WGU Pathophysiology D236 2025/2026
Exam Questions and Correct Answers |
New Update
What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces?
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child would have
edema? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔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).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood affect
osmotic pressure, high electrolyte and protein concentrations in the blood
,would cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the
blood stream to dilute the high 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.
How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in
increased blood volume and increased blood pressure? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔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 I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the
enzyme
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates peripheral
arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
,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.
How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Normal
levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers
to potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve 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 Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System,
and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH imbalance - 🧠ANSWER
✔✔Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
3
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, pH changes. Any increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure
of the protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as well
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels). - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔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
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than
abnormal CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or
excessive GI losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is 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.
Exam Questions and Correct Answers |
New Update
What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces?
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child would have
edema? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔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).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood affect
osmotic pressure, high electrolyte and protein concentrations in the blood
,would cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the
blood stream to dilute the high 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.
How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in
increased blood volume and increased blood pressure? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔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 I in the lungs and then angiotensin II by the
enzyme
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates peripheral
arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
,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.
How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Normal
levels of potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers
to potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve 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 Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System,
and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH imbalance - 🧠ANSWER
✔✔Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2025. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
3
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, pH changes. Any increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure
of the protein (denature), thereby affecting its function as well
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels). - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔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
Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by something other than
abnormal CO2 levels. This could include toxicity, diabetes, renal failure or
excessive GI losses.
Here are the rules to follow to determine if is 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.
