HESI
Hesi Pathophysiology Exam 1 Hu Nsg120 – Herzing University
2026 Actual Exam Questions And Verified Answers With
Rationales Graded A+
Gradegurus
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,Exam #1 Review - Complete Answer Key with Rationales
Page 1
Question 1
A nurse holds an opioid due to RR <12. What should be done next?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Notify the provider
C) Massage the fundus
D) Complete an incident report
Correct Answer: B) Notify the provider
Rationale: When a medication is held due to a contraindication (respiratory rate below
12), the nurse must notify the provider to obtain an alternative order or further
instructions. Administering oxygen (A) may be needed if the patient is hypoxic, but
notification is the priority action. Massaging the fundus (C) is unrelated to respiratory
depression. An incident report (D) is not warranted for holding a medication
appropriately.
Question 2
,What teaching was likely missed if a client becomes pregnant while taking penicillin?
A) History of anaphylaxis to penicillin
B) Resistance develops quickly
C) Avoid all alcohol during therapy
D) Backup contraception is required
Correct Answer: D) Backup contraception is required
Rationale: Penicillin and other antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of oral
contraceptives by altering gut flora, which affects estrogen reabsorption. Patients should
be taught to use backup contraception (e.g., condoms) during antibiotic therapy and for
at least 7 days after completion. History of anaphylaxis (A) relates to allergy, not
pregnancy. Resistance (B) and alcohol avoidance (C) are unrelated to contraceptive
failure.
Question 3
What is the most important patient teaching for a client prescribed a cephalosporin?
A) Increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration
B) Take the medication on an empty stomach
C) Avoid exposure to direct sunlight
D) Avoid all alcohol during therapy
Correct Answer: D) Avoid all alcohol during therapy
Rationale: Cephalosporins (especially cefotetan, cefazolin, and ceftriaxone) can cause a
disulfiram-like reaction when combined with alcohol, resulting in flushing, headache,
nausea, vomiting, and hypotension. This reaction can occur up to 72 hours after the last
dose. While fluid intake (A) is generally good advice, it is not the priority teaching.
Photosensitivity (C) is more associated with tetracyclines.
Page 2
, Question 4
What order should the nurse anticipate for a patient on INH reporting numbness and
tingling in the feet?
A) Increased dietary calcium intake
B) Vitamin C supplementation
C) Topical Corticosteroid cream
D) Vitamin B6 supplementation
Correct Answer: D) Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplementation
Rationale: Isoniazid (INH) causes peripheral neuropathy by interfering with vitamin B6
metabolism. The classic presentation is numbness and tingling in the extremities
(paresthesia). Supplementation with vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 10-50 mg/day prevents and
treats this side effect. Calcium (A), Vitamin C (B), and topical corticosteroids (C) do not
address this deficiency.
Question 5
Which three toxicities are associated with aminoglycosides?
A) Ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity
B) Ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity
C) Hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity
D) Anaphylaxis, nephrotoxicity, SJIS, thrombocytopenia
Correct Answer: A) Ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity
Rationale: Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin) have a narrow
therapeutic index and are associated with three major toxicities:
Ototoxicity: Damage to cranial nerve VIII causing hearing loss and vertigo
Nephrotoxicity: Acute tubular necrosis leading to rising creatinine
Neurotoxicity: Neuromuscular blockade causing muscle weakness and respiratory
depression
Hesi Pathophysiology Exam 1 Hu Nsg120 – Herzing University
2026 Actual Exam Questions And Verified Answers With
Rationales Graded A+
Gradegurus
➢
➢
➢
➢
,Exam #1 Review - Complete Answer Key with Rationales
Page 1
Question 1
A nurse holds an opioid due to RR <12. What should be done next?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Notify the provider
C) Massage the fundus
D) Complete an incident report
Correct Answer: B) Notify the provider
Rationale: When a medication is held due to a contraindication (respiratory rate below
12), the nurse must notify the provider to obtain an alternative order or further
instructions. Administering oxygen (A) may be needed if the patient is hypoxic, but
notification is the priority action. Massaging the fundus (C) is unrelated to respiratory
depression. An incident report (D) is not warranted for holding a medication
appropriately.
Question 2
,What teaching was likely missed if a client becomes pregnant while taking penicillin?
A) History of anaphylaxis to penicillin
B) Resistance develops quickly
C) Avoid all alcohol during therapy
D) Backup contraception is required
Correct Answer: D) Backup contraception is required
Rationale: Penicillin and other antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of oral
contraceptives by altering gut flora, which affects estrogen reabsorption. Patients should
be taught to use backup contraception (e.g., condoms) during antibiotic therapy and for
at least 7 days after completion. History of anaphylaxis (A) relates to allergy, not
pregnancy. Resistance (B) and alcohol avoidance (C) are unrelated to contraceptive
failure.
Question 3
What is the most important patient teaching for a client prescribed a cephalosporin?
A) Increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration
B) Take the medication on an empty stomach
C) Avoid exposure to direct sunlight
D) Avoid all alcohol during therapy
Correct Answer: D) Avoid all alcohol during therapy
Rationale: Cephalosporins (especially cefotetan, cefazolin, and ceftriaxone) can cause a
disulfiram-like reaction when combined with alcohol, resulting in flushing, headache,
nausea, vomiting, and hypotension. This reaction can occur up to 72 hours after the last
dose. While fluid intake (A) is generally good advice, it is not the priority teaching.
Photosensitivity (C) is more associated with tetracyclines.
Page 2
, Question 4
What order should the nurse anticipate for a patient on INH reporting numbness and
tingling in the feet?
A) Increased dietary calcium intake
B) Vitamin C supplementation
C) Topical Corticosteroid cream
D) Vitamin B6 supplementation
Correct Answer: D) Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplementation
Rationale: Isoniazid (INH) causes peripheral neuropathy by interfering with vitamin B6
metabolism. The classic presentation is numbness and tingling in the extremities
(paresthesia). Supplementation with vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 10-50 mg/day prevents and
treats this side effect. Calcium (A), Vitamin C (B), and topical corticosteroids (C) do not
address this deficiency.
Question 5
Which three toxicities are associated with aminoglycosides?
A) Ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity
B) Ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity
C) Hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity
D) Anaphylaxis, nephrotoxicity, SJIS, thrombocytopenia
Correct Answer: A) Ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity
Rationale: Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin) have a narrow
therapeutic index and are associated with three major toxicities:
Ototoxicity: Damage to cranial nerve VIII causing hearing loss and vertigo
Nephrotoxicity: Acute tubular necrosis leading to rising creatinine
Neurotoxicity: Neuromuscular blockade causing muscle weakness and respiratory
depression
