D236 Pathophysiology Week 8 Comprehensive Study Guide 2026
|WGU
1. A patient is diagnosed with atrophy of the calf muscles after being in a cast
for six weeks. Which process best describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Decrease in the number of cells
B. Increase in cell size
C. Decrease in cell size
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. If it occurs in a large number
of a target organ’s cells, the entire organ shrinks.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of apoptosis rather than necrosis?
A. Programmed cell death
B. Cellular swelling
C. Inflammation of surrounding tissue
D. Leaking of lysosomal enzymes
Answer: A
Rationale: Apoptosis is a distinct type of ‘programmed’ cell death that is often
physiological and does not typically trigger an inflammatory response, unlike necrosis.
,3. During an inflammatory response, which substance is primarily responsible
for increasing capillary permeability and vasodilation?
A. Cortisol
B. Glucagon
C. Insulin
D. Histamine
Answer: D
Rationale: Histamine, released by mast cells, causes rapid constriction of large vessel walls
and dilation of postcapillary venules, leading to increased vascular permeability.
4. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L. Which symptom
is the nurse most likely to observe?
A. Increased thirst
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. High blood pressure
D. Confusion and seizures
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyponatremia (low sodium) causes water to move into cells, leading to cerebral
edema. Neurological symptoms like confusion and seizures are common manifestations.
5. Hyperkalemia is characterized by which of the following EKG changes?
A. Prolonged ST segment
B. Flattened T waves
C. Presence of U waves
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Elevated potassium (hyperkalemia) speeds up repolarization, which typically
manifests as tall, peaked T waves on an EKG.
, 6. In the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the primary
role of Angiotensin II?
A. Excretion of sodium
B. Stimulating insulin release
C. Lowering blood pressure
D. Systemic vasoconstriction
Answer: D
Rationale: Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor that increases systemic vascular
resistance and stimulates aldosterone secretion to raise blood pressure.
7. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves mast
cell degranulation?
A. Type III
B. Type II
C. Type I
D. Type IV
Answer: C
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions) involve IgE binding to
mast cells, leading to the release of histamine.
8. Metabolic acidosis is often compensated for by the lungs through which
mechanism?
A. Hypoventilation to retain CO2
B. Hyperventilation to blow off CO2
C. Increased bicarbonate reabsorption
D. Decreased heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations (deep, rapid breathing/hyperventilation) occur to
reduce the partial pressure of CO2 and increase pH in response to metabolic acidosis.
|WGU
1. A patient is diagnosed with atrophy of the calf muscles after being in a cast
for six weeks. Which process best describes this cellular adaptation?
A. Decrease in the number of cells
B. Increase in cell size
C. Decrease in cell size
D. Replacement of one cell type with another
Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease or shrinkage in cellular size. If it occurs in a large number
of a target organ’s cells, the entire organ shrinks.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of apoptosis rather than necrosis?
A. Programmed cell death
B. Cellular swelling
C. Inflammation of surrounding tissue
D. Leaking of lysosomal enzymes
Answer: A
Rationale: Apoptosis is a distinct type of ‘programmed’ cell death that is often
physiological and does not typically trigger an inflammatory response, unlike necrosis.
,3. During an inflammatory response, which substance is primarily responsible
for increasing capillary permeability and vasodilation?
A. Cortisol
B. Glucagon
C. Insulin
D. Histamine
Answer: D
Rationale: Histamine, released by mast cells, causes rapid constriction of large vessel walls
and dilation of postcapillary venules, leading to increased vascular permeability.
4. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L. Which symptom
is the nurse most likely to observe?
A. Increased thirst
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. High blood pressure
D. Confusion and seizures
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyponatremia (low sodium) causes water to move into cells, leading to cerebral
edema. Neurological symptoms like confusion and seizures are common manifestations.
5. Hyperkalemia is characterized by which of the following EKG changes?
A. Prolonged ST segment
B. Flattened T waves
C. Presence of U waves
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Elevated potassium (hyperkalemia) speeds up repolarization, which typically
manifests as tall, peaked T waves on an EKG.
, 6. In the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the primary
role of Angiotensin II?
A. Excretion of sodium
B. Stimulating insulin release
C. Lowering blood pressure
D. Systemic vasoconstriction
Answer: D
Rationale: Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor that increases systemic vascular
resistance and stimulates aldosterone secretion to raise blood pressure.
7. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE and involves mast
cell degranulation?
A. Type III
B. Type II
C. Type I
D. Type IV
Answer: C
Rationale: Type I hypersensitivity reactions (allergic reactions) involve IgE binding to
mast cells, leading to the release of histamine.
8. Metabolic acidosis is often compensated for by the lungs through which
mechanism?
A. Hypoventilation to retain CO2
B. Hyperventilation to blow off CO2
C. Increased bicarbonate reabsorption
D. Decreased heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations (deep, rapid breathing/hyperventilation) occur to
reduce the partial pressure of CO2 and increase pH in response to metabolic acidosis.
