BSN 266 HESI Med Surg Practice Exam Version 2 (2026/
2027 Update) Questions and Verified Answers with
Rationales|100% Correct| Grade A
A client is admitted to the medical intensive care unit with a diagnosis of
myocardial infarction. The client's history indicates the infarction
occurred ten hours ago. Which laboratory test result should the nurse
expect this client to exhibit?
A) Elevated LDH.
B) Elevated serum amylase.
C) Elevated CK-MB.
D) Elevated hematocrit. - correct answer✔✔C
A splint is prescribed for nighttime use by a client with rheumatoid arthritis.
Which statement by the nurse provides the most accurate explanation for
use of the splints?
A) Prevention of deformities.
B) Avoidance of joint trauma.
C) Relief of joint inflammation.
D) Improvement in joint strength. - correct answer✔✔A
The nurse should be correct in withholding a dose of digoxin in a client with
congestive heart failure without specific instruction from the healthcare
provider if the client's
A) serum digoxin level is 1.5.
B) blood pressure is 104/68.
C) serum potassium level is 3.
D) apical pulse is 68/min. - correct answer✔✔C
During CPR, when attempting to ventilate a client's lungs, the nurse notes
that the chest is not moving. What action should the nurse take first?
A) Use a laryngoscope to check for a foreign body lodged in the esophagus.
B) Reposition the head to validate that the head is in the proper position
to open the airway.
C) Turn the client to the side and administer three back blows.
D) Perform a finger sweep of the mouth to remove any vomitus. - correct
answer✔✔B
Despite several eye surgeries, a 78-year-old client who lives alone has
persistent vision problems. The visiting nurse is discussing painting the
house with the client. The nurse suggests that the edge of the steps should
be painted which color?
A) Black.
B) White.
C) Light green.
D) Medium yellow. - correct answer✔✔D
,The nurse is assessing a client with bacterial meningitis. Which assessment
finding indicates the client may have developed septic emboli?
A) Cyanosis of the fingertips.
B) Bradycardia and bradypnea.
C) Presence of S3 and S4 heart sounds.
D) 3+ pitting edema of the lower extremities. - correct answer✔✔A
In assessing a client diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism, the nurse
expects the laboratory test results to indicate a decreased serum level of
which substance?
A) Sodium.
B) Antidiuretic hormone.
C) Potassium.
D) Glucose. - correct answer✔✔C
A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing polyphagia. Which outcome
statement is the priority for this client?
A) Fluid and electrolyte balance.
B) Prevention of water toxicity.
C) Reduced glucose in the urine.
D) Adequate cellular nourishment. - correct answer✔✔D
Based on the analysis of the client's atrial fibrillation, the nurse should prepare
the client for which treatment protocol?
A) Diuretic therapy.
B) Pacemaker implantation.
C) Anticoagulation therapy.
D) Cardiac catheterization. - correct answer✔✔C
Which information about mammograms is most important to provide a post-
menopausal female client?
A) Breast self-examinations are not needed if annual mammograms are
obtained.
B) Radiation exposure is minimized by shielding the abdomen with a lead-
lined apron.
C) Yearly mammograms should be done regardless of previous normal x-rays.
D) Women at high risk should have annual routine and ultrasound
mammograms. - correct answer✔✔C
In assessing cancer risk, the nurse identifies which woman as being at greatest
risk of developing breast cancer?
A) A 35-year-old multipara who never breastfed.
B) A 50-year-old whose mother had unilateral breast cancer.
C) A 55-year-old whose mother-in-law had bilateral breast cancer.
D) A 20-year-old whose menarche occurred at age 9. - correct answer✔✔B
A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of symptoms,
including paresthesias, diplopia, and nystagmus. Which instruction should
the nurse provide?
A) Stay out of direct sunlight.
, B) Restrict intake of high protein foods.
C) Schedule extra rest periods.
D) Go to the emergency room immediately. - correct answer✔✔C
Which reaction should the nurse identify in a client who is responding to
stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system?
A) Pupil constriction.
B) Increased heart rate.
C) Bronchial constriction.
D) Decreased blood pressure. - correct answer✔✔B
A client receiving cholestyramine (Questran) for hyperlipidemia should be
evaluated for what vitamin deficiency?
A) K.
B) B12.
C) B6.
D) C. - correct answer✔✔A
The nurse is caring for a client with a stroke resulting in right-sided paresis and
aphasia. The client attempts to use the left hand for feeding and other self-
care activities. The spouse becomes frustrated and insists on doing
everything for the client. Based on this data, which nursing diagnosis should
the nurse document for this client?
A) Situational low self-esteem related to functional impairment and
change in role function.
B) Disabled family coping related to dissonant coping style of significant
person.
C) Interrupted family processes related to shift in health status of family
member.
D) Risk for ineffective therapeutic regimen management related to
complexity of care. - correct answer✔✔B
When teaching diaphragmatic breathing to a client with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), which information should the nurse provide?
A) Place a small book or magazine on the abdomen and make it rise
while inhaling deeply.
B) Purse the lips while inhaling as deeply as possible and then exhale through
the nose.
C) Wrap a towel around the abdomen and push against the towel while
forcefully exhaling.
D) Place one hand on the chest, one hand the abdomen and make both
hands move outward. - correct answer✔✔A
A middle-aged male client with diabetes continues to eat an abundance of
foods that are high in sugar and fat. According to the Health Belief Model,
which event is most likely to increase the client's willingness to become
compliant with the prescribed diet?
A) He visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected
foot.
B) He is provided with the most current information about the dangers
2027 Update) Questions and Verified Answers with
Rationales|100% Correct| Grade A
A client is admitted to the medical intensive care unit with a diagnosis of
myocardial infarction. The client's history indicates the infarction
occurred ten hours ago. Which laboratory test result should the nurse
expect this client to exhibit?
A) Elevated LDH.
B) Elevated serum amylase.
C) Elevated CK-MB.
D) Elevated hematocrit. - correct answer✔✔C
A splint is prescribed for nighttime use by a client with rheumatoid arthritis.
Which statement by the nurse provides the most accurate explanation for
use of the splints?
A) Prevention of deformities.
B) Avoidance of joint trauma.
C) Relief of joint inflammation.
D) Improvement in joint strength. - correct answer✔✔A
The nurse should be correct in withholding a dose of digoxin in a client with
congestive heart failure without specific instruction from the healthcare
provider if the client's
A) serum digoxin level is 1.5.
B) blood pressure is 104/68.
C) serum potassium level is 3.
D) apical pulse is 68/min. - correct answer✔✔C
During CPR, when attempting to ventilate a client's lungs, the nurse notes
that the chest is not moving. What action should the nurse take first?
A) Use a laryngoscope to check for a foreign body lodged in the esophagus.
B) Reposition the head to validate that the head is in the proper position
to open the airway.
C) Turn the client to the side and administer three back blows.
D) Perform a finger sweep of the mouth to remove any vomitus. - correct
answer✔✔B
Despite several eye surgeries, a 78-year-old client who lives alone has
persistent vision problems. The visiting nurse is discussing painting the
house with the client. The nurse suggests that the edge of the steps should
be painted which color?
A) Black.
B) White.
C) Light green.
D) Medium yellow. - correct answer✔✔D
,The nurse is assessing a client with bacterial meningitis. Which assessment
finding indicates the client may have developed septic emboli?
A) Cyanosis of the fingertips.
B) Bradycardia and bradypnea.
C) Presence of S3 and S4 heart sounds.
D) 3+ pitting edema of the lower extremities. - correct answer✔✔A
In assessing a client diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism, the nurse
expects the laboratory test results to indicate a decreased serum level of
which substance?
A) Sodium.
B) Antidiuretic hormone.
C) Potassium.
D) Glucose. - correct answer✔✔C
A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing polyphagia. Which outcome
statement is the priority for this client?
A) Fluid and electrolyte balance.
B) Prevention of water toxicity.
C) Reduced glucose in the urine.
D) Adequate cellular nourishment. - correct answer✔✔D
Based on the analysis of the client's atrial fibrillation, the nurse should prepare
the client for which treatment protocol?
A) Diuretic therapy.
B) Pacemaker implantation.
C) Anticoagulation therapy.
D) Cardiac catheterization. - correct answer✔✔C
Which information about mammograms is most important to provide a post-
menopausal female client?
A) Breast self-examinations are not needed if annual mammograms are
obtained.
B) Radiation exposure is minimized by shielding the abdomen with a lead-
lined apron.
C) Yearly mammograms should be done regardless of previous normal x-rays.
D) Women at high risk should have annual routine and ultrasound
mammograms. - correct answer✔✔C
In assessing cancer risk, the nurse identifies which woman as being at greatest
risk of developing breast cancer?
A) A 35-year-old multipara who never breastfed.
B) A 50-year-old whose mother had unilateral breast cancer.
C) A 55-year-old whose mother-in-law had bilateral breast cancer.
D) A 20-year-old whose menarche occurred at age 9. - correct answer✔✔B
A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of symptoms,
including paresthesias, diplopia, and nystagmus. Which instruction should
the nurse provide?
A) Stay out of direct sunlight.
, B) Restrict intake of high protein foods.
C) Schedule extra rest periods.
D) Go to the emergency room immediately. - correct answer✔✔C
Which reaction should the nurse identify in a client who is responding to
stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system?
A) Pupil constriction.
B) Increased heart rate.
C) Bronchial constriction.
D) Decreased blood pressure. - correct answer✔✔B
A client receiving cholestyramine (Questran) for hyperlipidemia should be
evaluated for what vitamin deficiency?
A) K.
B) B12.
C) B6.
D) C. - correct answer✔✔A
The nurse is caring for a client with a stroke resulting in right-sided paresis and
aphasia. The client attempts to use the left hand for feeding and other self-
care activities. The spouse becomes frustrated and insists on doing
everything for the client. Based on this data, which nursing diagnosis should
the nurse document for this client?
A) Situational low self-esteem related to functional impairment and
change in role function.
B) Disabled family coping related to dissonant coping style of significant
person.
C) Interrupted family processes related to shift in health status of family
member.
D) Risk for ineffective therapeutic regimen management related to
complexity of care. - correct answer✔✔B
When teaching diaphragmatic breathing to a client with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), which information should the nurse provide?
A) Place a small book or magazine on the abdomen and make it rise
while inhaling deeply.
B) Purse the lips while inhaling as deeply as possible and then exhale through
the nose.
C) Wrap a towel around the abdomen and push against the towel while
forcefully exhaling.
D) Place one hand on the chest, one hand the abdomen and make both
hands move outward. - correct answer✔✔A
A middle-aged male client with diabetes continues to eat an abundance of
foods that are high in sugar and fat. According to the Health Belief Model,
which event is most likely to increase the client's willingness to become
compliant with the prescribed diet?
A) He visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected
foot.
B) He is provided with the most current information about the dangers
