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HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL FINAL EXAM
2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
An ER nurse is completing an assessment on a patient that
is alert but struggles to answer questions. When she
attempts to talk, she slurs her speech and appears very
frightened. What additional clinical manifestation does
the nurse expect to find if nacy's sysmptoms have been
caused by a brain attack (stroke)?
A. A carotid bruit
B. A hypotensive blood pressure
C. hyperreflexic deep tendon relexes.
D. Decreased bowel sounds >>correct answer >> A) A
carotid bruit.
Rationale: the carotid artery (artery to the brain) is
narrowed in clients with a brain attack. A bruit is an
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abnormal sound heard on auscultation resulting from
interference with normal blood flow. Usually the blood
pressure is hypertensive. Initially flaccid paralysis occurs,
resulting in hyporefkexic deep tendon reflexes. Bowel
sounds are not indicative of a brain attack.
Which clinical manifestation further supports an
assessment of a left-sided brain attack?
A) Visual field deficit on the left side.
B) Spatial-perceptual deficits.
C) Paresthesia of the left side.
D) Global aphasia.
D) Global aphasia. >>correct answer >> D) Global
aphasia.
Rationale: Global aphasia refers to difficulty speaking,
listening, and understanding, as well as difficulty reading
and writing. Symptoms vary from person to person.
Aphasia may occur secondary to any brain injury
involving the left hemisphere. Visual field deficits,
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spatial-perceptual deficits, and paresthsia of the left side
usually occur with right-sided brain attack.
When preparing a patient for a noncontrast computed
tomography (CT) scan STAT, what nursing intervention
should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has any allergies to iodine
B) Explain that the client will not be able to move her
head throughout the CT scan.
C) Premedicate the client to decrease pain prior to having
the procedure.
D) Provide an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to
the procedure. >>correct answer >> B) Explain that the
client will not be able to move her head throughout the
CT scan.
Rationale: Because head motion will distort the images,
Nancy will have to remain still throughout the procedure.
Allergies to iodine is important if contrast dye is being
used for the CT scan. Premedicating the client to decrease
pain prior to the procedure is unnecessary because CT
scanning is a noninvasive and painless procedure.
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Providing an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to
the procedure is a worthwhile intervention to decrease
anxiety but is not of highest priority.
A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) of the head STAT for a patient. Which data
warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning
this diagnostic test?
A) Elevated blood pressure.
B) Allergy to shell fish.
C) Right hip replacement.
D) History of atrial fibrillation. >>correct answer >> C)
Right hip replacement.
The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that
metal-containing items are strongly attracted to the
magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a lead
shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood
pressure, an allergy to shell fish, and a history of atrial
fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL FINAL EXAM
2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
An ER nurse is completing an assessment on a patient that
is alert but struggles to answer questions. When she
attempts to talk, she slurs her speech and appears very
frightened. What additional clinical manifestation does
the nurse expect to find if nacy's sysmptoms have been
caused by a brain attack (stroke)?
A. A carotid bruit
B. A hypotensive blood pressure
C. hyperreflexic deep tendon relexes.
D. Decreased bowel sounds >>correct answer >> A) A
carotid bruit.
Rationale: the carotid artery (artery to the brain) is
narrowed in clients with a brain attack. A bruit is an
,2|Page
abnormal sound heard on auscultation resulting from
interference with normal blood flow. Usually the blood
pressure is hypertensive. Initially flaccid paralysis occurs,
resulting in hyporefkexic deep tendon reflexes. Bowel
sounds are not indicative of a brain attack.
Which clinical manifestation further supports an
assessment of a left-sided brain attack?
A) Visual field deficit on the left side.
B) Spatial-perceptual deficits.
C) Paresthesia of the left side.
D) Global aphasia.
D) Global aphasia. >>correct answer >> D) Global
aphasia.
Rationale: Global aphasia refers to difficulty speaking,
listening, and understanding, as well as difficulty reading
and writing. Symptoms vary from person to person.
Aphasia may occur secondary to any brain injury
involving the left hemisphere. Visual field deficits,
,3|Page
spatial-perceptual deficits, and paresthsia of the left side
usually occur with right-sided brain attack.
When preparing a patient for a noncontrast computed
tomography (CT) scan STAT, what nursing intervention
should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has any allergies to iodine
B) Explain that the client will not be able to move her
head throughout the CT scan.
C) Premedicate the client to decrease pain prior to having
the procedure.
D) Provide an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to
the procedure. >>correct answer >> B) Explain that the
client will not be able to move her head throughout the
CT scan.
Rationale: Because head motion will distort the images,
Nancy will have to remain still throughout the procedure.
Allergies to iodine is important if contrast dye is being
used for the CT scan. Premedicating the client to decrease
pain prior to the procedure is unnecessary because CT
scanning is a noninvasive and painless procedure.
, 4|Page
Providing an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to
the procedure is a worthwhile intervention to decrease
anxiety but is not of highest priority.
A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) of the head STAT for a patient. Which data
warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning
this diagnostic test?
A) Elevated blood pressure.
B) Allergy to shell fish.
C) Right hip replacement.
D) History of atrial fibrillation. >>correct answer >> C)
Right hip replacement.
The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that
metal-containing items are strongly attracted to the
magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a lead
shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood
pressure, an allergy to shell fish, and a history of atrial
fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
