HESI Med-Surg Exam Questions
with Answers Best New 2026
Update
1. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to perform on a
client (patient) who is hospitalized for Guillain-Barre syndrome that is
rapidly progressing? CORRECT ANSWER>>
• Respiratory effort.
• Unsteady gait.
• Intensity of pain.
• Ability to eat.
Guillain-Barre syndrome causes paralysis or weakness that
typically starts at the feet and progresses upwards. As the
condition progresses, the nurse must ensure that the client
(patient) is able to breathe effectively.
Heuther, Understanding Pathophysiology, 6th ed. p. 412
2.
A male client (patient) comes into the clinic with a history of
penile discharge with painful, burning urination. Which action
should the nurse implement? CORRECT ANSWER>>
• Collect a culture of the penile discharge.
• Palpate the inguinal lymph nodes gently.
• Observe for scrotal swelling and redness.
• Express the discharge to determine color.
Penile discharge with painful urination is commonly associated
with gonorrhea. The nurse should collect a culture of the penile
discharge to determine the cause of these symptoms. The cause
must be determined or confirmed through culture to identify the
organism and ensure effective treatment.
,Jarvis Physical Examination and Health
Assessment, 6th edition 3.
A client (patient) with history of atrial fibrillation is admitted to the
telemetry unit with sudden
onset of shortness of breath. The nurse observes a new irregular
heart rhythm and should perform which assessment at this time?
CORRECT ANSWER>>
• Check for a pulse deficit.
• Palpate the apical impulse.
• Inspect jugular vein pulse.
• Examine for a carotid bruit.
A client (patient) with a past history of atrial fibrillation may
return to that rhythm. Any signs of atrial fibrillation, such as
sudden onset shortness of breath, requires further investigation.
The nurse should assess this client (patient) for a pulse deficit
because this condition occurs with atrial fibrillation.
,Jarvis. (2016); Physical Examination and Health Assessment,
(Chap 19) 7th ed., p. 481
4.
Which client (patient) should be further assessed for an ectopic
pregnancy? CORRECT ANSWER>>
• A 24-year-old with shoulder and lower abdominal quadrant
pain.
• A 33-year-old with intermittent lower abdominal cramping.
• A 20-year-old with fever and right lower abdominal colic.
• A 40-year-old with jaundice and right lower abdominal pain.
A 24-year-old with sudden onset of lower abdominal quadrant
pain should be assessed for an ectopic pregnancy. The pain can
also be referred to the shoulder and may be associated with
vaginal bleeding.
Health Assessment for Nursing Practice, Wilson and Giddens.
p.269 5.
Which dietary assessment finding is most important for the
nurse to address when caring for a client (patient) with diabetic
nephropathy? CORRECT ANSWER>>
• Drinks a six pack of beer every day.
• Enjoys a hamburger once a month.
• Eats fortified breakfast cereal daily.
• Consumes beans and rice every day.
Drinking six beers every day is the dietary assessment finding
most important for the nurse to address when caring for a client
(patient) with diabetic nephropathy. The usual can of beer is 12
ounces (355 mL). Client (patient)s with diabetes are
recommended to drink no more than 12 ounces of beer per day
because beer contains carbohydrates that can create unhealthy
fluctuations in blood glucose and promote poor glucose control.
Nephropathy is exacerbated by poor blood
, glucose control. 6.
Which assessment finding is of greatest concern to the nurse
who is caring for a client (patient) with stomatitis? CORRECT
ANSWER>>
• Cough brought on by swallowing.
• Sore throat caused by speaking.
• Painful and dry oral cavity.
• Unintended weight loss.
A cough brought on by swallowing is a sign of dysphagia,
which is a finding of particular concern in a client (patient) with
stomatitis. Dysphagia can cause numerous problems, including
airway obstruction, and should be reported to the healthcare
provider immediately.
with Answers Best New 2026
Update
1. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to perform on a
client (patient) who is hospitalized for Guillain-Barre syndrome that is
rapidly progressing? CORRECT ANSWER>>
• Respiratory effort.
• Unsteady gait.
• Intensity of pain.
• Ability to eat.
Guillain-Barre syndrome causes paralysis or weakness that
typically starts at the feet and progresses upwards. As the
condition progresses, the nurse must ensure that the client
(patient) is able to breathe effectively.
Heuther, Understanding Pathophysiology, 6th ed. p. 412
2.
A male client (patient) comes into the clinic with a history of
penile discharge with painful, burning urination. Which action
should the nurse implement? CORRECT ANSWER>>
• Collect a culture of the penile discharge.
• Palpate the inguinal lymph nodes gently.
• Observe for scrotal swelling and redness.
• Express the discharge to determine color.
Penile discharge with painful urination is commonly associated
with gonorrhea. The nurse should collect a culture of the penile
discharge to determine the cause of these symptoms. The cause
must be determined or confirmed through culture to identify the
organism and ensure effective treatment.
,Jarvis Physical Examination and Health
Assessment, 6th edition 3.
A client (patient) with history of atrial fibrillation is admitted to the
telemetry unit with sudden
onset of shortness of breath. The nurse observes a new irregular
heart rhythm and should perform which assessment at this time?
CORRECT ANSWER>>
• Check for a pulse deficit.
• Palpate the apical impulse.
• Inspect jugular vein pulse.
• Examine for a carotid bruit.
A client (patient) with a past history of atrial fibrillation may
return to that rhythm. Any signs of atrial fibrillation, such as
sudden onset shortness of breath, requires further investigation.
The nurse should assess this client (patient) for a pulse deficit
because this condition occurs with atrial fibrillation.
,Jarvis. (2016); Physical Examination and Health Assessment,
(Chap 19) 7th ed., p. 481
4.
Which client (patient) should be further assessed for an ectopic
pregnancy? CORRECT ANSWER>>
• A 24-year-old with shoulder and lower abdominal quadrant
pain.
• A 33-year-old with intermittent lower abdominal cramping.
• A 20-year-old with fever and right lower abdominal colic.
• A 40-year-old with jaundice and right lower abdominal pain.
A 24-year-old with sudden onset of lower abdominal quadrant
pain should be assessed for an ectopic pregnancy. The pain can
also be referred to the shoulder and may be associated with
vaginal bleeding.
Health Assessment for Nursing Practice, Wilson and Giddens.
p.269 5.
Which dietary assessment finding is most important for the
nurse to address when caring for a client (patient) with diabetic
nephropathy? CORRECT ANSWER>>
• Drinks a six pack of beer every day.
• Enjoys a hamburger once a month.
• Eats fortified breakfast cereal daily.
• Consumes beans and rice every day.
Drinking six beers every day is the dietary assessment finding
most important for the nurse to address when caring for a client
(patient) with diabetic nephropathy. The usual can of beer is 12
ounces (355 mL). Client (patient)s with diabetes are
recommended to drink no more than 12 ounces of beer per day
because beer contains carbohydrates that can create unhealthy
fluctuations in blood glucose and promote poor glucose control.
Nephropathy is exacerbated by poor blood
, glucose control. 6.
Which assessment finding is of greatest concern to the nurse
who is caring for a client (patient) with stomatitis? CORRECT
ANSWER>>
• Cough brought on by swallowing.
• Sore throat caused by speaking.
• Painful and dry oral cavity.
• Unintended weight loss.
A cough brought on by swallowing is a sign of dysphagia,
which is a finding of particular concern in a client (patient) with
stomatitis. Dysphagia can cause numerous problems, including
airway obstruction, and should be reported to the healthcare
provider immediately.
