WGU D115 OA ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
2025-2026 | ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES AND A READINESS
PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK WITH A STUDY GUIDE
Age and the admission of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) are important
diagnostic factors in TBI. Which GCS score describes a severe TBI?
A) 13-15
B) 12-13
C) 9-12
D) 3-8 - ANSWER>>D) 3-8
The GCS is scored between 3 and 15, 3 being the worst and 15 the best.
Which term describes recurrent, intrusive thoughts or impulses?
A) Hallucinations
B) Compulsions
C) Obsessions
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that cause
distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust.
D) Delusions - ANSWER>>C) Obsessions
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that cause
distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust.
During an intake interview with a 26-year-old man diagnosed with generalized
anxiety disorder, the FNP might observe what type of behavior?
A) An inflated sense of self
B) Constant relation to future events
C) Inability to concentrate and irritability when questioned
,Impaired concentration and irritability are major characteristics of GAD.
D) Nervousness and fear of the FNP during the interview - ANSWER>>C)
Inability to concentrate and irritability when questioned
Impaired concentration and irritability are major characteristics of GAD.
What is the most common indication for genetic counseling?
A) maternal age
B) drug exposure during the first trimester?
C) Increased maternal alpha-fetoprotein
D) history of previous still birth - ANSWER>>A) maternal age
The largest group of women who benefit from genetic counseling are those over
the age of 35
The FNP schedules a 38-year-old primigravida (first time pregnancy) for an
amniocentesis at 16 weeks gestation. The FNP would explain that the purpose of
this procedure is to:
A) Assess for the possibility of twins
B) Deterime the biliruben level
C) Perform genetic studies
D) Assess L/S ratio - ANSWER>>C) Perform genetic studies
This womans age puts her at risk for Down Syndrome
In the most commonly seen form of Turner Syndrome, how is the X chromosome
affected?
A) Each cell has only one X chromosome?
B) Some cells have two X chromosomes, while the other cells have only one.
C) Each cell has two X chromosomes, but part of the chromosome is missing.
D) Each cell has an extra X chromosome - ANSWER>>A) Each cell has only one X
chromosome
45% of persons with Turner Syndrome have monosomy X meaning there is only
one copy of the X chromosome in each cell.
,The FNP is assessing a newborn who is demonstrating a high-pitched cry,
microcephaly, hypertelorism, hypotonia, and a low birth weight. The FNP would
suspect which of the following genetic conditions?
A) Down Syndrome
B) Cri du chat
C) Charge syndrome
D) Duncan disease - ANSWER>>B) Cri du chat
The clinical symptoms of cri du chat syndrome usually include a high-pitched cat-
like cry, mental retardation, delayed development, distinctive facial features,
small head size (microcephaly), widely-spaced eyes (hypertelorism), low birth
weight and weak muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy.
When explaining the types of adaptive immunity, the FNP student is aware that:
A) Adaptive immunity is a cell-mediated immune response which is
B) Adaptive immunity is the level of immunity that all persons are born with.
C) Adaptive immunity occurs when antibodies are passed from the mother to the
fetus.
D) Adaptive immunity occurs through immunization. - ANSWER>>A) Adaptive
immunity is a cell-mediated immune response which is carried out by T cells
and B cells.
There are two types of adaptive immunity responses: the cell-mediated immune
response, which is carried out by T cells, and the humoral immune response,
which is controlled by activated B cells and antibodies.
A woman has sustained a traumatic brain injury. She is able to follow simple
commands and can manipulate objects. Which term describes this state?
A) Coma
B) Persistent vegetative state
C) Minimally conscious
D) Locked-in syndrome - ANSWER>>C) Minimally conscious
When responses to the environment are seen, the patient is said to be in a
minimally conscious state
, The FNP would expect which symptoms in a patient with a diagnosis of
schizophrenia?
A) High energy with varying sleep patterns and non stop conversation. B)
Extreme and frequent mood swings with hyperactivity and difficulty
concentrating.
C) Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and diminished self-care.
D) Anti-social behavior, manipulative behavior, charisma, and ability to lie
convincingly. - ANSWER>>C) Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and
diminished self-care.
The characteristics of schizophrenia are paranoia, delusions, tangential thoughts,
suspiciousness, disorganized behavior, and hallucinations.
The FNP is seeing a 10 year old child with complaints of otalgia and muffled
hearing. The mother states the child recently recovered from an upper respiratory
infection. The FNP suspects that this child has:
A) Acute otitis media
B) Acute otitis externa
C) Cholesteatoma
D) Chronic otitis media - ANSWER>>A) Acute otitis media
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.
The FNP understands that a potential complication of tonsillar infections, which
is characterized by severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, odynophagia,
trismus, and a "hot potato" voice; accompanied by fever, chills and malaise is
indicative of:
A) Retropharyngeal abscess
B) Epiglotitis
C) Peritonsillar cellulitis
D) Peritonsillar abscess - ANSWER>>D) Peritonsillar abscess
Peritonsillar abscess is characterized by severe sore throat, pain or difficulty
2025-2026 | ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES AND A READINESS
PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK WITH A STUDY GUIDE
Age and the admission of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) are important
diagnostic factors in TBI. Which GCS score describes a severe TBI?
A) 13-15
B) 12-13
C) 9-12
D) 3-8 - ANSWER>>D) 3-8
The GCS is scored between 3 and 15, 3 being the worst and 15 the best.
Which term describes recurrent, intrusive thoughts or impulses?
A) Hallucinations
B) Compulsions
C) Obsessions
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that cause
distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust.
D) Delusions - ANSWER>>C) Obsessions
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that cause
distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust.
During an intake interview with a 26-year-old man diagnosed with generalized
anxiety disorder, the FNP might observe what type of behavior?
A) An inflated sense of self
B) Constant relation to future events
C) Inability to concentrate and irritability when questioned
,Impaired concentration and irritability are major characteristics of GAD.
D) Nervousness and fear of the FNP during the interview - ANSWER>>C)
Inability to concentrate and irritability when questioned
Impaired concentration and irritability are major characteristics of GAD.
What is the most common indication for genetic counseling?
A) maternal age
B) drug exposure during the first trimester?
C) Increased maternal alpha-fetoprotein
D) history of previous still birth - ANSWER>>A) maternal age
The largest group of women who benefit from genetic counseling are those over
the age of 35
The FNP schedules a 38-year-old primigravida (first time pregnancy) for an
amniocentesis at 16 weeks gestation. The FNP would explain that the purpose of
this procedure is to:
A) Assess for the possibility of twins
B) Deterime the biliruben level
C) Perform genetic studies
D) Assess L/S ratio - ANSWER>>C) Perform genetic studies
This womans age puts her at risk for Down Syndrome
In the most commonly seen form of Turner Syndrome, how is the X chromosome
affected?
A) Each cell has only one X chromosome?
B) Some cells have two X chromosomes, while the other cells have only one.
C) Each cell has two X chromosomes, but part of the chromosome is missing.
D) Each cell has an extra X chromosome - ANSWER>>A) Each cell has only one X
chromosome
45% of persons with Turner Syndrome have monosomy X meaning there is only
one copy of the X chromosome in each cell.
,The FNP is assessing a newborn who is demonstrating a high-pitched cry,
microcephaly, hypertelorism, hypotonia, and a low birth weight. The FNP would
suspect which of the following genetic conditions?
A) Down Syndrome
B) Cri du chat
C) Charge syndrome
D) Duncan disease - ANSWER>>B) Cri du chat
The clinical symptoms of cri du chat syndrome usually include a high-pitched cat-
like cry, mental retardation, delayed development, distinctive facial features,
small head size (microcephaly), widely-spaced eyes (hypertelorism), low birth
weight and weak muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy.
When explaining the types of adaptive immunity, the FNP student is aware that:
A) Adaptive immunity is a cell-mediated immune response which is
B) Adaptive immunity is the level of immunity that all persons are born with.
C) Adaptive immunity occurs when antibodies are passed from the mother to the
fetus.
D) Adaptive immunity occurs through immunization. - ANSWER>>A) Adaptive
immunity is a cell-mediated immune response which is carried out by T cells
and B cells.
There are two types of adaptive immunity responses: the cell-mediated immune
response, which is carried out by T cells, and the humoral immune response,
which is controlled by activated B cells and antibodies.
A woman has sustained a traumatic brain injury. She is able to follow simple
commands and can manipulate objects. Which term describes this state?
A) Coma
B) Persistent vegetative state
C) Minimally conscious
D) Locked-in syndrome - ANSWER>>C) Minimally conscious
When responses to the environment are seen, the patient is said to be in a
minimally conscious state
, The FNP would expect which symptoms in a patient with a diagnosis of
schizophrenia?
A) High energy with varying sleep patterns and non stop conversation. B)
Extreme and frequent mood swings with hyperactivity and difficulty
concentrating.
C) Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and diminished self-care.
D) Anti-social behavior, manipulative behavior, charisma, and ability to lie
convincingly. - ANSWER>>C) Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and
diminished self-care.
The characteristics of schizophrenia are paranoia, delusions, tangential thoughts,
suspiciousness, disorganized behavior, and hallucinations.
The FNP is seeing a 10 year old child with complaints of otalgia and muffled
hearing. The mother states the child recently recovered from an upper respiratory
infection. The FNP suspects that this child has:
A) Acute otitis media
B) Acute otitis externa
C) Cholesteatoma
D) Chronic otitis media - ANSWER>>A) Acute otitis media
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.
The FNP understands that a potential complication of tonsillar infections, which
is characterized by severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, odynophagia,
trismus, and a "hot potato" voice; accompanied by fever, chills and malaise is
indicative of:
A) Retropharyngeal abscess
B) Epiglotitis
C) Peritonsillar cellulitis
D) Peritonsillar abscess - ANSWER>>D) Peritonsillar abscess
Peritonsillar abscess is characterized by severe sore throat, pain or difficulty
