"WGU D027 Advanced Pathopharmacology
2025/2026– Comprehensive Study Guide for
Success" Latest Updated
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? - Correct
Answer >- Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
- Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and tangles
(twisted strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated? - Correct Answer >- There is no cure, but there are
pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? - Correct Answer >- To treat
symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment, and other processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
What does cholinesterase inhibitors do? - Correct Answer >- Prevent the
breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important for learning and
memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the acetylcholine high
What is the cause of Prader-Willi Syndrome? - Correct Answer >- Depletion of
chromosome
15 from father
- Missing or non-working genes on chromosome 15 (15q11-q13)
- Most cases are not inherited and occur randomly
- Depletion of genes (genes from the region are missing)
- Uniparental disomy - both chromosomes are inherited from the mother - Imprinting
mutation - genes on the paternal chromosome is inactive
What does Prader-Willi Syndrome do to the body? - Correct Answer >- Caused
the hypothalamus to malfunction (the area of the brain that affects hunger, thirst,
sex and growth hormones)
- In infancy, an individual does not meet development milestones suck as sitting up
and walking - Their eyes lack coordination
What is a key feature of Prader-Willi Syndrome? - Correct Answer >- A constant
sense of hunger that usually begins around 2 years of age
, lOMoARcPSD|
57629747
- People with Prader-Willi Syndrome want to eat constantly because they
never feel full
What are some symptoms in infants with Prader-Willi Syndrome? -
Correct Answer >-
Hypotonia with floppy structure and poor muscle tone
- Distinct facial features affecting the shape and size of eyes, lips, forehead,
etc.
- Poor sucking ability making it difficult to feed
- Always lethargic and poor responsiveness
- Underdeveloped genitals
What is celiac disease? - Correct Answer >- Autoimmune disease
- Damages to the small intestinal epithelium when there is ingestion of gluten
- Loss of mucosal surface and brush border enzymes leads to severe
malabsorption that is more pronounced in the duodenum and jejunum
What strong genetic disposition does celiac disease have? - Correct
Answer >- Human leukocyte antigen DQ2 (HLA-DQ2) and HLA-DQ5
What test is recommended for celiac disease? - Correct Answer >- IgA-
tTG -
Total IgA
- Simple, inexpensive, widely available, typically covered by insurance, and is
very accurate in untreated celiac disease
What are the recommended tests for celiac disease? - Correct Answer
>- Total IgA
- IgA-tTg
- IgA-EMA
- If IgA is deficient, it is recommended that IgG/IgA-DGP also be ordered
What are diagnostic methods of celiac disease? - Correct Answer >-
Serologic
measurements of antiendomysial and antitrandsglutaminase IgA antibodies
and HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8
, lOMoARcPSD|
57629747
- Duodenal biopsy
What are tests are used in the diagnosing Crohn's disease? - Correct Answer
>-
Antisaccharomyces antibody test (ASCA)
- CBC (H/H, WBC)
- Heme-occult
- C-reactive protein (sign of inflammation)
- Electrolyte panel (K due to diarrhea)
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (amount of inflammation)
- Iron and B12 levels
- KUB
- Upper endoscopy
- Barium x-rays
- CT/MRI (external view)
- Video capsule endoscopy
Which tests may show lesions for patients with Crohn's disease? -
Correct Answer >-
Barium x-ray - in the small intestines
- Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy (primarily) - in the large intestines
Which two lab tests measure inflammation? - Correct Answer >- C-
reactive protein - Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (looks at the amount of
inflammation by measuring the amount of time it takes for erythrocytes to
fall to the bottom of the tube)
What are some medications/treatments used to treat Crohn's
disease? - Correct Answer >-
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressants
- Biologics (remicade)
- Antibiotics
- Surgical incision of the affected area
- Aminosalicylates
Why are aminosalicylates used for in patients with Crohn's disease?
- Correct Answer >- Reduce inflammation
What are some aminosalicylates that are used to treat Crohn's
disease? - Correct Answer >-
, lOMoARcPSD|
57629747
Sulfasalazine
- Mesalamine
Why are corticosteroids used for in patients with Crohn's disease? -
Correct Answer >-
Reduce inflammation
- Only used if aminosalicylates are not effective during an exacerbation
What are some immunosuppressants that are used for in patients
with Crohn's disease? -
Correct Answer >- Azathiroprine
- Cyclosporine
- Tactolimus
- Methotrexate
- Infliximab
Why are antibiotics used to manage patient's with Crohn's disease? -
Correct Answer >- To manage intestinal bacterial overgrowth
What diet is best for patients with Crohn's disease? - Correct Answer >-
Low residue diet: low fiber foods, lean proteins, small/refined grains, fully
cooked/non cruciferous vegetables (help prevent gas/bloating), low fat foods,
probiotics (when there is not an exacerbation), and nutritional shakes
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine (dehydrating and diuretics)
- Hydration and electrolyte replacement drinks
What are patients with atopic dermatitis and eczema have an
increased risk for? - Correct
Answer >- Crohn's disease
- Celiac disease
How does patients with Crohn's disease's bowels look like? -
Correct Answer >- "Skip lesions" on the bowel tissue (mucosal lesions
where inflammation exists) - Tissue may appear as cobblestones on biopsy
What is the difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's
disease in terms of symptoms and body impacts? - Correct Answer >-
Crohn's is inflammation and scarring in the intestine
(bowel) disease lining of all of the digestive tract and worsens after eating
2025/2026– Comprehensive Study Guide for
Success" Latest Updated
What are some physical changes from Alzheimer's dementia? - Correct
Answer >- Brain shrinks dramatically; nerve cell death and tissue loss
- Cardinal signs: plaques (abnormal clusters of protein fragments) and tangles
(twisted strands of another protein)
How is Alzheimer's treated? - Correct Answer >- There is no cure, but there are
pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Memantine (namenda)
What are cholinesterase inhibitors prescribed for? - Correct Answer >- To treat
symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, judgment, and other processes
- Helps delay or slow the worsening of symptoms
What does cholinesterase inhibitors do? - Correct Answer >- Prevent the
breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that is important for learning and
memory
- Supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the acetylcholine high
What is the cause of Prader-Willi Syndrome? - Correct Answer >- Depletion of
chromosome
15 from father
- Missing or non-working genes on chromosome 15 (15q11-q13)
- Most cases are not inherited and occur randomly
- Depletion of genes (genes from the region are missing)
- Uniparental disomy - both chromosomes are inherited from the mother - Imprinting
mutation - genes on the paternal chromosome is inactive
What does Prader-Willi Syndrome do to the body? - Correct Answer >- Caused
the hypothalamus to malfunction (the area of the brain that affects hunger, thirst,
sex and growth hormones)
- In infancy, an individual does not meet development milestones suck as sitting up
and walking - Their eyes lack coordination
What is a key feature of Prader-Willi Syndrome? - Correct Answer >- A constant
sense of hunger that usually begins around 2 years of age
, lOMoARcPSD|
57629747
- People with Prader-Willi Syndrome want to eat constantly because they
never feel full
What are some symptoms in infants with Prader-Willi Syndrome? -
Correct Answer >-
Hypotonia with floppy structure and poor muscle tone
- Distinct facial features affecting the shape and size of eyes, lips, forehead,
etc.
- Poor sucking ability making it difficult to feed
- Always lethargic and poor responsiveness
- Underdeveloped genitals
What is celiac disease? - Correct Answer >- Autoimmune disease
- Damages to the small intestinal epithelium when there is ingestion of gluten
- Loss of mucosal surface and brush border enzymes leads to severe
malabsorption that is more pronounced in the duodenum and jejunum
What strong genetic disposition does celiac disease have? - Correct
Answer >- Human leukocyte antigen DQ2 (HLA-DQ2) and HLA-DQ5
What test is recommended for celiac disease? - Correct Answer >- IgA-
tTG -
Total IgA
- Simple, inexpensive, widely available, typically covered by insurance, and is
very accurate in untreated celiac disease
What are the recommended tests for celiac disease? - Correct Answer
>- Total IgA
- IgA-tTg
- IgA-EMA
- If IgA is deficient, it is recommended that IgG/IgA-DGP also be ordered
What are diagnostic methods of celiac disease? - Correct Answer >-
Serologic
measurements of antiendomysial and antitrandsglutaminase IgA antibodies
and HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8
, lOMoARcPSD|
57629747
- Duodenal biopsy
What are tests are used in the diagnosing Crohn's disease? - Correct Answer
>-
Antisaccharomyces antibody test (ASCA)
- CBC (H/H, WBC)
- Heme-occult
- C-reactive protein (sign of inflammation)
- Electrolyte panel (K due to diarrhea)
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (amount of inflammation)
- Iron and B12 levels
- KUB
- Upper endoscopy
- Barium x-rays
- CT/MRI (external view)
- Video capsule endoscopy
Which tests may show lesions for patients with Crohn's disease? -
Correct Answer >-
Barium x-ray - in the small intestines
- Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy (primarily) - in the large intestines
Which two lab tests measure inflammation? - Correct Answer >- C-
reactive protein - Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (looks at the amount of
inflammation by measuring the amount of time it takes for erythrocytes to
fall to the bottom of the tube)
What are some medications/treatments used to treat Crohn's
disease? - Correct Answer >-
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressants
- Biologics (remicade)
- Antibiotics
- Surgical incision of the affected area
- Aminosalicylates
Why are aminosalicylates used for in patients with Crohn's disease?
- Correct Answer >- Reduce inflammation
What are some aminosalicylates that are used to treat Crohn's
disease? - Correct Answer >-
, lOMoARcPSD|
57629747
Sulfasalazine
- Mesalamine
Why are corticosteroids used for in patients with Crohn's disease? -
Correct Answer >-
Reduce inflammation
- Only used if aminosalicylates are not effective during an exacerbation
What are some immunosuppressants that are used for in patients
with Crohn's disease? -
Correct Answer >- Azathiroprine
- Cyclosporine
- Tactolimus
- Methotrexate
- Infliximab
Why are antibiotics used to manage patient's with Crohn's disease? -
Correct Answer >- To manage intestinal bacterial overgrowth
What diet is best for patients with Crohn's disease? - Correct Answer >-
Low residue diet: low fiber foods, lean proteins, small/refined grains, fully
cooked/non cruciferous vegetables (help prevent gas/bloating), low fat foods,
probiotics (when there is not an exacerbation), and nutritional shakes
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine (dehydrating and diuretics)
- Hydration and electrolyte replacement drinks
What are patients with atopic dermatitis and eczema have an
increased risk for? - Correct
Answer >- Crohn's disease
- Celiac disease
How does patients with Crohn's disease's bowels look like? -
Correct Answer >- "Skip lesions" on the bowel tissue (mucosal lesions
where inflammation exists) - Tissue may appear as cobblestones on biopsy
What is the difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's
disease in terms of symptoms and body impacts? - Correct Answer >-
Crohn's is inflammation and scarring in the intestine
(bowel) disease lining of all of the digestive tract and worsens after eating
