WGU D115 Final Exam | Advanced
Pathophysiology Exam | 100+ Questions
and Answers with Rationale | 2024/2025
Pulmonary edema in ARDS is the result of an increase in what?
A) Levels of serum sodium and water
B) Capillary permeability
C) Capillary hydrostatic pressure
D) Oncotic pressure
- Correct Answer - C) Capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: The most common cause of pulmonary edema is left-
sided heart disease which leads to increasing pressure on the left
side of the heart which can cause a concomitant increase in
pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure.
Capillary hydrostatic pressure (CHP) versus capillary permeability
- Correct Answer - accumulation of excess interstitial fluid, which
results from elevated capillary hydrostatic pressure while
permeability edema results from disruption of the physical
structure of the pores in the microvascular membrane such that
the barrier is less able to restrict the movement
,Which immunoglobulin may contribute to the pathophysiologic
characteristics of asthma?
A) IgA
B) IgE
C) IgG
D) IgM - Correct Answer - B) IgE
Rationale: Immunoglobulin E-mediated airway inflammation is
active in most patients with asthma.
When providing patient education regarding asthma. The FNP
states that control of symptoms is necessary due to which
pathophysiologic process?
A) Norepinephrine causes bronchial smooth muscle contraction
and mucus secretion but it also causes high blood pressure.
B) Uncontrolled inflammation leads to increased bronchial
hyperresponsiveness and eventual scarring.
C) The release of epinephrine leads to development of cardiac
dysrhythmias.
D) Immunoglobulin G causes smooth muscle contraction which
will eventually weaken the respiratory muscles.
- Correct Answer - B) Uncontrolled inflammation leads to
increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eventual scarring.
,Rationale: Untreated inflammation can lead to long-term airway
damage that is irreversible, known as airway remodeling.
Which factor is responsible for the hypertrophy of the myocardium
associated with hypertension?
A) Increased norepinephrine
B) Adducin
C) Angiotensin II
D) Insulin resistance
- Correct Answer - C) Angiotensin II
Rationale: Hypertension causes an increased cardiovascular
mechanical load that can deleteriously affect heart function. An
early myocardial response is an increase in cardiac Angiotensin II
(Ang II) protein levels, which is intimately associated with the
pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
The FNP is seeing a patient for a routine health maintenance visit.
The patient's initial blood pressure, taken by the RN is 156/102
mm Hg. A repeat BP by the FNP is 148/92. The remainder of the
patient's physical exam in unremarkable. The FNP understands
that the plan of care for this patient should include all of the
following except:
A) Assessment of lifestyle and risk factors
, B) CBC, BMP, and UA
C) Initiation of anti-hypertensive medications
D) Follow up visit to re-assess blood pressure.
- Correct Answer - C) Initiation of anti-hypertensive medications
Rationale: Evaluation and management of blood pressure should
by highly individualized. The diagnosis of hypertension is based
upon the measurement of blood pressure on AT LEAST two
separate occasions averaging at least 2 mins apart. Evaluation
should also include a comprehensive assessment of lifestyle and
risk factors, CBC, BMP, and UA. Initiation of anti-hypertensive
medication would not occur until the diagnosis of hypertension is
confirmed, and is dependent upon the stage of hypertension.
An older adult patient has a diagnosis of left-sided heart failure.
The FNP would identify what common condition associated with
heart failure?
A) Peripheral vascular disease
B) Untreated hypertension
C) Ventricular dysrhythmias
D) COPD
- Correct Answer - B) Untreated hypertension
Rationale: Untreated HTN causes significant increased work of
the the LV, eventually causing left-sided HF.
Pathophysiology Exam | 100+ Questions
and Answers with Rationale | 2024/2025
Pulmonary edema in ARDS is the result of an increase in what?
A) Levels of serum sodium and water
B) Capillary permeability
C) Capillary hydrostatic pressure
D) Oncotic pressure
- Correct Answer - C) Capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: The most common cause of pulmonary edema is left-
sided heart disease which leads to increasing pressure on the left
side of the heart which can cause a concomitant increase in
pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure.
Capillary hydrostatic pressure (CHP) versus capillary permeability
- Correct Answer - accumulation of excess interstitial fluid, which
results from elevated capillary hydrostatic pressure while
permeability edema results from disruption of the physical
structure of the pores in the microvascular membrane such that
the barrier is less able to restrict the movement
,Which immunoglobulin may contribute to the pathophysiologic
characteristics of asthma?
A) IgA
B) IgE
C) IgG
D) IgM - Correct Answer - B) IgE
Rationale: Immunoglobulin E-mediated airway inflammation is
active in most patients with asthma.
When providing patient education regarding asthma. The FNP
states that control of symptoms is necessary due to which
pathophysiologic process?
A) Norepinephrine causes bronchial smooth muscle contraction
and mucus secretion but it also causes high blood pressure.
B) Uncontrolled inflammation leads to increased bronchial
hyperresponsiveness and eventual scarring.
C) The release of epinephrine leads to development of cardiac
dysrhythmias.
D) Immunoglobulin G causes smooth muscle contraction which
will eventually weaken the respiratory muscles.
- Correct Answer - B) Uncontrolled inflammation leads to
increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eventual scarring.
,Rationale: Untreated inflammation can lead to long-term airway
damage that is irreversible, known as airway remodeling.
Which factor is responsible for the hypertrophy of the myocardium
associated with hypertension?
A) Increased norepinephrine
B) Adducin
C) Angiotensin II
D) Insulin resistance
- Correct Answer - C) Angiotensin II
Rationale: Hypertension causes an increased cardiovascular
mechanical load that can deleteriously affect heart function. An
early myocardial response is an increase in cardiac Angiotensin II
(Ang II) protein levels, which is intimately associated with the
pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
The FNP is seeing a patient for a routine health maintenance visit.
The patient's initial blood pressure, taken by the RN is 156/102
mm Hg. A repeat BP by the FNP is 148/92. The remainder of the
patient's physical exam in unremarkable. The FNP understands
that the plan of care for this patient should include all of the
following except:
A) Assessment of lifestyle and risk factors
, B) CBC, BMP, and UA
C) Initiation of anti-hypertensive medications
D) Follow up visit to re-assess blood pressure.
- Correct Answer - C) Initiation of anti-hypertensive medications
Rationale: Evaluation and management of blood pressure should
by highly individualized. The diagnosis of hypertension is based
upon the measurement of blood pressure on AT LEAST two
separate occasions averaging at least 2 mins apart. Evaluation
should also include a comprehensive assessment of lifestyle and
risk factors, CBC, BMP, and UA. Initiation of anti-hypertensive
medication would not occur until the diagnosis of hypertension is
confirmed, and is dependent upon the stage of hypertension.
An older adult patient has a diagnosis of left-sided heart failure.
The FNP would identify what common condition associated with
heart failure?
A) Peripheral vascular disease
B) Untreated hypertension
C) Ventricular dysrhythmias
D) COPD
- Correct Answer - B) Untreated hypertension
Rationale: Untreated HTN causes significant increased work of
the the LV, eventually causing left-sided HF.
