HESI MED -SURG EXAM
EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
2026 COMPLETE TEST BANK | 200 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS + ANSWERS + RATIONALES |
LATEST ELSEVIER HESI MED-SURG REVIEW
PACK FOR GUARANTEED SUCCESS!
1. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Administer oxygen at 6 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises hourly
C. Maintain oxygen saturation between 88–92%
D. Place the patient in supine position
Answer C
Rationale COPD patients rely on hypoxic drive; high oxygen levels can suppress
respiration. Targeting 88–92% prevents hypoventilation.
2. A nurse is caring for a post-op patient with a Jackson-Pratt drain. What is the priority
action?
A. Flush the drain with saline every shift
B. Empty and measure drainage output
C. Clamp the drain to prevent backflow
D. Remove the drain when output is <50 mL
Answer B
Rationale Accurate measurement helps monitor healing and detect complications. Flushing
or clamping is not routine.
3. Which lab value is most concerning in a patient receiving heparin?
A. Platelets: 90,000/mm³
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, HESI MED -SURG EXAM
B. INR: 1.2
C. Hemoglobin: 13 g/dL
D. WBC: 11,000/mm³
Answer A
Rationale Thrombocytopenia may indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a
serious adverse effect.
4. A patient with heart failure reports weight gain of 3 kg in 2 days. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Assess for peripheral edema
B. Notify the provider
C. Review dietary sodium intake
D. Auscultate lung sounds
Answer D
Rationale Sudden weight gain suggests fluid retention. Lung auscultation helps detect
pulmonary congestion.
5. Which finding indicates a complication of parenteral nutrition?
A. Blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
B. Weight gain of 1 kg/week
C. Temperature of 38.5°C
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
Answer C
Rationale Fever may indicate catheter-related bloodstream infection, a serious
complication of TPN.
6. A patient with cirrhosis has ascites. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage fluid intake
B. Administer furosemide
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, HESI MED -SURG EXAM
C. Provide high-protein diet
D. Position flat for comfort
Answer B
Rationale Diuretics like furosemide help reduce fluid accumulation in ascites.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with a chest tube?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Drainage of 80 mL in 1 hour
C. Fluctuation of water level with respiration
D. Absence of drainage for 2 hours
Answer A
Rationale Continuous bubbling may indicate an air leak, requiring immediate evaluation.
8. A patient with diabetes reports numbness in feet. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Refer to physical therapy
B. Assess for foot ulcers
C. Teach insulin administration
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer B
Rationale Neuropathy increases risk for ulcers; early detection prevents complications.
9. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L?
A. Administer potassium chloride
B. Encourage potassium-rich foods
C. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate
D. Hold loop diuretics
Answer C
Rationale Kayexalate helps lower potassium levels in hyperkalemia.
Page | 3
, HESI MED -SURG EXAM
10. A patient with a stroke has dysphagia. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place patient in supine position
C. Perform swallow evaluation
D. Provide thin liquids
Answer C
Rationale Swallow evaluation prevents aspiration and guides safe feeding strategies.
11. A patient with DVT is prescribed warfarin. Which lab should be monitored?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelets
D. Hemoglobin
Answer B
Rationale INR monitors warfarin therapy; therapeutic range is typically 2–3.
12. A nurse is caring for a patient with a new ileostomy. Which finding requires immediate
attention?
A. Liquid stool output
B. Stoma color is pale
C. Mild peristomal skin irritation
D. Patient reports embarrassment
Answer B
Rationale Pale stoma may indicate compromised blood flow, requiring urgent evaluation.
13. Which symptom is expected in a patient with hypothyroidism?
A. Tachycardia
B. Diarrhea
Page | 4
EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
2026 COMPLETE TEST BANK | 200 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS + ANSWERS + RATIONALES |
LATEST ELSEVIER HESI MED-SURG REVIEW
PACK FOR GUARANTEED SUCCESS!
1. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Administer oxygen at 6 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises hourly
C. Maintain oxygen saturation between 88–92%
D. Place the patient in supine position
Answer C
Rationale COPD patients rely on hypoxic drive; high oxygen levels can suppress
respiration. Targeting 88–92% prevents hypoventilation.
2. A nurse is caring for a post-op patient with a Jackson-Pratt drain. What is the priority
action?
A. Flush the drain with saline every shift
B. Empty and measure drainage output
C. Clamp the drain to prevent backflow
D. Remove the drain when output is <50 mL
Answer B
Rationale Accurate measurement helps monitor healing and detect complications. Flushing
or clamping is not routine.
3. Which lab value is most concerning in a patient receiving heparin?
A. Platelets: 90,000/mm³
Page | 1
, HESI MED -SURG EXAM
B. INR: 1.2
C. Hemoglobin: 13 g/dL
D. WBC: 11,000/mm³
Answer A
Rationale Thrombocytopenia may indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a
serious adverse effect.
4. A patient with heart failure reports weight gain of 3 kg in 2 days. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Assess for peripheral edema
B. Notify the provider
C. Review dietary sodium intake
D. Auscultate lung sounds
Answer D
Rationale Sudden weight gain suggests fluid retention. Lung auscultation helps detect
pulmonary congestion.
5. Which finding indicates a complication of parenteral nutrition?
A. Blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
B. Weight gain of 1 kg/week
C. Temperature of 38.5°C
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
Answer C
Rationale Fever may indicate catheter-related bloodstream infection, a serious
complication of TPN.
6. A patient with cirrhosis has ascites. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage fluid intake
B. Administer furosemide
Page | 2
, HESI MED -SURG EXAM
C. Provide high-protein diet
D. Position flat for comfort
Answer B
Rationale Diuretics like furosemide help reduce fluid accumulation in ascites.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with a chest tube?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Drainage of 80 mL in 1 hour
C. Fluctuation of water level with respiration
D. Absence of drainage for 2 hours
Answer A
Rationale Continuous bubbling may indicate an air leak, requiring immediate evaluation.
8. A patient with diabetes reports numbness in feet. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Refer to physical therapy
B. Assess for foot ulcers
C. Teach insulin administration
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer B
Rationale Neuropathy increases risk for ulcers; early detection prevents complications.
9. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L?
A. Administer potassium chloride
B. Encourage potassium-rich foods
C. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate
D. Hold loop diuretics
Answer C
Rationale Kayexalate helps lower potassium levels in hyperkalemia.
Page | 3
, HESI MED -SURG EXAM
10. A patient with a stroke has dysphagia. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place patient in supine position
C. Perform swallow evaluation
D. Provide thin liquids
Answer C
Rationale Swallow evaluation prevents aspiration and guides safe feeding strategies.
11. A patient with DVT is prescribed warfarin. Which lab should be monitored?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelets
D. Hemoglobin
Answer B
Rationale INR monitors warfarin therapy; therapeutic range is typically 2–3.
12. A nurse is caring for a patient with a new ileostomy. Which finding requires immediate
attention?
A. Liquid stool output
B. Stoma color is pale
C. Mild peristomal skin irritation
D. Patient reports embarrassment
Answer B
Rationale Pale stoma may indicate compromised blood flow, requiring urgent evaluation.
13. Which symptom is expected in a patient with hypothyroidism?
A. Tachycardia
B. Diarrhea
Page | 4
