HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL
EXAM PACK 2026\2027
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
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 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,
,spatialperceptual 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.
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.
EXAM PACK 2026\2027
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
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 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,
,spatialperceptual 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.
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.
