Med-Surg II HESI – Set 2 | Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Nursing Study Guide 2026

HESI
Med-Surg II – Set 2 | Questions & Answers with
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x Detailed Rationales | Nursing Study Guide 2026
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RESOURCE FEATURES x




• Med-Surg II HESI Set 2 practice questions
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• Answers for self-assessment
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• Detailed rationales and explanations
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• Clinical scenario-based practice
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• Priority and delegation questions
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• Adult medical-surgical review
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• NCLEX-style clinical judgment x x x




• 2026 exam preparation
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, Med-Surg II HESI – Set 2 | Questions & Answers x x x x x x x x x




with Detailed Rationales | Nursing Study Guide
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x 2026
1. The nurse is assessing a 48-year-old client with a history of smoking
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x during a routine clinic visit. The client, who exercises regularly, reports
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x having pain in the calf during exercise that disappears at rest. Which of
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x the following findings requires further evaluation?
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1. Heart rate 57 bpm. x x x




2. SpO₂ of 94% on room air. x x x x x




3. Blood pressure 134/82. x x




4. Ankle-brachial index of 0.65. x x x




Correct Answer: 4 x x




Rationale: An ABI of 0.65 is significantly below the normal range (1.0–1.4)
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and indicates moderate-to-severe peripheral arterial disease. The calf pain
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with exercise that resolves with rest (intermittent claudication) is classic for
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PAD, but the ABI provides objective evidence. The other findings are within
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acceptable limits (heart rate 57 can be normal in a fit person; SpO₂ 94% is
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acceptable; BP 134/82 is prehypertension but not the priority).
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2. A client with peripheral vascular disease has undergone a right
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x femoral-popliteal bypass graft. The blood pressure has decreased from x x x x x x x x




x 124/80 to 94/62. What should the nurse assess first?
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, 1. IV fluid solution.
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2. Pedal pulses. x




3. Nasal cannula flow rate. x x x




4. Capillary refill. x




Correct Answer: 2 x x




Rationale: A drop in blood pressure after vascular surgery may indicate
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hemorrhage or graft occlusion. The priority is to assess distal perfusion by
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palpating pedal pulses. If pulses are absent or diminished, the graft may be
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thrombosed, requiring immediate intervention. IV fluid and oxygen are
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important but come after a focused vascular assessment.
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3. An overweight client taking warfarin (Coumadin) has dry skin due to
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x decreased arterial blood flow. What should the nurse instruct the
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x client to do? Select all that apply.
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1. Apply lanolin or petroleum jelly to intact skin.
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2. Follow a reduced-calorie, reduced-fat diet.
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3. Inspect the involved areas daily for new ulcerations.
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4. Instruct the client to limit activities of daily living (ADLs).
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5. Use an electric razor to shave.
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Correct Answers: 1, 2, 3, 5
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Rationale:

• 1: Emollients help prevent skin cracking and infection.
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• 2: Weight loss reduces cardiovascular risk and improves lipid profiles.
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• 3: Daily skin inspection is essential to catch early ulcers.
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, • 4: Limiting ADLs is incorrect; moderate activity (especially walking) is
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encouraged for PAD.
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• 5: Electric razors reduce the risk of cuts and bleeding in a client on
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warfarin.
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4. The nurse is caring for a client with peripheral artery disease who has
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x recently been prescribed clopidogrel (Plavix). The nurse understands
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x that more teaching is needed when the client states:
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1. "I should not be surprised if I bruise easier or if my gums bleed a little
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when brushing my teeth."
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2. "It doesn't really matter if I take this medicine with or without food,
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whatever works best for my stomach."
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3. "I should stop taking Plavix if it makes me feel weak and dizzy."
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4. "The doctor prescribed this medicine to make my platelets less likely to
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stick together and help prevent clots from forming."
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Correct Answer: 3 x x




Rationale: Weakness and dizziness may indicate bleeding (e.g.,
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gastrointestinal bleed) or other adverse effects, but the client should not
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stop Plavix abruptly; they should notify the healthcare provider immediately.
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Stopping an antiplatelet agent increases the risk of thrombosis. The other
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statements are correct: bruising/bleeding gums are expected; food does not
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affect absorption; and the action is antiplatelet.
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5. A client is receiving Cilostazol (Pletal) for peripheral arterial disease
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x causing intermittent claudication. The nurse determines this
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x medication is effective when the client reports which of the following?
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