4/11/25, 7:05 PM Actual Exam for WGU pathophysiology D236 2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (Detailed & Elaborated) AC…
Actual Exam for WGU pathophysiology D236
2025) comprehensive questions and verified
answers (Detailed & Elaborated) ACTUAL EXAM
2025 TEST 100% Solved 2025!!
Save
Terms in this set (114)
Starling's Law describes how fluids move across the
capillary membrane. There are two major opposing
forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic
pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and
osmotic pressure (including oncontic pressure,
which pushes fluid into the capillaries).
What is Starling's Law of
Capillary forces? Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in
the blood affect osmotic pressure, high electrolyte
How does this explain and protein concentrations in the blood would
why a nutritionally cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space
deficient child would and enter the blood stream to dilute the high
have edema? concentrations.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein
concentrations (as seen in a nutritionally deficient
child) would cause water to leave the capillaries and
enter the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead to
edema.
https://quizlet.com/1030328581/actual-exam-for-wgu-pathophysiology-d236-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-detailed-elabo… 1/50
,4/11/25, 7:05 PM Actual Exam for WGU pathophysiology D236 2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (Detailed & Elaborated) AC…
A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys
by low perfusion, which in turn begins to secrete
renin.
Renin then triggers the liver to produce
angiotensinogen, which is converted to Angiotensin
How does the RAAS
I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the enzyme
(Renin-Angiotensin-
Aldosterone System)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin
result in increased blood
II stimulates peripheral arterial vasoconstriction
volume and increased
which raises BP.
blood pressure?
Angiotensin II is also stimulating the adrenal gland
to release aldosterone, which acts to increase
sodium and water reabsorption increasing blood
volume, while also increased potassium secretion in
urine.
Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2
mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to potassium levels
higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
How can hyperkalemia A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve
lead to cardiac arrest? impulses in muscles. Too low and muscle weakness
occurs and too much can cause muscle spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and
an irregular heartbeat can cause a heart attack
The body uses the Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that
Protein Buffering System, can be affected by pH changes. Any increase or
Phosphate Buffering decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the
System, and Carbonic protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as
Acid-Bicarbonate System well
to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is
the consequence of a pH
imbalance
https://quizlet.com/1030328581/actual-exam-for-wgu-pathophysiology-d236-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-detailed-elabo… 2/50
,4/11/25, 7:05 PM Actual Exam for WGU pathophysiology D236 2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (Detailed & Elaborated) AC…
Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Blood pH:
7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-100 mm Hg
HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by
changes in PCO2. Higher = acidosis and lower =
alkalosis
Describe the laboratory
findings associated with Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by
metabolic acidosis, something other than abnormal CO2 levels. This
metabolic alkalosis, could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or
respiratory acidosis and excessive GI losses.
respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 Here are the rules to follow to determine if is
levels). respiratory or metabolic in nature. -If pH and PCO2
are moving in opposite directions, then it is the
pCO2 levels that are causing the imbalance and it is
respiratory in nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same
direction as the pH, then the imbalance is metabolic
in nature.
The anion gap is the The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured
difference between anions in the blood.
measured cations (Na+
and K+) and measured Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production
anions (Cl- and HCO3-), of unmeasured anions, which remove HCO3- (a
this calculation can be measured anion) due to buffering of the excess H+
useful in determining the and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
cause of metabolic
acidosis.
Why would an increased
anion gap be observed
in diabetic ketoacidosis
or lactic acidosis?
https://quizlet.com/1030328581/actual-exam-for-wgu-pathophysiology-d236-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-detailed-elabo… 3/50
, 4/11/25, 7:05 PM Actual Exam for WGU pathophysiology D236 2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (Detailed & Elaborated) AC…
Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the
uptake of glucose by the cells. Cells use glucose to
produce energy (ATP).
In a normal individual, when blood glucose
increases, the pancreas is signaled to produced in
Why is it important to
insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells
maintain a homeostatic
surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the
pathogenesis of
blood, it can start to bind to other proteins and
diabetes)?
lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are
a result of glucose reacting with the endothelial
lining, which can lead to damage in the heart and
kidneys.
Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out
insulin signaling, glucose will not be taken into the
cell and leads to high blood glucose
(hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with insulin
injections.
Compare and contrast
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to
Type I and Type II
insulin signaling. The insulin receptors are no longer
Diabetes
responding to insulin, which also leads to
hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the
sensitization to insulin (metformin), dietary and life-
style changes or insulin injections.
https://quizlet.com/1030328581/actual-exam-for-wgu-pathophysiology-d236-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-detailed-elabo… 4/50
Actual Exam for WGU pathophysiology D236
2025) comprehensive questions and verified
answers (Detailed & Elaborated) ACTUAL EXAM
2025 TEST 100% Solved 2025!!
Save
Terms in this set (114)
Starling's Law describes how fluids move across the
capillary membrane. There are two major opposing
forces that act to balance each other, hydrostatic
pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and
osmotic pressure (including oncontic pressure,
which pushes fluid into the capillaries).
What is Starling's Law of
Capillary forces? Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in
the blood affect osmotic pressure, high electrolyte
How does this explain and protein concentrations in the blood would
why a nutritionally cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space
deficient child would and enter the blood stream to dilute the high
have edema? concentrations.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein
concentrations (as seen in a nutritionally deficient
child) would cause water to leave the capillaries and
enter the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead to
edema.
https://quizlet.com/1030328581/actual-exam-for-wgu-pathophysiology-d236-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-detailed-elabo… 1/50
,4/11/25, 7:05 PM Actual Exam for WGU pathophysiology D236 2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (Detailed & Elaborated) AC…
A drop in blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys
by low perfusion, which in turn begins to secrete
renin.
Renin then triggers the liver to produce
angiotensinogen, which is converted to Angiotensin
How does the RAAS
I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the enzyme
(Renin-Angiotensin-
Aldosterone System)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin
result in increased blood
II stimulates peripheral arterial vasoconstriction
volume and increased
which raises BP.
blood pressure?
Angiotensin II is also stimulating the adrenal gland
to release aldosterone, which acts to increase
sodium and water reabsorption increasing blood
volume, while also increased potassium secretion in
urine.
Normal levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2
mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to potassium levels
higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
How can hyperkalemia A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve
lead to cardiac arrest? impulses in muscles. Too low and muscle weakness
occurs and too much can cause muscle spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and
an irregular heartbeat can cause a heart attack
The body uses the Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that
Protein Buffering System, can be affected by pH changes. Any increase or
Phosphate Buffering decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the
System, and Carbonic protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as
Acid-Bicarbonate System well
to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is
the consequence of a pH
imbalance
https://quizlet.com/1030328581/actual-exam-for-wgu-pathophysiology-d236-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-detailed-elabo… 2/50
,4/11/25, 7:05 PM Actual Exam for WGU pathophysiology D236 2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (Detailed & Elaborated) AC…
Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases) Blood pH:
7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-100 mm Hg
HCO3-: 22-26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are marked by
changes in PCO2. Higher = acidosis and lower =
alkalosis
Describe the laboratory
findings associated with Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by
metabolic acidosis, something other than abnormal CO2 levels. This
metabolic alkalosis, could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or
respiratory acidosis and excessive GI losses.
respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 Here are the rules to follow to determine if is
levels). respiratory or metabolic in nature. -If pH and PCO2
are moving in opposite directions, then it is the
pCO2 levels that are causing the imbalance and it is
respiratory in nature.
-If PCO2 is normal or is moving in the same
direction as the pH, then the imbalance is metabolic
in nature.
The anion gap is the The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured
difference between anions in the blood.
measured cations (Na+
and K+) and measured Lactic acid and ketones both lead to the production
anions (Cl- and HCO3-), of unmeasured anions, which remove HCO3- (a
this calculation can be measured anion) due to buffering of the excess H+
useful in determining the and therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
cause of metabolic
acidosis.
Why would an increased
anion gap be observed
in diabetic ketoacidosis
or lactic acidosis?
https://quizlet.com/1030328581/actual-exam-for-wgu-pathophysiology-d236-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-detailed-elabo… 3/50
, 4/11/25, 7:05 PM Actual Exam for WGU pathophysiology D236 2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (Detailed & Elaborated) AC…
Insulin is the hormone responsible for initiating the
uptake of glucose by the cells. Cells use glucose to
produce energy (ATP).
In a normal individual, when blood glucose
increases, the pancreas is signaled to produced in
Why is it important to
insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells
maintain a homeostatic
surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the
Glucose is a very reactive molecule and if left in the
pathogenesis of
blood, it can start to bind to other proteins and
diabetes)?
lipids, which can lead to loss of function.
AGEs are advanced glycation end products that are
a result of glucose reacting with the endothelial
lining, which can lead to damage in the heart and
kidneys.
Type I diabetes is caused by lack of insulin. With out
insulin signaling, glucose will not be taken into the
cell and leads to high blood glucose
(hyperglycemia). Type I is usually treated with insulin
injections.
Compare and contrast
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to
Type I and Type II
insulin signaling. The insulin receptors are no longer
Diabetes
responding to insulin, which also leads to
hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the
sensitization to insulin (metformin), dietary and life-
style changes or insulin injections.
https://quizlet.com/1030328581/actual-exam-for-wgu-pathophysiology-d236-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-detailed-elabo… 4/50
