HESI Med-Surg Exit Exam Questions and Answers
WITH RATIONALES | Comprehensive Medical-
Surgical Nursing Review | Latest Updated Version
2026–2027
THIS EXAM INCLUDES:
✔ 100+ HESI Med-Surg Exit Exam Practice Questions
✔ Verified Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales
✔ Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-Style Case Studies
✔ Prioritization and Delegation Questions
✔ Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) Questions
✔ High-Yield HESI and NCLEX Test-Taking Strategies
✔ Comprehensive Rationales for Every Question
✔ Updated Content for 2026–2027 Preparation
,HESI Med Surg Exit Exam
Question 1
While assessing a client with diabetes mellitus, the nurse observes an
absence of hair growth on the client's legs. What additional
assessment provides further data to support this finding?
A. Palpate for the presence of femoral pulses bilaterally.
B. Assess for the presence of a positive Homan's sign.
C. Observe the appearance of the skin on the client's legs.
D. Watch the client's posture and balance during ambulation.
Answer: C
Rationale: Signs of chronic arterial insufficiency include decreased hair
growth in the legs and feet, absent or decreased pedal pulses, infection in
the foot, poor wound healing, thickened nails, and a shiny appearance of
the skin. Femoral pulses should still be palpable in the diabetic with chronic
arterial insufficiency. A positive Homan's sign is an indicator of deep vein
thrombosis. Posture and balance would probably not be affected
significantly by chronic arterial insufficiency.
Question 2
,The healthcare provider prescribes 15 mg/kg of Streptomycin for an
infant weighing 4 pounds. The drug is diluted in 25 ml of D5W to run
over 8 hours. How much Streptomycin will the infant receive?
A. 9 mg
B. 18 mg
C. 27 mg
D. 36 mg
Answer: C
Rationale: 4 lbs / 2.2 = 1.8 kg. 1.8 × 15 = 27 mg. The dilution in 25 ml of
D5W is not relevant to the calculation requested.
Question 3
In assessing a client with preeclampsia who is receiving magnesium
sulfate, the nurse determines that her deep tendon reflexes are 1+;
respiratory rate is 12 breaths/minute; urinary output is 90 ml in 4
hours; magnesium sulfate level is 9 mg/dl. Based on these findings,
what intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Continue the magnesium sulfate infusion as prescribed.
B. Decrease the magnesium sulfate infusion by one-half.
C. Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion immediately.
D. Administer calcium gluconate immediately.
Answer: C
Rationale: The client is exhibiting symptoms of magnesium sulfate
toxicity—decreased reflexes (normal is +2), a low normal respiratory rate
, (normal is 12 to 20 breaths/min), a less than average urinary output (30
ml/hour is average), and a low magnesium sulfate level (normal is 4 to 8
mg/dl). Based on these findings, the nurse should stop the infusion.
Continuing is contraindicated. Decreasing would not fully alleviate the
toxicity symptoms. Calcium gluconate (the antagonist for magnesium
sulfate) would be indicated if the respiratory rate were less than 12
breaths/minute.
Question 4
A client is on a mechanical ventilator. Which client response indicates
that the neuromuscular blocker tubocurarine chloride (Tubarine) is
effective?
A. The client's extremities are paralyzed.
B. The peripheral nerve stimulator causes twitching.
C. The client clinches fist upon command.
D. The client's Glasgow Coma Scale score is 14.
Answer: A
Rationale: This medication causes paralysis following intravenous injection.
Peak effects persist for 35 to 60 minutes. Peripheral nerve stimulator
causing twitching and clinching fist would not be possible if the medication
is effective. The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to evaluate neurological status
and does not evaluate the effectiveness of this medication.
WITH RATIONALES | Comprehensive Medical-
Surgical Nursing Review | Latest Updated Version
2026–2027
THIS EXAM INCLUDES:
✔ 100+ HESI Med-Surg Exit Exam Practice Questions
✔ Verified Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales
✔ Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-Style Case Studies
✔ Prioritization and Delegation Questions
✔ Select-All-That-Apply (SATA) Questions
✔ High-Yield HESI and NCLEX Test-Taking Strategies
✔ Comprehensive Rationales for Every Question
✔ Updated Content for 2026–2027 Preparation
,HESI Med Surg Exit Exam
Question 1
While assessing a client with diabetes mellitus, the nurse observes an
absence of hair growth on the client's legs. What additional
assessment provides further data to support this finding?
A. Palpate for the presence of femoral pulses bilaterally.
B. Assess for the presence of a positive Homan's sign.
C. Observe the appearance of the skin on the client's legs.
D. Watch the client's posture and balance during ambulation.
Answer: C
Rationale: Signs of chronic arterial insufficiency include decreased hair
growth in the legs and feet, absent or decreased pedal pulses, infection in
the foot, poor wound healing, thickened nails, and a shiny appearance of
the skin. Femoral pulses should still be palpable in the diabetic with chronic
arterial insufficiency. A positive Homan's sign is an indicator of deep vein
thrombosis. Posture and balance would probably not be affected
significantly by chronic arterial insufficiency.
Question 2
,The healthcare provider prescribes 15 mg/kg of Streptomycin for an
infant weighing 4 pounds. The drug is diluted in 25 ml of D5W to run
over 8 hours. How much Streptomycin will the infant receive?
A. 9 mg
B. 18 mg
C. 27 mg
D. 36 mg
Answer: C
Rationale: 4 lbs / 2.2 = 1.8 kg. 1.8 × 15 = 27 mg. The dilution in 25 ml of
D5W is not relevant to the calculation requested.
Question 3
In assessing a client with preeclampsia who is receiving magnesium
sulfate, the nurse determines that her deep tendon reflexes are 1+;
respiratory rate is 12 breaths/minute; urinary output is 90 ml in 4
hours; magnesium sulfate level is 9 mg/dl. Based on these findings,
what intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Continue the magnesium sulfate infusion as prescribed.
B. Decrease the magnesium sulfate infusion by one-half.
C. Stop the magnesium sulfate infusion immediately.
D. Administer calcium gluconate immediately.
Answer: C
Rationale: The client is exhibiting symptoms of magnesium sulfate
toxicity—decreased reflexes (normal is +2), a low normal respiratory rate
, (normal is 12 to 20 breaths/min), a less than average urinary output (30
ml/hour is average), and a low magnesium sulfate level (normal is 4 to 8
mg/dl). Based on these findings, the nurse should stop the infusion.
Continuing is contraindicated. Decreasing would not fully alleviate the
toxicity symptoms. Calcium gluconate (the antagonist for magnesium
sulfate) would be indicated if the respiratory rate were less than 12
breaths/minute.
Question 4
A client is on a mechanical ventilator. Which client response indicates
that the neuromuscular blocker tubocurarine chloride (Tubarine) is
effective?
A. The client's extremities are paralyzed.
B. The peripheral nerve stimulator causes twitching.
C. The client clinches fist upon command.
D. The client's Glasgow Coma Scale score is 14.
Answer: A
Rationale: This medication causes paralysis following intravenous injection.
Peak effects persist for 35 to 60 minutes. Peripheral nerve stimulator
causing twitching and clinching fist would not be possible if the medication
is effective. The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to evaluate neurological status
and does not evaluate the effectiveness of this medication.
