HESI study exam 2026
After abdominal surgery, a client's postoperative Check for correct placement of the NG tube.
prescriptions include a nasogastric (NG) tube to
lower intermittent wall suction and an antiemetic With a nasogastric (NG) tube for decompression in place, nausea may
every 6 hours as needed for nausea. When the client indicate tube displacement or obstruction. Checking its placement can
reports feeling nauseated, which action would the determine whether it is in the stomach; once placement is verified, fluid then
nurse take first? can be instilled to ensure patency. The antiemetic may relieve the
discomfort, but it will not determine the cause. Auscultation of the client's
Check for correct placement of the NG tube. abdomen should occur with the nurse's other assessments, but it will not
help determine the cause of the nausea. The nurse should assess the
Administer the prescribed antiemetic. situation before notifying the health care provider.
Assess the client's bowel sounds.
Notify the primary health care provider.
2/4/2026
, HESI study exam 2026
After a myocardial infarction, a client asks the nurse, Identifying the concerns and helping the client explore feelings
"What's the chance of me having another heart attack
if I watch my diet and stress levels carefully?" What is
the most appropriate initial response by the nurse?
Identifying the concerns and helping the client
explore feelings
Telling the client that it is important to be especially
careful with diet and stress
Suggesting that the client discuss the feelings of
vulnerability with the primary health care provider
Understanding that the client is frightened and
suggesting a talk with the psychiatric nurse
2/4/2026
, HESI study exam 2026
A client develops peritonitis and sepsis after the fever, tachypnea, abdominal rigidity
surgical repair of a ruptured diverticulum. Which signs
would the nurse expect when assessing the client? The metabolic rate will be increased, and the temperature-regulating center
Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses may in the hypothalamus resets to a higher-than-usual body temperature
be correct. because of the influence of pyrogenic substances related to the peritonitis.
Tachypnea results as the metabolic rate increases and the body attempts to
Fever meet cellular oxygen needs. With increased intra-abdominal pressure, the
abdominal wall will become rigid and tender. Hypovolemia and
Tachypnea hypotension, not hypertension, results because of a loss of fluid,
electrolytes, and protein into the peritoneal cavity. Peristalsis and associated
Hypertension bowel sounds will decrease or be absent in the presence of increased intra-
abdominal pressure.
Abdominal rigidity
Increased bowel sounds
2/4/2026
, HESI study exam 2026
A client develops subcutaneous emphysema after the Palpating the neck or face
surgical creation of a tracheostomy. Which
assessment by the nurse most readily detects this Subcutaneous emphysema refers to the presence of air in the tissue that
complication? surrounds an opening in the normally closed respiratory tract; the tissue
appears puffy, and a crackling sensation is detected when trapped air is
compressed between the nurse's palpating fingertips and the client's tissue.
Palpating the neck or face Gas exchange and thus blood gases are not affected. The lungs are not
affected.
Evaluating the blood gases
Auscultating the lung fields
Reviewing the chest x-ray film
2/4/2026
After abdominal surgery, a client's postoperative Check for correct placement of the NG tube.
prescriptions include a nasogastric (NG) tube to
lower intermittent wall suction and an antiemetic With a nasogastric (NG) tube for decompression in place, nausea may
every 6 hours as needed for nausea. When the client indicate tube displacement or obstruction. Checking its placement can
reports feeling nauseated, which action would the determine whether it is in the stomach; once placement is verified, fluid then
nurse take first? can be instilled to ensure patency. The antiemetic may relieve the
discomfort, but it will not determine the cause. Auscultation of the client's
Check for correct placement of the NG tube. abdomen should occur with the nurse's other assessments, but it will not
help determine the cause of the nausea. The nurse should assess the
Administer the prescribed antiemetic. situation before notifying the health care provider.
Assess the client's bowel sounds.
Notify the primary health care provider.
2/4/2026
, HESI study exam 2026
After a myocardial infarction, a client asks the nurse, Identifying the concerns and helping the client explore feelings
"What's the chance of me having another heart attack
if I watch my diet and stress levels carefully?" What is
the most appropriate initial response by the nurse?
Identifying the concerns and helping the client
explore feelings
Telling the client that it is important to be especially
careful with diet and stress
Suggesting that the client discuss the feelings of
vulnerability with the primary health care provider
Understanding that the client is frightened and
suggesting a talk with the psychiatric nurse
2/4/2026
, HESI study exam 2026
A client develops peritonitis and sepsis after the fever, tachypnea, abdominal rigidity
surgical repair of a ruptured diverticulum. Which signs
would the nurse expect when assessing the client? The metabolic rate will be increased, and the temperature-regulating center
Select all that apply. One, some, or all responses may in the hypothalamus resets to a higher-than-usual body temperature
be correct. because of the influence of pyrogenic substances related to the peritonitis.
Tachypnea results as the metabolic rate increases and the body attempts to
Fever meet cellular oxygen needs. With increased intra-abdominal pressure, the
abdominal wall will become rigid and tender. Hypovolemia and
Tachypnea hypotension, not hypertension, results because of a loss of fluid,
electrolytes, and protein into the peritoneal cavity. Peristalsis and associated
Hypertension bowel sounds will decrease or be absent in the presence of increased intra-
abdominal pressure.
Abdominal rigidity
Increased bowel sounds
2/4/2026
, HESI study exam 2026
A client develops subcutaneous emphysema after the Palpating the neck or face
surgical creation of a tracheostomy. Which
assessment by the nurse most readily detects this Subcutaneous emphysema refers to the presence of air in the tissue that
complication? surrounds an opening in the normally closed respiratory tract; the tissue
appears puffy, and a crackling sensation is detected when trapped air is
compressed between the nurse's palpating fingertips and the client's tissue.
Palpating the neck or face Gas exchange and thus blood gases are not affected. The lungs are not
affected.
Evaluating the blood gases
Auscultating the lung fields
Reviewing the chest x-ray film
2/4/2026
