HESI Med Surg Exit Exam V1 (2025) | Real
Questions with Verified Answers || NGN
Format
HESI Med-Surg Exit Exam V1 (2025) – NGN
Format
Questions (Original Practice)
1. A patient with congestive heart failure reports dyspnea and bilateral leg
edema. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Assess oxygen saturation and respiratory status
C. Administer prescribed diuretic immediately
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Airway and breathing are always the first priority in NGN prioritization. Assessment guides safe
interventions.
2. A postoperative patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which complication is most likely?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
,C. Pneumonia
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Acute onset chest pain and dyspnea post-surgery suggests PE; immediate intervention is
required.
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and
fruity breath. Which action is priority?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Initiate IV insulin and fluids
C. Encourage a low-carb diet
D. Monitor blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
These are classic signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is life-threatening and requires IV insulin
and fluids.
4. Which lab result indicates a patient may be experiencing acute kidney
injury?
A. Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
B. BUN 45 mg/dL
C. Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
D. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Elevated BUN signals impaired kidney function; trends in creatinine are also considered.
5. A patient taking furosemide reports muscle weakness and palpitations.
Which lab value is most concerning?
A. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium 140 mEq/L
, C. Calcium 9.0 mg/dL
D. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Hypokalemia from loop diuretics can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
6. A patient with pneumonia has fever, productive cough, and decreased
oxygen saturation. Which action is priority?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Administer prescribed antibiotics
C. Provide oral fluids
D. Document assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Timely antibiotics prevent complications and improve outcomes.
7. A patient with COPD reports increased shortness of breath and sputum
production. Priority assessment:
A. Heart rate
B. Respiratory rate and oxygen saturation
C. Blood pressure
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Assessing oxygenation and respiratory status is critical to prevent hypoxia.
8. A patient with a nasogastric tube develops abdominal distension and
nausea. First action:
A. Increase feeding rate
B. Assess bowel sounds and tube patency
C. Provide antiemetic
D. Encourage ambulation
Questions with Verified Answers || NGN
Format
HESI Med-Surg Exit Exam V1 (2025) – NGN
Format
Questions (Original Practice)
1. A patient with congestive heart failure reports dyspnea and bilateral leg
edema. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Assess oxygen saturation and respiratory status
C. Administer prescribed diuretic immediately
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Airway and breathing are always the first priority in NGN prioritization. Assessment guides safe
interventions.
2. A postoperative patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which complication is most likely?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
,C. Pneumonia
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Acute onset chest pain and dyspnea post-surgery suggests PE; immediate intervention is
required.
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and
fruity breath. Which action is priority?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Initiate IV insulin and fluids
C. Encourage a low-carb diet
D. Monitor blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
These are classic signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is life-threatening and requires IV insulin
and fluids.
4. Which lab result indicates a patient may be experiencing acute kidney
injury?
A. Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
B. BUN 45 mg/dL
C. Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
D. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Elevated BUN signals impaired kidney function; trends in creatinine are also considered.
5. A patient taking furosemide reports muscle weakness and palpitations.
Which lab value is most concerning?
A. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium 140 mEq/L
, C. Calcium 9.0 mg/dL
D. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Hypokalemia from loop diuretics can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
6. A patient with pneumonia has fever, productive cough, and decreased
oxygen saturation. Which action is priority?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Administer prescribed antibiotics
C. Provide oral fluids
D. Document assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Timely antibiotics prevent complications and improve outcomes.
7. A patient with COPD reports increased shortness of breath and sputum
production. Priority assessment:
A. Heart rate
B. Respiratory rate and oxygen saturation
C. Blood pressure
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Assessing oxygenation and respiratory status is critical to prevent hypoxia.
8. A patient with a nasogastric tube develops abdominal distension and
nausea. First action:
A. Increase feeding rate
B. Assess bowel sounds and tube patency
C. Provide antiemetic
D. Encourage ambulation
