1
HESI MED SURG EXAM, NEWEST UPDATE 2024-
2025 COMPLETE 200 ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED) RATED A+
The nurse is assigned to care for a patient who has anxiety and an exacerbation of
asthma. Which of the following is the primary reason for the nurse to carefully inspect
the chest wall of this patient?
A. Observe for signs of diaphoresis
B. Allow time to calm the patient
C. Monitor the patient for bilateral chest expansion
D. Evaluate the use of intercostal muscles - ANSWER - D. Evaluate the use of
intercostal muscles The nurse physically inspects the chest wall to evaluate the use
of intercostal (accessory) muscles, which gives an indication of the degree of
respiratory distress experienced by the patient.
Which of the following positions is most appropriate for the nurse to place a patient
experiencing an asthma exacerbation?
A. Supine
B. Lithotomy
C. High-Fowler's
D. Reverse Trendelenburg - ANSWER - C. High-Fowler's The patient experiencing an
asthma attack should be placed in high-Fowler's position to allow for optimal chest
expansion and enlist the aid of gravity during inspiration.
The nurse is caring for a patient with an acute exacerbation of asthma. Following initial
treatment, which of the following findings indicates to the nurse that the patient's
respiratory status is improving?
pg. 1
, 2
A. Wheezing becomes louder
B. Vesicular breath sounds decrease
C. Aerosol bronchodilators stimulate coughing
D. The cough remains nonproductive - ANSWER - A. Wheezing becomes louder The
primary problem during an exacerbation of asthma is narrowing of the airway and
subsequent diminished air exchange. As the airways begin to dilate, wheezing gets
louder because of better air exchange.
The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis of activity intolerance for a patient with
asthma. The nurse assesses for which of the following etiologic factor for this nursing
diagnosis in patients with asthma?
A. Anxiety and restlessness
B. Effects of medications
C. Fear of suffocation
D. Work of breathing - ANSWER - D. Work of breathing When the patient does not have
sufficient gas exchange to engage in activity, the etiologic factor is often the work of
breathing. When patients with asthma do not have effective respirations, they use all
available energy to breathe and have little left over for purposeful activity.
The nurse is assigned to care for a patient in the emergency department admitted with
an exacerbation of asthma. The patient has received a β-adrenergic bronchodilator and
supplemental oxygen. If the patient's condition does not improve, the nurse should
anticipate which of the following is likely to be the next step in treatment?
A. Pulmonary function testing
B. Systemic corticosteroids
C. Biofeedback therapy
D. Intravenous fluids - ANSWER - B. Systemic corticosteroids Systemic corticosteroids
speed the resolution of asthma exacerbations and are indicated if the initial response
to the β-adrenergic bronchodilator is insufficient.
pg. 2
, 3
The nurse is scheduled to give a dose of ipratropium bromide by metered dose inhaler.
The nurse would administer the right drug by selecting the inhaler with which of the
following trade names?
A. Vanceril
B. Pulmicort
C. AeroBid
D. Atrovent - ANSWER - D. Atrovent The trade or brand name for ipratropium bromide,
an anticholinergic medication, is Atrovent.
The patient has an order for albuterol 5 mg via nebulizer. Available is a solution
containing 2 mg/ml.
How many milliliters should the nurse use to prepare the patient's dose?
A. 0.2
B. 2.5
C. 3.75
D. 5.0 - ANSWER - B. 2.5
When planning patient teaching about emphysema, the nurse understands that the
symptoms of emphysema are caused by which of the following?
A. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells in the bronchi
B. Collapse and hypoventilation of the terminal respiratory unit
C. An overproduction of the antiprotease alpha1-antitrypsin
D. Hyperinflation of alveoli and destruction of alveolar walls - ANSWER - D.
Hyperinflation of alveoli and destruction of alveolar walls In emphysema, there are
structural changes that include hyperinflation of alveoli, destruction of alveolar walls,
destruction of alveolar capillary walls, narrowing of small airways, and loss of lung
elasticity.
The patient has an order for albuterol 5 mg via nebulizer. Available is a solution
containing 1 mg/ml. How many milliliters should the nurse use to prepare the patient's
dose?
pg. 3
, 4
A. 0.2
B. 2.5
C. 3.75
D. 5.0 - ANSWER - D. 5.0
The nurse evaluates that nursing interventions to promote airway clearance in a patient
admitted with COPD are successful based on which of the following findings?
A. Absence of dyspnea
B. Improved mental status
C. Effective and productive coughing
D. PaO2 within normal range for the patient - ANSWER - C. Effective and productive
coughing The issue of the question is airway clearance, which is most directly
evaluated as successful if the patient can engage in effective and productive
coughing.
A patient with acute exacerbation of COPD needs to receive precise amounts of
oxygen. Which of the following types of equipment should the nurse prepare to use?
A. Venturi mask
B. Partial non-rebreather mask
C. Oxygen tent
D. Nasal cannula - ANSWER - A. Venturi mask The Venturi mask delivers precise
concentrations of oxygen and should be selected whenever this is a priority concern.
The other methods are less precise in terms of amount of oxygen delivered.
While teaching a patient with asthma about the appropriate use of a peak flow meter,
the nurse instructs the patient to do which of the following?
A. Use the flow meter each morning after taking medications to evaluate their
effectiveness.
B. Empty the lungs and then inhale quickly through the mouthpiece to measure how fast
air can be inhaled.
pg. 4
HESI MED SURG EXAM, NEWEST UPDATE 2024-
2025 COMPLETE 200 ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED) RATED A+
The nurse is assigned to care for a patient who has anxiety and an exacerbation of
asthma. Which of the following is the primary reason for the nurse to carefully inspect
the chest wall of this patient?
A. Observe for signs of diaphoresis
B. Allow time to calm the patient
C. Monitor the patient for bilateral chest expansion
D. Evaluate the use of intercostal muscles - ANSWER - D. Evaluate the use of
intercostal muscles The nurse physically inspects the chest wall to evaluate the use
of intercostal (accessory) muscles, which gives an indication of the degree of
respiratory distress experienced by the patient.
Which of the following positions is most appropriate for the nurse to place a patient
experiencing an asthma exacerbation?
A. Supine
B. Lithotomy
C. High-Fowler's
D. Reverse Trendelenburg - ANSWER - C. High-Fowler's The patient experiencing an
asthma attack should be placed in high-Fowler's position to allow for optimal chest
expansion and enlist the aid of gravity during inspiration.
The nurse is caring for a patient with an acute exacerbation of asthma. Following initial
treatment, which of the following findings indicates to the nurse that the patient's
respiratory status is improving?
pg. 1
, 2
A. Wheezing becomes louder
B. Vesicular breath sounds decrease
C. Aerosol bronchodilators stimulate coughing
D. The cough remains nonproductive - ANSWER - A. Wheezing becomes louder The
primary problem during an exacerbation of asthma is narrowing of the airway and
subsequent diminished air exchange. As the airways begin to dilate, wheezing gets
louder because of better air exchange.
The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis of activity intolerance for a patient with
asthma. The nurse assesses for which of the following etiologic factor for this nursing
diagnosis in patients with asthma?
A. Anxiety and restlessness
B. Effects of medications
C. Fear of suffocation
D. Work of breathing - ANSWER - D. Work of breathing When the patient does not have
sufficient gas exchange to engage in activity, the etiologic factor is often the work of
breathing. When patients with asthma do not have effective respirations, they use all
available energy to breathe and have little left over for purposeful activity.
The nurse is assigned to care for a patient in the emergency department admitted with
an exacerbation of asthma. The patient has received a β-adrenergic bronchodilator and
supplemental oxygen. If the patient's condition does not improve, the nurse should
anticipate which of the following is likely to be the next step in treatment?
A. Pulmonary function testing
B. Systemic corticosteroids
C. Biofeedback therapy
D. Intravenous fluids - ANSWER - B. Systemic corticosteroids Systemic corticosteroids
speed the resolution of asthma exacerbations and are indicated if the initial response
to the β-adrenergic bronchodilator is insufficient.
pg. 2
, 3
The nurse is scheduled to give a dose of ipratropium bromide by metered dose inhaler.
The nurse would administer the right drug by selecting the inhaler with which of the
following trade names?
A. Vanceril
B. Pulmicort
C. AeroBid
D. Atrovent - ANSWER - D. Atrovent The trade or brand name for ipratropium bromide,
an anticholinergic medication, is Atrovent.
The patient has an order for albuterol 5 mg via nebulizer. Available is a solution
containing 2 mg/ml.
How many milliliters should the nurse use to prepare the patient's dose?
A. 0.2
B. 2.5
C. 3.75
D. 5.0 - ANSWER - B. 2.5
When planning patient teaching about emphysema, the nurse understands that the
symptoms of emphysema are caused by which of the following?
A. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of goblet cells in the bronchi
B. Collapse and hypoventilation of the terminal respiratory unit
C. An overproduction of the antiprotease alpha1-antitrypsin
D. Hyperinflation of alveoli and destruction of alveolar walls - ANSWER - D.
Hyperinflation of alveoli and destruction of alveolar walls In emphysema, there are
structural changes that include hyperinflation of alveoli, destruction of alveolar walls,
destruction of alveolar capillary walls, narrowing of small airways, and loss of lung
elasticity.
The patient has an order for albuterol 5 mg via nebulizer. Available is a solution
containing 1 mg/ml. How many milliliters should the nurse use to prepare the patient's
dose?
pg. 3
, 4
A. 0.2
B. 2.5
C. 3.75
D. 5.0 - ANSWER - D. 5.0
The nurse evaluates that nursing interventions to promote airway clearance in a patient
admitted with COPD are successful based on which of the following findings?
A. Absence of dyspnea
B. Improved mental status
C. Effective and productive coughing
D. PaO2 within normal range for the patient - ANSWER - C. Effective and productive
coughing The issue of the question is airway clearance, which is most directly
evaluated as successful if the patient can engage in effective and productive
coughing.
A patient with acute exacerbation of COPD needs to receive precise amounts of
oxygen. Which of the following types of equipment should the nurse prepare to use?
A. Venturi mask
B. Partial non-rebreather mask
C. Oxygen tent
D. Nasal cannula - ANSWER - A. Venturi mask The Venturi mask delivers precise
concentrations of oxygen and should be selected whenever this is a priority concern.
The other methods are less precise in terms of amount of oxygen delivered.
While teaching a patient with asthma about the appropriate use of a peak flow meter,
the nurse instructs the patient to do which of the following?
A. Use the flow meter each morning after taking medications to evaluate their
effectiveness.
B. Empty the lungs and then inhale quickly through the mouthpiece to measure how fast
air can be inhaled.
pg. 4
