BSN 266 HESI MED-SURG — EXPANDED ORIGINAL Q&A;
STUDY GUIDE
2026 Study Edition • Medical-Surgical Nursing • Prioritization • Safety • Calculations • Rationales
This is an original educational companion inspired by the publicly visible preview of the linked Stuvia listing. It does not reproduce
paid/locked material and does not claim access to an actual HESI or secure test bank.
The public listing is 31 pages, uploaded June 30, 2025, written for 2024/2025, and labeled Questions & Answers. Its preview visibly
covers heart failure, medication calculations, COPD, DKA, heparin, colostomy care, pneumonia, warfarin, chest pain, pancreatitis,
albuterol, catheter-associated infection, vancomycin, hypoglycemia, tracheostomy care, digoxin, pressure injuries, and IV rates.
■cite■turn0view0■
BSN 266 Med-Surg • Original educational study guide Page 1
, 1. HESI Strategy: Prioritization First
Use ABCs, acute-versus-chronic status, instability, unexpected findings, and reversibility. Airway, breathing, circulation, neurologic
deterioration, sepsis, severe bleeding, and acute medication toxicity usually outrank routine care.
Ask: What could kill or permanently harm the patient first? What assessment finding is new? What intervention is independent and
immediately available?
Do not automatically choose “notify the provider.” If the nurse can safely perform a needed intervention first, do that before
notification.
Use nursing-process logic: assess when the cause is unclear; intervene when a clear problem requires immediate action; evaluate
after an intervention.
BSN 266 Med-Surg • Original educational study guide Page 2
, 2. Heart Failure
Daily weight is one of the most useful indicators of fluid change. Rapid weight gain can indicate worsening congestion.
Assess dyspnea, orthopnea, edema, lung sounds, oxygenation, blood pressure, renal function, electrolytes, and response to
diuretics.
Loop diuretics reduce volume but can contribute to hypokalemia, hypotension, dehydration, and renal changes.
High-yield teaching: daily weights under consistent conditions, sodium awareness, medication adherence, symptom monitoring,
and prompt reporting of rapid weight gain or worsening dyspnea.
Exam trap: chronic peripheral edema is important, but acute respiratory distress or hypoxemia is a higher immediate priority.
BSN 266 Med-Surg • Original educational study guide Page 3
STUDY GUIDE
2026 Study Edition • Medical-Surgical Nursing • Prioritization • Safety • Calculations • Rationales
This is an original educational companion inspired by the publicly visible preview of the linked Stuvia listing. It does not reproduce
paid/locked material and does not claim access to an actual HESI or secure test bank.
The public listing is 31 pages, uploaded June 30, 2025, written for 2024/2025, and labeled Questions & Answers. Its preview visibly
covers heart failure, medication calculations, COPD, DKA, heparin, colostomy care, pneumonia, warfarin, chest pain, pancreatitis,
albuterol, catheter-associated infection, vancomycin, hypoglycemia, tracheostomy care, digoxin, pressure injuries, and IV rates.
■cite■turn0view0■
BSN 266 Med-Surg • Original educational study guide Page 1
, 1. HESI Strategy: Prioritization First
Use ABCs, acute-versus-chronic status, instability, unexpected findings, and reversibility. Airway, breathing, circulation, neurologic
deterioration, sepsis, severe bleeding, and acute medication toxicity usually outrank routine care.
Ask: What could kill or permanently harm the patient first? What assessment finding is new? What intervention is independent and
immediately available?
Do not automatically choose “notify the provider.” If the nurse can safely perform a needed intervention first, do that before
notification.
Use nursing-process logic: assess when the cause is unclear; intervene when a clear problem requires immediate action; evaluate
after an intervention.
BSN 266 Med-Surg • Original educational study guide Page 2
, 2. Heart Failure
Daily weight is one of the most useful indicators of fluid change. Rapid weight gain can indicate worsening congestion.
Assess dyspnea, orthopnea, edema, lung sounds, oxygenation, blood pressure, renal function, electrolytes, and response to
diuretics.
Loop diuretics reduce volume but can contribute to hypokalemia, hypotension, dehydration, and renal changes.
High-yield teaching: daily weights under consistent conditions, sodium awareness, medication adherence, symptom monitoring,
and prompt reporting of rapid weight gain or worsening dyspnea.
Exam trap: chronic peripheral edema is important, but acute respiratory distress or hypoxemia is a higher immediate priority.
BSN 266 Med-Surg • Original educational study guide Page 3
