Evolve Elsevier HESI Med-Surg Test Bank — 100+
Practice Questions with WELL-DETAILED Answers &
Rationales/ALREADY A GRADED
-4-13.
, Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1–25)
1. The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which signs and symptoms should the nurse describe when teaching the client about
hypoglycemia?
A) Sweating, trembling, tachycardia
B) Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia
C) Nausea, vomiting, anorexia
D) Fruity breath, tachypnea, chest pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sweating, trembling, and tachycardia are classic adrenergic signs of hypoglycemia caused by
epinephrine release when blood glucose drops below 70 mg/dL. Option B represents hyperglycemia.
Option D represents diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) -1.
2. A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is admitted to the telemetry unit with sudden
onset of shortness of breath. The nurse observes a new irregular heart rhythm. Which assessment
should the nurse perform first?
A) Check for a pulse deficit
B) Palpate the apical impulse
C) Inspect jugular vein pulse
D) Examine for a carotid bruit
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A pulse deficit occurs when the apical pulse is greater than the radial pulse, a common finding
in atrial fibrillation. This assessment helps determine the effectiveness of cardiac output -2.
3. A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with dyspnea on exertion,
orthopnea, and peripheral edema. On auscultation, the nurse notes an S3 gallop. Which is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Right-sided heart failure
B) Left-sided heart failure
C) Pericarditis
D) Myocarditis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure presents with dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea, and an S3 gallop. The
S3 heart sound is a hallmark of decreased left ventricular compliance -2.
4. A client with heart failure has a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 20%. What is the
primary classification of heart failure in this patient?
A) HFpEF
B) HFrEF
C) HFmrEF
D) HFpEF with preserved LVEF
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HFrEF (Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is characterized by an LVEF ≤ 40% -6.
, 5. A client with stable angina experiences chest pain that does not resolve after taking three
nitroglycerin tablets. What should the nurse advise?
A) Continue taking nitroglycerin every 5 minutes
B) Drive to the nearest hospital immediately
C) Chew a tablet of aspirin 325 mg while waiting for emergency services
D) Call a friend for assistance instead of emergency services
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If chest pain persists after 3 nitroglycerin tablets, the client should chew aspirin and call
emergency services. Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and reduces mortality in acute coronary
syndrome -7.
6. A male client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin and furosemide. Which finding
suggests digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate 62 bpm
B) Anorexia and nausea
C) Pedal edema 1+
D) Dry cough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anorexia and nausea are early signs of digoxin toxicity. Furosemide-induced hypokalemia
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity -7.
7. The nurse is assessing a client with peripheral vascular disease who reports calf pain during
exercise that disappears at rest. Which finding requires further evaluation?
Practice Questions with WELL-DETAILED Answers &
Rationales/ALREADY A GRADED
-4-13.
, Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1–25)
1. The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which signs and symptoms should the nurse describe when teaching the client about
hypoglycemia?
A) Sweating, trembling, tachycardia
B) Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia
C) Nausea, vomiting, anorexia
D) Fruity breath, tachypnea, chest pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sweating, trembling, and tachycardia are classic adrenergic signs of hypoglycemia caused by
epinephrine release when blood glucose drops below 70 mg/dL. Option B represents hyperglycemia.
Option D represents diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) -1.
2. A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is admitted to the telemetry unit with sudden
onset of shortness of breath. The nurse observes a new irregular heart rhythm. Which assessment
should the nurse perform first?
A) Check for a pulse deficit
B) Palpate the apical impulse
C) Inspect jugular vein pulse
D) Examine for a carotid bruit
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A pulse deficit occurs when the apical pulse is greater than the radial pulse, a common finding
in atrial fibrillation. This assessment helps determine the effectiveness of cardiac output -2.
3. A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with dyspnea on exertion,
orthopnea, and peripheral edema. On auscultation, the nurse notes an S3 gallop. Which is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Right-sided heart failure
B) Left-sided heart failure
C) Pericarditis
D) Myocarditis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure presents with dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea, and an S3 gallop. The
S3 heart sound is a hallmark of decreased left ventricular compliance -2.
4. A client with heart failure has a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 20%. What is the
primary classification of heart failure in this patient?
A) HFpEF
B) HFrEF
C) HFmrEF
D) HFpEF with preserved LVEF
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HFrEF (Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is characterized by an LVEF ≤ 40% -6.
, 5. A client with stable angina experiences chest pain that does not resolve after taking three
nitroglycerin tablets. What should the nurse advise?
A) Continue taking nitroglycerin every 5 minutes
B) Drive to the nearest hospital immediately
C) Chew a tablet of aspirin 325 mg while waiting for emergency services
D) Call a friend for assistance instead of emergency services
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If chest pain persists after 3 nitroglycerin tablets, the client should chew aspirin and call
emergency services. Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and reduces mortality in acute coronary
syndrome -7.
6. A male client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin and furosemide. Which finding
suggests digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate 62 bpm
B) Anorexia and nausea
C) Pedal edema 1+
D) Dry cough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anorexia and nausea are early signs of digoxin toxicity. Furosemide-induced hypokalemia
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity -7.
7. The nurse is assessing a client with peripheral vascular disease who reports calf pain during
exercise that disappears at rest. Which finding requires further evaluation?
