WGU D236 EXAM WGU D236
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2025-2026 (A NEW
UPDATED VERSION) ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A
GRADED
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2.
Higher = acidosis and lower = alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than
abnormal CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure
or excessive GI losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic
in nature. -If pH and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is
the pCO2 levels that are causing the imbalance and it is respiratory in
nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same direction as the pH, then
the imbalance is metabolic in nature.
,The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and K+)
and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in
determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis
or lactic acidosis? - ANSWER ->The anion gap is the calculation of
unmeasured anions in the blood.
Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured
anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of
the excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)? - ANSWER ->Insulin is
the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the
cells. Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is
signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a
cells surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can start
to bind to other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of glucose
reacting with the endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the
heart and kidneys.
,Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - ANSWER ->Type I
diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose
will not be taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose
(hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The
insulin receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads
to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to
insulin (metformin), dietary and life-style changes or insulin injections.
Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis - ANSWER -
>AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia.
Patients with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the
blood using a semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
, What are some reasons for a patient choosing one over the other? -
ANSWER ->Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body
in one tube while dialysate (made of water, electrolytes and salts) is
pumped in the separate tube in the opposite direction. Waste from the
blood diffuses through the semipermeable membrane separating the
blood from the dialysate.
Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a
solution of water and glucose into the abdominal cavity. The
peritoneum acts as the membrane instead of dialysis tubing. The waste
products diffuse into the abdominal cavity and the waste solution is
then drained from the body.
Peritoneal dialysis offers continuous filtration and is less disruption to
the patient's daily routines. However, it does require some training of
the patient and is not recommended for individuals who are
overweight or have severe kidney failure.
Hemodialysis provides medical care, but 3 times a week for several
hours sitting at a hospital or clinic. Individuals with acute kidney failure
are recommended to use hemodialysis.
How does homeostasis and maintaining optimal physiological health
impact your wellbeing? - ANSWER ->Homeostasis acts to create a
constant and stable environment in the body despite internal and
external changes. Proteins and other cellular processes require optimal
conditions in order to carry out their functions.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2025-2026 (A NEW
UPDATED VERSION) ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) WITH RATIONALES ALREADY A
GRADED
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by changes in PCO2.
Higher = acidosis and lower = alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than
abnormal CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure
or excessive GI losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is respiratory or metabolic
in nature. -If pH and PCO2 are moving in opposite directions, then it is
the pCO2 levels that are causing the imbalance and it is respiratory in
nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same direction as the pH, then
the imbalance is metabolic in nature.
,The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and K+)
and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in
determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis
or lactic acidosis? - ANSWER ->The anion gap is the calculation of
unmeasured anions in the blood.
Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production of unmeasured
anions, which remove HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of
the excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)? - ANSWER ->Insulin is
the hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the
cells. Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is
signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a
cells surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the blood, it can start
to bind to other proteins and lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are a result of glucose
reacting with the endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the
heart and kidneys.
,Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - ANSWER ->Type I
diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose
will not be taken into the cell and leads to high blood glucose
(hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The
insulin receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads
to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to
insulin (metformin), dietary and life-style changes or insulin injections.
Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis - ANSWER -
>AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia.
Patients with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the
blood using a semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
, What are some reasons for a patient choosing one over the other? -
ANSWER ->Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body
in one tube while dialysate (made of water, electrolytes and salts) is
pumped in the separate tube in the opposite direction. Waste from the
blood diffuses through the semipermeable membrane separating the
blood from the dialysate.
Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a
solution of water and glucose into the abdominal cavity. The
peritoneum acts as the membrane instead of dialysis tubing. The waste
products diffuse into the abdominal cavity and the waste solution is
then drained from the body.
Peritoneal dialysis offers continuous filtration and is less disruption to
the patient's daily routines. However, it does require some training of
the patient and is not recommended for individuals who are
overweight or have severe kidney failure.
Hemodialysis provides medical care, but 3 times a week for several
hours sitting at a hospital or clinic. Individuals with acute kidney failure
are recommended to use hemodialysis.
How does homeostasis and maintaining optimal physiological health
impact your wellbeing? - ANSWER ->Homeostasis acts to create a
constant and stable environment in the body despite internal and
external changes. Proteins and other cellular processes require optimal
conditions in order to carry out their functions.
