HESI Medical-Surgical V1 Exit Exam 2025
Expanded Study & Practice Guide
Independent preparation resource. The supplied Stuvia listing is a 26-page Q&A; document uploaded June 23, 2025, written for 2024/2025. Its
public preview says it contains 100 MCQs spanning cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, neurologic, endocrine, renal, musculoskeletal, integumentary,
perioperative, fluids/electrolytes and emergency nursing. ■cite■turn0view0■
This guide uses those public topic signals but does not reproduce the paid document or claim that its questions are actual HESI items. Some
preview rationales are oversimplified; this guide emphasizes clinical prioritization and safer evidence-based reasoning.
HESI Med-Surg V1 Exit Exam — Independent 2025 Study Guide Page 1
, 1. High-Yield HESI Strategy
Priority: airway/breathing/circulation → acute neurologic deterioration → severe pain with instability → complications → routine care. Look for
“first,” “priority,” “requires immediate action,” and “best response.” Always compare the patient's current finding with expected
postoperative/diagnostic findings.
2. Cardiovascular
Question: A client receiving reperfusion therapy for acute MI shows which finding suggesting successful reperfusion?
Choices: A. A B. Increasing chest pain C. B D. Resolution/improvement of ischemic ST-segment changes
Answer: C
Rationale: Worsening hypotension
Question: A client with heart failure receives IV furosemide. Which laboratory value requires close monitoring?
Choices: A. A B. Potassium C. B D. Chloride only
Answer: C
Rationale: Hemoglobin only
Question: A patient with atrial fibrillation takes warfarin. Which test reflects anticoagulant effect?
Choices: A. A B. INR C. B D. aPTT
Answer: C
Rationale: Troponin
Question: Which finding is most concerning in a patient with chest pain?
Choices: A. A B. Pain reproducible with palpation C. B D. Crushing pressure with diaphoresis and dyspnea
Answer: C
Rationale: Pain after a large meal that resolves
Question: A patient with acute pulmonary edema is severely dyspneic. Which action is priority?
Choices: A. A B. Lay flat C. B D. Position upright and support oxygenation while initiating urgent treatment
Answer: C
Rationale: Encourage oral fluids
Question: Which assessment supports peripheral arterial disease?
Choices: A. A B. Warm legs with bounding pulses C. B D. Diminished pulses and cool, pale extremities
Answer: C
Rationale: Bilateral dependent edema only
3. Respiratory
Question: A client with COPD is acutely dyspneic. Which position is generally helpful?
Choices: A. A B. Supine C. B D. High Fowler's/tripod positioning as tolerated
Answer: C
Rationale: Trendelenburg
Question: A client with pneumonia has a productive cough. Which intervention supports airway clearance?
Choices: A. A B. Suppress all coughing C. B D. Encourage coughing/deep breathing and appropriate hydration if not contraindicated
Answer: C
Rationale: Restrict fluids routinely
Question: Which finding suggests worsening respiratory failure?
HESI Med-Surg V1 Exit Exam — Independent 2025 Study Guide Page 2
Expanded Study & Practice Guide
Independent preparation resource. The supplied Stuvia listing is a 26-page Q&A; document uploaded June 23, 2025, written for 2024/2025. Its
public preview says it contains 100 MCQs spanning cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, neurologic, endocrine, renal, musculoskeletal, integumentary,
perioperative, fluids/electrolytes and emergency nursing. ■cite■turn0view0■
This guide uses those public topic signals but does not reproduce the paid document or claim that its questions are actual HESI items. Some
preview rationales are oversimplified; this guide emphasizes clinical prioritization and safer evidence-based reasoning.
HESI Med-Surg V1 Exit Exam — Independent 2025 Study Guide Page 1
, 1. High-Yield HESI Strategy
Priority: airway/breathing/circulation → acute neurologic deterioration → severe pain with instability → complications → routine care. Look for
“first,” “priority,” “requires immediate action,” and “best response.” Always compare the patient's current finding with expected
postoperative/diagnostic findings.
2. Cardiovascular
Question: A client receiving reperfusion therapy for acute MI shows which finding suggesting successful reperfusion?
Choices: A. A B. Increasing chest pain C. B D. Resolution/improvement of ischemic ST-segment changes
Answer: C
Rationale: Worsening hypotension
Question: A client with heart failure receives IV furosemide. Which laboratory value requires close monitoring?
Choices: A. A B. Potassium C. B D. Chloride only
Answer: C
Rationale: Hemoglobin only
Question: A patient with atrial fibrillation takes warfarin. Which test reflects anticoagulant effect?
Choices: A. A B. INR C. B D. aPTT
Answer: C
Rationale: Troponin
Question: Which finding is most concerning in a patient with chest pain?
Choices: A. A B. Pain reproducible with palpation C. B D. Crushing pressure with diaphoresis and dyspnea
Answer: C
Rationale: Pain after a large meal that resolves
Question: A patient with acute pulmonary edema is severely dyspneic. Which action is priority?
Choices: A. A B. Lay flat C. B D. Position upright and support oxygenation while initiating urgent treatment
Answer: C
Rationale: Encourage oral fluids
Question: Which assessment supports peripheral arterial disease?
Choices: A. A B. Warm legs with bounding pulses C. B D. Diminished pulses and cool, pale extremities
Answer: C
Rationale: Bilateral dependent edema only
3. Respiratory
Question: A client with COPD is acutely dyspneic. Which position is generally helpful?
Choices: A. A B. Supine C. B D. High Fowler's/tripod positioning as tolerated
Answer: C
Rationale: Trendelenburg
Question: A client with pneumonia has a productive cough. Which intervention supports airway clearance?
Choices: A. A B. Suppress all coughing C. B D. Encourage coughing/deep breathing and appropriate hydration if not contraindicated
Answer: C
Rationale: Restrict fluids routinely
Question: Which finding suggests worsening respiratory failure?
HESI Med-Surg V1 Exit Exam — Independent 2025 Study Guide Page 2
