MED SURG FINAL HESI EXAM (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS) | GUARANTEED PASS A+ [2026]
1. A patient with a history of MI reports chest pain radiating to the left arm. What is the priority
action?
A. Administer aspirin per protocol
B. Take vital signs and document
C. Encourage rest
D. Give IV fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: Aspirin is critical to reduce platelet aggregation and limit infarct size; this is the
priority intervention.
2. Which ECG change indicates myocardial ischemia?
A. ST-segment depression
B. Peaked T waves
C. U waves
D. Shortened QT interval
Answer: A
Rationale: ST-segment depression or T-wave inversion indicates ischemia.
3. A patient with heart failure has crackles in the lungs, edema, and JVD. Which drug is first-line
to reduce preload?
A. Furosemide
B. Digoxin
C. Metoprolol
D. Lisinopril
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2026 Graded A+ EXAM
, Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics reduce fluid overload and pulmonary congestion.
4. Which lab result indicates myocardial injury?
A. Elevated troponin
B. Elevated BUN
C. Low sodium
D. Elevated WBC
Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin is highly specific for myocardial cell damage.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient on digoxin?
A. Heart rate 48 bpm
B. BP 130/80 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate 18
D. Temperature 37°C
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can cause bradycardia; HR <60 bpm requires intervention.
6. A patient is on nitroglycerin infusion for angina. What is the priority nursing assessment?
A. Blood pressure
B. Heart rate
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Answer: A
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension; BP monitoring is critical.
A client with a productive cough has obtained a sputum specimen for culture as
instructed. What is the best initial nursing action?
A. Administer the first dose of antibiotic therapy
2
B. Observe the color, consistency, and amount of sputum
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C. Encourage the client to consume plenty of warm liquids
2026 Graded A+ EXAM
, D. Send the specimen to the lab for analysis - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ B. Observe the
color, consistency, and amount of sputum
A client is brought to the ED by ambulance in cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) in progress. The client is intubated and is receiving 100% oxygen
per self-inflating (ambu) bag. The nurse determines that the client is cyanotic, cold, and
diaphoretic. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields.
B. Carotid pulsation during compressions
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Core body temperature - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ A. Breath sounds over bilateral
lung fields.
After a hospitalization for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH), a
client develops pontine myselinolysis. Which intervention should the nurse implement
first?
A. Reorient client to his room
B. Place a patch on one eye
C. Evaluate client's ability to swallow
D. Perform range of motion exercises - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ A. Reorient client to his
room
A male client with heart failure (HF) calls the clinic and reports that he cannot put his
shoes on because they are too tight. Which additional information should the nurse
obtain?
A. What time did he take his last medications?
B. Has his weight changed in the last several days?
C. Is he still able to tighten his belt buckle?
D. How many hours did he sleep last night? - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ B. Has his weight
changed in the last several days?
An older adult woman with a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is admitted with progressive shortness of breath and a persistent cough. She is
anxious and is complaining of a dry mouth. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
A. Administer a prescribed sedative
B. Encourage client to drink water
C. Apply a high-flow venturi mask
D. Assist her to an upright position - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ D. Assist her to an upright
position
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2026 Graded A+ EXAM
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS) | GUARANTEED PASS A+ [2026]
1. A patient with a history of MI reports chest pain radiating to the left arm. What is the priority
action?
A. Administer aspirin per protocol
B. Take vital signs and document
C. Encourage rest
D. Give IV fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: Aspirin is critical to reduce platelet aggregation and limit infarct size; this is the
priority intervention.
2. Which ECG change indicates myocardial ischemia?
A. ST-segment depression
B. Peaked T waves
C. U waves
D. Shortened QT interval
Answer: A
Rationale: ST-segment depression or T-wave inversion indicates ischemia.
3. A patient with heart failure has crackles in the lungs, edema, and JVD. Which drug is first-line
to reduce preload?
A. Furosemide
B. Digoxin
C. Metoprolol
D. Lisinopril
1
Page
2026 Graded A+ EXAM
, Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics reduce fluid overload and pulmonary congestion.
4. Which lab result indicates myocardial injury?
A. Elevated troponin
B. Elevated BUN
C. Low sodium
D. Elevated WBC
Answer: A
Rationale: Troponin is highly specific for myocardial cell damage.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient on digoxin?
A. Heart rate 48 bpm
B. BP 130/80 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate 18
D. Temperature 37°C
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can cause bradycardia; HR <60 bpm requires intervention.
6. A patient is on nitroglycerin infusion for angina. What is the priority nursing assessment?
A. Blood pressure
B. Heart rate
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Answer: A
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension; BP monitoring is critical.
A client with a productive cough has obtained a sputum specimen for culture as
instructed. What is the best initial nursing action?
A. Administer the first dose of antibiotic therapy
2
B. Observe the color, consistency, and amount of sputum
Page
C. Encourage the client to consume plenty of warm liquids
2026 Graded A+ EXAM
, D. Send the specimen to the lab for analysis - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ B. Observe the
color, consistency, and amount of sputum
A client is brought to the ED by ambulance in cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) in progress. The client is intubated and is receiving 100% oxygen
per self-inflating (ambu) bag. The nurse determines that the client is cyanotic, cold, and
diaphoretic. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields.
B. Carotid pulsation during compressions
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Core body temperature - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ A. Breath sounds over bilateral
lung fields.
After a hospitalization for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH), a
client develops pontine myselinolysis. Which intervention should the nurse implement
first?
A. Reorient client to his room
B. Place a patch on one eye
C. Evaluate client's ability to swallow
D. Perform range of motion exercises - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ A. Reorient client to his
room
A male client with heart failure (HF) calls the clinic and reports that he cannot put his
shoes on because they are too tight. Which additional information should the nurse
obtain?
A. What time did he take his last medications?
B. Has his weight changed in the last several days?
C. Is he still able to tighten his belt buckle?
D. How many hours did he sleep last night? - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ B. Has his weight
changed in the last several days?
An older adult woman with a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is admitted with progressive shortness of breath and a persistent cough. She is
anxious and is complaining of a dry mouth. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
A. Administer a prescribed sedative
B. Encourage client to drink water
C. Apply a high-flow venturi mask
D. Assist her to an upright position - CORRECT ✔✔✔✔✔ D. Assist her to an upright
position
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2026 Graded A+ EXAM
