WGU D102 MIDTERM EXAM
Foundations of Health and Medicine
Comprehensive Practice Assessment | 2026 Edition
Which prefix indicates a condition of "below normal"?
A. Hyper-
B. Hypo-
C. Normo-
D. Dys-
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: Hyper- means excessive or above normal, making this incorrect for "below normal."
Rationale B: Hypo- specifically denotes deficiency or below normal, which is correct.
Rationale C: Normo- indicates normal or standard, not below normal.
Rationale D: Dys- refers to abnormal, difficult, or impaired, but not specifically below normal.
The suffix "-itis" in medical terminology refers to:
A. Surgical removal
B. Inflammation
C. Enlargement
D. Hardening
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: Surgical removal is denoted by "-ectomy," not "-itis."
Rationale B: "-itis" universally indicates inflammation, such as in arthritis or tonsillitis.
,Rationale C: Enlargement is indicated by "-megaly," not "-itis."
Rationale D: Hardening is indicated by "-sclerosis," not "-itis."
Which body system is primarily responsible for gas exchange?
A. Cardiovascular
B. Respiratory
C. Digestive
D. Endocrine
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: The cardiovascular system transports gases but does not perform the exchange itself.
Rationale B: The respiratory system facilitates oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange at the alveolar-
capillary interface.
Rationale C: The digestive system processes nutrients, not respiratory gases.
Rationale D: The endocrine system regulates hormones, not gas exchange.
Homeostasis is best defined as:
A. The breakdown of complex molecules
B. The maintenance of a stable internal environment
C. The rapid division of cells
D. The transport of oxygen to tissues
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: Breakdown of complex molecules describes catabolism, not homeostasis.
Rationale B: Homeostasis refers to dynamic equilibrium maintained through feedback mechanisms.
Rationale C: Rapid cell division describes hyperplasia or neoplasia, not homeostasis.
Rationale D: Oxygen transport is a function of circulation, not the definition of homeostasis.
Which tissue type lines the digestive tract and absorbs nutrients?
A. Connective
B. Muscle
C. Epithelial
D. Nervous
ANSWER: C
,Rationale A: Connective tissue supports and binds structures but does not line absorptive surfaces.
Rationale B: Muscle tissue enables contraction and movement, not absorption.
Rationale C: Epithelial tissue forms protective and absorptive linings, including the intestinal mucosa.
Rationale D: Nervous tissue transmits impulses and does not perform absorption.
The term "bradycardia" refers to:
A. Fast heart rate
B. Irregular heart rhythm
C. Slow heart rate
D. Elevated blood pressure
ANSWER: C
Rationale A: Fast heart rate is termed tachycardia.
Rationale B: Irregular rhythm is termed arrhythmia or dysrhythmia.
Rationale C: Brady- means slow and -cardia refers to heart rate, making this correct.
Rationale D: Elevated blood pressure is hypertension, unrelated to heart rate terminology.
Which organ is primarily responsible for filtering blood and producing urine?
A. Liver
B. Spleen
C. Kidneys
D. Pancreas
ANSWER: C
Rationale A: The liver metabolizes toxins and produces bile, not urine.
Rationale B: The spleen filters blood for immune function and removes old RBCs, but does not produce
urine.
Rationale C: The kidneys filter plasma, regulate electrolytes, and produce urine through nephron
function.
Rationale D: The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and insulin, not urine.
Which vitamin is essential for blood clotting?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
, C. Vitamin K
D. Vitamin E
ANSWER: C
Rationale A: Vitamin A supports vision and epithelial integrity, not coagulation.
Rationale B: Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis and immune function.
Rationale C: Vitamin K is required for hepatic synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X.
Rationale D: Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and does not participate in coagulation.
The ethical principle of "nonmaleficence" means:
A. Providing equal care to all patients
B. Doing no harm
C. Respecting patient autonomy
D. Promoting patient well-being
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: Equal care relates to justice, not nonmaleficence.
Rationale B: Nonmaleficence is the foundational bioethical principle of avoiding harm.
Rationale C: Respecting autonomy aligns with the principle of autonomy.
Rationale D: Promoting well-being describes beneficence, not nonmaleficence.
Which type of immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from mother to infant?
A. Active natural
B. Active artificial
C. Passive natural
D. Passive artificial
ANSWER: C
Rationale A: Active natural immunity occurs after natural infection and endogenous antibody
production.
Rationale B: Active artificial immunity follows vaccination.
Rationale C: Passive natural immunity occurs via placental transfer or breast milk without infant immune
activation.
Rationale D: Passive artificial immunity involves administered immune globulin or antiserum.
Foundations of Health and Medicine
Comprehensive Practice Assessment | 2026 Edition
Which prefix indicates a condition of "below normal"?
A. Hyper-
B. Hypo-
C. Normo-
D. Dys-
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: Hyper- means excessive or above normal, making this incorrect for "below normal."
Rationale B: Hypo- specifically denotes deficiency or below normal, which is correct.
Rationale C: Normo- indicates normal or standard, not below normal.
Rationale D: Dys- refers to abnormal, difficult, or impaired, but not specifically below normal.
The suffix "-itis" in medical terminology refers to:
A. Surgical removal
B. Inflammation
C. Enlargement
D. Hardening
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: Surgical removal is denoted by "-ectomy," not "-itis."
Rationale B: "-itis" universally indicates inflammation, such as in arthritis or tonsillitis.
,Rationale C: Enlargement is indicated by "-megaly," not "-itis."
Rationale D: Hardening is indicated by "-sclerosis," not "-itis."
Which body system is primarily responsible for gas exchange?
A. Cardiovascular
B. Respiratory
C. Digestive
D. Endocrine
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: The cardiovascular system transports gases but does not perform the exchange itself.
Rationale B: The respiratory system facilitates oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange at the alveolar-
capillary interface.
Rationale C: The digestive system processes nutrients, not respiratory gases.
Rationale D: The endocrine system regulates hormones, not gas exchange.
Homeostasis is best defined as:
A. The breakdown of complex molecules
B. The maintenance of a stable internal environment
C. The rapid division of cells
D. The transport of oxygen to tissues
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: Breakdown of complex molecules describes catabolism, not homeostasis.
Rationale B: Homeostasis refers to dynamic equilibrium maintained through feedback mechanisms.
Rationale C: Rapid cell division describes hyperplasia or neoplasia, not homeostasis.
Rationale D: Oxygen transport is a function of circulation, not the definition of homeostasis.
Which tissue type lines the digestive tract and absorbs nutrients?
A. Connective
B. Muscle
C. Epithelial
D. Nervous
ANSWER: C
,Rationale A: Connective tissue supports and binds structures but does not line absorptive surfaces.
Rationale B: Muscle tissue enables contraction and movement, not absorption.
Rationale C: Epithelial tissue forms protective and absorptive linings, including the intestinal mucosa.
Rationale D: Nervous tissue transmits impulses and does not perform absorption.
The term "bradycardia" refers to:
A. Fast heart rate
B. Irregular heart rhythm
C. Slow heart rate
D. Elevated blood pressure
ANSWER: C
Rationale A: Fast heart rate is termed tachycardia.
Rationale B: Irregular rhythm is termed arrhythmia or dysrhythmia.
Rationale C: Brady- means slow and -cardia refers to heart rate, making this correct.
Rationale D: Elevated blood pressure is hypertension, unrelated to heart rate terminology.
Which organ is primarily responsible for filtering blood and producing urine?
A. Liver
B. Spleen
C. Kidneys
D. Pancreas
ANSWER: C
Rationale A: The liver metabolizes toxins and produces bile, not urine.
Rationale B: The spleen filters blood for immune function and removes old RBCs, but does not produce
urine.
Rationale C: The kidneys filter plasma, regulate electrolytes, and produce urine through nephron
function.
Rationale D: The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and insulin, not urine.
Which vitamin is essential for blood clotting?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
, C. Vitamin K
D. Vitamin E
ANSWER: C
Rationale A: Vitamin A supports vision and epithelial integrity, not coagulation.
Rationale B: Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis and immune function.
Rationale C: Vitamin K is required for hepatic synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X.
Rationale D: Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and does not participate in coagulation.
The ethical principle of "nonmaleficence" means:
A. Providing equal care to all patients
B. Doing no harm
C. Respecting patient autonomy
D. Promoting patient well-being
ANSWER: B
Rationale A: Equal care relates to justice, not nonmaleficence.
Rationale B: Nonmaleficence is the foundational bioethical principle of avoiding harm.
Rationale C: Respecting autonomy aligns with the principle of autonomy.
Rationale D: Promoting well-being describes beneficence, not nonmaleficence.
Which type of immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from mother to infant?
A. Active natural
B. Active artificial
C. Passive natural
D. Passive artificial
ANSWER: C
Rationale A: Active natural immunity occurs after natural infection and endogenous antibody
production.
Rationale B: Active artificial immunity follows vaccination.
Rationale C: Passive natural immunity occurs via placental transfer or breast milk without infant immune
activation.
Rationale D: Passive artificial immunity involves administered immune globulin or antiserum.
