Pathophysiology HESI Exam| Question and
Verified Answers| Latest Update 2026/27
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? -
<<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT
ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT
ANSWERS>>>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
conclude that these findings support which complication? - <<<<CORRECT
ANSWERS>>>Renal artery embolization
Post-op complications of surgical repair of AAA are r/t the location of resection, graft,
or stent placement along the abd'l aorta. Embolization of a fragment of thrombus or
plaque from the aorta into a renal artery can compromise blood flow in 1 of the renal
arteries, resulting in renal ischemia that precipitates unilateral flank pain
A client w/ markedly distended bladder is dx w/ hydronephroosis and left
hydroureter after an IV pyelogram. The nurse catheterizes the client and obtains a
residual urine vol of 1650 ml. this finding supports which pathophysiological cause of
the client's urinary tract obstruction? - <<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>Obstruction at
the urinary bladder neck
Hydroureter (dilation of the renal pelvis), vesicoureteral reflux (backward mvmt of
urine from the lower to upper urinary tracts), and hydronephrosis (dilation or
Verified Answers| Latest Update 2026/27
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? -
<<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT
ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>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? - <<<<CORRECT
ANSWERS>>>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
conclude that these findings support which complication? - <<<<CORRECT
ANSWERS>>>Renal artery embolization
Post-op complications of surgical repair of AAA are r/t the location of resection, graft,
or stent placement along the abd'l aorta. Embolization of a fragment of thrombus or
plaque from the aorta into a renal artery can compromise blood flow in 1 of the renal
arteries, resulting in renal ischemia that precipitates unilateral flank pain
A client w/ markedly distended bladder is dx w/ hydronephroosis and left
hydroureter after an IV pyelogram. The nurse catheterizes the client and obtains a
residual urine vol of 1650 ml. this finding supports which pathophysiological cause of
the client's urinary tract obstruction? - <<<<CORRECT ANSWERS>>>Obstruction at
the urinary bladder neck
Hydroureter (dilation of the renal pelvis), vesicoureteral reflux (backward mvmt of
urine from the lower to upper urinary tracts), and hydronephrosis (dilation or
