,NSG 123 HESI Exam Medical-Surgical Nursing I Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 HERZING UNIVERSITY
Q1. Which action best demonstrates the nursing process during the
care of an acutely ill client?
A) Reassessing the client's response after an intervention
B) Completing all interventions before reassessing the client
C) Delegating assessment findings to unlicensed assistive personnel
D) Waiting until discharge to evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: A) Reassessing the client's response after an intervention
Rationale: Evaluation requires determining whether the client's response
indicates that the planned intervention was effective and whether the plan
should be continued or modified.
Q2. Which communication technique is most appropriate when a
client says, "I'm afraid my condition is getting worse"?
A) "You should try not to worry."
B) "Tell me more about what concerns you."
C) "Your laboratory results are probably normal."
D) "Many other clients have the same condition."
Correct Answer: B) "Tell me more about what concerns you."
Rationale: An open-ended response encourages the client to describe
concerns and feelings without prematurely interpreting or minimizing the
client's experience.
Q3. A nurse is coordinating discharge for a client with several
chronic conditions. Which action most directly supports continuity
of care?
A) Providing the client with written laboratory results only
B) Asking the family to arrange follow-up independently
C) Communicating the discharge plan to the receiving healthcare providers
D) Limiting discharge teaching to medication names
Correct Answer: C) Communicating the discharge plan to the receiving
healthcare providers
Rationale: Effective care transitions require communication of relevant
information so the next provider can safely continue the client's care.
Q4. Which activity is an example of evidence-based practice?
A) Using a procedure solely because it has always been done that way
B) Selecting an intervention based only on a colleague's preference
C) Following a tradition even when outcomes are poor
D) Integrating the best available evidence with clinical expertise and client
, needs
Correct Answer: D) Integrating the best available evidence with clinical
expertise and client needs
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines credible research evidence,
clinical expertise, and the client's values and circumstances.
Q5. Which action best reflects patient-centered care?
A) Developing goals without asking the client about preferences
B) Including the client's values and preferences when establishing the plan of
care
C) Allowing family members to make all decisions
D) Using the same plan for all clients with the same diagnosis
Correct Answer: B) Including the client's values and preferences when
establishing the plan of care
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects the individual client's preferences,
values, needs, and goals.
Q6. Which task is most appropriate for delegation to trained
assistive personnel for a stable client?
A) Determining whether a new symptom requires intervention
B) Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
C) Obtaining routine vital signs
D) Evaluating whether pain medication was effective
Correct Answer: C) Obtaining routine vital signs
Rationale: Routine data collection for a stable client can be delegated when
the task is within the person's training and the nurse retains responsibility for
interpretation and follow-up.
Q7. A client suddenly develops dyspnea and a drop in oxygen
saturation. What should the nurse do first?
A) Perform an immediate assessment of airway and breathing
B) Document the findings in the medical record
C) Contact the family
D) Begin discharge planning
Correct Answer: A) Perform an immediate assessment of airway and
breathing
Rationale: Acute deterioration requires immediate assessment of airway
and breathing because these threats can rapidly become life-threatening.
Q8. Which nursing action best supports quality improvement?
A) Ignoring minor variations in outcomes
B) Comparing current outcomes with established performance measures
Answers 2026/2027 HERZING UNIVERSITY
Q1. Which action best demonstrates the nursing process during the
care of an acutely ill client?
A) Reassessing the client's response after an intervention
B) Completing all interventions before reassessing the client
C) Delegating assessment findings to unlicensed assistive personnel
D) Waiting until discharge to evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: A) Reassessing the client's response after an intervention
Rationale: Evaluation requires determining whether the client's response
indicates that the planned intervention was effective and whether the plan
should be continued or modified.
Q2. Which communication technique is most appropriate when a
client says, "I'm afraid my condition is getting worse"?
A) "You should try not to worry."
B) "Tell me more about what concerns you."
C) "Your laboratory results are probably normal."
D) "Many other clients have the same condition."
Correct Answer: B) "Tell me more about what concerns you."
Rationale: An open-ended response encourages the client to describe
concerns and feelings without prematurely interpreting or minimizing the
client's experience.
Q3. A nurse is coordinating discharge for a client with several
chronic conditions. Which action most directly supports continuity
of care?
A) Providing the client with written laboratory results only
B) Asking the family to arrange follow-up independently
C) Communicating the discharge plan to the receiving healthcare providers
D) Limiting discharge teaching to medication names
Correct Answer: C) Communicating the discharge plan to the receiving
healthcare providers
Rationale: Effective care transitions require communication of relevant
information so the next provider can safely continue the client's care.
Q4. Which activity is an example of evidence-based practice?
A) Using a procedure solely because it has always been done that way
B) Selecting an intervention based only on a colleague's preference
C) Following a tradition even when outcomes are poor
D) Integrating the best available evidence with clinical expertise and client
, needs
Correct Answer: D) Integrating the best available evidence with clinical
expertise and client needs
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines credible research evidence,
clinical expertise, and the client's values and circumstances.
Q5. Which action best reflects patient-centered care?
A) Developing goals without asking the client about preferences
B) Including the client's values and preferences when establishing the plan of
care
C) Allowing family members to make all decisions
D) Using the same plan for all clients with the same diagnosis
Correct Answer: B) Including the client's values and preferences when
establishing the plan of care
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects the individual client's preferences,
values, needs, and goals.
Q6. Which task is most appropriate for delegation to trained
assistive personnel for a stable client?
A) Determining whether a new symptom requires intervention
B) Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
C) Obtaining routine vital signs
D) Evaluating whether pain medication was effective
Correct Answer: C) Obtaining routine vital signs
Rationale: Routine data collection for a stable client can be delegated when
the task is within the person's training and the nurse retains responsibility for
interpretation and follow-up.
Q7. A client suddenly develops dyspnea and a drop in oxygen
saturation. What should the nurse do first?
A) Perform an immediate assessment of airway and breathing
B) Document the findings in the medical record
C) Contact the family
D) Begin discharge planning
Correct Answer: A) Perform an immediate assessment of airway and
breathing
Rationale: Acute deterioration requires immediate assessment of airway
and breathing because these threats can rapidly become life-threatening.
Q8. Which nursing action best supports quality improvement?
A) Ignoring minor variations in outcomes
B) Comparing current outcomes with established performance measures
