HESI Med Surg Questions and
Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 |
Correct & Verified
A patient with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this
indicate?
✔✔An air leak.
A patient receiving IV potassium chloride reports burning at the IV site. What should the nurse
do?
✔✔Slow the infusion rate.
A patient with type 1 diabetes has confusion, sweating, and tremors. What is the likely cause?
✔✔Hypoglycemia.
A patient with pneumonia has an SpO₂ of 86% on room air. What is the immediate action?
✔✔Apply supplemental oxygen.
1
,A patient with a tracheostomy suddenly becomes unable to breathe after coughing. What is the
priority action?
✔✔Remove and replace the inner cannula.
A patient with hypothyroidism reports weight gain and constipation. What is the expected TSH
level?
✔✔Elevated.
A patient with a history of seizures is found unresponsive after jerking movements. What is the
immediate action?
✔✔Place the patient in the recovery position.
A patient with COPD is receiving 2 L/min oxygen via nasal cannula. Which oxygen saturation is
acceptable?
✔✔88% to 92%.
A patient with a urinary catheter has cloudy urine and a fever. What is the suspected
complication?
✔✔Urinary tract infection.
2
, A patient with a hip fracture is at high risk for what postoperative complication?
✔✔Deep vein thrombosis.
A patient receiving total parenteral nutrition develops shortness of breath and chest pain. What is
the priority assessment?
✔✔Check for signs of air embolism.
A patient with ulcerative colitis has severe diarrhea. What is the primary concern?
✔✔Fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
A patient with chronic heart failure gains 3 pounds in two days. What does this indicate?
✔✔Fluid retention.
A patient with meningitis is sensitive to light. What is this symptom called?
✔✔Photophobia.
3
Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 |
Correct & Verified
A patient with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this
indicate?
✔✔An air leak.
A patient receiving IV potassium chloride reports burning at the IV site. What should the nurse
do?
✔✔Slow the infusion rate.
A patient with type 1 diabetes has confusion, sweating, and tremors. What is the likely cause?
✔✔Hypoglycemia.
A patient with pneumonia has an SpO₂ of 86% on room air. What is the immediate action?
✔✔Apply supplemental oxygen.
1
,A patient with a tracheostomy suddenly becomes unable to breathe after coughing. What is the
priority action?
✔✔Remove and replace the inner cannula.
A patient with hypothyroidism reports weight gain and constipation. What is the expected TSH
level?
✔✔Elevated.
A patient with a history of seizures is found unresponsive after jerking movements. What is the
immediate action?
✔✔Place the patient in the recovery position.
A patient with COPD is receiving 2 L/min oxygen via nasal cannula. Which oxygen saturation is
acceptable?
✔✔88% to 92%.
A patient with a urinary catheter has cloudy urine and a fever. What is the suspected
complication?
✔✔Urinary tract infection.
2
, A patient with a hip fracture is at high risk for what postoperative complication?
✔✔Deep vein thrombosis.
A patient receiving total parenteral nutrition develops shortness of breath and chest pain. What is
the priority assessment?
✔✔Check for signs of air embolism.
A patient with ulcerative colitis has severe diarrhea. What is the primary concern?
✔✔Fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
A patient with chronic heart failure gains 3 pounds in two days. What does this indicate?
✔✔Fluid retention.
A patient with meningitis is sensitive to light. What is this symptom called?
✔✔Photophobia.
3
