HESI PN MEDICAL-SURGICAL NGN EXAM 150 ORIGINAL
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & 100% CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE S | 2026/2027 A+ GRADE
|GUARANTEE PASS PDF
TOPIC 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (Questions 1-25)
Q1: [MCQ] A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia ✅
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting in the
kidneys. The nurse should monitor for hypokalemia (low potassium), which can
lead to cardiac arrhythmias. The client should be taught to eat potassium-rich
foods (bananas, oranges) or take supplements as ordered.
Q2: [MCQ] A client with hypertension is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which food
should the nurse teach the client to avoid?
A) Fresh fruits
B) Unsalted vegetables
C) Whole grains
D) Canned soups ✅
Explanation: Canned soups are typically high in sodium used as a preservative and
flavor enhancer. Fresh fruits, unsalted vegetables, and whole grains are naturally
,low in sodium. Clients should be taught to read food labels and choose low-sodium
options.
Q3: [MCQ] A client with heart failure reports shortness of breath and weight gain
of 3 pounds in 2 days. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Assess lung sounds
D) Assess for edema and notify the provider ✅
Explanation: Weight gain of 2-3 pounds in 2 days indicates fluid retention, a sign
of worsening heart failure. The nurse should assess for edema and notify the
provider for possible medication adjustment. This is a priority to prevent further
fluid overload.
Q4: [MCQ] A client is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). The nurse should hold the
medication if the client's apical pulse is:
A) Above 100 bpm
B) 80-90 bpm
C) Below 60 bpm ✅
D) 70-80 bpm
Explanation: Digoxin slows the heart rate. The nurse should hold the dose if the
apical pulse is < 60 bpm (adults) and notify the healthcare provider. Bradycardia
can indicate digoxin toxicity or excessive dosing. The nurse should also assess for
other signs of toxicity.
Q5: [MCQ] A client with angina is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
, A) Take one tablet every 15 minutes for up to 3 doses
B) Take one tablet at the onset of pain; if pain persists, take another in 5
minutes, up to 3 doses ✅
C) Take one tablet daily for prevention
D) Take two tablets at the onset of pain
Explanation: The standard protocol for sublingual nitroglycerin is one tablet at the
onset of chest pain. If pain persists after 5 minutes, take a second tablet, and a
third after another 5 minutes. If pain persists after 3 tablets, call 911. The
medication should be stored in a dark container.
Q6: [MCQ] A client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has decreased pulses in
the lower extremities. Which finding is expected?
A) Edematous, pink feet
B) Warm, moist skin
C) Pale, cool feet with decreased hair growth ✅
D) Brownish discoloration of ankles
Explanation: PAD (arterial insufficiency) causes pale, cool, hairless skin with
decreased or absent pulses. Brownish discoloration and edema are more typical of
venous insufficiency. Clients should be taught to inspect feet daily and avoid
injury.
Q7: [MCQ] A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which laboratory value
should be monitored to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A) aPTT
B) INR ✅
C) Hemoglobin
D) Platelet count
, Explanation: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the extrinsic pathway. INR
(international normalized ratio) is the standard test for monitoring warfarin
therapy. The target INR is typically 2-3 for most indications. Clients should be
taught to avoid foods high in vitamin K.
Q8: [SATA] A client is receiving a blood transfusion. Which findings indicate a
transfusion reaction? (Select all that apply.)
A) Chills and fever ✅
B) Back pain ✅
C) Tachycardia ✅
D) Flushed skin only
E) Bradycardia
Explanation: Signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction include chills, fever, back
pain, tachycardia, hypotension, and hemoglobinuria (dark urine). The nurse should
stop the transfusion, keep the IV line open with normal saline, and notify the
provider immediately.
Q9: [MCQ] A client with heart failure is on a 2-gram sodium diet. Which food
should the client avoid?
A) Fresh broccoli
B) Unsalted almonds
C) Whole-wheat bread
D) Soy sauce ✅
Explanation: Soy sauce is very high in sodium. Fresh broccoli, unsalted almonds,
and whole-wheat bread are low-sodium choices. Clients should be taught to read
food labels for sodium content and to use herbs and spices instead of salt.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & 100% CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE S | 2026/2027 A+ GRADE
|GUARANTEE PASS PDF
TOPIC 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (Questions 1-25)
Q1: [MCQ] A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia ✅
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting in the
kidneys. The nurse should monitor for hypokalemia (low potassium), which can
lead to cardiac arrhythmias. The client should be taught to eat potassium-rich
foods (bananas, oranges) or take supplements as ordered.
Q2: [MCQ] A client with hypertension is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which food
should the nurse teach the client to avoid?
A) Fresh fruits
B) Unsalted vegetables
C) Whole grains
D) Canned soups ✅
Explanation: Canned soups are typically high in sodium used as a preservative and
flavor enhancer. Fresh fruits, unsalted vegetables, and whole grains are naturally
,low in sodium. Clients should be taught to read food labels and choose low-sodium
options.
Q3: [MCQ] A client with heart failure reports shortness of breath and weight gain
of 3 pounds in 2 days. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Assess lung sounds
D) Assess for edema and notify the provider ✅
Explanation: Weight gain of 2-3 pounds in 2 days indicates fluid retention, a sign
of worsening heart failure. The nurse should assess for edema and notify the
provider for possible medication adjustment. This is a priority to prevent further
fluid overload.
Q4: [MCQ] A client is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). The nurse should hold the
medication if the client's apical pulse is:
A) Above 100 bpm
B) 80-90 bpm
C) Below 60 bpm ✅
D) 70-80 bpm
Explanation: Digoxin slows the heart rate. The nurse should hold the dose if the
apical pulse is < 60 bpm (adults) and notify the healthcare provider. Bradycardia
can indicate digoxin toxicity or excessive dosing. The nurse should also assess for
other signs of toxicity.
Q5: [MCQ] A client with angina is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
, A) Take one tablet every 15 minutes for up to 3 doses
B) Take one tablet at the onset of pain; if pain persists, take another in 5
minutes, up to 3 doses ✅
C) Take one tablet daily for prevention
D) Take two tablets at the onset of pain
Explanation: The standard protocol for sublingual nitroglycerin is one tablet at the
onset of chest pain. If pain persists after 5 minutes, take a second tablet, and a
third after another 5 minutes. If pain persists after 3 tablets, call 911. The
medication should be stored in a dark container.
Q6: [MCQ] A client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has decreased pulses in
the lower extremities. Which finding is expected?
A) Edematous, pink feet
B) Warm, moist skin
C) Pale, cool feet with decreased hair growth ✅
D) Brownish discoloration of ankles
Explanation: PAD (arterial insufficiency) causes pale, cool, hairless skin with
decreased or absent pulses. Brownish discoloration and edema are more typical of
venous insufficiency. Clients should be taught to inspect feet daily and avoid
injury.
Q7: [MCQ] A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which laboratory value
should be monitored to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A) aPTT
B) INR ✅
C) Hemoglobin
D) Platelet count
, Explanation: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the extrinsic pathway. INR
(international normalized ratio) is the standard test for monitoring warfarin
therapy. The target INR is typically 2-3 for most indications. Clients should be
taught to avoid foods high in vitamin K.
Q8: [SATA] A client is receiving a blood transfusion. Which findings indicate a
transfusion reaction? (Select all that apply.)
A) Chills and fever ✅
B) Back pain ✅
C) Tachycardia ✅
D) Flushed skin only
E) Bradycardia
Explanation: Signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction include chills, fever, back
pain, tachycardia, hypotension, and hemoglobinuria (dark urine). The nurse should
stop the transfusion, keep the IV line open with normal saline, and notify the
provider immediately.
Q9: [MCQ] A client with heart failure is on a 2-gram sodium diet. Which food
should the client avoid?
A) Fresh broccoli
B) Unsalted almonds
C) Whole-wheat bread
D) Soy sauce ✅
Explanation: Soy sauce is very high in sodium. Fresh broccoli, unsalted almonds,
and whole-wheat bread are low-sodium choices. Clients should be taught to read
food labels for sodium content and to use herbs and spices instead of salt.