HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM
PACK 2024 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. 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
Nancy's symptoms have been caused by a brain attack (stroke)?
A. A carotid bruit
B. A hypotensive blood pressure
C. Hyperreflexic deep tendon reflexes
D. Decreased bowel sounds
B. A hypotensive blood pressure.
2. 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.
,3. 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
B. Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT
scan.
4. 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 shellfish
C. Right hip replacement
D. History of atrial fibrillation
C. Right hip replacement.
5. A client's daughter is sitting by her mother's bedside who was recently transferred
to the Intermediate Care Unit. She states, "I don't understand what a brain attack is.
The healthcare provider told me my mother is in serious condition and they are
, going to run several tests. I just don't know what is going on. What happened to my
mother?" What is the best response by the nurse?
A. "I am sorry, but according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting
Act (HIPAA), I cannot give you any information."
B. "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
C. "How do you feel about what the healthcare provider said?"
D. "I will call the healthcare provider so he/she can talk to you about your mother's
serious condition."
B. "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
6. What is the normal range for cardiac output?
The normal range for cardiac output to ensure cerebral blood flow and
oxygen delivery is 4 to 8 L/min.
7. A client was admitted with the diagnosis of a brain attack. Their symptoms began
24 hours before being admitted. Why would this client not be a candidate for
thrombolytic therapy?
Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in clients with symptom onset longer
than 3 hours prior to admission. This client had symptoms for 24 hours before
being brought to the medical center.
, 8. What are plate guards?
Plate guards prevent food from being pushed off the plate. Using plate guards
and other assistive devices will encourage independence in a client with a self-
care deficit.
9. Which condition is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for a brain attack?
A. High cholesterol levels
B. Obesity
C. History of atrial fibrillation
D. Advanced age
D. Advanced age.
10.A client is experiencing homonymous hemianopsia as the result of a brain attack.
Which nursing intervention would the nurse implement to address this condition?
A. Turn Nancy every two hours and perform active range of motion exercises.
B. Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on the left side of
the table.
C. Speak slowly and clearly to assist Nancy in forming sounds to words.
D. Request that the dietary department thicken all liquids on Nancy's meal and
snack trays.
B. Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on the left side of
the table.
PACK 2024 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. 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
Nancy's symptoms have been caused by a brain attack (stroke)?
A. A carotid bruit
B. A hypotensive blood pressure
C. Hyperreflexic deep tendon reflexes
D. Decreased bowel sounds
B. A hypotensive blood pressure.
2. 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.
,3. 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
B. Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT
scan.
4. 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 shellfish
C. Right hip replacement
D. History of atrial fibrillation
C. Right hip replacement.
5. A client's daughter is sitting by her mother's bedside who was recently transferred
to the Intermediate Care Unit. She states, "I don't understand what a brain attack is.
The healthcare provider told me my mother is in serious condition and they are
, going to run several tests. I just don't know what is going on. What happened to my
mother?" What is the best response by the nurse?
A. "I am sorry, but according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting
Act (HIPAA), I cannot give you any information."
B. "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
C. "How do you feel about what the healthcare provider said?"
D. "I will call the healthcare provider so he/she can talk to you about your mother's
serious condition."
B. "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
6. What is the normal range for cardiac output?
The normal range for cardiac output to ensure cerebral blood flow and
oxygen delivery is 4 to 8 L/min.
7. A client was admitted with the diagnosis of a brain attack. Their symptoms began
24 hours before being admitted. Why would this client not be a candidate for
thrombolytic therapy?
Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in clients with symptom onset longer
than 3 hours prior to admission. This client had symptoms for 24 hours before
being brought to the medical center.
, 8. What are plate guards?
Plate guards prevent food from being pushed off the plate. Using plate guards
and other assistive devices will encourage independence in a client with a self-
care deficit.
9. Which condition is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for a brain attack?
A. High cholesterol levels
B. Obesity
C. History of atrial fibrillation
D. Advanced age
D. Advanced age.
10.A client is experiencing homonymous hemianopsia as the result of a brain attack.
Which nursing intervention would the nurse implement to address this condition?
A. Turn Nancy every two hours and perform active range of motion exercises.
B. Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on the left side of
the table.
C. Speak slowly and clearly to assist Nancy in forming sounds to words.
D. Request that the dietary department thicken all liquids on Nancy's meal and
snack trays.
B. Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on the left side of
the table.
