HESI
Med-Surg II– Set 3 | Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Nursing Study Guide 2026
RESOURCE FEATURES
• Med-Surg II HESI Set 3 practice questions
• Answers for self-assessment
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Clinical scenario-based questions
• Prioritization and delegation practice
• Adult medical-surgical review
• NCLEX-style clinical judgment
• 2026 exam preparation
, Med-Surg II HESI – Set 3 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales | Nursing
Study Guide 2026
1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may be prescribed
for the client with diabetes mellitus to reduce vascular changes and
possibly prevent or delay development of:
1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2. Pancreatic cancer.
3. Renal failure.
4. Cerebrovascular accident.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce intraglomerular pressure and have
renoprotective effects. They are first-line agents to slow the progression of
diabetic nephropathy (renal failure). They do not directly affect COPD,
pancreatic cancer, or CVA prevention beyond general blood-pressure
control.
2. The nurse should teach the diabetic client that which of the
following is the most common symptom of hypoglycemia?
1. Nervousness.
2. Anorexia.
, 3. Kussmaul's respirations.
4. Bradycardia.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Nervousness, along with tremors, diaphoresis, and palpitations,
are adrenergic symptoms of hypoglycemia caused by the
counter-regulatory epinephrine release. Anorexia is not typical; Kussmaul’s
respirations occur in DKA (hyperglycemia); bradycardia is not a common
hypoglycemic sign (tachycardia is more typical).
3. The nurse is assessing the client's use of medications. Which of the
following medications may cause a complication with the treatment
plan of a client with diabetes?
1. Aspirin.
2. Steroids.
3. Sulfonylureas.
4. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Corticosteroids (steroids) increase blood glucose by promoting
gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, often requiring dose adjustments
of hypoglycemic agents. Aspirin and ACE inhibitors are generally safe (even
beneficial); sulfonylureas are anti-diabetic agents themselves.
4. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus has influenza. The nurse
should instruct the client to:
1. Increase the frequency of self-monitoring (blood glucose testing).
, 2. Reduce food intake to diminish nausea.
3. Discontinue that dose of insulin if unable to eat.
4. Take half of the normal dose of insulin.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Illness (infection) increases stress hormones, raising blood
glucose. The client should test more frequently (every 2–4 hours) to guide
insulin adjustments. Insulin should never be stopped (risk of DKA); the
client should try to maintain carbohydrate intake with sick-day rules.
5. Which of the following is a priority goal for the diabetic client who
is taking insulin and has nausea and vomiting from a viral illness or
influenza?
1. Obtaining adequate food intake.
2. Managing own health.
3. Relieving pain.
4. Increasing activity.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: During illness, maintaining carbohydrate intake is crucial to
prevent hypoglycemia (if taking insulin) and ketoacidosis. Even with nausea,
the client should consume small, frequent portions of easy-to-digest
carbohydrates. Pain relief and activity are secondary.
6. A client with diabetes begins to cry and says, "I just cannot stand
the thought of having to give myself a shot every day." Which of the
following would be the best response by the nurse?
Med-Surg II– Set 3 | Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Nursing Study Guide 2026
RESOURCE FEATURES
• Med-Surg II HESI Set 3 practice questions
• Answers for self-assessment
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Clinical scenario-based questions
• Prioritization and delegation practice
• Adult medical-surgical review
• NCLEX-style clinical judgment
• 2026 exam preparation
, Med-Surg II HESI – Set 3 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales | Nursing
Study Guide 2026
1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may be prescribed
for the client with diabetes mellitus to reduce vascular changes and
possibly prevent or delay development of:
1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2. Pancreatic cancer.
3. Renal failure.
4. Cerebrovascular accident.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce intraglomerular pressure and have
renoprotective effects. They are first-line agents to slow the progression of
diabetic nephropathy (renal failure). They do not directly affect COPD,
pancreatic cancer, or CVA prevention beyond general blood-pressure
control.
2. The nurse should teach the diabetic client that which of the
following is the most common symptom of hypoglycemia?
1. Nervousness.
2. Anorexia.
, 3. Kussmaul's respirations.
4. Bradycardia.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Nervousness, along with tremors, diaphoresis, and palpitations,
are adrenergic symptoms of hypoglycemia caused by the
counter-regulatory epinephrine release. Anorexia is not typical; Kussmaul’s
respirations occur in DKA (hyperglycemia); bradycardia is not a common
hypoglycemic sign (tachycardia is more typical).
3. The nurse is assessing the client's use of medications. Which of the
following medications may cause a complication with the treatment
plan of a client with diabetes?
1. Aspirin.
2. Steroids.
3. Sulfonylureas.
4. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Corticosteroids (steroids) increase blood glucose by promoting
gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, often requiring dose adjustments
of hypoglycemic agents. Aspirin and ACE inhibitors are generally safe (even
beneficial); sulfonylureas are anti-diabetic agents themselves.
4. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus has influenza. The nurse
should instruct the client to:
1. Increase the frequency of self-monitoring (blood glucose testing).
, 2. Reduce food intake to diminish nausea.
3. Discontinue that dose of insulin if unable to eat.
4. Take half of the normal dose of insulin.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Illness (infection) increases stress hormones, raising blood
glucose. The client should test more frequently (every 2–4 hours) to guide
insulin adjustments. Insulin should never be stopped (risk of DKA); the
client should try to maintain carbohydrate intake with sick-day rules.
5. Which of the following is a priority goal for the diabetic client who
is taking insulin and has nausea and vomiting from a viral illness or
influenza?
1. Obtaining adequate food intake.
2. Managing own health.
3. Relieving pain.
4. Increasing activity.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: During illness, maintaining carbohydrate intake is crucial to
prevent hypoglycemia (if taking insulin) and ketoacidosis. Even with nausea,
the client should consume small, frequent portions of easy-to-digest
carbohydrates. Pain relief and activity are secondary.
6. A client with diabetes begins to cry and says, "I just cannot stand
the thought of having to give myself a shot every day." Which of the
following would be the best response by the nurse?
