Hesi Pathophysiology Practice Exam Questions and
well detailed Answers | Verified | Latest Update
2025/26
After talking w/ the HCP, a male pt 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? -
COREECTANSWER As the prostate gland enlarges, its cells contribute more PSA in
the circulating blood
PSA is a glycoprotein found in prostatic epithelial cells, and elevations are used as a
specific tumor markers. Elevations in PSA are r/t gland volume, ie. benign BPH,
prostatitis, and cancer of the prostate, indicating tumor cell load. PSA levels are also
used to monitor response to therapy
A 26 yr old male client w/ Hodgkin's disease is scheduled to undergo radiation therapy.
The clinet expresses concern about the effect of radiation on his ability to have children.
What info should the nurse provide? -COREECTANSWER Permanent sterility occurs in
the male client who receive radiation
Low sperm count and loss of motility are seen in males w/ Hodgkin's disease b/f any
therapy. Radiotherapy often results in permanent aspermia, or sterility
,The nurse hears short, high-pitched sounds just b/f the end of inspiration in the right and
left lower lobes when auscultating a client's lungs. How should this finding be recorded?
-COREECTANSWER Crackles in the right and left lower lobes
Fine crackles - short, high-pitched sounds heard just b/f the end of inspiration that are
the result of rapid equalization of pressure when collaped alveoli or terminal bronchioles
suddenly snap open
Wheezing is a continuous high-pitched squeaking or musical sound caused by rapid
vibration of bronchial walls that are 1st evident on expiration and may be audible
A client is admitted to the ER w/ a tension pneumothorax. Which assessment should the
nurse expect to ID? -COREECTANSWER A deviation of the trachea toward the side
opposite of the pneumothorax
Tension pneumothorax is caused by rapid accumulation of air in the pleural space,
causing severely high intrapleural pressure. This results in collapse of the lung, and the
mediastinum shifts toward the unaffected side, which is subsequently compressed
A client who is receiving a whole blood transfusion dv's chills, fever, and a HA 30 min
after the transfusion is started. The nurse shold recognize these sx as characteristic of
what rxn? -COREECTANSWER A febrile transfusion reaction
, Sx of a febrile reaction include sudden chills, fever, HA, flushing, and muscle pain.
An allergic rxn is the response of histamine release which is characterized by flushing,
itching, and urticaria. It exhibits an exaggerated allergic response that progresses to
shock and possible cardiac arrest
an acute hemolytic reaction presents w/ fever, chills, but is hallmarked by the onset of
low back pain, tachycardia, tachypnea, vascular collapse, hemoglobinuria, dark urine,
ARF, shock, cardiac arrest, and even death
The nurse is analyzing the waveforms of a client's ECG. What finding indicates a
disturbance in electrical conduction in the ventricles? -COREECTANSWER QRS
interval of 0.14 second
the normal duration of the QRS is 0.04 - 0.12 sec
T wave is 0.16 sec;
PR is 0.12 - 0.20 sec;
QT is 0.31-0.38 sec
Several hrs after surgical repair of an AAA, the client dvps left flank pain. the nurse
determines the client's urinary output is 20 m.;hr for the past 2 hrs. The nurse should
well detailed Answers | Verified | Latest Update
2025/26
After talking w/ the HCP, a male pt 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? -
COREECTANSWER As the prostate gland enlarges, its cells contribute more PSA in
the circulating blood
PSA is a glycoprotein found in prostatic epithelial cells, and elevations are used as a
specific tumor markers. Elevations in PSA are r/t gland volume, ie. benign BPH,
prostatitis, and cancer of the prostate, indicating tumor cell load. PSA levels are also
used to monitor response to therapy
A 26 yr old male client w/ Hodgkin's disease is scheduled to undergo radiation therapy.
The clinet expresses concern about the effect of radiation on his ability to have children.
What info should the nurse provide? -COREECTANSWER Permanent sterility occurs in
the male client who receive radiation
Low sperm count and loss of motility are seen in males w/ Hodgkin's disease b/f any
therapy. Radiotherapy often results in permanent aspermia, or sterility
,The nurse hears short, high-pitched sounds just b/f the end of inspiration in the right and
left lower lobes when auscultating a client's lungs. How should this finding be recorded?
-COREECTANSWER Crackles in the right and left lower lobes
Fine crackles - short, high-pitched sounds heard just b/f the end of inspiration that are
the result of rapid equalization of pressure when collaped alveoli or terminal bronchioles
suddenly snap open
Wheezing is a continuous high-pitched squeaking or musical sound caused by rapid
vibration of bronchial walls that are 1st evident on expiration and may be audible
A client is admitted to the ER w/ a tension pneumothorax. Which assessment should the
nurse expect to ID? -COREECTANSWER A deviation of the trachea toward the side
opposite of the pneumothorax
Tension pneumothorax is caused by rapid accumulation of air in the pleural space,
causing severely high intrapleural pressure. This results in collapse of the lung, and the
mediastinum shifts toward the unaffected side, which is subsequently compressed
A client who is receiving a whole blood transfusion dv's chills, fever, and a HA 30 min
after the transfusion is started. The nurse shold recognize these sx as characteristic of
what rxn? -COREECTANSWER A febrile transfusion reaction
, Sx of a febrile reaction include sudden chills, fever, HA, flushing, and muscle pain.
An allergic rxn is the response of histamine release which is characterized by flushing,
itching, and urticaria. It exhibits an exaggerated allergic response that progresses to
shock and possible cardiac arrest
an acute hemolytic reaction presents w/ fever, chills, but is hallmarked by the onset of
low back pain, tachycardia, tachypnea, vascular collapse, hemoglobinuria, dark urine,
ARF, shock, cardiac arrest, and even death
The nurse is analyzing the waveforms of a client's ECG. What finding indicates a
disturbance in electrical conduction in the ventricles? -COREECTANSWER QRS
interval of 0.14 second
the normal duration of the QRS is 0.04 - 0.12 sec
T wave is 0.16 sec;
PR is 0.12 - 0.20 sec;
QT is 0.31-0.38 sec
Several hrs after surgical repair of an AAA, the client dvps left flank pain. the nurse
determines the client's urinary output is 20 m.;hr for the past 2 hrs. The nurse should
