2026 Hesi Med Surg Evolve Exam Prep Test Bank 1
with a Review of 300 Recently Tested Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationales/ HESI Medical
Surgical Evolve Exam Prep 2026-2027 (New!)
An adult client who is hospitalized after surgery reports sudden onset of chest pain
and dyspnea. The client appears anxious, restless, and mildly cyanotic. The nurse
should further assess the client for which condition?
Pulmonary embolism.
Heart failure.
Tuberculosis.
Bronchitis. - ANSWER-A
Post-surgical clients are at an increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT),
which may result in pulmonary embolism if the clot breaks off and travels to the
lungs. Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include chest pain, dyspnea,
anxiety, restlessness, and - in severe cases - cyanosis.
A 51-year-old truck driver who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day and is 30
pounds overweight is diagnosed with having a gastric ulcer. Which content is most
important for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching for this client?
Information about smoking cessation.
Diet instructions for a low-residue diet.
Instructions on a weight-loss program.
1
,The importance of increasing milk in the diet. - ANSWER-A
Smoking has been associated with ulcer formation, and stopping or decreasing the
number of cigarettes smoked per day is an important aspect of ulcer management.
The nurse is interviewing a male client with hypertension. Which additional
medical diagnosis in the client's history presents the greatest risk for developing a
cerebral vascular accident (CVA)?
Diabetes mellitus.
Hypothyroidism.
Parkinson's disease.
Recurring pneumonia. - ANSWER-A
According to the National Stroke Association (2013), history of diabetes mellitus
poses the greatest risk for developing a CVA, 2-4Xs more than those who do not
have diabetes mellitus. The reason for this occurrence is related to the excess
glucose circulating throughout the body not being utilized by the cells, leading to
increased fatty deposits or clots inside the blood vessels in the brain or neck,
eventually causing a stroke.
A 32-year-old female client complains of severe abdominal pain each month
before her menstrual period, painful intercourse, and painful defecation. Which
additional history should the nurse obtain that is consistent with the client's
complaints?
Frequent urinary tract infections.
Inability to get pregnant.
Premenstrual syndrome.
2
,Chronic use of laxatives. - ANSWER-B
Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and difficulty or painful defecation are common
symptoms of endometriosis, which is the abnormal displacement of endometrial
tissue in the dependent areas of the pelvic peritoneum. A history of infertility is
another common finding associated with endometriosis.
When teaching diaphragmatic breathing to a client with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), which information should the nurse provide?
Place a small book or magazine on the abdomen and make it rise while inhaling
deeply.
Purse the lips while inhaling as deeply as possible and then exhale through the
nose.
Wrap a towel around the abdomen and push against the towel while forcefully
exhaling.
Place one hand on the chest, one hand the abdomen and make both hands move
outward. - ANSWER-A
Diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing uses the diaphragm instead of accessory
muscles to achieve maximum inhalation and to slow the respiratory rate. The client
should protrude the abdomen on inhalation and contract it with exhalation, so
placing a book or magazine, helps the client visualize the rise and fall of the
abdomen.
An older adult female client is brought to the clinic by her daughter for a flu shot.
She has lost significant weight since the last visit. She has poor personal hygiene
and inadequate clothing for the weather. The client states that she lives alone and
denies problems or concerns. Which action should the nurse implement?
3
, Notify social services immediately of suspected elderly abuse.
Discuss the need for mental health counseling with the daughter.
Explain to the client that she needs to take better care of herself.
Collect further data to determine whether self-neglect is occurring. - ANSWER-D
Changes in weight and hygiene may be indicators of self-neglect or neglect by
family members. Further assessment is needed before notifying social services or
discussing a need for counseling.
The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with primary
hyperaldosteronism. Which laboratory test result should the nurse expect an
increase in the serum level?
Sodium.
Antidiuretic hormone.
Potassium.
Glucose. - ANSWER-A
Clients with primary aldosteronism exhibit an increase in serum sodium levels
(hypernatremia) and have profound decline in the serum levels of potassium
(hypokalemia)--hypertension is the most prominent and universal sign.
Antidiuretic hormone is decreased with diabetes insipidus. Glucose is not affected
by primary aldosteronism.
A client who is fully awake after a gastroscopy asks the nurse for something to
drink. After confirming that liquids are allowed, which assessment action should
the nurse consider a priority?
Listen to bilateral lung and bowel sounds.
4
with a Review of 300 Recently Tested Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationales/ HESI Medical
Surgical Evolve Exam Prep 2026-2027 (New!)
An adult client who is hospitalized after surgery reports sudden onset of chest pain
and dyspnea. The client appears anxious, restless, and mildly cyanotic. The nurse
should further assess the client for which condition?
Pulmonary embolism.
Heart failure.
Tuberculosis.
Bronchitis. - ANSWER-A
Post-surgical clients are at an increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT),
which may result in pulmonary embolism if the clot breaks off and travels to the
lungs. Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include chest pain, dyspnea,
anxiety, restlessness, and - in severe cases - cyanosis.
A 51-year-old truck driver who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day and is 30
pounds overweight is diagnosed with having a gastric ulcer. Which content is most
important for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching for this client?
Information about smoking cessation.
Diet instructions for a low-residue diet.
Instructions on a weight-loss program.
1
,The importance of increasing milk in the diet. - ANSWER-A
Smoking has been associated with ulcer formation, and stopping or decreasing the
number of cigarettes smoked per day is an important aspect of ulcer management.
The nurse is interviewing a male client with hypertension. Which additional
medical diagnosis in the client's history presents the greatest risk for developing a
cerebral vascular accident (CVA)?
Diabetes mellitus.
Hypothyroidism.
Parkinson's disease.
Recurring pneumonia. - ANSWER-A
According to the National Stroke Association (2013), history of diabetes mellitus
poses the greatest risk for developing a CVA, 2-4Xs more than those who do not
have diabetes mellitus. The reason for this occurrence is related to the excess
glucose circulating throughout the body not being utilized by the cells, leading to
increased fatty deposits or clots inside the blood vessels in the brain or neck,
eventually causing a stroke.
A 32-year-old female client complains of severe abdominal pain each month
before her menstrual period, painful intercourse, and painful defecation. Which
additional history should the nurse obtain that is consistent with the client's
complaints?
Frequent urinary tract infections.
Inability to get pregnant.
Premenstrual syndrome.
2
,Chronic use of laxatives. - ANSWER-B
Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and difficulty or painful defecation are common
symptoms of endometriosis, which is the abnormal displacement of endometrial
tissue in the dependent areas of the pelvic peritoneum. A history of infertility is
another common finding associated with endometriosis.
When teaching diaphragmatic breathing to a client with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), which information should the nurse provide?
Place a small book or magazine on the abdomen and make it rise while inhaling
deeply.
Purse the lips while inhaling as deeply as possible and then exhale through the
nose.
Wrap a towel around the abdomen and push against the towel while forcefully
exhaling.
Place one hand on the chest, one hand the abdomen and make both hands move
outward. - ANSWER-A
Diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing uses the diaphragm instead of accessory
muscles to achieve maximum inhalation and to slow the respiratory rate. The client
should protrude the abdomen on inhalation and contract it with exhalation, so
placing a book or magazine, helps the client visualize the rise and fall of the
abdomen.
An older adult female client is brought to the clinic by her daughter for a flu shot.
She has lost significant weight since the last visit. She has poor personal hygiene
and inadequate clothing for the weather. The client states that she lives alone and
denies problems or concerns. Which action should the nurse implement?
3
, Notify social services immediately of suspected elderly abuse.
Discuss the need for mental health counseling with the daughter.
Explain to the client that she needs to take better care of herself.
Collect further data to determine whether self-neglect is occurring. - ANSWER-D
Changes in weight and hygiene may be indicators of self-neglect or neglect by
family members. Further assessment is needed before notifying social services or
discussing a need for counseling.
The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with primary
hyperaldosteronism. Which laboratory test result should the nurse expect an
increase in the serum level?
Sodium.
Antidiuretic hormone.
Potassium.
Glucose. - ANSWER-A
Clients with primary aldosteronism exhibit an increase in serum sodium levels
(hypernatremia) and have profound decline in the serum levels of potassium
(hypokalemia)--hypertension is the most prominent and universal sign.
Antidiuretic hormone is decreased with diabetes insipidus. Glucose is not affected
by primary aldosteronism.
A client who is fully awake after a gastroscopy asks the nurse for something to
drink. After confirming that liquids are allowed, which assessment action should
the nurse consider a priority?
Listen to bilateral lung and bowel sounds.
4
