HESI RN
HESI RN Patho Pharmacology Questions
Extract:
Question 1 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 2 of 5
A large tree fell across the thighs of a man who works as a logger, producing a crushing injury. The muddy ground cushioned the impact and x-rays revealed no broken bones. His thighs are bruised and swollen with pedal pulses present, but the left is stronger than the right. It is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s plan of care assessment for signs of which pathophysiological condition?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Compartment syndrome (
D) risks tissue damage from increased pressure post-crush injury, indicated by swelling, bruising, and unequal pulses. Neuropathy (
A) involves nerve damage, not acute swelling. Osteomyelitis (
B) requires bone infection. Fat embolism (
C) is less likely without fractures.
Question 3 of 5
After brain surgery, a male client is lethargic and is having difficulty talking. His blood pressure is 146/122 mm Hg and his urine specific gravity is 1.055. These findings are consistent with which pathophysiological response to intracranial surgery?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SIADH (
B) causes water retention, concentrated urine (high specific gravity, 1.055), and hyponatremia, leading to lethargy, speech difficulty, and hypertension from cerebral edema. ADH hyposecretion (
A) causes dilute urine. Hypopituitarism (
C) affects multiple hormones. Septic shock (
D) involves hypotension.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is explaining the underlying cause of bruising with a client who is recently diagnosed with acute leukemia. Which pathophysiology is a result of the myeloblastic dysfunction of leukemia?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This question is identical to Question 36. Leukemia-induced thrombocytopenia (
B) causes bruising by delaying clotting. Oxyhemoglobin (
A) is unrelated. Phagocytic deficiency (
C) affects infections. Iron deficiency (
D) causes anemia. Note: Duplicate question; consider removing.
Question 5 of 5
A client is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which pathophysiological process should the nurse use when providing the client with information about this disease prognosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ALS involves progressive motor neuron degeneration, causing fatal muscle weakness (
B), typically within 2-5 years. It’s not a spinal cord injury complication (
A). Mental changes (
C) occur in some, not all, cases. Sensory/autonomic changes (
D) are minimal.