HESI MEDSURG1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 CERTIFICATION EVALUATION EXAMS
FULL QUESTION SET WITH SOLVED ANSWERS
◉ 2. 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. Answer: A. Breath sounds over bilateral
lung fields.
◉ 3. 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. Answer: A. Reorient client to
his room
◉ 4. 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?. Answer: B. Has his
weight changed in the last several days?
◉ 5. 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. Answer: D. Assist her to an
upright position
◉ 6. A client with a history of asthma and bronchitis arrives at the
clinic with shortness of breath, productive cough with thickened
, tenacious mucous, and the inability to walk up a flight of stairs
without experiencing breathlessness. Which action is most
important for the nurse to instruct the client about self-care?
A. Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions
B. Avoid crowded enclosed areas to reduce pathogen exposure
C. Call the clinic if undesirable side effects of mediations occur
D. Teach anxiety reduction methods for feelings of suffocation.
Answer: A. Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy
secretions
◉ 7. A cardiac catherterization of a client with heart disease
indicates the following blockages: 95% proximal left anterior
descending (LAD), 99% proximal circumflex, and ? % proximal right
coronary artery (RCA). The client later asks the nurse "what does all
this mean for me?" What information should the nurse provide?
A. Blood supply to the heart is diminished by artherosclerotic
lesions, which necessitate lifestyle changes.
B. Blood vessels supplying the pumping chamber have blockages
indicating a past heart attack.
C. Three main arteries have major blockages, with only 1 to 5% of
blood flow getting through to the heart muscle.
D. The heart is not receiving enough blood, so there is a risk of heart
failure and fluid retention.. Answer: C. Three main arteries have
major blockages, with only 1 to 5% of blood flow getting through to
the heart muscle.
2026 CERTIFICATION EVALUATION EXAMS
FULL QUESTION SET WITH SOLVED ANSWERS
◉ 2. 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. Answer: A. Breath sounds over bilateral
lung fields.
◉ 3. 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. Answer: A. Reorient client to
his room
◉ 4. 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?. Answer: B. Has his
weight changed in the last several days?
◉ 5. 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. Answer: D. Assist her to an
upright position
◉ 6. A client with a history of asthma and bronchitis arrives at the
clinic with shortness of breath, productive cough with thickened
, tenacious mucous, and the inability to walk up a flight of stairs
without experiencing breathlessness. Which action is most
important for the nurse to instruct the client about self-care?
A. Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions
B. Avoid crowded enclosed areas to reduce pathogen exposure
C. Call the clinic if undesirable side effects of mediations occur
D. Teach anxiety reduction methods for feelings of suffocation.
Answer: A. Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy
secretions
◉ 7. A cardiac catherterization of a client with heart disease
indicates the following blockages: 95% proximal left anterior
descending (LAD), 99% proximal circumflex, and ? % proximal right
coronary artery (RCA). The client later asks the nurse "what does all
this mean for me?" What information should the nurse provide?
A. Blood supply to the heart is diminished by artherosclerotic
lesions, which necessitate lifestyle changes.
B. Blood vessels supplying the pumping chamber have blockages
indicating a past heart attack.
C. Three main arteries have major blockages, with only 1 to 5% of
blood flow getting through to the heart muscle.
D. The heart is not receiving enough blood, so there is a risk of heart
failure and fluid retention.. Answer: C. Three main arteries have
major blockages, with only 1 to 5% of blood flow getting through to
the heart muscle.
