HESI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH CORRECT
VERIFIED AND GUARANTEED ANSWERS 2025/2026
1. A patient with heart failure develops sudden shortness of breath and frothy
sputum. What is the priority action?
A. Administer IV morphine
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Start IV fluids
D. Auscultate lung sounds
Correct Answer: B
High Fowler’s position improves lung expansion and reduces venous return,
relieving acute pulmonary edema.
2. A patient with COPD has a PaCO₂ of 60 mmHg. Which assessment is most
important?
A. Skin turgor
B. Level of consciousness
C. Capillary refill
D. Peripheral pulses
Correct Answer: B
High CO₂ can cause CO₂ narcosis, making LOC the most important assessment.
3. A postoperative patient reports chest pain and dyspnea. What is the priority
action?
A. Administer nitroglycerin
B. Notify the surgeon
,C. Assess oxygen saturation
D. Encourage coughing
Correct Answer: C
Oxygenation must be assessed first because symptoms suggest pulmonary
embolism.
4. A diabetic patient is cool and clammy. What should the nurse do first?
A. Give insulin
B. Check blood glucose
C. Offer water
D. Call the provider
Correct Answer: B
Cool, clammy skin indicates hypoglycemia; glucose must be checked first.
5. A patient with cirrhosis has asterixis. What does this indicate?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Worsening renal failure
C. Hepatic encephalopathy
D. Low albumin
Correct Answer: C
Asterixis (flapping tremor) is a sign of ammonia buildup in hepatic
encephalopathy.
6. Which food should be avoided in a patient taking warfarin?
A. Bananas
B. Tomatoes
C. Spinach
D. Cheese
, Correct Answer: C
Spinach contains vitamin K, which decreases warfarin effectiveness.
7. A patient with pneumonia has crackles and productive cough. Which action is
most effective?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Encourage deep breathing
C. Administer antitussives
D. Increase activity
Correct Answer: B
Deep breathing improves alveolar expansion and secretion clearance.
8. A patient with DKA has K⁺ = 6.0 mEq/L. Which order should the nurse
question?
A. IV normal saline
B. IV regular insulin
C. Continuous ECG monitoring
D. Potassium replacement
Correct Answer: D
Potassium should NOT be replaced when levels are elevated.
9. A patient with acute pancreatitis should receive which diet initially?
A. High-protein
B. NPO
C. Low-fat
D. Clear liquid
Correct Answer: B
NPO prevents pancreatic stimulation and reduces enzyme secretion.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH CORRECT
VERIFIED AND GUARANTEED ANSWERS 2025/2026
1. A patient with heart failure develops sudden shortness of breath and frothy
sputum. What is the priority action?
A. Administer IV morphine
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Start IV fluids
D. Auscultate lung sounds
Correct Answer: B
High Fowler’s position improves lung expansion and reduces venous return,
relieving acute pulmonary edema.
2. A patient with COPD has a PaCO₂ of 60 mmHg. Which assessment is most
important?
A. Skin turgor
B. Level of consciousness
C. Capillary refill
D. Peripheral pulses
Correct Answer: B
High CO₂ can cause CO₂ narcosis, making LOC the most important assessment.
3. A postoperative patient reports chest pain and dyspnea. What is the priority
action?
A. Administer nitroglycerin
B. Notify the surgeon
,C. Assess oxygen saturation
D. Encourage coughing
Correct Answer: C
Oxygenation must be assessed first because symptoms suggest pulmonary
embolism.
4. A diabetic patient is cool and clammy. What should the nurse do first?
A. Give insulin
B. Check blood glucose
C. Offer water
D. Call the provider
Correct Answer: B
Cool, clammy skin indicates hypoglycemia; glucose must be checked first.
5. A patient with cirrhosis has asterixis. What does this indicate?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Worsening renal failure
C. Hepatic encephalopathy
D. Low albumin
Correct Answer: C
Asterixis (flapping tremor) is a sign of ammonia buildup in hepatic
encephalopathy.
6. Which food should be avoided in a patient taking warfarin?
A. Bananas
B. Tomatoes
C. Spinach
D. Cheese
, Correct Answer: C
Spinach contains vitamin K, which decreases warfarin effectiveness.
7. A patient with pneumonia has crackles and productive cough. Which action is
most effective?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Encourage deep breathing
C. Administer antitussives
D. Increase activity
Correct Answer: B
Deep breathing improves alveolar expansion and secretion clearance.
8. A patient with DKA has K⁺ = 6.0 mEq/L. Which order should the nurse
question?
A. IV normal saline
B. IV regular insulin
C. Continuous ECG monitoring
D. Potassium replacement
Correct Answer: D
Potassium should NOT be replaced when levels are elevated.
9. A patient with acute pancreatitis should receive which diet initially?
A. High-protein
B. NPO
C. Low-fat
D. Clear liquid
Correct Answer: B
NPO prevents pancreatic stimulation and reduces enzyme secretion.
