HESI RN
HESI RN Patho Pharmacology Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
After the nurse obtains a blood sample from a client’s right radial arterial client reports a sudden onset of pain at the arterial line insertion site. The nurse recognizes which physiological effect may be inducing the sudden pain?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vasospasm (
B) at the arterial line site causes sudden pain by constricting vessels, reducing blood flow. Elevated BP (
A) causes generalized symptoms. A clot (
C) may cause ischemia but is less immediate. Air lock (
D) affects monitoring, not pain.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Which interpretation should the nurse make about the client’s glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stage 4 CKD is defined by a severely decreased GFR (15-29 mL/min/1.73 m²) (
A), reflecting significant kidney damage. Mild (
B) and moderate (
D) decreases correspond to stages 2 and 3. Increased GFR (
C) occurs in early diabetic nephropathy, not stage 4 CKD.
Question 3 of 5
Following a motor vehicle collision, an adult client is brought to the emergency department with a blood pressure of 72/50 mm Hg and a blood volume loss of approximately 40%. The nurse should plan care for this client based on which expected response to hemorrhaging?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hemorrhage reduces blood volume, decreasing preload (
C), which lowers cardiac output and causes hypotension. Increased preload (
A) occurs in fluid overload. Hypotension triggers tachycardia, not reduced heart rate (
B). Peripheral resistance (
D) increases but is secondary.
Question 4 of 5
During an interview with a male client who has Parkinson’s disease (PD), the nurse notices that he is drooling and mumbling. Which pathophysiological factor contributes to the client’s inability to express himself?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PD involves degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia (
B), causing motor symptoms like bradykinesia and rigidity, impairing speech. Broca’s area damage (
A) causes aphasia, not PD-related. Amyloid plaques (
C) indicate Alzheimer’s. Pharyngeal paralysis (
D) causes dysphagia, not speech issues.
Question 5 of 5
A client reports experiencing blurry central vision that has recently worsened. Which pathological process supports the client’s subjective report?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blurry central vision suggests macular ischemia from blocked retinal capillaries (
A), as in diabetic retinopathy or vein occlusion. Opaque lens lines (
B) indicate cataracts, causing glare. Retinal tears (
C) cause floaters/shadows. Increased intraocular pressure (
D) is glaucoma, affecting peripheral vision.