resulting in significant hyperglycemia
and potential for ketoacidosis.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors - ANSWER -Major risk factors are heredity and
obesity.
Endometrial Cancer Risk Factor - ANSWER -Oral contraceptives have been shown to
reduce the incidence of endometrial cancer.
Mixed Precocious Puberty - ANSWER -Mixed precocious puberty cases the child to
develop some secondary characteristics of the opposite sex, such as the feminization of
a boy.
Delayed Puberty Cause - ANSWER -In 95% of cases, delayed puberty is physiologic in
nature.
Priapism Association - ANSWER -Priapism has been associated with the abuse of
certain substances.
Priapism - ANSWER -Prolonged penile erection, often idiopathic.
Cocaine - ANSWER -Substance associated with priapism.
Ovulation - ANSWER -Triggered by a sudden increase of LH.
Follicular cyst - ANSWER -Develops when no dominant follicle matures.
Benign ovarian cyst - ANSWER -Functional cyst from incomplete follicle maturation.
Genetic counseling - ANSWER -Advisory service for individuals at genetic risk.
Maternal age - ANSWER -Common reason for seeking genetic counseling.
Amniocentesis - ANSWER -Procedure to perform genetic studies on fetus.
Turner Syndrome - ANSWER -Condition with monosomy X in affected cells.
Cri du chat syndrome - ANSWER -Genetic disorder with distinctive cat-like cry.
,Adaptive immunity - ANSWER -Immune response mediated by T and B cells.
Minimally conscious state - ANSWER -Patient shows limited but definite responses.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - ANSWER -Severe lung inflammation with
bilateral infiltrates.
Capillary hydrostatic pressure - ANSWER -Increased pressure causing pulmonary
edema.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) - ANSWER -Antibody involved in asthma pathophysiology.
Airway remodeling - ANSWER -Long-term damage from uncontrolled airway
inflammation.
Angiotensin II - ANSWER -Hormone linked to myocardial hypertrophy in hypertension.
Hypertrophy of myocardium - ANSWER -Heart muscle thickening due to increased load.
Blood pressure measurement - ANSWER -First reading indicates hypertension if
elevated.
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - ANSWER -The GCS is scored between 3 and 15, 3
being the worst and 15 the best.
Severe TBI GCS Score - ANSWER -A GCS score of 3-8 describes a severe TBI.
Obsessions - ANSWER -Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or
images that cause distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Characteristics - ANSWER -Impaired
concentration and irritability are major characteristics of GAD.
Schizophrenia Symptoms - ANSWER -The characteristics of schizophrenia are
paranoia, delusions, tangential thoughts, suspiciousness, disorganized behavior, and
hallucinations.
Acute Otitis Media - ANSWER -The classic presentation of otitis media is otalgia,
muffled hearing, popping sensation, and a recent history of a cold or flare up of allergic
rhinitis.
Peritonsillar Abscess - ANSWER -Peritonsillar abscess is characterized by severe sore
throat, pain or difficulty swallowing, jaw muscle spasms, and a hot potato voice.
, Graves' Disease - ANSWER -Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition also known as
'diffuse toxic goiter' is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in this age group.
Insulin Resistance Finding - ANSWER -Triglycerides > 150mg/dL is associated with
increasing insulin resistance.
Postprandial Glucose Level Influencer - ANSWER -Carbohydrate is a macronutrient
with the greatest impact on the postprandial glucose levels.
Sickle cell disease - ANSWER -Blood disorder associated with priapism.
Spinal cord trauma - ANSWER -Potential cause of priapism.
Pelvic tumors - ANSWER -Associated with priapism in some cases.
Leukemia - ANSWER -Blood cancer linked to priapism.
High-pitched cry - ANSWER -Characteristic symptom of cri du chat syndrome.
Hypotonia - ANSWER -Reduced muscle tone seen in cri du chat.
Microcephaly - ANSWER -Small head size, symptom of cri du chat.
Hypertelorism - ANSWER -Widely spaced eyes, seen in cri du chat.
Bilateral infiltrates - ANSWER -Key feature in diagnosing ARDS.
Decreased pulmonary compliance - ANSWER -Characteristic of ARDS, indicating stiff
lungs.
Assessment of lifestyle and risk factors - ANSWER -A comprehensive evaluation of an
individual's habits and potential health risks.
CBC - ANSWER -Complete Blood Count, a blood test used to evaluate overall health
and detect a variety of disorders.
BMP - ANSWER -Basic Metabolic Panel, a blood test that measures glucose, calcium,
and electrolytes.
UA - ANSWER -Urinalysis, a test that examines the content of urine to assess health.
Initiation of anti-hypertensive medications - ANSWER -The process of starting
medication to lower high blood pressure, contingent upon confirmed diagnosis.
Diagnosis of hypertension - ANSWER -Determined by measuring blood pressure on at
least two separate occasions, averaging at least 2 minutes apart.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus - ANSWER -Type 1 DM is associated with beta cell
destruction leading to absolute insulin deficiency resulting in significant hyperglycemia
and potential for ketoacidosis.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors - ANSWER -Major risk factors are heredity and
obesity.
Endometrial Cancer Risk Factor - ANSWER -Oral contraceptives have been shown to
reduce the incidence of endometrial cancer.
Mixed Precocious Puberty - ANSWER -Mixed precocious puberty cases the child to
develop some secondary characteristics of the opposite sex, such as the feminization of
a boy.
Delayed Puberty Cause - ANSWER -In 95% of cases, delayed puberty is physiologic in
nature.
Priapism Association - ANSWER -Priapism has been associated with the abuse of
certain substances.
Priapism - ANSWER -Prolonged penile erection, often idiopathic.
Cocaine - ANSWER -Substance associated with priapism.
Ovulation - ANSWER -Triggered by a sudden increase of LH.
Follicular cyst - ANSWER -Develops when no dominant follicle matures.
Benign ovarian cyst - ANSWER -Functional cyst from incomplete follicle maturation.
Genetic counseling - ANSWER -Advisory service for individuals at genetic risk.
Maternal age - ANSWER -Common reason for seeking genetic counseling.
Amniocentesis - ANSWER -Procedure to perform genetic studies on fetus.
Turner Syndrome - ANSWER -Condition with monosomy X in affected cells.
Cri du chat syndrome - ANSWER -Genetic disorder with distinctive cat-like cry.
,Adaptive immunity - ANSWER -Immune response mediated by T and B cells.
Minimally conscious state - ANSWER -Patient shows limited but definite responses.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) - ANSWER -Severe lung inflammation with
bilateral infiltrates.
Capillary hydrostatic pressure - ANSWER -Increased pressure causing pulmonary
edema.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) - ANSWER -Antibody involved in asthma pathophysiology.
Airway remodeling - ANSWER -Long-term damage from uncontrolled airway
inflammation.
Angiotensin II - ANSWER -Hormone linked to myocardial hypertrophy in hypertension.
Hypertrophy of myocardium - ANSWER -Heart muscle thickening due to increased load.
Blood pressure measurement - ANSWER -First reading indicates hypertension if
elevated.
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - ANSWER -The GCS is scored between 3 and 15, 3
being the worst and 15 the best.
Severe TBI GCS Score - ANSWER -A GCS score of 3-8 describes a severe TBI.
Obsessions - ANSWER -Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or
images that cause distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Characteristics - ANSWER -Impaired
concentration and irritability are major characteristics of GAD.
Schizophrenia Symptoms - ANSWER -The characteristics of schizophrenia are
paranoia, delusions, tangential thoughts, suspiciousness, disorganized behavior, and
hallucinations.
Acute Otitis Media - ANSWER -The classic presentation of otitis media is otalgia,
muffled hearing, popping sensation, and a recent history of a cold or flare up of allergic
rhinitis.
Peritonsillar Abscess - ANSWER -Peritonsillar abscess is characterized by severe sore
throat, pain or difficulty swallowing, jaw muscle spasms, and a hot potato voice.
, Graves' Disease - ANSWER -Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition also known as
'diffuse toxic goiter' is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in this age group.
Insulin Resistance Finding - ANSWER -Triglycerides > 150mg/dL is associated with
increasing insulin resistance.
Postprandial Glucose Level Influencer - ANSWER -Carbohydrate is a macronutrient
with the greatest impact on the postprandial glucose levels.
Sickle cell disease - ANSWER -Blood disorder associated with priapism.
Spinal cord trauma - ANSWER -Potential cause of priapism.
Pelvic tumors - ANSWER -Associated with priapism in some cases.
Leukemia - ANSWER -Blood cancer linked to priapism.
High-pitched cry - ANSWER -Characteristic symptom of cri du chat syndrome.
Hypotonia - ANSWER -Reduced muscle tone seen in cri du chat.
Microcephaly - ANSWER -Small head size, symptom of cri du chat.
Hypertelorism - ANSWER -Widely spaced eyes, seen in cri du chat.
Bilateral infiltrates - ANSWER -Key feature in diagnosing ARDS.
Decreased pulmonary compliance - ANSWER -Characteristic of ARDS, indicating stiff
lungs.
Assessment of lifestyle and risk factors - ANSWER -A comprehensive evaluation of an
individual's habits and potential health risks.
CBC - ANSWER -Complete Blood Count, a blood test used to evaluate overall health
and detect a variety of disorders.
BMP - ANSWER -Basic Metabolic Panel, a blood test that measures glucose, calcium,
and electrolytes.
UA - ANSWER -Urinalysis, a test that examines the content of urine to assess health.
Initiation of anti-hypertensive medications - ANSWER -The process of starting
medication to lower high blood pressure, contingent upon confirmed diagnosis.
Diagnosis of hypertension - ANSWER -Determined by measuring blood pressure on at
least two separate occasions, averaging at least 2 minutes apart.
