WGU D115 MASTER SET-ADVANCED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | LATEST VERSION 2025/2026.
Which type of genetic disease affects males more frequently than females? - ANS Sex-Linked
recessive. Since males only have one X and one Y, if the affected chromosome has the illness, it
will be expressed.
In which two conditions are chromosomal abnormalities the leading known cause? -
ANS Intellectual disability and fetal miscarriage. Chromosome abnormalities are the leading
known cause of intellectual disability and fetal miscarriage.
What are three examples of prenatal diagnostic studies? - ANS Chorionic villus sampling
(CVS), amniocentesis, and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) are examples of prenatal
diagnostic studies and are performed in vitro. CVS is a form of genetic testing that provides
genetic information found in utero and is usually performed between weeks 11 and 14 of
pregnancy. An amniocentesis is a form of genetic testing that evaluates amniotic fluid and is
usually performed during the second trimester, between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. PGT is
performed on the embryo prior to implantation.
Which genetic disorder is characterized by the presence of a zygote having one chromosome
with a normal complement of genes and one chromosome with a missing gene? - ANS Cri du
chat syndrome (translated as "cry of the cat") is caused by a DNA deletion. This term describes
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,the cry often heard from a baby affected by the syndrome. Cri du chat syndrome can present as
a microcephalic, low birth-weight baby with a piercing cry.
How can an X-linked recessive disease skip generations? - ANS The disease can be
transmitted through female carriers.
Since females have two copies of the X chromosome, the mother may provide an unaffected X
to a daughter or son. Furthermore, a daughter may not show signs of the disease because she
has the other X (the only X the father can give to a female) to cancel it out.
Which type of risk is referred to as the ratio of the disease rate among the entire population to
the disease rate in an unexposed population? - ANS Relative risk is a ratio of probability, not
an actual occurrence of disease.
What are the empirical risks for most multifactorial diseases based on? - ANS Many factors
from lifestyle to genetics affect multifactorial diseases. Observation and evaluation of each case
individually provides the most thorough and accurate assessment.
What refers to the silenced gene of a gene pair. - ANS The imprinted gene is the silent gene
of a gene pair.
What is the primary reason that some older adults have impaired inflammation and wound
healing? - ANS The underlying chronic illness exists.
A generalized inflammatory response seen in chronic illness depletes the body's reserves to
fight against illness.
Which cells are the body's primary defense against parasite invasion? - ANS Eosinophils are
the body's primary defense against parasites.
What Phagocytes bacteria? - ANS Macrophages work by eating or phagocytosing bacteria.
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,What is the first response to a foreign pathogen? - ANS Helper T cells
Which characteristic is the most important determinant of immunogenicity when considering
the antigen? - ANS Immunogenicity is primarily based on the ability to recognize something
foreign.
How are erythrocytes destroyed when mismatched blood is administered, causing an ABO
incompatibility? - ANS The complement pathway is activated in response to blood
incompatibility.
What is the hypersensitivity reaction that causes atopic dermatitis? - ANS An immediate
(type I) hypersensitivity reaction causes atopic dermatitis.
Which four infections are considered fungal infections? - ANS Infection with a fungus is
called mycosis and includes dermatophytes (e.g., tineas, which refers to several skin mycoses,
including ringworm and athlete's foot) and yeasts, which include candida and aspergillus.
When is the earliest after sexual transmission of HIV that lab results can detect infection? -
ANS Lab testing can detect HIV RNA 4 to 10 days after sexual transmission, whereas HIV
antibody testing may take 23 to 90 days to result in a positive test. Repeat testing may be
needed to rule out a false negative test due to testing too soon after exposure, especially if a
high likelihood of exposure is suspected.
What is a characteristic of exotoxins? - ANS Exotoxins are released during bacterial growth.
Which dietary lifestyle choice has been associated with a decreased risk for developing colon
cancer? - ANS The results of decreased fat consumption have been widely studied and have
demonstrated a decreased risk of developing colon cancer.
Which cancer is an individual who has worked with asbestos for over 40 years most likely to
develop? - ANS Asbestos exposure results in an increased risk of lung and lung lining cancer.
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, Which statement is true regarding ultraviolet (UV) light?
The degree of damage is not affected by the light's wavelength. - ANS UV light causes basal
cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma when the UVB rays hit DNA strands, causing
thymine base pairs that are side by side to pair together, becoming thymine dimers. These
thymine dimers lead to cell death or cancer.
Which cancer does exercise have a convincing impact on reducing? - ANS Exercise-induced
myokines cause apoptosis of colon cancer cells.
Low healthcare literacy is recognized as a major risk factor in blood pressure control and has
been shown to have adverse effects on health outcomes.
true or false - ANS TRUE
By providing patient education at the appropriate literacy level, improved health outcomes may
result.
One of the goals of the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy is to incorporate
research and evidence-based plans of treatment from childhood through university-level
education in a manner consistent with an individual's literacy level.
True or false - ANS True
Ensuring the individual can understand all elements of a treatment plan is crucial for
understanding and compliance.
What is a red flag for low healthcare literacy? - ANS Low literacy often leads to perceived
noncompliance to medical instructions, including medication instructions. Ensuring the patient
fully understands all instructions is critical for understanding.
Amniocentesis is recommended for pregnant women with certain health histories.
Which health history would result in an amniocentesis recommendation? - ANS Those who
have a family history of genetic disorders
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS | LATEST VERSION 2025/2026.
Which type of genetic disease affects males more frequently than females? - ANS Sex-Linked
recessive. Since males only have one X and one Y, if the affected chromosome has the illness, it
will be expressed.
In which two conditions are chromosomal abnormalities the leading known cause? -
ANS Intellectual disability and fetal miscarriage. Chromosome abnormalities are the leading
known cause of intellectual disability and fetal miscarriage.
What are three examples of prenatal diagnostic studies? - ANS Chorionic villus sampling
(CVS), amniocentesis, and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) are examples of prenatal
diagnostic studies and are performed in vitro. CVS is a form of genetic testing that provides
genetic information found in utero and is usually performed between weeks 11 and 14 of
pregnancy. An amniocentesis is a form of genetic testing that evaluates amniotic fluid and is
usually performed during the second trimester, between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. PGT is
performed on the embryo prior to implantation.
Which genetic disorder is characterized by the presence of a zygote having one chromosome
with a normal complement of genes and one chromosome with a missing gene? - ANS Cri du
chat syndrome (translated as "cry of the cat") is caused by a DNA deletion. This term describes
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,the cry often heard from a baby affected by the syndrome. Cri du chat syndrome can present as
a microcephalic, low birth-weight baby with a piercing cry.
How can an X-linked recessive disease skip generations? - ANS The disease can be
transmitted through female carriers.
Since females have two copies of the X chromosome, the mother may provide an unaffected X
to a daughter or son. Furthermore, a daughter may not show signs of the disease because she
has the other X (the only X the father can give to a female) to cancel it out.
Which type of risk is referred to as the ratio of the disease rate among the entire population to
the disease rate in an unexposed population? - ANS Relative risk is a ratio of probability, not
an actual occurrence of disease.
What are the empirical risks for most multifactorial diseases based on? - ANS Many factors
from lifestyle to genetics affect multifactorial diseases. Observation and evaluation of each case
individually provides the most thorough and accurate assessment.
What refers to the silenced gene of a gene pair. - ANS The imprinted gene is the silent gene
of a gene pair.
What is the primary reason that some older adults have impaired inflammation and wound
healing? - ANS The underlying chronic illness exists.
A generalized inflammatory response seen in chronic illness depletes the body's reserves to
fight against illness.
Which cells are the body's primary defense against parasite invasion? - ANS Eosinophils are
the body's primary defense against parasites.
What Phagocytes bacteria? - ANS Macrophages work by eating or phagocytosing bacteria.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,What is the first response to a foreign pathogen? - ANS Helper T cells
Which characteristic is the most important determinant of immunogenicity when considering
the antigen? - ANS Immunogenicity is primarily based on the ability to recognize something
foreign.
How are erythrocytes destroyed when mismatched blood is administered, causing an ABO
incompatibility? - ANS The complement pathway is activated in response to blood
incompatibility.
What is the hypersensitivity reaction that causes atopic dermatitis? - ANS An immediate
(type I) hypersensitivity reaction causes atopic dermatitis.
Which four infections are considered fungal infections? - ANS Infection with a fungus is
called mycosis and includes dermatophytes (e.g., tineas, which refers to several skin mycoses,
including ringworm and athlete's foot) and yeasts, which include candida and aspergillus.
When is the earliest after sexual transmission of HIV that lab results can detect infection? -
ANS Lab testing can detect HIV RNA 4 to 10 days after sexual transmission, whereas HIV
antibody testing may take 23 to 90 days to result in a positive test. Repeat testing may be
needed to rule out a false negative test due to testing too soon after exposure, especially if a
high likelihood of exposure is suspected.
What is a characteristic of exotoxins? - ANS Exotoxins are released during bacterial growth.
Which dietary lifestyle choice has been associated with a decreased risk for developing colon
cancer? - ANS The results of decreased fat consumption have been widely studied and have
demonstrated a decreased risk of developing colon cancer.
Which cancer is an individual who has worked with asbestos for over 40 years most likely to
develop? - ANS Asbestos exposure results in an increased risk of lung and lung lining cancer.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Which statement is true regarding ultraviolet (UV) light?
The degree of damage is not affected by the light's wavelength. - ANS UV light causes basal
cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma when the UVB rays hit DNA strands, causing
thymine base pairs that are side by side to pair together, becoming thymine dimers. These
thymine dimers lead to cell death or cancer.
Which cancer does exercise have a convincing impact on reducing? - ANS Exercise-induced
myokines cause apoptosis of colon cancer cells.
Low healthcare literacy is recognized as a major risk factor in blood pressure control and has
been shown to have adverse effects on health outcomes.
true or false - ANS TRUE
By providing patient education at the appropriate literacy level, improved health outcomes may
result.
One of the goals of the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy is to incorporate
research and evidence-based plans of treatment from childhood through university-level
education in a manner consistent with an individual's literacy level.
True or false - ANS True
Ensuring the individual can understand all elements of a treatment plan is crucial for
understanding and compliance.
What is a red flag for low healthcare literacy? - ANS Low literacy often leads to perceived
noncompliance to medical instructions, including medication instructions. Ensuring the patient
fully understands all instructions is critical for understanding.
Amniocentesis is recommended for pregnant women with certain health histories.
Which health history would result in an amniocentesis recommendation? - ANS Those who
have a family history of genetic disorders
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
