WGU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY D236
STUDY GUIDE (LATEST 2026/2027) |
COMPLETE ACTUAL STUDY GUIDE|
QUESTIONS & 100% VERIFIED
CORRECT ANSWERS |OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT | PRE ASSESSMENT
INCLUDED | GUARANTEED A+ |
BRAND NEW UPDATE!
How does this explain why a nutri onally 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, hydrosta c pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries)
and osmo c pressure (including oncon c pressure, which pushes fluid into the capillaries).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncon c pressure) in the blood affect osmo c pressure, high
electrolyte and protein concentra ons in the blood would cause water to leave the cells and
inters al space and enter the blood stream to dilute the high concentra ons.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentra ons (as seen in a nutri onally
deficient child) would cause water to leave the capillaries and enter the cells and inters al fluid
which can lead to edema.
How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in increased blood volume
1
,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-conver ng enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II s mulates peripheral arterial
vasoconstric on which raises BP.
Angiotensin II is also s mula ng the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which acts to increase
sodium and water reabsorp on increasing blood volume, while also increased potassium
secre on 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 func on 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
a ack
The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System, and Carbonic Acid-
Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain homeosta c pH, what is the consequence of a pH
imbalance - answer-Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH
changes. Any increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein (denature),
thereby affec ng its func on as well
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis,
respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie rela ve pH and CO2 levels). - answer-Normal
2
,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 direc ons, 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 direc on as the pH, then the imbalance is metabolic
in nature.
The anion gap is the difference between measured ca ons (Na+ and K+) and measured anions
(Cl- and HCO3-), this calcula on can be useful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabe c ketoacidosis or lac c acidosis? -
answer-The anion gap is the calcula on of unmeasured anions in the blood.
Lac c acid and ketones both lead to the produc on of unmeasured anions, which remove
HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of the excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase
in the AG.
Why is it important to maintain a homeosta c balance of glucose in the blood (ie describe the
pathogenesis of diabetes)? - answer-Insulin is the hormone responsible for ini a ng the uptake
of glucose by the cells. Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
3
, In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is signaled to produced in
insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells surface and ini ates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reac ve molecule and if le in the blood, it can start to bind to other proteins
and lipids, which can lead to loss of func on.
AGEs are advanced glyca on end products that are a result of glucose reac ng with the
endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the heart and kidneys.
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - answer-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 injec ons.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensi za on to insulin signaling. The insulin receptors are no
longer responding to insulin, which also leads to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensi za on to insulin (me ormin), dietary
and life-style changes or insulin injec ons.
Describe some reasons for a pa ent needing dialysis - answer-AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes,
Intoxica on/Inges on, overload, uremia. Pa ents with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood using a semi-
permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
4
STUDY GUIDE (LATEST 2026/2027) |
COMPLETE ACTUAL STUDY GUIDE|
QUESTIONS & 100% VERIFIED
CORRECT ANSWERS |OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT | PRE ASSESSMENT
INCLUDED | GUARANTEED A+ |
BRAND NEW UPDATE!
How does this explain why a nutri onally 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, hydrosta c pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries)
and osmo c pressure (including oncon c pressure, which pushes fluid into the capillaries).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncon c pressure) in the blood affect osmo c pressure, high
electrolyte and protein concentra ons in the blood would cause water to leave the cells and
inters al space and enter the blood stream to dilute the high concentra ons.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentra ons (as seen in a nutri onally
deficient child) would cause water to leave the capillaries and enter the cells and inters al fluid
which can lead to edema.
How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in increased blood volume
1
,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-conver ng enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II s mulates peripheral arterial
vasoconstric on which raises BP.
Angiotensin II is also s mula ng the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which acts to increase
sodium and water reabsorp on increasing blood volume, while also increased potassium
secre on 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 func on 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
a ack
The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System, and Carbonic Acid-
Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain homeosta c pH, what is the consequence of a pH
imbalance - answer-Proteins contain many acidic and basic group that can be affected by pH
changes. Any increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein (denature),
thereby affec ng its func on as well
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis,
respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie rela ve pH and CO2 levels). - answer-Normal
2
,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 direc ons, 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 direc on as the pH, then the imbalance is metabolic
in nature.
The anion gap is the difference between measured ca ons (Na+ and K+) and measured anions
(Cl- and HCO3-), this calcula on can be useful in determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabe c ketoacidosis or lac c acidosis? -
answer-The anion gap is the calcula on of unmeasured anions in the blood.
Lac c acid and ketones both lead to the produc on of unmeasured anions, which remove
HCO3- (a measured anion) due to buffering of the excess H+ and therefore leads to an increase
in the AG.
Why is it important to maintain a homeosta c balance of glucose in the blood (ie describe the
pathogenesis of diabetes)? - answer-Insulin is the hormone responsible for ini a ng the uptake
of glucose by the cells. Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
3
, In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is signaled to produced in
insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells surface and ini ates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose is a very reac ve molecule and if le in the blood, it can start to bind to other proteins
and lipids, which can lead to loss of func on.
AGEs are advanced glyca on end products that are a result of glucose reac ng with the
endothelial lining, which can lead to damage in the heart and kidneys.
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - answer-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 injec ons.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensi za on to insulin signaling. The insulin receptors are no
longer responding to insulin, which also leads to hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensi za on to insulin (me ormin), dietary
and life-style changes or insulin injec ons.
Describe some reasons for a pa ent needing dialysis - answer-AEIOU-acidosis. Electrolytes,
Intoxica on/Inges on, overload, uremia. Pa ents with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood using a semi-
permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
4
