NSG 120 HESI Pathophysiology Success
Guide 2026 | Verified Questions &
Answers | Graded A+ HERZING
UNIVERSITY
Question 1
A patient experiences prolonged ischemia. The "point of no return"
(irreversible cell injury) occurs when:
A) ATP decreases
B) Ribosomes detach
C) Plasma membrane integrity is lost
D) Cell swelling occurs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of plasma membrane integrity is the hallmark of
irreversible cell injury, leading to necrosis. ATP depletion and cell
swelling occur earlier but are potentially reversible. Once the cell
membrane is compromised, the cell cannot recover and will die.
Question 2
Which condition demonstrates hyperplasia?
,A) Left ventricular hypertrophy
B) Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
C) Skeletal muscle growth from exercise
D) Brain tumor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells, as seen in
benign prostatic hyperplasia. Hypertrophy (A and C) is an increase in
cell size. A brain tumor is neoplasia, not hyperplasia.
Question 3
An infarct is an area of necrosis caused by:
A) Bacterial infection
B) Lack of blood supply
C) Physical trauma
D) Chemical exposure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An infarct is tissue necrosis resulting from a lack of blood
supply (ischemia), such as in myocardial infarction or stroke. Infection,
trauma, and chemical exposure can cause necrosis but are not
specifically called infarcts.
Question 4
,The normal function of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is to:
A) Promote angiogenesis
B) Repair DNA or induce apoptosis
C) Activate oncogenes
D) Suppress immunity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The p53 protein is a transcription factor that stops the cell
cycle to allow DNA repair or triggers apoptosis if damage is irreversible.
It is often called the "guardian of the genome."
Question 5
Which term does the nurse use to describe a reduced blood supply to a
person's heart?
A) Anoxia
B) Ischemia
C) Embolus
D) Apoptosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ischemia is reduced blood supply to an organ or tissue.
Anoxia is complete lack of oxygen. An embolus is a traveling clot.
Apoptosis is programmed cell death.
, Question 6
A post-operative surgical patient has had a nasogastric tube to suction
for three days. ABG results show pH 7.55, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻
40 mmol/L. What is the underlying disorder?
A) Metabolic Acidosis
B) Metabolic Alkalosis
C) Respiratory Acidosis
D) Respiratory Alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of gastric acid (HCl) via NG suction leads to metabolic
alkalosis, indicated by alkalemia (pH >7.45) and elevated HCO₃⁻. The
elevated PaCO₂ represents hypoventilation as compensation.
Question 7
A student is nervous for an exam and breathing rapidly. What acid-base
disorder is expected?
A) Metabolic Acidosis
B) Metabolic Alkalosis
C) Respiratory Acidosis
D) Respiratory Alkalosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Anxiety-induced hyperventilation causes excessive
elimination of CO₂, leading to respiratory alkalosis. The pH will be
elevated and PaCO₂ decreased.
Guide 2026 | Verified Questions &
Answers | Graded A+ HERZING
UNIVERSITY
Question 1
A patient experiences prolonged ischemia. The "point of no return"
(irreversible cell injury) occurs when:
A) ATP decreases
B) Ribosomes detach
C) Plasma membrane integrity is lost
D) Cell swelling occurs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of plasma membrane integrity is the hallmark of
irreversible cell injury, leading to necrosis. ATP depletion and cell
swelling occur earlier but are potentially reversible. Once the cell
membrane is compromised, the cell cannot recover and will die.
Question 2
Which condition demonstrates hyperplasia?
,A) Left ventricular hypertrophy
B) Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
C) Skeletal muscle growth from exercise
D) Brain tumor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells, as seen in
benign prostatic hyperplasia. Hypertrophy (A and C) is an increase in
cell size. A brain tumor is neoplasia, not hyperplasia.
Question 3
An infarct is an area of necrosis caused by:
A) Bacterial infection
B) Lack of blood supply
C) Physical trauma
D) Chemical exposure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An infarct is tissue necrosis resulting from a lack of blood
supply (ischemia), such as in myocardial infarction or stroke. Infection,
trauma, and chemical exposure can cause necrosis but are not
specifically called infarcts.
Question 4
,The normal function of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is to:
A) Promote angiogenesis
B) Repair DNA or induce apoptosis
C) Activate oncogenes
D) Suppress immunity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The p53 protein is a transcription factor that stops the cell
cycle to allow DNA repair or triggers apoptosis if damage is irreversible.
It is often called the "guardian of the genome."
Question 5
Which term does the nurse use to describe a reduced blood supply to a
person's heart?
A) Anoxia
B) Ischemia
C) Embolus
D) Apoptosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ischemia is reduced blood supply to an organ or tissue.
Anoxia is complete lack of oxygen. An embolus is a traveling clot.
Apoptosis is programmed cell death.
, Question 6
A post-operative surgical patient has had a nasogastric tube to suction
for three days. ABG results show pH 7.55, PaCO₂ 52 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻
40 mmol/L. What is the underlying disorder?
A) Metabolic Acidosis
B) Metabolic Alkalosis
C) Respiratory Acidosis
D) Respiratory Alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of gastric acid (HCl) via NG suction leads to metabolic
alkalosis, indicated by alkalemia (pH >7.45) and elevated HCO₃⁻. The
elevated PaCO₂ represents hypoventilation as compensation.
Question 7
A student is nervous for an exam and breathing rapidly. What acid-base
disorder is expected?
A) Metabolic Acidosis
B) Metabolic Alkalosis
C) Respiratory Acidosis
D) Respiratory Alkalosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Anxiety-induced hyperventilation causes excessive
elimination of CO₂, leading to respiratory alkalosis. The pH will be
elevated and PaCO₂ decreased.
