HESI MED SURG QUESTIONS & ANSWERS –
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE || 2025/2026 VERIFIED
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A || 100% PASS
GUARANTEED <LATEST VERSION>
Q1. A patient is admitted with unstable angina and is at risk for myocardial infarction.
During the first 24 hours, which nursing action is the most critical?
A. Provide a soft diet to avoid straining during meals
B. Administer supplemental oxygen as ordered
C. Assist with early ambulation to improve circulation
D. Give stool softeners to prevent Valsalva maneuver
Answer: B. Administer supplemental oxygen as ordered
Rationale: Maintaining oxygen delivery to the myocardium reduces workload and prevents
hypoxemia. Other measures are supportive but not the first priority.
Q2. A client with advanced COPD is placed on 2 L/min oxygen via nasal cannula. Which
change requires urgent intervention?
A. The client’s O₂ saturation improves from 86% to 91%
,B. Respiratory rate decreases from 24 to 20 breaths/min
C. The client becomes lethargic and difficult to awaken
D. The client reports a mild frontal headache
Answer: C. The client becomes lethargic and difficult to awaken
Rationale: Excess oxygen can suppress the hypoxic drive in COPD patients, causing CO₂
retention and narcosis.
Q3. A postoperative client develops sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and rapid pulse. The nurse
suspects a pulmonary embolism. What is the priority action?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen by non-rebreather mask
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Prepare for percussion and postural drainage
Answer: A. Administer high-flow oxygen by non-rebreather mask
Rationale: Oxygenation comes first. After stabilizing, the nurse calls the provider and
anticipates anticoagulation.
Q4. A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with confusion, polyuria, fruity-smelling breath,
and blood glucose of 520 mg/dL. Arterial blood gas shows pH 7.28, HCO₃ 18 mEq/L. Which
complication is most likely?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)
,C. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: DKA involves hyperglycemia, acidosis, and ketone buildup. HHS has minimal
ketones.
Q5. A patient with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal girth and pedal edema. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Restrict sodium intake
B. Elevate legs to reduce swelling
C. Record daily weights and measure abdominal girth
D. Increase protein in the diet
Answer: C. Record daily weights and measure abdominal girth
Rationale: Daily weights and girth best track ascites progression. Sodium restriction and
diuretics are also important, but monitoring fluid is key.
Q6. A diabetic patient becomes shaky, sweaty, and confused. Blood glucose is 46 mg/dL.
What is the immediate nursing action?
A. Provide 15 g of a rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Call the healthcare provider immediately
C. Administer the scheduled insulin dose
D. Offer a high-protein snack
, Answer: A. Provide 15 g of a rapid-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Hypoglycemia requires fast glucose replacement, such as juice or glucose
tablets.
Q7. A client prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for angina demonstrates understanding
with which statement?
A. “If the pain continues after one pill, I can repeat every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses.”
B. “I should swallow the tablet quickly with water.”
C. “I can keep taking tablets until the chest pain stops.”
D. “I should take the pill only with meals.”
Answer: A.
Rationale: Up to three tablets at 5-minute intervals is the maximum. If pain persists, call
emergency services.
Q8. A patient with Addison’s disease is admitted for weakness and weight loss. What is the
most important nursing action?
A. Administer corticosteroid therapy as prescribed
B. Restrict sodium intake in meals
C. Monitor for high blood sugar
D. Watch for signs of fluid retention
Answer: A. Administer corticosteroid therapy as prescribed
Rationale: Addison’s involves adrenal insufficiency; steroid replacement is life-saving.
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE || 2025/2026 VERIFIED
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A || 100% PASS
GUARANTEED <LATEST VERSION>
Q1. A patient is admitted with unstable angina and is at risk for myocardial infarction.
During the first 24 hours, which nursing action is the most critical?
A. Provide a soft diet to avoid straining during meals
B. Administer supplemental oxygen as ordered
C. Assist with early ambulation to improve circulation
D. Give stool softeners to prevent Valsalva maneuver
Answer: B. Administer supplemental oxygen as ordered
Rationale: Maintaining oxygen delivery to the myocardium reduces workload and prevents
hypoxemia. Other measures are supportive but not the first priority.
Q2. A client with advanced COPD is placed on 2 L/min oxygen via nasal cannula. Which
change requires urgent intervention?
A. The client’s O₂ saturation improves from 86% to 91%
,B. Respiratory rate decreases from 24 to 20 breaths/min
C. The client becomes lethargic and difficult to awaken
D. The client reports a mild frontal headache
Answer: C. The client becomes lethargic and difficult to awaken
Rationale: Excess oxygen can suppress the hypoxic drive in COPD patients, causing CO₂
retention and narcosis.
Q3. A postoperative client develops sudden dyspnea, chest pain, and rapid pulse. The nurse
suspects a pulmonary embolism. What is the priority action?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen by non-rebreather mask
B. Place the patient in high Fowler’s position
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Prepare for percussion and postural drainage
Answer: A. Administer high-flow oxygen by non-rebreather mask
Rationale: Oxygenation comes first. After stabilizing, the nurse calls the provider and
anticipates anticoagulation.
Q4. A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with confusion, polyuria, fruity-smelling breath,
and blood glucose of 520 mg/dL. Arterial blood gas shows pH 7.28, HCO₃ 18 mEq/L. Which
complication is most likely?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)
,C. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: DKA involves hyperglycemia, acidosis, and ketone buildup. HHS has minimal
ketones.
Q5. A patient with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal girth and pedal edema. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Restrict sodium intake
B. Elevate legs to reduce swelling
C. Record daily weights and measure abdominal girth
D. Increase protein in the diet
Answer: C. Record daily weights and measure abdominal girth
Rationale: Daily weights and girth best track ascites progression. Sodium restriction and
diuretics are also important, but monitoring fluid is key.
Q6. A diabetic patient becomes shaky, sweaty, and confused. Blood glucose is 46 mg/dL.
What is the immediate nursing action?
A. Provide 15 g of a rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Call the healthcare provider immediately
C. Administer the scheduled insulin dose
D. Offer a high-protein snack
, Answer: A. Provide 15 g of a rapid-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Hypoglycemia requires fast glucose replacement, such as juice or glucose
tablets.
Q7. A client prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for angina demonstrates understanding
with which statement?
A. “If the pain continues after one pill, I can repeat every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses.”
B. “I should swallow the tablet quickly with water.”
C. “I can keep taking tablets until the chest pain stops.”
D. “I should take the pill only with meals.”
Answer: A.
Rationale: Up to three tablets at 5-minute intervals is the maximum. If pain persists, call
emergency services.
Q8. A patient with Addison’s disease is admitted for weakness and weight loss. What is the
most important nursing action?
A. Administer corticosteroid therapy as prescribed
B. Restrict sodium intake in meals
C. Monitor for high blood sugar
D. Watch for signs of fluid retention
Answer: A. Administer corticosteroid therapy as prescribed
Rationale: Addison’s involves adrenal insufficiency; steroid replacement is life-saving.
