Herzing University Hesi Pathophysiology Exam 2 Hu
Nsg120 | Complete Practice Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales latest Update This
Year| Pdf
Overview
A comprehensive HESI-style practice exam designed to reinforce major pathophysiology
concepts commonly tested in Exam 2. Questions include correct answers and concise
rationales to support review and exam preparation.
📌 Coverage
Hematologic Disorders: Anemia, hemolysis, leukemia, lymphoma, coagulation
disorders
Cardiovascular Disorders: Heart failure, hypertension, myocardial infarction, angina,
atherosclerosis, shock
Respiratory Disorders: COPD, asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, ARDS,
respiratory failure
Renal Disorders: Acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome,
glomerulonephritis, uremia
Fluid & Electrolytes: Sodium, potassium, fluid balance, edema, acid-base disturbances
Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Disorders: Pancreatitis, GERD, peptic ulcer disease,
cirrhosis, portal hypertension
Neurologic Disorders: Stroke, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis,
Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis
Inflammation & Immune Responses: Cytokines, acute inflammation, systemic
inflammatory responses
Cancer Pathophysiology: Cellular adaptation, dysplasia, metastasis, angiogenesis,
chemotherapy effects
Critical Illness: Sepsis, septic shock, tissue hypoperfusion, and multiple organ
dysfunction
1.
A patient experiences prolonged cellular stress but the cells remain viable and adapt by
becoming smaller. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
,A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy ✅
D. Metaplasia
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size that can occur when cells experience reduced
workload, inadequate nutrition, decreased blood supply, or chronic stress.
2.
A patient with prolonged hypoventilation develops an arterial blood gas showing decreased
pH and elevated PaCO₂. Which disorder is present?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis ✅
D. Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Hypoventilation causes carbon dioxide retention. Increased PaCO₂ increases
carbonic acid and decreases blood pH, producing respiratory acidosis.
3.
A patient has been taking a thiazide diuretic for several months. Which electrolyte
abnormality should the nurse recognize as a potential complication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia ✅
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypernatremia
,Rationale: Thiazide diuretics increase renal sodium delivery to distal nephron segments,
promoting potassium excretion and potentially causing hypokalemia.
4.
Which component of the immune system provides the body's earliest nonspecific defense
against invading pathogens?
A. Adaptive immunity
B. Antibody-mediated immunity
C. Innate immunity ✅
D. Memory-cell immunity
Rationale: Innate immunity responds rapidly and nonspecifically through barriers,
phagocytes, complement, inflammation, and other mechanisms.
5.
A patient experiencing severe anxiety begins breathing rapidly and deeply. Which acid-base
disturbance is most likely?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis ✅
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Hyperventilation causes excessive carbon dioxide elimination, lowering PaCO₂
and increasing blood pH.
6.
, Which laboratory measurement most directly contributes to determining the oxygen-carrying
capacity of blood?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum albumin
C. Hemoglobin concentration ✅
D. Serum creatinine
Rationale: Hemoglobin binds and transports oxygen in red blood cells. Therefore,
hemoglobin concentration is a major determinant of oxygen-carrying capacity.
7.
A patient develops generalized edema because of severe hypoalbuminemia. Which
pathophysiologic mechanism is responsible?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary filtration
C. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure ✅
D. Increased intracellular pressure
Rationale: Albumin contributes significantly to plasma oncotic pressure. Reduced albumin
allows more fluid to move from the vascular compartment into interstitial tissues.
8.
A patient with cirrhosis develops progressive abdominal distention from ascites. Which
mechanism contributes significantly to this fluid accumulation?
Nsg120 | Complete Practice Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales latest Update This
Year| Pdf
Overview
A comprehensive HESI-style practice exam designed to reinforce major pathophysiology
concepts commonly tested in Exam 2. Questions include correct answers and concise
rationales to support review and exam preparation.
📌 Coverage
Hematologic Disorders: Anemia, hemolysis, leukemia, lymphoma, coagulation
disorders
Cardiovascular Disorders: Heart failure, hypertension, myocardial infarction, angina,
atherosclerosis, shock
Respiratory Disorders: COPD, asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, ARDS,
respiratory failure
Renal Disorders: Acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome,
glomerulonephritis, uremia
Fluid & Electrolytes: Sodium, potassium, fluid balance, edema, acid-base disturbances
Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Disorders: Pancreatitis, GERD, peptic ulcer disease,
cirrhosis, portal hypertension
Neurologic Disorders: Stroke, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis,
Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis
Inflammation & Immune Responses: Cytokines, acute inflammation, systemic
inflammatory responses
Cancer Pathophysiology: Cellular adaptation, dysplasia, metastasis, angiogenesis,
chemotherapy effects
Critical Illness: Sepsis, septic shock, tissue hypoperfusion, and multiple organ
dysfunction
1.
A patient experiences prolonged cellular stress but the cells remain viable and adapt by
becoming smaller. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
,A. Hyperplasia
B. Hypertrophy
C. Atrophy ✅
D. Metaplasia
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size that can occur when cells experience reduced
workload, inadequate nutrition, decreased blood supply, or chronic stress.
2.
A patient with prolonged hypoventilation develops an arterial blood gas showing decreased
pH and elevated PaCO₂. Which disorder is present?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis ✅
D. Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Hypoventilation causes carbon dioxide retention. Increased PaCO₂ increases
carbonic acid and decreases blood pH, producing respiratory acidosis.
3.
A patient has been taking a thiazide diuretic for several months. Which electrolyte
abnormality should the nurse recognize as a potential complication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia ✅
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypernatremia
,Rationale: Thiazide diuretics increase renal sodium delivery to distal nephron segments,
promoting potassium excretion and potentially causing hypokalemia.
4.
Which component of the immune system provides the body's earliest nonspecific defense
against invading pathogens?
A. Adaptive immunity
B. Antibody-mediated immunity
C. Innate immunity ✅
D. Memory-cell immunity
Rationale: Innate immunity responds rapidly and nonspecifically through barriers,
phagocytes, complement, inflammation, and other mechanisms.
5.
A patient experiencing severe anxiety begins breathing rapidly and deeply. Which acid-base
disturbance is most likely?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis ✅
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Hyperventilation causes excessive carbon dioxide elimination, lowering PaCO₂
and increasing blood pH.
6.
, Which laboratory measurement most directly contributes to determining the oxygen-carrying
capacity of blood?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum albumin
C. Hemoglobin concentration ✅
D. Serum creatinine
Rationale: Hemoglobin binds and transports oxygen in red blood cells. Therefore,
hemoglobin concentration is a major determinant of oxygen-carrying capacity.
7.
A patient develops generalized edema because of severe hypoalbuminemia. Which
pathophysiologic mechanism is responsible?
A. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
B. Decreased capillary filtration
C. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure ✅
D. Increased intracellular pressure
Rationale: Albumin contributes significantly to plasma oncotic pressure. Reduced albumin
allows more fluid to move from the vascular compartment into interstitial tissues.
8.
A patient with cirrhosis develops progressive abdominal distention from ascites. Which
mechanism contributes significantly to this fluid accumulation?
