HESI Pathophysiology Exam Question and
correct answers (verified answers 100%)
Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which process is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the human body?
A. Positive feedback
B. Negative feedback
C. Feedforward control
D. Cellular apoptosis
Correct Answer: B. Negative feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback mechanisms counteract changes and help maintain internal
stability, which is the basis of homeostasis.
2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to enlargement of existing cells, resulting in increased tissue or
organ size.
3. What is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Genetic mutation
B. Hypoxia
,C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hypoxia
Rationale: Hypoxia, or reduced oxygen supply, impairs cellular metabolism and is a common
cause of cell injury.
4. Which electrolyte is the major intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
Correct Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale: Potassium is the primary positively charged ion found inside cells and is essential for
cellular function.
5. Apoptosis is best described as:
A. Accidental cell death
B. Programmed cell death
C. Cell enlargement
D. Cell proliferation
Correct Answer: B. Programmed cell death
Rationale: Apoptosis is an organized process of cell destruction that removes damaged or
unnecessary cells.
6. Which acid-base imbalance is associated with excessive loss of gastric acid?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic alkalosis
, Rationale: Loss of gastric acid through vomiting increases blood bicarbonate levels, causing
metabolic alkalosis.
7. Edema occurs when:
A. Intracellular fluid decreases
B. Excess fluid accumulates in tissues
C. Plasma proteins increase
D. Sodium decreases significantly
Correct Answer: B. Excess fluid accumulates in tissues
Rationale: Edema results from abnormal accumulation of fluid within the interstitial spaces.
8. Which inflammatory mediator is primarily responsible for vasodilation?
A. Histamine
B. Albumin
C. Fibrinogen
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: A. Histamine
Rationale: Histamine released from mast cells promotes vasodilation and increased vascular
permeability.
9. What type of immunity is obtained through vaccination?
A. Passive natural immunity
B. Passive artificial immunity
C. Active artificial immunity
D. Innate immunity
Correct Answer: C. Active artificial immunity
Rationale: Vaccines stimulate the body's immune system to produce its own antibodies.
10. Which white blood cell is most abundant in acute bacterial infections?
correct answers (verified answers 100%)
Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which process is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the human body?
A. Positive feedback
B. Negative feedback
C. Feedforward control
D. Cellular apoptosis
Correct Answer: B. Negative feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback mechanisms counteract changes and help maintain internal
stability, which is the basis of homeostasis.
2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Dysplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C. Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy refers to enlargement of existing cells, resulting in increased tissue or
organ size.
3. What is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A. Genetic mutation
B. Hypoxia
,C. Hyperplasia
D. Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B. Hypoxia
Rationale: Hypoxia, or reduced oxygen supply, impairs cellular metabolism and is a common
cause of cell injury.
4. Which electrolyte is the major intracellular cation?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
Correct Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale: Potassium is the primary positively charged ion found inside cells and is essential for
cellular function.
5. Apoptosis is best described as:
A. Accidental cell death
B. Programmed cell death
C. Cell enlargement
D. Cell proliferation
Correct Answer: B. Programmed cell death
Rationale: Apoptosis is an organized process of cell destruction that removes damaged or
unnecessary cells.
6. Which acid-base imbalance is associated with excessive loss of gastric acid?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: D. Metabolic alkalosis
, Rationale: Loss of gastric acid through vomiting increases blood bicarbonate levels, causing
metabolic alkalosis.
7. Edema occurs when:
A. Intracellular fluid decreases
B. Excess fluid accumulates in tissues
C. Plasma proteins increase
D. Sodium decreases significantly
Correct Answer: B. Excess fluid accumulates in tissues
Rationale: Edema results from abnormal accumulation of fluid within the interstitial spaces.
8. Which inflammatory mediator is primarily responsible for vasodilation?
A. Histamine
B. Albumin
C. Fibrinogen
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: A. Histamine
Rationale: Histamine released from mast cells promotes vasodilation and increased vascular
permeability.
9. What type of immunity is obtained through vaccination?
A. Passive natural immunity
B. Passive artificial immunity
C. Active artificial immunity
D. Innate immunity
Correct Answer: C. Active artificial immunity
Rationale: Vaccines stimulate the body's immune system to produce its own antibodies.
10. Which white blood cell is most abundant in acute bacterial infections?
