HESI PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2 HU NSG120 –
HERZING UNIVERSITY FALL C 2026 ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+
1. Which cellular response occurs when cells are exposed to prolonged stress
but remain viable?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Atrophy
D. Autolysis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is a reversible decrease in cell size due to reduced workload or
stress.
2. A patient with prolonged hypoventilation is most likely to develop:
,A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoventilation causes carbon dioxide retention, increasing acidity.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient taking thiazide
diuretics long term?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics increase potassium excretion.
, 4. Which immune mechanism provides protection immediately after exposure
to a pathogen?
A. Adaptive immunity
B. Humoral immunity
C. Innate immunity
D. Cell-mediated immunity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Innate immunity is rapid and nonspecific.
5. Which acid-base imbalance is expected in a patient with severe anxiety and
rapid breathing?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation decreases PaCO₂, raising pH.
, 6. Which laboratory value best reflects oxygen-carrying capacity?
A. Hematocrit
B. White blood cell count
C. Platelet count
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hematocrit reflects the proportion of red blood cells.
7. Which process describes the spread of fluid from the intravascular space into
tissues?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Filtration
D. Active transport
HERZING UNIVERSITY FALL C 2026 ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+
1. Which cellular response occurs when cells are exposed to prolonged stress
but remain viable?
A. Necrosis
B. Apoptosis
C. Atrophy
D. Autolysis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atrophy is a reversible decrease in cell size due to reduced workload or
stress.
2. A patient with prolonged hypoventilation is most likely to develop:
,A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoventilation causes carbon dioxide retention, increasing acidity.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient taking thiazide
diuretics long term?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics increase potassium excretion.
, 4. Which immune mechanism provides protection immediately after exposure
to a pathogen?
A. Adaptive immunity
B. Humoral immunity
C. Innate immunity
D. Cell-mediated immunity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Innate immunity is rapid and nonspecific.
5. Which acid-base imbalance is expected in a patient with severe anxiety and
rapid breathing?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation decreases PaCO₂, raising pH.
, 6. Which laboratory value best reflects oxygen-carrying capacity?
A. Hematocrit
B. White blood cell count
C. Platelet count
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hematocrit reflects the proportion of red blood cells.
7. Which process describes the spread of fluid from the intravascular space into
tissues?
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Filtration
D. Active transport
