WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OA
AND PA 2025/2026 BANK VERSION AND
STUDY GUIDE | ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
/BRAND NEW
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
Which cells are involved in this process and what is their
function? - ....ANSWER...Osteoclasts breakdown older
bone structure and secrete the release calcium into the
bloodstream.
Osteoblasts absorb calcium from the bloodstream and use it
to build new bone structure.
Working together, these two cell types allow for
regeneration of damaged bone structure.
Describe the process of articular degeneration.
1
,Which cells are involved in this process and what is their
function? - ....ANSWER...Articular Degeneration is the
thinning and breakdown of the articular cartilage that
covers joints and acts as a lubricant and cushion. This
articular cartilage is comprised of chondrocytes in a matrix
of collagen and aggrecan.
The chondrocytes produce enzymes and other proteins
that slowly break down and reform the matrix, allowing
for regeneration.
Stress caused by being overweight or physical trauma can
cause chondrocytes to speed up the matrix breakdown
process relative to the reformation process, leading to a
thinning of the articular cartilage.
What is rickets?
How does it develop?
Who usually develops rickets?
2
,How can rickets be treated? - ....ANSWER...Rickets is,
primarily, due to a deficiency of vitamin D (due to
sunlight exposure), which leads to a deficiency of blood
calcium. Rickets can lead to bone weakness, deformity,
and susceptibility to fracture. Rickets results from a
failure to calcify osteoid due to low amounts of blood
calcium and low vitamin D (typically).
There are many different types of rickets. Children,
especially under age 2, are most likely to be diagnosed with
rickets. Infants can develop rickets if their mother's diet
was low in vitamin D or in calcium, and breastmilk is low
in vitamin D, so mother and baby need to supplement
vitamin D (and calcium).
The best way to treat rickets is to prevent it by taking
supplements of vitamin D and calcium, eating food/drink
containing vitamin D/calcium, and getting sufficient
sunlight.
Physical therapy with weight-bearing exercise can help to
treat rickets, as well. It is a multi step process to make the
active form of Vit D
3
, How does Denosumab treat osteoporosis? -
....ANSWER...Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody that
binds to osteoclasts and inhibits their Calcium-
withdrawing capability.
Distinguish between open reduction and internal fixation
(ORIF) and hip replacement surgery. -
....ANSWER...Open reduction and internal fixation
involves "surgical opening' and insertion of hardware into
the patient that assists with maintaining proper bone
alignment during the healing process.
Why are some infections harder on children while other
infections are harder on the elderly? -
....ANSWER...Children have not been exposed to many
pathogens yet, so they lack memory cells and have not
built-up immunity yet.
The elderly have a depleted naïve T cell population from
years of battling infections, so the likelihood of getting a
4
AND PA 2025/2026 BANK VERSION AND
STUDY GUIDE | ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
/BRAND NEW
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
Which cells are involved in this process and what is their
function? - ....ANSWER...Osteoclasts breakdown older
bone structure and secrete the release calcium into the
bloodstream.
Osteoblasts absorb calcium from the bloodstream and use it
to build new bone structure.
Working together, these two cell types allow for
regeneration of damaged bone structure.
Describe the process of articular degeneration.
1
,Which cells are involved in this process and what is their
function? - ....ANSWER...Articular Degeneration is the
thinning and breakdown of the articular cartilage that
covers joints and acts as a lubricant and cushion. This
articular cartilage is comprised of chondrocytes in a matrix
of collagen and aggrecan.
The chondrocytes produce enzymes and other proteins
that slowly break down and reform the matrix, allowing
for regeneration.
Stress caused by being overweight or physical trauma can
cause chondrocytes to speed up the matrix breakdown
process relative to the reformation process, leading to a
thinning of the articular cartilage.
What is rickets?
How does it develop?
Who usually develops rickets?
2
,How can rickets be treated? - ....ANSWER...Rickets is,
primarily, due to a deficiency of vitamin D (due to
sunlight exposure), which leads to a deficiency of blood
calcium. Rickets can lead to bone weakness, deformity,
and susceptibility to fracture. Rickets results from a
failure to calcify osteoid due to low amounts of blood
calcium and low vitamin D (typically).
There are many different types of rickets. Children,
especially under age 2, are most likely to be diagnosed with
rickets. Infants can develop rickets if their mother's diet
was low in vitamin D or in calcium, and breastmilk is low
in vitamin D, so mother and baby need to supplement
vitamin D (and calcium).
The best way to treat rickets is to prevent it by taking
supplements of vitamin D and calcium, eating food/drink
containing vitamin D/calcium, and getting sufficient
sunlight.
Physical therapy with weight-bearing exercise can help to
treat rickets, as well. It is a multi step process to make the
active form of Vit D
3
, How does Denosumab treat osteoporosis? -
....ANSWER...Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody that
binds to osteoclasts and inhibits their Calcium-
withdrawing capability.
Distinguish between open reduction and internal fixation
(ORIF) and hip replacement surgery. -
....ANSWER...Open reduction and internal fixation
involves "surgical opening' and insertion of hardware into
the patient that assists with maintaining proper bone
alignment during the healing process.
Why are some infections harder on children while other
infections are harder on the elderly? -
....ANSWER...Children have not been exposed to many
pathogens yet, so they lack memory cells and have not
built-up immunity yet.
The elderly have a depleted naïve T cell population from
years of battling infections, so the likelihood of getting a
4
