Western Governors University
O H TAP • 5 1 1 D
WGU College of Health Professions — Nursing Program
THE UNIVERSITY OF YOU
EST. 1997
WGU Pathophysiology — D115
G E N E T I CS , I M M U N O LO G Y, E N D O C R I N E , R E P R O D U C T I V E , P U L M O N A R Y, R E N A L , G I &
CO M P R E H E N S I V E R E V I E W
INSTITUTION Western Governors University — College COURSE CODE D115
of Health Professions
PROGRAM BSN Pre-Licensure / MSN Pathway ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Pathophysiology — Comprehensive TOTAL QUESTIONS 80 Questions
Course Review
ACCREDITATION CCNE — Commission on Collegiate FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Nursing Education Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on WGU D115 Pathophysiology course content.
▸ Questions cover genetics (DNA/RNA, inheritance patterns, chromosomal abnormalities, Prader-Willi/Angelman,
Turner/Klinefelter), immunology (hypersensitivity, HIV, SLE), endocrine (puberty, PCOS, menstrual cycle), reproductive,
pulmonary (V/Q mismatch, ARDS, asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis), renal (AKI, CKD, nephrotic/nephritic, glomerulonephritis), and
GI (IBD, peptic ulcer, achalasia, Hirschsprung).
▸ Correct answers and pathophysiological rationales appear below each question.
▸ All content aligns with WGU BSN curriculum and CCNE accreditation standards.
SECTION I — D115 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: COMPREHENSIVE COURSE Questions 1 –
REVIEW 80
1. What are genes, DNA, RNA, and chromosomes?
A. All four terms describe the same structure
B. Genes: sequences of DNA located in the cell nucleus; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid carrying genetic instructions; RNA:
ribonucleic acid essential for coding/decoding/regulating genes; Chromosomes: structures within cells containing
DNA organized into genes
C. Genes are only found in mitochondria; chromosomes are only in cytoplasm
D. DNA and RNA are identical molecules
CORRECT ANSWER B — Genes: DNA sequences in nucleus; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid, genetic instructions; RNA:
ribonucleic acid for coding/decoding/regulation; Chromosomes: structures containing organized
DNA/genes
RATIONALE GENES are the basic units of inheritance composed of DNA sequences located in the cell nucleus. DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule carrying genetic instructions — composed of four nitrogenous bases:
Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), and Thymine (T). A pairs with T; C pairs with G. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is
essential for coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes — uses Uracil instead of Thymine.
CHROMOSOMES are organized structures of DNA and proteins containing thousands of genes; humans have
23 pairs (46 total). TRANSCRIPTION is copying a DNA segment into RNA (regulated by transcription factors).
TRANSLATION is protein synthesis from mRNA. GENOTYPE = genetic makeup; PHENOTYPE = observable
characteristics. MITOSIS produces two genetically identical daughter cells.
, 2. What is the difference between autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance?
A. Both require two copies of the mutant allele
B. Autosomal dominant: only ONE copy of the mutant allele needed for expression (50% inheritance risk if one parent
heterozygous); Autosomal recessive: TWO copies needed (25% risk if both parents carriers)
C. Dominant only affects males; recessive only affects females
D. Dominant traits skip generations; recessive traits appear in every generation
CORRECT ANSWER B — Autosomal dominant: one mutant allele sufficient, 50% risk if one parent heterozygous;
Autosomal recessive: two mutant alleles needed, 25% risk if both parents carriers
RATIONALE AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT: only one copy of the mutant allele is required for disease expression. If one parent is
heterozygous (Aa) and the other unaffected (aa), each child has a 50% chance. Males and females equally
affected. Examples: Huntington's disease, Marfan syndrome, neurofibromatosis. AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE:
requires TWO copies of the mutant allele. Both parents must be carriers; each pregnancy has a 25% chance of
an affected child, 50% carrier, 25% unaffected. Examples: cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, sickle cell disease. X-
LINKED inheritance: gene located on X chromosome; males more severely affected (hemophilia, Duchenne
muscular dystrophy). Pedigree charts analyze inheritance patterns. Multifactorial diseases: hypertension,
CAD, diabetes, cancers — influenced by multiple genes and environment.
3. What are the key features of Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome?
A. Down: 45,XO, webbed neck; Turner: trisomy 21, hypotonia; Klinefelter: 47,XXX, tall stature
B. Down (Trisomy 21): intellectual disability, flat facies, congenital heart defects, increased ALL/AML risk; Turner (45,XO):
short stature, webbed neck, streak ovaries, coarctation of aorta; Klinefelter (47,XXY): gynecomastia, tall stature, small
testes, infertility
C. All three are caused by the same chromosomal abnormality
D. Down syndrome only affects males; Turner only affects females; Klinefelter affects both
CORRECT ANSWER B — Down (Trisomy 21): ID, flat facies, CHD, ALL/AML; Turner (45,XO): short, webbed neck, streak
ovaries, coarctation; Klinefelter (47,XXY): gynecomastia, tall, small testes, infertility
RATIONALE DOWN SYNDROME (Trisomy 21): most common chromosomal abnormality. Features: intellectual disability,
flat facial profile, low nasal bridge, protruding tongue, hypotonia, single palmar crease. Associated:
congenital heart defects (AV canal, VSD), duodenal atresia, hypothyroidism, increased ALL/AML risk, early
Alzheimer's. Males typically sterile. TURNER SYNDROME (45,XO): monosomy X in females. Features: short
stature (most consistent), webbed neck, widely spaced nipples, streak ovaries → infertility, primary
amenorrhea. Associated: COARCTATION OF AORTA, bicuspid aortic valve, horseshoe kidney, osteoporosis.
Normal intelligence. KLINEFELTER SYNDROME (47,XXY): extra X in males. Features: gynecomastia, tall stature,
small testes, infertility, sparse body hair, high-pitched voice, learning difficulties. Associated: osteoporosis,
increased breast cancer risk.
O H TAP • 5 1 1 D
WGU College of Health Professions — Nursing Program
THE UNIVERSITY OF YOU
EST. 1997
WGU Pathophysiology — D115
G E N E T I CS , I M M U N O LO G Y, E N D O C R I N E , R E P R O D U C T I V E , P U L M O N A R Y, R E N A L , G I &
CO M P R E H E N S I V E R E V I E W
INSTITUTION Western Governors University — College COURSE CODE D115
of Health Professions
PROGRAM BSN Pre-Licensure / MSN Pathway ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE Pathophysiology — Comprehensive TOTAL QUESTIONS 80 Questions
Course Review
ACCREDITATION CCNE — Commission on Collegiate FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the Single Best
Nursing Education Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on WGU D115 Pathophysiology course content.
▸ Questions cover genetics (DNA/RNA, inheritance patterns, chromosomal abnormalities, Prader-Willi/Angelman,
Turner/Klinefelter), immunology (hypersensitivity, HIV, SLE), endocrine (puberty, PCOS, menstrual cycle), reproductive,
pulmonary (V/Q mismatch, ARDS, asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis), renal (AKI, CKD, nephrotic/nephritic, glomerulonephritis), and
GI (IBD, peptic ulcer, achalasia, Hirschsprung).
▸ Correct answers and pathophysiological rationales appear below each question.
▸ All content aligns with WGU BSN curriculum and CCNE accreditation standards.
SECTION I — D115 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: COMPREHENSIVE COURSE Questions 1 –
REVIEW 80
1. What are genes, DNA, RNA, and chromosomes?
A. All four terms describe the same structure
B. Genes: sequences of DNA located in the cell nucleus; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid carrying genetic instructions; RNA:
ribonucleic acid essential for coding/decoding/regulating genes; Chromosomes: structures within cells containing
DNA organized into genes
C. Genes are only found in mitochondria; chromosomes are only in cytoplasm
D. DNA and RNA are identical molecules
CORRECT ANSWER B — Genes: DNA sequences in nucleus; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid, genetic instructions; RNA:
ribonucleic acid for coding/decoding/regulation; Chromosomes: structures containing organized
DNA/genes
RATIONALE GENES are the basic units of inheritance composed of DNA sequences located in the cell nucleus. DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule carrying genetic instructions — composed of four nitrogenous bases:
Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), and Thymine (T). A pairs with T; C pairs with G. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is
essential for coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes — uses Uracil instead of Thymine.
CHROMOSOMES are organized structures of DNA and proteins containing thousands of genes; humans have
23 pairs (46 total). TRANSCRIPTION is copying a DNA segment into RNA (regulated by transcription factors).
TRANSLATION is protein synthesis from mRNA. GENOTYPE = genetic makeup; PHENOTYPE = observable
characteristics. MITOSIS produces two genetically identical daughter cells.
, 2. What is the difference between autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance?
A. Both require two copies of the mutant allele
B. Autosomal dominant: only ONE copy of the mutant allele needed for expression (50% inheritance risk if one parent
heterozygous); Autosomal recessive: TWO copies needed (25% risk if both parents carriers)
C. Dominant only affects males; recessive only affects females
D. Dominant traits skip generations; recessive traits appear in every generation
CORRECT ANSWER B — Autosomal dominant: one mutant allele sufficient, 50% risk if one parent heterozygous;
Autosomal recessive: two mutant alleles needed, 25% risk if both parents carriers
RATIONALE AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT: only one copy of the mutant allele is required for disease expression. If one parent is
heterozygous (Aa) and the other unaffected (aa), each child has a 50% chance. Males and females equally
affected. Examples: Huntington's disease, Marfan syndrome, neurofibromatosis. AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE:
requires TWO copies of the mutant allele. Both parents must be carriers; each pregnancy has a 25% chance of
an affected child, 50% carrier, 25% unaffected. Examples: cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, sickle cell disease. X-
LINKED inheritance: gene located on X chromosome; males more severely affected (hemophilia, Duchenne
muscular dystrophy). Pedigree charts analyze inheritance patterns. Multifactorial diseases: hypertension,
CAD, diabetes, cancers — influenced by multiple genes and environment.
3. What are the key features of Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome?
A. Down: 45,XO, webbed neck; Turner: trisomy 21, hypotonia; Klinefelter: 47,XXX, tall stature
B. Down (Trisomy 21): intellectual disability, flat facies, congenital heart defects, increased ALL/AML risk; Turner (45,XO):
short stature, webbed neck, streak ovaries, coarctation of aorta; Klinefelter (47,XXY): gynecomastia, tall stature, small
testes, infertility
C. All three are caused by the same chromosomal abnormality
D. Down syndrome only affects males; Turner only affects females; Klinefelter affects both
CORRECT ANSWER B — Down (Trisomy 21): ID, flat facies, CHD, ALL/AML; Turner (45,XO): short, webbed neck, streak
ovaries, coarctation; Klinefelter (47,XXY): gynecomastia, tall, small testes, infertility
RATIONALE DOWN SYNDROME (Trisomy 21): most common chromosomal abnormality. Features: intellectual disability,
flat facial profile, low nasal bridge, protruding tongue, hypotonia, single palmar crease. Associated:
congenital heart defects (AV canal, VSD), duodenal atresia, hypothyroidism, increased ALL/AML risk, early
Alzheimer's. Males typically sterile. TURNER SYNDROME (45,XO): monosomy X in females. Features: short
stature (most consistent), webbed neck, widely spaced nipples, streak ovaries → infertility, primary
amenorrhea. Associated: COARCTATION OF AORTA, bicuspid aortic valve, horseshoe kidney, osteoporosis.
Normal intelligence. KLINEFELTER SYNDROME (47,XXY): extra X in males. Features: gynecomastia, tall stature,
small testes, infertility, sparse body hair, high-pitched voice, learning difficulties. Associated: osteoporosis,
increased breast cancer risk.
