HESI RN MED SURG VERSION A & VERSION B
2026 ACTUAL EXAM EACH EXAM CONTAINS
125 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS
The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires the
most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A.
The client's amylase level is three times higher than the normal level.
B.
The client has a carpal spasm when taking a blood pressure.
C.
On a 1 to 10 scale, the client tells the nurse that her epigastric pain is at 7.
D.
The client states that she will continue to drink alcohol after going home. -
{✔✔ RESOLUTION RESULT VERIFIED ✔✔}-B
The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires the
most immediate intervention by the nurse?
Rationale:A positive Trousseau sign indicates hypocalcemia and always requires
further assessment and intervention, regardless of the cause (40% to 75% of
those with acute pancreatitis experience hypocalcemia, which can have serious,
systemic effects). A key diagnostic finding of pancreatitis is serum amylase and
lipase levels that are two to five times higher than the normal value. Severe
,boring pain is an expected symptom for this diagnosis, but dealing with the
hypocalcemia is a priority over administering an analgesic. Long-term planning
and teaching do not have the same immediate importance as a positive
Trousseau sign.
An emaciated homeless client presents to the emergency department
complaining of a productive cough, with blood-tinged sputum and night sweats.
Which action is most important for the emergency department triage nurse to
take for this client? A.
Initiate airborne infection precautions.
B.
Place a surgical mask on the client.
C.
Don an isolation gown and latex gloves.
D.
Start protective (reverse) isolation precautions. - {✔✔ RESOLUTION RESULT
VERIFIED ✔✔}-A
Rationale:This client is exhibiting classic symptoms of tuberculosis (TB), and the
client is from a high-risk population for TB. Therefore, airborne infection
precautions, which are indicated for TB, should be used with this client. Option B
is used with droplet precautions. There is no evidence that option C or D would
be warranted at this time.
Which data would the nurse expect to find when reviewing laboratory values of
an 80-year-old who is in good health overall? A.
Complete blood count reveals increased white blood cell (WBC) and decreased
red blood cell (RBC) counts.
B.
,Chemistries reveal an increased serum bilirubin level with slightly increased liver
enzyme levels.
C.
Urinalysis reveals slight protein in the urine and bacteriuria, with pyuria.
D.
Serum electrolytes reveal a decreased sodium level and increased potassium
level. - {✔✔ RESOLUTION RESULT VERIFIED ✔✔}-C
Rationale:In older adults, the protein found in urine slightly rises, probably as a
result of kidney changes or subclinical urinary tract infections, and clients
frequently experience asymptomatic bacteriuria and pyuria as a result of
incomplete bladder emptying. Laboratory findings in options A, B, and D are not
considered to be normal findings in an older adult.
An older client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. Which
symptom should the nurse report to the health care provider after assessing the
client? A.
Leukocytosis and febrile
B.
Polycythemia and crackles
C.
Pharyngitis and sputum production
D.
Confusion and tachycardia - {✔✔ RESOLUTION RESULT VERIFIED ✔✔}-D
Rationale:The onset of pneumonia in the older client may be signaled by general
deterioration, confusion, increased heart rate, and/or increased respiratory rate.
Options A, B, and C are often absent in the older client with bacterial pneumonia.
, A 55-year-old male client has been admitted to the hospital with a medical
diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which risk factor
is the most significant in the development of this client's COPD? A.
The client's father was diagnosed with COPD in his 50s.
B.
A close family member contracted tuberculosis last year.
C.
The client smokes one to two packs of cigarettes per day.
D.
The client has been 40 pounds overweight for 15 years. - {✔✔ RESOLUTION
RESULT VERIFIED ✔✔}-
C
Rationale:Smoking, considered to be a modifiable risk factor, is the most
significant risk factor for the development of COPD. The exact mechanism of
genetic and hereditary implications for the development of COPD is still under
investigation, although exposure to similar predisposing factors (e.g., smoking or
inhaling secondhand smoke) may increase the likelihood of COPD incidence
among family members. Options B and D do not exceed the risks associated with
cigarette smoking in the development of COPD.
In assessing a client diagnosed with primary aldosteronism, the nurse expects the
laboratory test results to indicate a decreased serum level of which substance? A.
Sodium
B.
Phosphate
C.
2026 ACTUAL EXAM EACH EXAM CONTAINS
125 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS
The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires the
most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A.
The client's amylase level is three times higher than the normal level.
B.
The client has a carpal spasm when taking a blood pressure.
C.
On a 1 to 10 scale, the client tells the nurse that her epigastric pain is at 7.
D.
The client states that she will continue to drink alcohol after going home. -
{✔✔ RESOLUTION RESULT VERIFIED ✔✔}-B
The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires the
most immediate intervention by the nurse?
Rationale:A positive Trousseau sign indicates hypocalcemia and always requires
further assessment and intervention, regardless of the cause (40% to 75% of
those with acute pancreatitis experience hypocalcemia, which can have serious,
systemic effects). A key diagnostic finding of pancreatitis is serum amylase and
lipase levels that are two to five times higher than the normal value. Severe
,boring pain is an expected symptom for this diagnosis, but dealing with the
hypocalcemia is a priority over administering an analgesic. Long-term planning
and teaching do not have the same immediate importance as a positive
Trousseau sign.
An emaciated homeless client presents to the emergency department
complaining of a productive cough, with blood-tinged sputum and night sweats.
Which action is most important for the emergency department triage nurse to
take for this client? A.
Initiate airborne infection precautions.
B.
Place a surgical mask on the client.
C.
Don an isolation gown and latex gloves.
D.
Start protective (reverse) isolation precautions. - {✔✔ RESOLUTION RESULT
VERIFIED ✔✔}-A
Rationale:This client is exhibiting classic symptoms of tuberculosis (TB), and the
client is from a high-risk population for TB. Therefore, airborne infection
precautions, which are indicated for TB, should be used with this client. Option B
is used with droplet precautions. There is no evidence that option C or D would
be warranted at this time.
Which data would the nurse expect to find when reviewing laboratory values of
an 80-year-old who is in good health overall? A.
Complete blood count reveals increased white blood cell (WBC) and decreased
red blood cell (RBC) counts.
B.
,Chemistries reveal an increased serum bilirubin level with slightly increased liver
enzyme levels.
C.
Urinalysis reveals slight protein in the urine and bacteriuria, with pyuria.
D.
Serum electrolytes reveal a decreased sodium level and increased potassium
level. - {✔✔ RESOLUTION RESULT VERIFIED ✔✔}-C
Rationale:In older adults, the protein found in urine slightly rises, probably as a
result of kidney changes or subclinical urinary tract infections, and clients
frequently experience asymptomatic bacteriuria and pyuria as a result of
incomplete bladder emptying. Laboratory findings in options A, B, and D are not
considered to be normal findings in an older adult.
An older client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. Which
symptom should the nurse report to the health care provider after assessing the
client? A.
Leukocytosis and febrile
B.
Polycythemia and crackles
C.
Pharyngitis and sputum production
D.
Confusion and tachycardia - {✔✔ RESOLUTION RESULT VERIFIED ✔✔}-D
Rationale:The onset of pneumonia in the older client may be signaled by general
deterioration, confusion, increased heart rate, and/or increased respiratory rate.
Options A, B, and C are often absent in the older client with bacterial pneumonia.
, A 55-year-old male client has been admitted to the hospital with a medical
diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which risk factor
is the most significant in the development of this client's COPD? A.
The client's father was diagnosed with COPD in his 50s.
B.
A close family member contracted tuberculosis last year.
C.
The client smokes one to two packs of cigarettes per day.
D.
The client has been 40 pounds overweight for 15 years. - {✔✔ RESOLUTION
RESULT VERIFIED ✔✔}-
C
Rationale:Smoking, considered to be a modifiable risk factor, is the most
significant risk factor for the development of COPD. The exact mechanism of
genetic and hereditary implications for the development of COPD is still under
investigation, although exposure to similar predisposing factors (e.g., smoking or
inhaling secondhand smoke) may increase the likelihood of COPD incidence
among family members. Options B and D do not exceed the risks associated with
cigarette smoking in the development of COPD.
In assessing a client diagnosed with primary aldosteronism, the nurse expects the
laboratory test results to indicate a decreased serum level of which substance? A.
Sodium
B.
Phosphate
C.
