HESI PATHOPHYSIOLOGY NURSING EXAM TEST BANK 2026 · 50+ (2026) PREMIU… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Pathophysiology
Nursing Exam Test Bank
2026
50+ (2026) Premium Exam with Rationales | A+ Success
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 50 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This HESI Pathophysiology Nursing Exam Test Bank for 2026 covers a range of medical conditions and nursing
interventions, including genitourinary issues, vascular emergencies, transfusion reactions, neurological deficits, and
pediatric critical care. It provides 50 questions with their correct answers and detailed explanations, allowing students
to thoroughly review and understand complex pathophysiological concepts and their clinical applications for exam
preparation. This resource is ideal for in-depth study and concept reinforcement.
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 50
A nurse is reviewing the digital rectal exam (DRE) findings for a 68-year-old male client scheduled for a repeat
serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. The client asks what specific findings prompted the increased
monitoring. What information should the nurse accurately provide regarding the DRE? (Select all that apply.)
A) The client's prostate gland demonstrated a smooth, symmetrical contour.
B) Firm areas were palpated within the prostate tissue.
C) The prostate was noted to be enlarged and boggy to palpation.
Page 1
,D) Stony, irregular nodules were identified on the prostate's surface.
E) The median sulcus of the prostate was clearly palpable and midline.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Firm areas were palpated within the prostate tissue.
D) Stony, irregular nodules were identified on the prostate's surface.
RATIONALE
Suspicious findings on a digital rectal exam, such as firm areas or stony, irregular nodules, warrant further investigation
with repeat PSA levels due to their association with malignancy. A smooth, symmetrical, and midline prostate is
generally considered a normal finding.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 50
A child recovering from abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair develops sudden left flank pain and a urinary
output of 15 mL/hr for the past 3 hours. Which potential complications should the nurse monitor for based on
these findings? (Select all that apply.)
A) Graft occlusion
B) Acute tubular necrosis
C) Renal artery embolization
D) Wound dehiscence
E) Ureteral obstruction
F) Superior mesenteric artery syndrome
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Graft occlusion
C) Renal artery embolization
RATIONALE
Flank pain and decreased urinary output post-AAA repair suggest compromised renal perfusion, likely due to graft
occlusion or embolization of thrombus/plaque into a renal artery, leading to ischemia. Early identification prevents
irreversible renal damage.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 50
While monitoring a client receiving their second unit of packed red blood cells, the nurse notes the client
develops sudden, severe shaking chills and reports a headache and generalized malaise 15 minutes after the
infusion began. The client's temperature is now 39.2°C (102.6°F). These findings are most indicative of which
type of transfusion reaction?
Page 2
, A) Allergic reaction
B) Bacterial contamination
C) Acute hemolytic reaction
D) Febrile non-hemolytic reaction
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Febrile non-hemolytic reaction
RATIONALE
A rapid onset of fever and chills shortly after initiating a blood transfusion, without other signs of hemolysis or sepsis, is
most characteristic of a febrile non-hemolytic reaction, likely due to recipient antibodies reacting to donor leukocytes.
The immediate priority is to stop the transfusion to prevent further reaction.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 50
The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a 78-year-old client admitted with suspected stroke. The
nurse observes the client's left upper eyelid is visibly lower than the right, obscuring approximately 2 mm of the
iris. Which term accurately describes this specific finding?
A) Anisocoria
B) Ptosis
C) Arcus senilis
D) Entropion
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Ptosis
RATIONALE
Ptosis refers to the drooping of the upper eyelid, which is precisely what the nurse is observing and documenting in this
client's neurological assessment. Anisocoria relates to unequal pupil size, and arcus senilis is a gray ring around the iris.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 50
A 72-year-old female client reports a 6-month history of increasing urinary urgency, frequency, and leakage with
coughing. She also verbalizes a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. These urinary findings are most
consistent with which of the following conditions?
A) Urethritis
B) Vaginitis
Page 3
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Pathophysiology
Nursing Exam Test Bank
2026
50+ (2026) Premium Exam with Rationales | A+ Success
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 50 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This HESI Pathophysiology Nursing Exam Test Bank for 2026 covers a range of medical conditions and nursing
interventions, including genitourinary issues, vascular emergencies, transfusion reactions, neurological deficits, and
pediatric critical care. It provides 50 questions with their correct answers and detailed explanations, allowing students
to thoroughly review and understand complex pathophysiological concepts and their clinical applications for exam
preparation. This resource is ideal for in-depth study and concept reinforcement.
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 50
A nurse is reviewing the digital rectal exam (DRE) findings for a 68-year-old male client scheduled for a repeat
serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. The client asks what specific findings prompted the increased
monitoring. What information should the nurse accurately provide regarding the DRE? (Select all that apply.)
A) The client's prostate gland demonstrated a smooth, symmetrical contour.
B) Firm areas were palpated within the prostate tissue.
C) The prostate was noted to be enlarged and boggy to palpation.
Page 1
,D) Stony, irregular nodules were identified on the prostate's surface.
E) The median sulcus of the prostate was clearly palpable and midline.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Firm areas were palpated within the prostate tissue.
D) Stony, irregular nodules were identified on the prostate's surface.
RATIONALE
Suspicious findings on a digital rectal exam, such as firm areas or stony, irregular nodules, warrant further investigation
with repeat PSA levels due to their association with malignancy. A smooth, symmetrical, and midline prostate is
generally considered a normal finding.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 50
A child recovering from abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair develops sudden left flank pain and a urinary
output of 15 mL/hr for the past 3 hours. Which potential complications should the nurse monitor for based on
these findings? (Select all that apply.)
A) Graft occlusion
B) Acute tubular necrosis
C) Renal artery embolization
D) Wound dehiscence
E) Ureteral obstruction
F) Superior mesenteric artery syndrome
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Graft occlusion
C) Renal artery embolization
RATIONALE
Flank pain and decreased urinary output post-AAA repair suggest compromised renal perfusion, likely due to graft
occlusion or embolization of thrombus/plaque into a renal artery, leading to ischemia. Early identification prevents
irreversible renal damage.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 50
While monitoring a client receiving their second unit of packed red blood cells, the nurse notes the client
develops sudden, severe shaking chills and reports a headache and generalized malaise 15 minutes after the
infusion began. The client's temperature is now 39.2°C (102.6°F). These findings are most indicative of which
type of transfusion reaction?
Page 2
, A) Allergic reaction
B) Bacterial contamination
C) Acute hemolytic reaction
D) Febrile non-hemolytic reaction
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Febrile non-hemolytic reaction
RATIONALE
A rapid onset of fever and chills shortly after initiating a blood transfusion, without other signs of hemolysis or sepsis, is
most characteristic of a febrile non-hemolytic reaction, likely due to recipient antibodies reacting to donor leukocytes.
The immediate priority is to stop the transfusion to prevent further reaction.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 50
The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a 78-year-old client admitted with suspected stroke. The
nurse observes the client's left upper eyelid is visibly lower than the right, obscuring approximately 2 mm of the
iris. Which term accurately describes this specific finding?
A) Anisocoria
B) Ptosis
C) Arcus senilis
D) Entropion
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Ptosis
RATIONALE
Ptosis refers to the drooping of the upper eyelid, which is precisely what the nurse is observing and documenting in this
client's neurological assessment. Anisocoria relates to unequal pupil size, and arcus senilis is a gray ring around the iris.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 50
A 72-year-old female client reports a 6-month history of increasing urinary urgency, frequency, and leakage with
coughing. She also verbalizes a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. These urinary findings are most
consistent with which of the following conditions?
A) Urethritis
B) Vaginitis
Page 3
