HESI PATHOPHYSIOLOGY –QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*• Cellular Adaptation and Injury*
*• Genetic and Genomic Disorders*
*• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances*
*• Immunity, Inflammation, and Infection*
*• Cardiovascular and Renal Pathology*
*• Endocrine and Metabolic Alterations*
*• Neurological and Sensory Deficits*
*• Hematological and Respiratory Disorders*
*Introduction*
*This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate a candidate’s mastery
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension presents with an enlarged left
ventricle. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
,A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
🟢 C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size in response to increased
mechanical load or stress, common in the cardiac muscle of hypertensive patients.
2. Which process results in the programmed cell death of aged or damaged cells
without triggering an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
🟢 B. Apoptosis
C. Autophagy
D. Infarction
🔴 RATIONALE: Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed cell death process that
removes unwanted cells quietly, unlike necrosis which causes cell rupture and
inflammation.
3. A 55-year-old male with a history of smoking shows a change in the bronchial
epithelial cells from ciliated columnar to stratified squamous cells. This is an
, example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
🟢 C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
🔴 RATIONALE: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often as a protective response to chronic irritation like cigarette smoke.
4. During an inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is primarily
responsible for increasing capillary permeability and vasodilation early in the
process?
🟢 A. Histamine
B. Leukotrienes
C. Cytokines
D. Bradykinin
🔴 RATIONALE: Histamine is released by mast cells immediately following injury,
leading to the redness and swelling associated with acute inflammation.
, 5. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
🟢 B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
🔴 RATIONALE: A low pH (<7.35) combined with an elevated PaCO2 (>45 mmHg)
indicates that the acidosis is respiratory in origin.
6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and
involves the release of histamine from mast cells, such as in anaphylaxis?
🟢 A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
🔴 RATIONALE: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated
by IgE binding to mast cells.
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*• Cellular Adaptation and Injury*
*• Genetic and Genomic Disorders*
*• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances*
*• Immunity, Inflammation, and Infection*
*• Cardiovascular and Renal Pathology*
*• Endocrine and Metabolic Alterations*
*• Neurological and Sensory Deficits*
*• Hematological and Respiratory Disorders*
*Introduction*
*This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate a candidate’s mastery
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient with long-standing hypertension presents with an enlarged left
ventricle. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
,A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
🟢 C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size in response to increased
mechanical load or stress, common in the cardiac muscle of hypertensive patients.
2. Which process results in the programmed cell death of aged or damaged cells
without triggering an inflammatory response?
A. Necrosis
🟢 B. Apoptosis
C. Autophagy
D. Infarction
🔴 RATIONALE: Apoptosis is a regulated, programmed cell death process that
removes unwanted cells quietly, unlike necrosis which causes cell rupture and
inflammation.
3. A 55-year-old male with a history of smoking shows a change in the bronchial
epithelial cells from ciliated columnar to stratified squamous cells. This is an
, example of:
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
🟢 C. Metaplasia
D. Neoplasia
🔴 RATIONALE: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by
another, often as a protective response to chronic irritation like cigarette smoke.
4. During an inflammatory response, which chemical mediator is primarily
responsible for increasing capillary permeability and vasodilation early in the
process?
🟢 A. Histamine
B. Leukotrienes
C. Cytokines
D. Bradykinin
🔴 RATIONALE: Histamine is released by mast cells immediately following injury,
leading to the redness and swelling associated with acute inflammation.
, 5. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
🟢 B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
🔴 RATIONALE: A low pH (<7.35) combined with an elevated PaCO2 (>45 mmHg)
indicates that the acidosis is respiratory in origin.
6. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is mediated by IgE antibodies and
involves the release of histamine from mast cells, such as in anaphylaxis?
🟢 A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV
🔴 RATIONALE: Type I hypersensitivity is an immediate allergic reaction mediated
by IgE binding to mast cells.
