1
MED-SURG HESI TEST QUESTIONS
WITH WELL EXPLAINED ANSWERS 2026-27
JUST RELEASED VERSION
A 71-year-old patient is admitted with acute respiratory distress related to cor
pulmonale. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate
during admission of this patient?
A. Delayany physical assessment of the patient and review with the family
the patient's history of respiratory problems. B. Perform a comprehensive
health history with the patient to review prior respiratory problems.
C. Perform a physical assessment of the respiratory system and ask specific
questions related to this episode of respiratory distress.
D. Complete a full physical examination to determine the effect of the
respiratory distress on other body functions. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Perform
a physical assessment of the respiratory system and ask specific questions
related to this episode of respiratory distress.Because the patient is having
respiratory difficulty, the nurse should ask specific questions about this
episode and perform a physical assessment of this system. Further history
taking and physical examination of other body systems can proceed once the
patient's acute respiratory distress is being managed.
,2
A 75-year-old obese patient who is snoring loudly and having periods of apnea
several times each night is most likely experiencing
A. narcolepsy.
B. sleep apnea.
C. sleep deprivation.
D. paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. - CORRECT ANSWER B. sleep apnea. Sleep
apnea is most common in obese patients. Typical symptoms include snoring
and periods of apnea. Narcolepsy is when a patient falls asleep unexpectedly.
Sleep deprivation could result from sleep apnea. Paroxysmal nocturnal
dyspnea occurs when a patient has shortness of breath during the night.
A central venous catheter has been inserted via a jugular vein and a
radiography has confirmed placement of the catheter. A prescription has been
received for stat medication but IV fluids have not yet been started. What
action should the nurse take prior to administering the prescribed medication?
A. Assess for signs of jugular vein distention.
B. Obtain the needed intravenous solution.
C. Administer a bolus of normal saline solution.
D. Flush the line with heparinized saline. - CORRECT ANSWER C. A
medication can be administered central line without IV fluids, flush with
normal saline to remove heparin that may counteract with the medication. (B)
is used following the medication and a second saline bolus. (A) will not impact
the the med administration and is not a priority. (B) Administration of the stat
medication is more of a priority than (B).
A client diagnosed with angina pectoris complains of chest pain while
ambulating in the hallway. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A. Support the client to a sitting position.
B. Ask the client to walk slowly back to the room.
C. Administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet.
D. Provide oxygen via nasal cannula. - CORRECT ANSWER A. Assist in safely
repositioning and then administer (C & D). Then the client can be escorted
back to the room via wheelchair or stretcher (B).
,3
A client diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CDK) 2 years ago is regularly
treated at a community hemodialysis facility. In assessing the client before his
scheduled dialysis treatment, which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Hypophosphatemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypokalemia - CORRECT ANSWER B. Hypocalcemia develops in
CKD due to chronic hyperphosphatemia not (A). (C & D) incorrect you
would find hypernatremia and hyperkalemia
A client is placed on a mechanical ventilator following a cerebral hemorrhage,
and vecuronium bromide (Norcuron) 0.04 mg/kg every 12 hours IV is
prescribed. What is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?
A. Impaired communication related to paralysis of skeletal muscles.
B. Hight risk or infection related to increased ICP.
C. Potential for injury related to impaired lung expansion.
D. Social isolation related to inability to communicate. - CORRECT ANSWER
A. To increase the
client's tolerance of the endotracheal intubation and/or mechanical
ventilation, a skeletal-muscle relaxant such as vecuronium is usually
prescribed. (A) is a serious outcome because the client cannot communicate
his/her needs. (D) is not as much of a priority. (B) infection is not related to
ICP. (C) is incorrect because the ventilator will ensure that the lungs are
expanded.
A client who is receiving an ACE inhibitor for hypertension calls the clinic and
reports the recent onset of a cough to the nurse. What action should the
nurse implement?
A. Advise the client to come to the clinic immediately for further assessment.
B. Instruct the client to discontinue use of the drug, and make an appointment at
the clinic.
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C. Suggest that the client lear to accept the cough as a side effect to a necessary
prescription.
D. Encourage the client to keep taking the drug until seen by the HCP. -
CORRECT ANSWER D.
Cough is a common s/e of ACE inhibitors and is not an indication to
discontinue the medication. (A) immediate evaluation is not needed. (B) an
antihypertensive should not be stopped abruptly. (C) is demeaning since the
cough may be disruptive to the client and other medications may produce
results without the s/e.
A client with alcohol-related liver disease is admitted to the unit. Which
prescription should the nurse question as possibly inappropriate for the
client?
A. Vitamin K1 (AquaMEPHYTON) 5 mg IM daily
MED-SURG HESI TEST QUESTIONS
WITH WELL EXPLAINED ANSWERS 2026-27
JUST RELEASED VERSION
A 71-year-old patient is admitted with acute respiratory distress related to cor
pulmonale. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate
during admission of this patient?
A. Delayany physical assessment of the patient and review with the family
the patient's history of respiratory problems. B. Perform a comprehensive
health history with the patient to review prior respiratory problems.
C. Perform a physical assessment of the respiratory system and ask specific
questions related to this episode of respiratory distress.
D. Complete a full physical examination to determine the effect of the
respiratory distress on other body functions. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Perform
a physical assessment of the respiratory system and ask specific questions
related to this episode of respiratory distress.Because the patient is having
respiratory difficulty, the nurse should ask specific questions about this
episode and perform a physical assessment of this system. Further history
taking and physical examination of other body systems can proceed once the
patient's acute respiratory distress is being managed.
,2
A 75-year-old obese patient who is snoring loudly and having periods of apnea
several times each night is most likely experiencing
A. narcolepsy.
B. sleep apnea.
C. sleep deprivation.
D. paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. - CORRECT ANSWER B. sleep apnea. Sleep
apnea is most common in obese patients. Typical symptoms include snoring
and periods of apnea. Narcolepsy is when a patient falls asleep unexpectedly.
Sleep deprivation could result from sleep apnea. Paroxysmal nocturnal
dyspnea occurs when a patient has shortness of breath during the night.
A central venous catheter has been inserted via a jugular vein and a
radiography has confirmed placement of the catheter. A prescription has been
received for stat medication but IV fluids have not yet been started. What
action should the nurse take prior to administering the prescribed medication?
A. Assess for signs of jugular vein distention.
B. Obtain the needed intravenous solution.
C. Administer a bolus of normal saline solution.
D. Flush the line with heparinized saline. - CORRECT ANSWER C. A
medication can be administered central line without IV fluids, flush with
normal saline to remove heparin that may counteract with the medication. (B)
is used following the medication and a second saline bolus. (A) will not impact
the the med administration and is not a priority. (B) Administration of the stat
medication is more of a priority than (B).
A client diagnosed with angina pectoris complains of chest pain while
ambulating in the hallway. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A. Support the client to a sitting position.
B. Ask the client to walk slowly back to the room.
C. Administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet.
D. Provide oxygen via nasal cannula. - CORRECT ANSWER A. Assist in safely
repositioning and then administer (C & D). Then the client can be escorted
back to the room via wheelchair or stretcher (B).
,3
A client diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CDK) 2 years ago is regularly
treated at a community hemodialysis facility. In assessing the client before his
scheduled dialysis treatment, which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Hypophosphatemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypokalemia - CORRECT ANSWER B. Hypocalcemia develops in
CKD due to chronic hyperphosphatemia not (A). (C & D) incorrect you
would find hypernatremia and hyperkalemia
A client is placed on a mechanical ventilator following a cerebral hemorrhage,
and vecuronium bromide (Norcuron) 0.04 mg/kg every 12 hours IV is
prescribed. What is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?
A. Impaired communication related to paralysis of skeletal muscles.
B. Hight risk or infection related to increased ICP.
C. Potential for injury related to impaired lung expansion.
D. Social isolation related to inability to communicate. - CORRECT ANSWER
A. To increase the
client's tolerance of the endotracheal intubation and/or mechanical
ventilation, a skeletal-muscle relaxant such as vecuronium is usually
prescribed. (A) is a serious outcome because the client cannot communicate
his/her needs. (D) is not as much of a priority. (B) infection is not related to
ICP. (C) is incorrect because the ventilator will ensure that the lungs are
expanded.
A client who is receiving an ACE inhibitor for hypertension calls the clinic and
reports the recent onset of a cough to the nurse. What action should the
nurse implement?
A. Advise the client to come to the clinic immediately for further assessment.
B. Instruct the client to discontinue use of the drug, and make an appointment at
the clinic.
, 4
C. Suggest that the client lear to accept the cough as a side effect to a necessary
prescription.
D. Encourage the client to keep taking the drug until seen by the HCP. -
CORRECT ANSWER D.
Cough is a common s/e of ACE inhibitors and is not an indication to
discontinue the medication. (A) immediate evaluation is not needed. (B) an
antihypertensive should not be stopped abruptly. (C) is demeaning since the
cough may be disruptive to the client and other medications may produce
results without the s/e.
A client with alcohol-related liver disease is admitted to the unit. Which
prescription should the nurse question as possibly inappropriate for the
client?
A. Vitamin K1 (AquaMEPHYTON) 5 mg IM daily
