HESI MEDSURG Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
Medsurg HESI Questions with Detailed Verified Answers
A 73 year old patient with end stage cancer is in the hospital for pain control and
rates pain at a "12" on the numeric rating scale of 0 to 10. What is the appropriate
method of pain control for this patient?
A. Alternate acetaminophen & ibuprofen
B. Only give PO medications on a scheduled basis
C. Alternate IV & IM medications A client on telemetry has a pattern of uncontrolled
atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. Based on this finding, the nurse
anticipates assisting the physician with which treatment? Ans: A. Administer lidocaine,
75 mg intravenous push.
B. Perform synchronized cardioversion.
C. Defibrillate the client as soon as possible.
D. Administer atropine, 0.4 mg intravenous push
Answer: B
Rationale: With uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, the treatment of choice is synchronized
cardioversion to convert the cardiac rhythm back to normal sinus rhythm. Option A is
a medication used for ventricular dysrhythmias. Option C is not for a client with atrial
fibrillation; it is reserved for clients with life-threatening dysrhythmias, such as
ventricular fibrillation and unstable ventricular tachycardia. Option D is the drug of
choice in symptomatic sinus bradycardia, not atrial fibrillation.
,A practical nurse (PN) tells the charge nurse in a long-term facility that she does not
want to be assigned to one particular resident. She reports that the male client keeps
insisting that she is his daughter and begs her to stay in his room. What is the best
managerial decision? Ans: A. Notify the family that the resident will have to be
discharged if his behavior does not improve.
B. Notify the administration of the PN's insubordination and need for counseling about
her statements.
C. Ask the PN what she has done to encourage the resident to believe she is his
daughter.
D. Reassign the PN until the resident can be assessed more completely for reality
orientation.
Answer: D
Rationale: Temporary reassignment is the best option until the resident can be
examined and his medications reviewed. He may have worsening cerebral dysfunction
from an infection or electrolyte imbalance. Option A is not the best option because
the family cannot control the resident's actions. The administration may need to know
about the situation, but not as a case of insubordination. Implying that the PN is
somehow creating the situation is inappropriate until a further evaluation has been
conducted.
Client census is often used to determine staffing needs. Which method of obtaining
census determination for a particular unit provides the best formula for determining
long-range staffing patterns? Ans: A. Midnight census
B. Oncoming shift census
C. Average daily census
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
,D. Hourly census
Answer: C
Rationale: An average daily census is determined by trend data and takes into account
seasonal and daily fluctuations, so it is the best method for determining staffing needs.
Options A and B provide data at a certain point in time, and that data could change
quickly. It is unrealistic to expect to obtain an hourly census, and such data would only
provide information about a certain point in time.
The nurse is counseling a healthy 30-year-old female client regarding osteoporosis
prevention. Which activity would be most beneficial in achieving the client's goal of
osteoporosis prevention? Ans: A. Cross-country skiing
B. Scuba diving
C. Horseback riding
D. Kayaking
Answer: A
Weight-bearing exercise is an important measure to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Of the activities listed, cross-country skiing includes the most weight-bearing, whereas
options B, C, and D involve less.
Which condition should the nurse anticipate as a potential problem in a female client
with a neurogenic bladder? Ans: A. Stress incontinence
B. Infection
C. Painless gross hematuria
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
, D. Peritonitis
Answer: B
Rationale: Infection is the major complication resulting from the stasis of urine and
subsequent catheterization. Option A is the involuntary loss of urine through an intact
urethra as a result of a sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Option C is the
most common symptom of bladder cancer. Option D is the most common and serious
complication of peritoneal dialysis.
A client is being discharged following radioactive seed implantation for prostate cancer.
What is the most important information that the nurse should provide to this client's
family? Ans: A. Follow exposure precautions.
B. Encourage regular meals.
C. Collect all urine.
D. Avoid touching the client.
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients being treated for prostate cancer with radioactive seed implants
should be instructed regarding the amount of time and distance needed to prevent
excessive exposure that would pose a hazard to others. Option B is a good suggestion
to promote adequate nutrition but is not as important as option A. Option C is
unnecessary. Contact with the client is permitted but should be brief to limit radiation
exposure.
In assessing a client with an arteriovenous (AV) shunt who is scheduled for dialysis
today, the nurse notes the absence of a thrill or bruit at the shunt site. What action
should the nurse take? Ans: A. Advise the client that the shunt is intact and ready for
dialysis as scheduled.
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
Answers
Medsurg HESI Questions with Detailed Verified Answers
A 73 year old patient with end stage cancer is in the hospital for pain control and
rates pain at a "12" on the numeric rating scale of 0 to 10. What is the appropriate
method of pain control for this patient?
A. Alternate acetaminophen & ibuprofen
B. Only give PO medications on a scheduled basis
C. Alternate IV & IM medications A client on telemetry has a pattern of uncontrolled
atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. Based on this finding, the nurse
anticipates assisting the physician with which treatment? Ans: A. Administer lidocaine,
75 mg intravenous push.
B. Perform synchronized cardioversion.
C. Defibrillate the client as soon as possible.
D. Administer atropine, 0.4 mg intravenous push
Answer: B
Rationale: With uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, the treatment of choice is synchronized
cardioversion to convert the cardiac rhythm back to normal sinus rhythm. Option A is
a medication used for ventricular dysrhythmias. Option C is not for a client with atrial
fibrillation; it is reserved for clients with life-threatening dysrhythmias, such as
ventricular fibrillation and unstable ventricular tachycardia. Option D is the drug of
choice in symptomatic sinus bradycardia, not atrial fibrillation.
,A practical nurse (PN) tells the charge nurse in a long-term facility that she does not
want to be assigned to one particular resident. She reports that the male client keeps
insisting that she is his daughter and begs her to stay in his room. What is the best
managerial decision? Ans: A. Notify the family that the resident will have to be
discharged if his behavior does not improve.
B. Notify the administration of the PN's insubordination and need for counseling about
her statements.
C. Ask the PN what she has done to encourage the resident to believe she is his
daughter.
D. Reassign the PN until the resident can be assessed more completely for reality
orientation.
Answer: D
Rationale: Temporary reassignment is the best option until the resident can be
examined and his medications reviewed. He may have worsening cerebral dysfunction
from an infection or electrolyte imbalance. Option A is not the best option because
the family cannot control the resident's actions. The administration may need to know
about the situation, but not as a case of insubordination. Implying that the PN is
somehow creating the situation is inappropriate until a further evaluation has been
conducted.
Client census is often used to determine staffing needs. Which method of obtaining
census determination for a particular unit provides the best formula for determining
long-range staffing patterns? Ans: A. Midnight census
B. Oncoming shift census
C. Average daily census
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
,D. Hourly census
Answer: C
Rationale: An average daily census is determined by trend data and takes into account
seasonal and daily fluctuations, so it is the best method for determining staffing needs.
Options A and B provide data at a certain point in time, and that data could change
quickly. It is unrealistic to expect to obtain an hourly census, and such data would only
provide information about a certain point in time.
The nurse is counseling a healthy 30-year-old female client regarding osteoporosis
prevention. Which activity would be most beneficial in achieving the client's goal of
osteoporosis prevention? Ans: A. Cross-country skiing
B. Scuba diving
C. Horseback riding
D. Kayaking
Answer: A
Weight-bearing exercise is an important measure to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Of the activities listed, cross-country skiing includes the most weight-bearing, whereas
options B, C, and D involve less.
Which condition should the nurse anticipate as a potential problem in a female client
with a neurogenic bladder? Ans: A. Stress incontinence
B. Infection
C. Painless gross hematuria
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
, D. Peritonitis
Answer: B
Rationale: Infection is the major complication resulting from the stasis of urine and
subsequent catheterization. Option A is the involuntary loss of urine through an intact
urethra as a result of a sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Option C is the
most common symptom of bladder cancer. Option D is the most common and serious
complication of peritoneal dialysis.
A client is being discharged following radioactive seed implantation for prostate cancer.
What is the most important information that the nurse should provide to this client's
family? Ans: A. Follow exposure precautions.
B. Encourage regular meals.
C. Collect all urine.
D. Avoid touching the client.
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients being treated for prostate cancer with radioactive seed implants
should be instructed regarding the amount of time and distance needed to prevent
excessive exposure that would pose a hazard to others. Option B is a good suggestion
to promote adequate nutrition but is not as important as option A. Option C is
unnecessary. Contact with the client is permitted but should be brief to limit radiation
exposure.
In assessing a client with an arteriovenous (AV) shunt who is scheduled for dialysis
today, the nurse notes the absence of a thrill or bruit at the shunt site. What action
should the nurse take? Ans: A. Advise the client that the shunt is intact and ready for
dialysis as scheduled.
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
