HESI-RN
Evolve Practice Tests: Pathophysiology | Latest 2026
Practice Questions & Verified Answers with Detailed
Explanations
THIS STUDY GUIDE INCLUDES:
• ✅ Evolve HESI-RN Pathophysiology practice questions
• ✅ Verified questions and answers
• ✅ Detailed answer explanations
• ✅ Multisystem disease processes
• ✅ NCLEX-style clinical application questions
• ✅ Comprehensive exam review
• ✅ Printable PDF format
• ✅ Latest 2026 updated study material
, Evolve HESI-RN Practice Tests: Pathophysiology |
Latest 2026 Practice Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Explanations
Question 1
After talking with the healthcare provider, a male client continues to have
questions about the results of a prostatic surface antigen (PSA) screening
test and asks the nurse how the PSA levels become elevated. The nurse
should explain which pathophysiological mechanism?
A. As the prostate gland enlarges, its cells contribute more PSA in the
circulating blood.
B. The PSA levels normally rise and fall, so multiple testings over time are
necessary.
C. Low PSA levels indicate that the prostate gland is not functioning
properly.
D. The PSA blood test is used to determine dosage for Viagra prescriptions.
Answer: A. As the prostate gland enlarges, its cells contribute more
PSA in the circulating blood.
Rationale: PSA is a glycoprotein found in prostatic epithelial cells, and
elevations are used as specific tumor markers. Elevations in PSA are related
to gland volume, i.e., benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and cancer
,of the prostate, indicating (tumor) cell load (A). PSA levels are also used to
monitor response to therapy. (B, C, and D) provide incorrect information.
Question 2
A 26-year-old male client with Hodgkin's disease is scheduled to undergo
radiation therapy. The client expresses concern about the effect of radiation
on his ability to have children. What information should the nurse provide?
A. The radiation therapy causes the inability to have an erection.
B. Radiation therapy with chemotherapy causes temporary infertility.
C. Permanent sterility occurs in male clients who receive radiation.
D. The client should restrict sexual activity during radiotherapy.
Answer: C. Permanent sterility occurs in male clients who receive
radiation.
Rationale: Low sperm count and loss of motility are seen in males with
Hodgkin's disease before any therapy. Radiotherapy often results in
permanent aspermia, or sterility (C). (A, B, and D) are inaccurate.
Question 3
The nurse hears short, high-pitched sounds just before the end of
inspiration in the right and left lower lobes when auscultating a client's
lungs. How should this finding be recorded?
A. Inspiratory wheezes in both lungs.
B. Crackles in the right and left lower lobes.
, C. Abnormal lung sounds in the bases of both lungs.
D. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes.
Answer: B. Crackles in the right and left lower lobes.
Rationale: Fine crackles (B) are short, high-pitched sounds heard just
before the end of inspiration that are the result of rapid equalization of
pressure when collapsed alveoli or terminal bronchioles suddenly snap
open. Wheezing (A) is a continuous high-pitched squeaking or musical
sound caused by rapid vibration of bronchial walls that are first evident on
expiration and may be audible. Although (C) describes an adventitious lung
sound, this documentation is vague. (D) is a creaking or grating sound from
roughened, inflamed surfaces of the pleura rubbing together heard during
inspiration, expiration, and with no change during coughing.
Question 4
A client is admitted to the Emergency Department with a tension
pneumothorax. Which assessment should the nurse expect to identify?
A. An absence of lung sounds on the affected side.
B. An inability to auscultate tracheal breath sounds.
C. A deviation of the trachea toward the side opposite the pneumothorax.
D. A shift of the point of maximal impulse to the left, with bounding pulses.
Answer: C. A deviation of the trachea toward the side opposite the
pneumothorax.
Evolve Practice Tests: Pathophysiology | Latest 2026
Practice Questions & Verified Answers with Detailed
Explanations
THIS STUDY GUIDE INCLUDES:
• ✅ Evolve HESI-RN Pathophysiology practice questions
• ✅ Verified questions and answers
• ✅ Detailed answer explanations
• ✅ Multisystem disease processes
• ✅ NCLEX-style clinical application questions
• ✅ Comprehensive exam review
• ✅ Printable PDF format
• ✅ Latest 2026 updated study material
, Evolve HESI-RN Practice Tests: Pathophysiology |
Latest 2026 Practice Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Explanations
Question 1
After talking with the healthcare provider, a male client continues to have
questions about the results of a prostatic surface antigen (PSA) screening
test and asks the nurse how the PSA levels become elevated. The nurse
should explain which pathophysiological mechanism?
A. As the prostate gland enlarges, its cells contribute more PSA in the
circulating blood.
B. The PSA levels normally rise and fall, so multiple testings over time are
necessary.
C. Low PSA levels indicate that the prostate gland is not functioning
properly.
D. The PSA blood test is used to determine dosage for Viagra prescriptions.
Answer: A. As the prostate gland enlarges, its cells contribute more
PSA in the circulating blood.
Rationale: PSA is a glycoprotein found in prostatic epithelial cells, and
elevations are used as specific tumor markers. Elevations in PSA are related
to gland volume, i.e., benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, and cancer
,of the prostate, indicating (tumor) cell load (A). PSA levels are also used to
monitor response to therapy. (B, C, and D) provide incorrect information.
Question 2
A 26-year-old male client with Hodgkin's disease is scheduled to undergo
radiation therapy. The client expresses concern about the effect of radiation
on his ability to have children. What information should the nurse provide?
A. The radiation therapy causes the inability to have an erection.
B. Radiation therapy with chemotherapy causes temporary infertility.
C. Permanent sterility occurs in male clients who receive radiation.
D. The client should restrict sexual activity during radiotherapy.
Answer: C. Permanent sterility occurs in male clients who receive
radiation.
Rationale: Low sperm count and loss of motility are seen in males with
Hodgkin's disease before any therapy. Radiotherapy often results in
permanent aspermia, or sterility (C). (A, B, and D) are inaccurate.
Question 3
The nurse hears short, high-pitched sounds just before the end of
inspiration in the right and left lower lobes when auscultating a client's
lungs. How should this finding be recorded?
A. Inspiratory wheezes in both lungs.
B. Crackles in the right and left lower lobes.
, C. Abnormal lung sounds in the bases of both lungs.
D. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes.
Answer: B. Crackles in the right and left lower lobes.
Rationale: Fine crackles (B) are short, high-pitched sounds heard just
before the end of inspiration that are the result of rapid equalization of
pressure when collapsed alveoli or terminal bronchioles suddenly snap
open. Wheezing (A) is a continuous high-pitched squeaking or musical
sound caused by rapid vibration of bronchial walls that are first evident on
expiration and may be audible. Although (C) describes an adventitious lung
sound, this documentation is vague. (D) is a creaking or grating sound from
roughened, inflamed surfaces of the pleura rubbing together heard during
inspiration, expiration, and with no change during coughing.
Question 4
A client is admitted to the Emergency Department with a tension
pneumothorax. Which assessment should the nurse expect to identify?
A. An absence of lung sounds on the affected side.
B. An inability to auscultate tracheal breath sounds.
C. A deviation of the trachea toward the side opposite the pneumothorax.
D. A shift of the point of maximal impulse to the left, with bounding pulses.
Answer: C. A deviation of the trachea toward the side opposite the
pneumothorax.
