BSN HESI 266 Med Surg Exam | 2025/2026
Edition
Nightingale College | Real Exam Questions & Verified Answers | 100% Correct |
Graded A+
Introduction
This resource contains the latest, fully verified questions and answers from the BSN 266
Medical-Surgical HESI Exam administered at Nightingale College for the 2025/2026 cycle.
The material is designed to reflect the current exam blueprint, helping students succeed in
mastering Med Surg content with confidence and accuracy.
Answer Format
Correct answers are clearly indicated in bold and green for rapid, effective review.
Rationales are included to enhance learning and retention.
BSN 266 Med Surg HESI Exam | Version 2 (2025/2026 Edition)
Question 1
A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus reports blurred vision and frequent urination. What
should the nurse assess first?
A. Blood pressure
B. Blood glucose levels
C. Weight
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: Blood glucose levels
Rationale: Blurred vision and frequent urination are symptoms of hyperglycemia, requiring
immediate assessment of blood glucose levels.
Question 2
A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. What should the nurse teach?
A. Take at bedtime
B. Report signs of hyperkalemia
C. Increase sodium intake
D. Avoid calcium-rich foods
Answer: Report signs of hyperkalemia
,Rationale: Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, can cause hyperkalemia, requiring
monitoring for symptoms like muscle weakness.
Question 3
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reports increased shortness of
breath. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Administer a rescue inhaler
C. Obtain a peak flow reading
D. Position in high Fowler’s
Answer: Administer a rescue inhaler
Rationale: A rescue inhaler provides rapid bronchodilation for acute shortness of breath in
COPD.
Question 4
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed apixaban. What should the nurse teach?
A. Take with antacids
B. Report unusual bleeding
C. Avoid calcium supplements
D. Monitor blood glucose
Answer: Report unusual bleeding
Rationale: Apixaban increases bleeding risk, requiring monitoring for signs like bruising or
epistaxis.
Question 5
A client with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. What should the nurse teach?
A. Avoid live vaccines
B. Report signs of infection
C. Take with meals
D. Monitor blood pressure
Answer: Report signs of infection
Rationale: Methotrexate increases infection risk, requiring monitoring for symptoms like
fever or sore throat.
, Question 6
A client with a history of stroke reports difficulty swallowing. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Encourage oral feeding
B. Consult a speech therapist
C. Administer thickened liquids
D. Monitor for aspiration
Answer: Consult a speech therapist
Rationale: A speech therapist evaluates swallowing ability to prevent aspiration in clients
with stroke-related dysphagia.
Question 7
A client with chronic kidney disease reports leg cramps and fatigue. What should the nurse
assess first?
A. Blood glucose levels
B. Electrolyte levels
C. Blood pressure
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: Electrolyte levels
Rationale: Leg cramps and fatigue in CKD suggest electrolyte imbalances, such as
hypocalcemia or hyperkalemia.
Question 8
A client with heart failure is prescribed lisinopril. What should the nurse teach?
A. Take with meals
B. Report a dry cough
C. Avoid calcium supplements
D. Monitor blood glucose
Answer: Report a dry cough
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause a persistent dry cough, requiring reporting
to the provider.
Question 9
A client with COPD is prescribed budesonide. What should the nurse teach?
A. Use as a rescue inhaler
Edition
Nightingale College | Real Exam Questions & Verified Answers | 100% Correct |
Graded A+
Introduction
This resource contains the latest, fully verified questions and answers from the BSN 266
Medical-Surgical HESI Exam administered at Nightingale College for the 2025/2026 cycle.
The material is designed to reflect the current exam blueprint, helping students succeed in
mastering Med Surg content with confidence and accuracy.
Answer Format
Correct answers are clearly indicated in bold and green for rapid, effective review.
Rationales are included to enhance learning and retention.
BSN 266 Med Surg HESI Exam | Version 2 (2025/2026 Edition)
Question 1
A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus reports blurred vision and frequent urination. What
should the nurse assess first?
A. Blood pressure
B. Blood glucose levels
C. Weight
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: Blood glucose levels
Rationale: Blurred vision and frequent urination are symptoms of hyperglycemia, requiring
immediate assessment of blood glucose levels.
Question 2
A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. What should the nurse teach?
A. Take at bedtime
B. Report signs of hyperkalemia
C. Increase sodium intake
D. Avoid calcium-rich foods
Answer: Report signs of hyperkalemia
,Rationale: Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, can cause hyperkalemia, requiring
monitoring for symptoms like muscle weakness.
Question 3
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reports increased shortness of
breath. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Administer a rescue inhaler
C. Obtain a peak flow reading
D. Position in high Fowler’s
Answer: Administer a rescue inhaler
Rationale: A rescue inhaler provides rapid bronchodilation for acute shortness of breath in
COPD.
Question 4
A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed apixaban. What should the nurse teach?
A. Take with antacids
B. Report unusual bleeding
C. Avoid calcium supplements
D. Monitor blood glucose
Answer: Report unusual bleeding
Rationale: Apixaban increases bleeding risk, requiring monitoring for signs like bruising or
epistaxis.
Question 5
A client with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. What should the nurse teach?
A. Avoid live vaccines
B. Report signs of infection
C. Take with meals
D. Monitor blood pressure
Answer: Report signs of infection
Rationale: Methotrexate increases infection risk, requiring monitoring for symptoms like
fever or sore throat.
, Question 6
A client with a history of stroke reports difficulty swallowing. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Encourage oral feeding
B. Consult a speech therapist
C. Administer thickened liquids
D. Monitor for aspiration
Answer: Consult a speech therapist
Rationale: A speech therapist evaluates swallowing ability to prevent aspiration in clients
with stroke-related dysphagia.
Question 7
A client with chronic kidney disease reports leg cramps and fatigue. What should the nurse
assess first?
A. Blood glucose levels
B. Electrolyte levels
C. Blood pressure
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: Electrolyte levels
Rationale: Leg cramps and fatigue in CKD suggest electrolyte imbalances, such as
hypocalcemia or hyperkalemia.
Question 8
A client with heart failure is prescribed lisinopril. What should the nurse teach?
A. Take with meals
B. Report a dry cough
C. Avoid calcium supplements
D. Monitor blood glucose
Answer: Report a dry cough
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause a persistent dry cough, requiring reporting
to the provider.
Question 9
A client with COPD is prescribed budesonide. What should the nurse teach?
A. Use as a rescue inhaler
