NSG 120 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY HESI EXAM 1
(HERZING) NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM |
NSG120 NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
EXAM 1 REVIEW WITH COMPLETE REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST
RECENT!!)
Core Domains
• Cellular Adaptation, Injury, and Death
• Inflammation, Immunity, and Infection
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Genetics and Neoplasia
• Stress and Pain
• Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
• Respiratory Pathophysiology
• Renal and Urinary Pathophysiology
• Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Pathophysiology
• Neurologic and Hematologic Pathophysiology
Introduction
,The NSG 120 Pathophysiology HESI Exam 1 assesses foundational
knowledge of disease mechanisms and their clinical manifestations for
baccalaureate nursing practice. This examination evaluates
understanding of cellular adaptation, inflammation, immunity, fluid and
electrolyte imbalances, and system-specific pathophysiologic
processes. The multiple-choice and scenario-based structure
emphasizes clinical application, critical thinking, and decision-making.
Questions require integration of pathophysiologic principles with nursing
assessment and prioritization in real-world patient care scenarios.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A client's bronchial epithelium changes from ciliated columnar cells to
stratified squamous cells after years of smoking. Which cellular
adaptation does the nurse identify?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
RATIONALE: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature
cell type with another that is better able to survive the stressful
environment. Chronic irritation from smoking causes bronchial
epithelium to change to stratified squamous epithelium. Atrophy is
shrinkage, hypertrophy is enlargement, and dysplasia involves disordered
growth but not a change in cell type.
,Question 2
A client has a cerebral infarct. Which type of necrosis is most likely
present in the affected brain tissue?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
RATIONALE: Liquefactive necrosis commonly occurs in brain infarcts
because digestive enzymes and lack of structural support cause the
dead tissue to become soft and liquid. Coagulative necrosis is typical in
ischemic injury to heart, kidney, and spleen. Caseous necrosis occurs in
tuberculosis, and fat necrosis occurs in pancreatitis.
Question 3
Which statement best describes apoptosis?
A. Programmed cell death that does not trigger inflammation
B. Uncontrolled cell death that always causes inflammation
C. Death of a group of cells due to ischemia
D. Death caused by bacterial toxins only
A. Programmed cell death that does not trigger inflammation
RATIONALE: Apoptosis is an energy-dependent, programmed form of
cell death that removes unwanted or damaged cells without inciting an
, inflammatory response. Necrosis is uncontrolled cell death that typically
triggers inflammation.
Question 4
During acute inflammation, which vascular change occurs first?
A. Decreased capillary permeability
B. Vasoconstriction lasting several hours
C. Reduced blood flow to the area
D. Vasodilation followed by increased capillary permeability
D. Vasodilation followed by increased capillary permeability
RATIONALE: Acute inflammation begins with vasodilation, which
increases blood flow and causes redness and heat, followed by
increased capillary permeability that allows plasma proteins and
leukocytes into the tissue.
Question 5
Which cell type predominates in chronic inflammation?
A. Neutrophils
B. Macrophages and lymphocytes
C. Eosinophils
D. Basophils
B. Macrophages and lymphocytes
RATIONALE: Chronic inflammation is characterized by infiltration
with macrophages and lymphocytes, along with tissue destruction and
(HERZING) NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM |
NSG120 NURSING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
EXAM 1 REVIEW WITH COMPLETE REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST
RECENT!!)
Core Domains
• Cellular Adaptation, Injury, and Death
• Inflammation, Immunity, and Infection
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Genetics and Neoplasia
• Stress and Pain
• Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
• Respiratory Pathophysiology
• Renal and Urinary Pathophysiology
• Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Pathophysiology
• Neurologic and Hematologic Pathophysiology
Introduction
,The NSG 120 Pathophysiology HESI Exam 1 assesses foundational
knowledge of disease mechanisms and their clinical manifestations for
baccalaureate nursing practice. This examination evaluates
understanding of cellular adaptation, inflammation, immunity, fluid and
electrolyte imbalances, and system-specific pathophysiologic
processes. The multiple-choice and scenario-based structure
emphasizes clinical application, critical thinking, and decision-making.
Questions require integration of pathophysiologic principles with nursing
assessment and prioritization in real-world patient care scenarios.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A client's bronchial epithelium changes from ciliated columnar cells to
stratified squamous cells after years of smoking. Which cellular
adaptation does the nurse identify?
A. Atrophy
B. Hypertrophy
C. Metaplasia
D. Dysplasia
C. Metaplasia
RATIONALE: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature
cell type with another that is better able to survive the stressful
environment. Chronic irritation from smoking causes bronchial
epithelium to change to stratified squamous epithelium. Atrophy is
shrinkage, hypertrophy is enlargement, and dysplasia involves disordered
growth but not a change in cell type.
,Question 2
A client has a cerebral infarct. Which type of necrosis is most likely
present in the affected brain tissue?
A. Coagulative necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
C. Caseous necrosis
D. Fat necrosis
B. Liquefactive necrosis
RATIONALE: Liquefactive necrosis commonly occurs in brain infarcts
because digestive enzymes and lack of structural support cause the
dead tissue to become soft and liquid. Coagulative necrosis is typical in
ischemic injury to heart, kidney, and spleen. Caseous necrosis occurs in
tuberculosis, and fat necrosis occurs in pancreatitis.
Question 3
Which statement best describes apoptosis?
A. Programmed cell death that does not trigger inflammation
B. Uncontrolled cell death that always causes inflammation
C. Death of a group of cells due to ischemia
D. Death caused by bacterial toxins only
A. Programmed cell death that does not trigger inflammation
RATIONALE: Apoptosis is an energy-dependent, programmed form of
cell death that removes unwanted or damaged cells without inciting an
, inflammatory response. Necrosis is uncontrolled cell death that typically
triggers inflammation.
Question 4
During acute inflammation, which vascular change occurs first?
A. Decreased capillary permeability
B. Vasoconstriction lasting several hours
C. Reduced blood flow to the area
D. Vasodilation followed by increased capillary permeability
D. Vasodilation followed by increased capillary permeability
RATIONALE: Acute inflammation begins with vasodilation, which
increases blood flow and causes redness and heat, followed by
increased capillary permeability that allows plasma proteins and
leukocytes into the tissue.
Question 5
Which cell type predominates in chronic inflammation?
A. Neutrophils
B. Macrophages and lymphocytes
C. Eosinophils
D. Basophils
B. Macrophages and lymphocytes
RATIONALE: Chronic inflammation is characterized by infiltration
with macrophages and lymphocytes, along with tissue destruction and
