2025/2026 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Evolve Elsevier HESI Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam | Comprehensive Q&A Resource: Covers
Adult Health, Critical Care, Fluid & Electrolytes, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, GI, Endocrine,
Renal, Neurology, Musculoskeletal, and Patient Education | 100% Correct Answers | Graded A+
| Clinical & NCLEX-Ready
Introduction
This updated 2025/2026 Evolve Elsevier HESI Med-Surg Exam package provides the most
accurate and fully verified questions with 100% correct answers. Includes priority nursing
interventions, patient-centered care strategies, pharmacology integration, and critical thinking
case-based questions. All answers are expert-verified, A+ graded, and ensure complete readiness
for both HESI and NCLEX success.
Answer Format
All correct answers are highlighted in bold and green, with rationales explaining nursing
priorities, reinforcing safe clinical practice, and building exam-level critical thinking skills.
Evolve Elsevier HESI Med-Surg Exam 2025/2026 (100 Questions)
Question 1: A patient with congestive heart failure (CHF) is experiencing dyspnea.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Encourage ambulation
C) Increase fluid intake
D) Apply a heating pad
A) Administer oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen therapy addresses hypoxia, the immediate threat in dyspnea from CHF.
Question 2: A patient with a new colostomy reports foul-smelling drainage. What
should the nurse do first?
A) Change the pouch immediately
B) Assess the stoma site for infection
C) Encourage oral intake
D) Administer pain medication
B) Assess the stoma site for infection
Rationale: Foul drainage may indicate infection, requiring assessment before intervention.
,Question 3: A patient with type 1 diabetes has a blood glucose of 55 mg/dL. What is
the priority action?
A) Administer insulin
B) Provide a carbohydrate snack
C) Recheck in 1 hour
D) Notify the provider
B) Provide a carbohydrate snack
Rationale: A quick carbohydrate source treats hypoglycemia immediately.
Question 4: A patient post-thyroidectomy has stridor. What is the priority
intervention?
A) Position the patient upright
B) Administer pain medication
C) Encourage coughing
D) Apply ice to the neck
A) Position the patient upright
Rationale: Upright positioning eases breathing in airway obstruction.
Question 5: A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a
PaO2 of 55 mmHg. What is the appropriate oxygen flow rate?
A) 6 L/min
B) 1-2 L/min
C) 4 L/min
D) 8 L/min
B) 1-2 L/min
Rationale: Low-flow oxygen prevents CO2 retention in COPD.
Question 6: A patient with a fractured hip is on bed rest. What is the priority to
prevent complications?
A) Turn every 2 hours
B) Administer pain medication
C) Encourage deep breathing
D) Apply antiembolism stockings
A) Turn every 2 hours
Rationale: Turning prevents pressure ulcers.
Question 7: A patient with renal failure has a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. What is
the priority?
A) Administer kayexalate
B) Encourage fluids
C) Recheck in 4 hours
D) Administer insulin
A) Administer kayexalate
Rationale: Kayexalate lowers hyperkalemia by exchanging ions.
Question 8: A patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome has ascending paralysis. What
is the priority monitoring?
, A) Respiratory status
B) Blood pressure
C) Urine output
D) Temperature
A) Respiratory status
Rationale: Paralysis can compromise breathing.
Question 9: A patient with peptic ulcer disease is prescribed misoprostol. What
should the nurse teach?
A) Take with meals
B) Avoid NSAIDs
C) Expect diarrhea
D) Stop if bleeding occurs
B) Avoid NSAIDs
Rationale: Misoprostol protects the stomach lining from NSAIDs.
Question 10: A patient with Cushing’s syndrome has moon facies. What is the
underlying cause?
A) Hypercortisolism
B) Hypothyroidism
C) Hyperthyroidism
D) Adrenal insufficiency
A) Hypercortisolism
Rationale: Excess cortisol causes fat redistribution.
Question 11: A patient with sickle cell crisis has severe pain. What is the priority
intervention?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Hydrate and administer analgesics
C) Apply heat
D) Encourage ambulation
B) Hydrate and administer analgesics
Rationale: Hydration and pain control are key in vaso-occlusive crisis.
Question 12: A patient with myasthenia gravis has ptosis. What should the nurse
administer?
A) Pyridostigmine
B) Atropine
C) Epinephrine
D) Insulin
A) Pyridostigmine
Rationale: Pyridostigmine enhances acetylcholine for muscle strength.
Question 13: A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has
heartburn. What is the best position?
A) Supine
B) Semi-Fowler’s