HESI Med Surg 1 practice exam questions and answers with
complete solutions grade A+ 2026.
The nurse observes ventricular fibrillation on telemetry and, on entering the client's
bathroom, finds the client unconscious on the floor. Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A.
Administer an antidysrhythmic medication.
B.
Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
C.
Defibrillate the client at 200 J.
D.
Assess the client's pulse oximetry. - ANSWER: B.
Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Rationale:
Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening dysrhythmia, and CPR should be started
immediately (B). (A and C) are appropriate, but CPR is the priority action. The client
is dying, and (D) does not address the seriousness of this situation.
The nurse assesses a client who has been prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for
cardiac disease. Which electrocardiographic change would be a concern for a client
taking a diuretic?
A.
Tall, spiked T waves
B.
A prolonged QT interval
C.
A widening QRS complex
D.
Presence of a U wave - ANSWER: D.
Presence of a U wave
Rationale:
A U wave (D) is a positive deflection following the T wave and is often present with
hypokalemia (low potassium level). (A, B, and C) are all signs of hyperkalemia.
A 43-year-old homeless, malnourished female client with a history of alcoholism is
transferred to the ICU. She is placed on telemetry, and the rhythm strip shown is
obtained. The nurse palpates a heart rate of 160 beats/min, and the client's blood
pressure is 90/54 mm Hg. Based on these findings, which IV medication should the
nurse administer?
A.
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
B.
Magnesium sulfate
,C.
Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
D.
Procainamide (Pronestyl) - ANSWER: B.
Magnesium sulfate
Rationale:
Because the client has chronic alcoholism, she is likely to have hypomagnesemia.
(B) is the recommended drug for torsades de pointes, which is a form of
polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) usually associated with a prolonged QT
interval that occurs with hypomagnesemia. (A and D) increase the QT interval,
which can cause the torsades to worsen. (C) is the antiarrhythmic of choice in most
cases of drug-induced monomorphic VT, not torsades.
When developing a discharge teaching plan for a client after the insertion of a
permanent pacemaker, the nurse writes a goal of "The client will verbalize
symptoms of pacemaker failure." Which behavior indicates that the goal has been
met?
A.
The client demonstrates the procedures to change the rate of the pacemaker using
a magnet.
B.
The client carries a card in his wallet stating the type and serial number of the
pacemaker.
C.
The client tells the nurse that it is important to report redness and tenderness at
the insertion site.
D.
The client states that changes in the pulse and feelings of dizziness are significant
changes. - ANSWER: D.
The client states that changes in the pulse and feelings of dizziness are significant
changes.
Rationale:
Changes in pulse rate and/or rhythm may indicate pacer failure. Feelings of
dizziness may be caused by a decreased heart rate, leading to decreased cardiac
output (D). The rate of a pacemaker is not changed by a client, although the client
may be familiar with this procedure as explained by his health care provider (A). (B)
is an important step in preparing the client for discharge but does not demonstrate
knowledge of the symptoms of pacer failure. (C) indicates symptoms of possible
incisional infection or irritation but do not indicate pacer failure.
The nurse teaches a client with type 2 diabetes nutritional strategies to decrease
obesity. Which food item(s) chosen by the client indicates understanding of the
teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A.
White bread
B.
, Salmon
C.
Broccoli
D.
Whole milk
E.
Banana - ANSWER: B
Salmon
C
Broccoli
E.
Banana
Rationale:
(B, C, and E) provide fresh fruits, lean meats and fish, vegetables, whole grains, and
low-fat dairy products. All are recommended by the American Diabetes Association
(ADA) and are a part of the My Plate guidelines recommended by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA). Whole milk (D) is high in fat and is not
recommended by ADA. White bread is milled, a process that removes the essential
nutrients. It should be avoided for weight loss and is a poor choice for the client
with diabetes (A).
A client diagnosed with angina pectoris complains of chest pain while ambulating in
the hallway. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A.
Support the client to a sitting position.
B.
Ask the client to walk slowly back to the room.
C.
Administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet.
D.
Provide oxygen via nasal cannula. - ANSWER: A.
Support the client to a sitting position.
Rationale:
The nurse should safely assist the client to a resting position (A) and then perform
(C and D). The client must cease all activity immediately, which will decrease the
oxygen requirement of the myocardial muscle. After these interventions are
implemented, the client can be escorted back to the room via wheelchair or
stretcher (B).
After attending a class on reducing cancer risk factors, a client selects bran flakes
with 2% milk and orange slices from a breakfast menu. In evaluating the client's
learning, the nurse affirms that the client has made good choices and makes what
additional recommendation?
A.
complete solutions grade A+ 2026.
The nurse observes ventricular fibrillation on telemetry and, on entering the client's
bathroom, finds the client unconscious on the floor. Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A.
Administer an antidysrhythmic medication.
B.
Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
C.
Defibrillate the client at 200 J.
D.
Assess the client's pulse oximetry. - ANSWER: B.
Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Rationale:
Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening dysrhythmia, and CPR should be started
immediately (B). (A and C) are appropriate, but CPR is the priority action. The client
is dying, and (D) does not address the seriousness of this situation.
The nurse assesses a client who has been prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for
cardiac disease. Which electrocardiographic change would be a concern for a client
taking a diuretic?
A.
Tall, spiked T waves
B.
A prolonged QT interval
C.
A widening QRS complex
D.
Presence of a U wave - ANSWER: D.
Presence of a U wave
Rationale:
A U wave (D) is a positive deflection following the T wave and is often present with
hypokalemia (low potassium level). (A, B, and C) are all signs of hyperkalemia.
A 43-year-old homeless, malnourished female client with a history of alcoholism is
transferred to the ICU. She is placed on telemetry, and the rhythm strip shown is
obtained. The nurse palpates a heart rate of 160 beats/min, and the client's blood
pressure is 90/54 mm Hg. Based on these findings, which IV medication should the
nurse administer?
A.
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
B.
Magnesium sulfate
,C.
Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
D.
Procainamide (Pronestyl) - ANSWER: B.
Magnesium sulfate
Rationale:
Because the client has chronic alcoholism, she is likely to have hypomagnesemia.
(B) is the recommended drug for torsades de pointes, which is a form of
polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) usually associated with a prolonged QT
interval that occurs with hypomagnesemia. (A and D) increase the QT interval,
which can cause the torsades to worsen. (C) is the antiarrhythmic of choice in most
cases of drug-induced monomorphic VT, not torsades.
When developing a discharge teaching plan for a client after the insertion of a
permanent pacemaker, the nurse writes a goal of "The client will verbalize
symptoms of pacemaker failure." Which behavior indicates that the goal has been
met?
A.
The client demonstrates the procedures to change the rate of the pacemaker using
a magnet.
B.
The client carries a card in his wallet stating the type and serial number of the
pacemaker.
C.
The client tells the nurse that it is important to report redness and tenderness at
the insertion site.
D.
The client states that changes in the pulse and feelings of dizziness are significant
changes. - ANSWER: D.
The client states that changes in the pulse and feelings of dizziness are significant
changes.
Rationale:
Changes in pulse rate and/or rhythm may indicate pacer failure. Feelings of
dizziness may be caused by a decreased heart rate, leading to decreased cardiac
output (D). The rate of a pacemaker is not changed by a client, although the client
may be familiar with this procedure as explained by his health care provider (A). (B)
is an important step in preparing the client for discharge but does not demonstrate
knowledge of the symptoms of pacer failure. (C) indicates symptoms of possible
incisional infection or irritation but do not indicate pacer failure.
The nurse teaches a client with type 2 diabetes nutritional strategies to decrease
obesity. Which food item(s) chosen by the client indicates understanding of the
teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A.
White bread
B.
, Salmon
C.
Broccoli
D.
Whole milk
E.
Banana - ANSWER: B
Salmon
C
Broccoli
E.
Banana
Rationale:
(B, C, and E) provide fresh fruits, lean meats and fish, vegetables, whole grains, and
low-fat dairy products. All are recommended by the American Diabetes Association
(ADA) and are a part of the My Plate guidelines recommended by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA). Whole milk (D) is high in fat and is not
recommended by ADA. White bread is milled, a process that removes the essential
nutrients. It should be avoided for weight loss and is a poor choice for the client
with diabetes (A).
A client diagnosed with angina pectoris complains of chest pain while ambulating in
the hallway. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A.
Support the client to a sitting position.
B.
Ask the client to walk slowly back to the room.
C.
Administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet.
D.
Provide oxygen via nasal cannula. - ANSWER: A.
Support the client to a sitting position.
Rationale:
The nurse should safely assist the client to a resting position (A) and then perform
(C and D). The client must cease all activity immediately, which will decrease the
oxygen requirement of the myocardial muscle. After these interventions are
implemented, the client can be escorted back to the room via wheelchair or
stretcher (B).
After attending a class on reducing cancer risk factors, a client selects bran flakes
with 2% milk and orange slices from a breakfast menu. In evaluating the client's
learning, the nurse affirms that the client has made good choices and makes what
additional recommendation?
A.
