WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FINAL
CONCEPT REVIEW GUIDE 2026 DISEASE
PROGRESSION AND CLINICAL
MANIFESTATIONS
◉ Form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins
Answer: Oncotic Pressure
◉ What is the difference between adult and child immunity?
Answer: Naive T Cells
◉ Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by _________________, which
regulates actions such as thirst, ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS.
Answer: Osmoreceptors
◉ What are the causes of dehydration?
Answer: #Excessive loss
#Inadequate intake
#Both
◉ What s/sx are associated with dehydration?
,Answer: #Dry mucous membranes
#Decreased skin turgor
#Decreased urine output
#Low blood pressure
#Tachycardia
#Weak heart rate
#Confusion
◉ A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated
CO2 level and pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition
does she have?
Answer: Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 levels are both elevated (moving in the
same direction). This indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is
high because her respiratory system is attempting to compensate for
the high pH by exhaling less and retaining more CO2.
◉ Normal CO2 level
Answer: 35-45
◉ Normal pH level
Answer: 7.35-7.45
,◉ Normal HCO3 level
Answer: 22-26
◉ Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How
does pH impact Michael's basal metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing
it from the bloodstream.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of
H+ makes it easier for Ca+ to bind to albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it
into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt
to get it out of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the
bloodstream.
Answer: His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty
removing it from the bloodstream.
, His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt
to get it out of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the
bloodstream.
◉ A hormone panel was done on a patient with congestive heart
failure and fluid volume overload. Which elevated hormone on the
patient's chart is indicative of the body's attempt to reduce the fluid
overload?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Aldosterone
Renin
Answer: BNP
BNP is released when fluid volume excess is present.
◉ Normal sodium level
CONCEPT REVIEW GUIDE 2026 DISEASE
PROGRESSION AND CLINICAL
MANIFESTATIONS
◉ Form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins
Answer: Oncotic Pressure
◉ What is the difference between adult and child immunity?
Answer: Naive T Cells
◉ Fluid and electrolyte levels are regulated by _________________, which
regulates actions such as thirst, ADH, the kidneys, and RAAS.
Answer: Osmoreceptors
◉ What are the causes of dehydration?
Answer: #Excessive loss
#Inadequate intake
#Both
◉ What s/sx are associated with dehydration?
,Answer: #Dry mucous membranes
#Decreased skin turgor
#Decreased urine output
#Low blood pressure
#Tachycardia
#Weak heart rate
#Confusion
◉ A patient with a viral illness and severe vomiting has an elevated
CO2 level and pH of 7.53. She is breathing slowly. What condition
does she have?
Answer: Metabolic alkalosis
The patient's pH and CO2 levels are both elevated (moving in the
same direction). This indicates metabolic alkalosis. The CO2 level is
high because her respiratory system is attempting to compensate for
the high pH by exhaling less and retaining more CO2.
◉ Normal CO2 level
Answer: 35-45
◉ Normal pH level
Answer: 7.35-7.45
,◉ Normal HCO3 level
Answer: 22-26
◉ Michael's pulmonary edema leads to respiratory acidosis. How
does pH impact Michael's basal metabolic panel? Choose 3 answers.
His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty removing
it from the bloodstream.
His calcium level is reduced because the elevated concentration of
H+ makes it easier for Ca+ to bind to albumin.
His CO2 level is decreased because his lungs have difficulty adding it
into the bloodstream.
His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt
to get it out of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the
bloodstream.
Answer: His CO2 level is increased because his lungs have difficulty
removing it from the bloodstream.
, His sodium level is decreased due to hypervolemia.
His K+ is elevated because, as H+ moves inside of cells in an attempt
to get it out of the bloodstream, K+ moves from cells into the
bloodstream.
◉ A hormone panel was done on a patient with congestive heart
failure and fluid volume overload. Which elevated hormone on the
patient's chart is indicative of the body's attempt to reduce the fluid
overload?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Aldosterone
Renin
Answer: BNP
BNP is released when fluid volume excess is present.
◉ Normal sodium level
