Med Surg HESI Practice Questions With
correct Answers Latest Update 2026 GRADED
A+
1. Which clinical features of Parkinson's disease should the nurse expect to observe
during the admission assessment?
Mask-like face and shuffling gait
Swayback stance and muscle cramps
Dry skin and drooling
Muscle flaccidity and lethargy
2. Describe the significance of timing when drawing peak and trough levels for
aminoglycosides like gentamicin sulfate.
Timing is not important as long as the samples are drawn after administration.
Timing only matters for the peak level, not the trough.
Timing is only important for oral medications.
Timing is crucial to accurately assess the drug's effectiveness and avoid
toxicity.
3. In assessing a client diagnosed with primary aldosteronism, the nurse knows that the
client is at risk for which of the following findings?
, Hyponatremia
Hypotension
Hypoglycemia
Hypokalemia
4. Describe the role of tumor staging in breast cancer prognosis.
Tumor staging is solely based on patient symptoms.
Tumor staging is irrelevant to treatment decisions.
Tumor staging helps determine the size and spread of cancer, which are
critical for prognosis.
Tumor staging only identifies the type of cancer.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with multiple myeloma who is experiencing increased
thirst and frequent urination. What should the nurse prioritize in the care plan?
Monitor and adjust fluid intake to maintain adequate hydration.
Assess for signs of infection.
Increase the client's physical activity level.
Administer pain medication as needed.
6. Which two types of medications are primarily used to treat acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS)?
Vasodilators and hormones.
Analgesics and sedatives.
Anticoagulants and expectorants.
Bronchodilators and steroids.
,7. Why is IV nitroglycerin indicated for a client experiencing chest tightness while on
vasopressin?
IV nitroglycerin prevents bleeding from varices.
IV nitroglycerin counteracts the vasoconstriction caused by vasopressin.
IV nitroglycerin increases blood flow to the kidneys.
IV nitroglycerin is used to treat hypotension.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with emphysema who presents with increased respiratory
distress. What should the nurse prioritize in their assessment?
Monitoring arterial blood gases for abnormalities
Checking for normal skin coloring
Evaluating total lung capacity
Assessing for the presence of thick sputum
9. What is the recommended time frame for obtaining a tuberculin skin test after
exposure to tuberculosis?
Four to six weeks after the exposure.
Three months after the exposure.
Immediately after the exposure.
Within one week of the exposure.
10. Describe how splints function in the management of rheumatoid arthritis during
nighttime.
, Splints are used to avoid joint trauma during physical activities.
Splints help in relieving joint inflammation through compression.
Splints are used to prevent deformities caused by muscle spasms and
contractures.
Splints are designed to improve joint strength through resistance.
11. Describe how osteoporosis contributes to the risk of hip fractures in elderly women.
Osteoporosis has no significant impact on bone health in elderly women.
Osteoporosis leads to reduced bone density, making bones more fragile and
susceptible to fractures.
Osteoporosis causes an increase in calcium levels, strengthening the bones.
Osteoporosis primarily affects muscle strength, leading to falls.
12. Describe why confusion and tachycardia may be more prominent symptoms of
bacterial pneumonia in elderly patients compared to other signs.
Confusion and tachycardia are unrelated to pneumonia and indicate other
health issues.
Elderly patients often show typical signs like fever and leukocytosis, making
confusion less relevant.
Confusion and tachycardia may indicate systemic infection and decreased
oxygenation, which are more common in elderly patients with
pneumonia.
Elderly patients typically present with clear respiratory symptoms like sputum
production.
13. What is the first action a nurse should take when suspecting self-neglect in a client?
correct Answers Latest Update 2026 GRADED
A+
1. Which clinical features of Parkinson's disease should the nurse expect to observe
during the admission assessment?
Mask-like face and shuffling gait
Swayback stance and muscle cramps
Dry skin and drooling
Muscle flaccidity and lethargy
2. Describe the significance of timing when drawing peak and trough levels for
aminoglycosides like gentamicin sulfate.
Timing is not important as long as the samples are drawn after administration.
Timing only matters for the peak level, not the trough.
Timing is only important for oral medications.
Timing is crucial to accurately assess the drug's effectiveness and avoid
toxicity.
3. In assessing a client diagnosed with primary aldosteronism, the nurse knows that the
client is at risk for which of the following findings?
, Hyponatremia
Hypotension
Hypoglycemia
Hypokalemia
4. Describe the role of tumor staging in breast cancer prognosis.
Tumor staging is solely based on patient symptoms.
Tumor staging is irrelevant to treatment decisions.
Tumor staging helps determine the size and spread of cancer, which are
critical for prognosis.
Tumor staging only identifies the type of cancer.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with multiple myeloma who is experiencing increased
thirst and frequent urination. What should the nurse prioritize in the care plan?
Monitor and adjust fluid intake to maintain adequate hydration.
Assess for signs of infection.
Increase the client's physical activity level.
Administer pain medication as needed.
6. Which two types of medications are primarily used to treat acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS)?
Vasodilators and hormones.
Analgesics and sedatives.
Anticoagulants and expectorants.
Bronchodilators and steroids.
,7. Why is IV nitroglycerin indicated for a client experiencing chest tightness while on
vasopressin?
IV nitroglycerin prevents bleeding from varices.
IV nitroglycerin counteracts the vasoconstriction caused by vasopressin.
IV nitroglycerin increases blood flow to the kidneys.
IV nitroglycerin is used to treat hypotension.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with emphysema who presents with increased respiratory
distress. What should the nurse prioritize in their assessment?
Monitoring arterial blood gases for abnormalities
Checking for normal skin coloring
Evaluating total lung capacity
Assessing for the presence of thick sputum
9. What is the recommended time frame for obtaining a tuberculin skin test after
exposure to tuberculosis?
Four to six weeks after the exposure.
Three months after the exposure.
Immediately after the exposure.
Within one week of the exposure.
10. Describe how splints function in the management of rheumatoid arthritis during
nighttime.
, Splints are used to avoid joint trauma during physical activities.
Splints help in relieving joint inflammation through compression.
Splints are used to prevent deformities caused by muscle spasms and
contractures.
Splints are designed to improve joint strength through resistance.
11. Describe how osteoporosis contributes to the risk of hip fractures in elderly women.
Osteoporosis has no significant impact on bone health in elderly women.
Osteoporosis leads to reduced bone density, making bones more fragile and
susceptible to fractures.
Osteoporosis causes an increase in calcium levels, strengthening the bones.
Osteoporosis primarily affects muscle strength, leading to falls.
12. Describe why confusion and tachycardia may be more prominent symptoms of
bacterial pneumonia in elderly patients compared to other signs.
Confusion and tachycardia are unrelated to pneumonia and indicate other
health issues.
Elderly patients often show typical signs like fever and leukocytosis, making
confusion less relevant.
Confusion and tachycardia may indicate systemic infection and decreased
oxygenation, which are more common in elderly patients with
pneumonia.
Elderly patients typically present with clear respiratory symptoms like sputum
production.
13. What is the first action a nurse should take when suspecting self-neglect in a client?
