2026 HESI Pathophysiology Exam V1 | Complete Exam
Questions with Verified Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales| Latest Update- Graded A+
Question 1
The nurse is caring for a client with liver cirrhosis. Which diagnostic test will most likely
be altered because of liver damage?
A) Bone scan
B) Serum glucose
C) MRI of the chest
D) Colonoscopy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: With liver cirrhosis, there is an alteration in the function of liver tissue.
One function of the liver is to either break down glycogen into glucose in response to
glucagon or produce glycogen in response to insulin. For the client with liver cirrhosis,
the blood glucose level could be either too high or too low. Choices A, C, and D are not
specifically altered in liver cirrhosis.
Question 2
A client recovering from a kidney transplant has an 8 mm area of induration after an
intradermal PPD tuberculin test. What will need to be done prior to treating this client
for active tuberculosis?
A) Nothing since this is a diagnostic indication of active disease
B) Determine active disease present through a chest x-ray
C) Conduct a multiple-puncture tine test
D) Evaluate results of liver function tests
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A positive tuberculin test alone does not indicate active disease. A chest
x-ray will be done to evaluate for the presence of dense lesions in the apical and
posterior segments of the upper lobe and possible cavity formation. Choice A is incorrect
because a positive tuberculin skin test alone does not indicate active disease. Choice C is
incorrect because a multiple-puncture tine test is less accurate than the PPD test. Choice
D is incorrect because liver function tests are obtained prior to treating with isoniazid.
The client needs to be diagnosed with active tuberculosis first.
pg. 1
,Question 3
The nurse determines that a client is at risk for the development of osteoporosis because
of which assessment findings?
A) African American female aged 45
B) Diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease
C) Infrequent alcohol intake
D) Participates in walking 5 times a week for 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A malabsorption disorder, such as inflammatory bowel disease, is a
nonmodifiable risk for the development of osteoporosis. This disorder will affect
calcium absorption. Choice A is incorrect because African American females have
greater bone density than other ethnic backgrounds. Choice C is incorrect because heavy
alcohol intake suppresses bone formation and contributes to nutritional deficiencies
associated with osteoporosis. Choice D is incorrect because walking increases blood flow
to the bones and increases osteoblast growth and activity.
Question 4
A client's latest electrocardiogram waveform is demonstrating changes in the ST
segment. The nurse is concerned that the client will begin to demonstrate:
A) Ventricular dysrhythmias
B) Atrial dysrhythmias
C) Atrioventricular conduction blocks
D) Sinus arrhythmias
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Ventricular dysrhythmias originate in the ventricles. One characteristic
of this waveform is an abnormal ST segment. Choice B is incorrect because P wave
changes are seen in atrial dysrhythmias. Choice C is incorrect because changes would be
seen in the QRS complex and P waves. Choice D is incorrect because a sinus arrhythmia
is a sinus rhythm that fluctuates with respirations. There are no specific waveform
changes with this arrhythmia.
Question 5
A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus has microalbuminuria. The nurse should prepare
to instruct the client on which treatment for this clinical finding? (Select all that apply.)
A) Weight management
B) Hypertension treatment
C) Exercise
pg. 2
, D) Reduce salt intake
E) Postural hypotension
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: Microalbuminuria is an abnormal level of albumin in the urine. For the
client with type 2 diabetes mellitus, management of this finding includes weight
management, control of hypertension, exercise, and reduce salt intake. Choice E is
incorrect because postural hypotension is a finding consistent with autonomic
neuropathies or another type of complication of diabetes mellitus.
Question 6
A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is surprised to learn of a wound on the bottom of
the left heel. What would be the reason why this client is not aware of this wound?
A) Microvascular changes in the skin
B) Sensory loss from peripheral neuropathy
C) Elevated blood lipid levels
D) Autonomic neuropathy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Peripheral neuropathy is associated with diabetes mellitus. This disorder
appears first in the toes and feet and progresses upwards. The client with this disorder
has distal paresthesia and impaired sensations of pain, light touch, and vibration.
Choice A is not correct because microvascular changes in the skin may contribute to the
development of wound but, however, would not be the reason why the client was
unaware of the wound. Choice C is incorrect because elevated blood lipid levels do not
cause sensory changes in those with diabetes mellitus. Choice D is incorrect because
autonomic neuropathy affects sweating and pupillary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal,
and genitourinary functioning.
Question 7
The nurse is providing dietary instruction for a client with diverticular disease. What
should the nurse instruct the client to avoid eating?
A) Unpeeled raw fruit
B) Popcorn and berries
C) Cooked cereals
D) Raw vegetables
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The client with diverticular disease is instructed to avoid food with small
seeds such as popcorn and berries which could obstruct diverticula. Choices A, C, and D
pg. 3
Questions with Verified Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales| Latest Update- Graded A+
Question 1
The nurse is caring for a client with liver cirrhosis. Which diagnostic test will most likely
be altered because of liver damage?
A) Bone scan
B) Serum glucose
C) MRI of the chest
D) Colonoscopy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: With liver cirrhosis, there is an alteration in the function of liver tissue.
One function of the liver is to either break down glycogen into glucose in response to
glucagon or produce glycogen in response to insulin. For the client with liver cirrhosis,
the blood glucose level could be either too high or too low. Choices A, C, and D are not
specifically altered in liver cirrhosis.
Question 2
A client recovering from a kidney transplant has an 8 mm area of induration after an
intradermal PPD tuberculin test. What will need to be done prior to treating this client
for active tuberculosis?
A) Nothing since this is a diagnostic indication of active disease
B) Determine active disease present through a chest x-ray
C) Conduct a multiple-puncture tine test
D) Evaluate results of liver function tests
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A positive tuberculin test alone does not indicate active disease. A chest
x-ray will be done to evaluate for the presence of dense lesions in the apical and
posterior segments of the upper lobe and possible cavity formation. Choice A is incorrect
because a positive tuberculin skin test alone does not indicate active disease. Choice C is
incorrect because a multiple-puncture tine test is less accurate than the PPD test. Choice
D is incorrect because liver function tests are obtained prior to treating with isoniazid.
The client needs to be diagnosed with active tuberculosis first.
pg. 1
,Question 3
The nurse determines that a client is at risk for the development of osteoporosis because
of which assessment findings?
A) African American female aged 45
B) Diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease
C) Infrequent alcohol intake
D) Participates in walking 5 times a week for 30 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A malabsorption disorder, such as inflammatory bowel disease, is a
nonmodifiable risk for the development of osteoporosis. This disorder will affect
calcium absorption. Choice A is incorrect because African American females have
greater bone density than other ethnic backgrounds. Choice C is incorrect because heavy
alcohol intake suppresses bone formation and contributes to nutritional deficiencies
associated with osteoporosis. Choice D is incorrect because walking increases blood flow
to the bones and increases osteoblast growth and activity.
Question 4
A client's latest electrocardiogram waveform is demonstrating changes in the ST
segment. The nurse is concerned that the client will begin to demonstrate:
A) Ventricular dysrhythmias
B) Atrial dysrhythmias
C) Atrioventricular conduction blocks
D) Sinus arrhythmias
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Ventricular dysrhythmias originate in the ventricles. One characteristic
of this waveform is an abnormal ST segment. Choice B is incorrect because P wave
changes are seen in atrial dysrhythmias. Choice C is incorrect because changes would be
seen in the QRS complex and P waves. Choice D is incorrect because a sinus arrhythmia
is a sinus rhythm that fluctuates with respirations. There are no specific waveform
changes with this arrhythmia.
Question 5
A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus has microalbuminuria. The nurse should prepare
to instruct the client on which treatment for this clinical finding? (Select all that apply.)
A) Weight management
B) Hypertension treatment
C) Exercise
pg. 2
, D) Reduce salt intake
E) Postural hypotension
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: Microalbuminuria is an abnormal level of albumin in the urine. For the
client with type 2 diabetes mellitus, management of this finding includes weight
management, control of hypertension, exercise, and reduce salt intake. Choice E is
incorrect because postural hypotension is a finding consistent with autonomic
neuropathies or another type of complication of diabetes mellitus.
Question 6
A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is surprised to learn of a wound on the bottom of
the left heel. What would be the reason why this client is not aware of this wound?
A) Microvascular changes in the skin
B) Sensory loss from peripheral neuropathy
C) Elevated blood lipid levels
D) Autonomic neuropathy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Peripheral neuropathy is associated with diabetes mellitus. This disorder
appears first in the toes and feet and progresses upwards. The client with this disorder
has distal paresthesia and impaired sensations of pain, light touch, and vibration.
Choice A is not correct because microvascular changes in the skin may contribute to the
development of wound but, however, would not be the reason why the client was
unaware of the wound. Choice C is incorrect because elevated blood lipid levels do not
cause sensory changes in those with diabetes mellitus. Choice D is incorrect because
autonomic neuropathy affects sweating and pupillary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal,
and genitourinary functioning.
Question 7
The nurse is providing dietary instruction for a client with diverticular disease. What
should the nurse instruct the client to avoid eating?
A) Unpeeled raw fruit
B) Popcorn and berries
C) Cooked cereals
D) Raw vegetables
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The client with diverticular disease is instructed to avoid food with small
seeds such as popcorn and berries which could obstruct diverticula. Choices A, C, and D
pg. 3
