MED SURG FINAL HESI (CORRECTED) 2026 UPDATED
EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
A client with a productive cough has obtained a sputum specimen for culture as instructed.
What is the best initial nursing action?
A. Administer the first dose of antibiotic therapy
B. Observe the color, consistency, and amount of sputum
C. Encourage the client to consume plenty of warm liquids
D. Send the specimen to the lab for analysis - correct answer -B. Observe the color, consistency,
and amount of sputum
A client is brought to the ED by ambulance in cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) in progress. The client is intubated and is receiving 100% oxygen per self-inflating (ambu)
bag. The nurse determines that the client is cyanotic, cold, and diaphoretic. Which assessment
is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields.
B. Carotid pulsation during compressions
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Core body temperature - correct answer -A. Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields.
After a hospitalization for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH), a client
develops pontine myelinolysis. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Reorient client to his room
,B. Place a patch on one eye
C. Evaluate client's ability to swallow
D. Perform range of motion exercises - correct answer -A. Reorient client to his room
A male client with heart failure (HF) calls the clinic and reports that he cannot put his shoes on
because they are too tight. Which additional information should the nurse obtain?
A. What time did he take his last medications?
B. Has his weight changed in the last several days?
C. Is he still able to tighten his belt buckle?
D. How many hours did he sleep last night? - correct answer -B. Has his weight changed in the
last several days?
An older adult woman with a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
admitted with progressive shortness of breath and a persistent cough. She is anxious and is
complaining of a dry mouth. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Administer a prescribed sedative
B. Encourage client to drink water
C. Apply a high-flow venturi mask
D. Assist her to an upright position - correct answer -D. Assist her to an upright position
A client with a history of asthma and bronchitis arrives at the clinic with shortness of breath,
productive cough with thickened tenacious mucous, and the inability to walk up a flight of stairs
without experiencing breathlessness. Which action is most important for the nurse to instruct
the client about self-care?
A. Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions
, B. Avoid crowded enclosed areas to reduce pathogen exposure
C. Call the clinic if undesirable side effects of mediations occur
D. Teach anxiety reduction methods for feelings of suffocation - correct answer -A. Increase the
daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions
A cardiac catherterization of a client with heart disease indicates the following blockages: 95%
proximal left anterior descending (LAD), 99% proximal circumflex, and ? % proximal right
coronary artery (RCA). The client later asks the nurse "what does all this mean for me?" What
information should the nurse provide?
A. Blood supply to the heart is diminished by artherosclerotic lesions, which necessitate lifestyle
changes.
B. Blood vessels supplying the pumping chamber have blockages indicating a past heart attack.
C. Three main arteries have major blockages, with only 1 to 5% of blood flow getting through to
the heart muscle.
D. The heart is not receiving enough blood, so there is a risk of heart failure and fluid retention.
- correct answer -C. Three main arteries have major blockages, with only 1 to 5% of blood flow
getting through to the heart muscle.
A client who weighs 175 pounds is receiving IV bolus dose of heparin 80 units/kg. The heparin is
available in a 2 ml vial, labeled 10,000 units/ml. How many ml should the nurse administer?
(Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - correct answer
-0.6 ml
What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan of a client diagnosed with
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
A. Sleep without pillows at night to maintain neck alignment.
B. Adjust food intake to three full meals per day and no snacks.
C. Minimize symptoms by wearing loose, comfortable clothing
EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
A client with a productive cough has obtained a sputum specimen for culture as instructed.
What is the best initial nursing action?
A. Administer the first dose of antibiotic therapy
B. Observe the color, consistency, and amount of sputum
C. Encourage the client to consume plenty of warm liquids
D. Send the specimen to the lab for analysis - correct answer -B. Observe the color, consistency,
and amount of sputum
A client is brought to the ED by ambulance in cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) in progress. The client is intubated and is receiving 100% oxygen per self-inflating (ambu)
bag. The nurse determines that the client is cyanotic, cold, and diaphoretic. Which assessment
is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields.
B. Carotid pulsation during compressions
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Core body temperature - correct answer -A. Breath sounds over bilateral lung fields.
After a hospitalization for Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH), a client
develops pontine myelinolysis. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Reorient client to his room
,B. Place a patch on one eye
C. Evaluate client's ability to swallow
D. Perform range of motion exercises - correct answer -A. Reorient client to his room
A male client with heart failure (HF) calls the clinic and reports that he cannot put his shoes on
because they are too tight. Which additional information should the nurse obtain?
A. What time did he take his last medications?
B. Has his weight changed in the last several days?
C. Is he still able to tighten his belt buckle?
D. How many hours did he sleep last night? - correct answer -B. Has his weight changed in the
last several days?
An older adult woman with a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
admitted with progressive shortness of breath and a persistent cough. She is anxious and is
complaining of a dry mouth. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Administer a prescribed sedative
B. Encourage client to drink water
C. Apply a high-flow venturi mask
D. Assist her to an upright position - correct answer -D. Assist her to an upright position
A client with a history of asthma and bronchitis arrives at the clinic with shortness of breath,
productive cough with thickened tenacious mucous, and the inability to walk up a flight of stairs
without experiencing breathlessness. Which action is most important for the nurse to instruct
the client about self-care?
A. Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions
, B. Avoid crowded enclosed areas to reduce pathogen exposure
C. Call the clinic if undesirable side effects of mediations occur
D. Teach anxiety reduction methods for feelings of suffocation - correct answer -A. Increase the
daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions
A cardiac catherterization of a client with heart disease indicates the following blockages: 95%
proximal left anterior descending (LAD), 99% proximal circumflex, and ? % proximal right
coronary artery (RCA). The client later asks the nurse "what does all this mean for me?" What
information should the nurse provide?
A. Blood supply to the heart is diminished by artherosclerotic lesions, which necessitate lifestyle
changes.
B. Blood vessels supplying the pumping chamber have blockages indicating a past heart attack.
C. Three main arteries have major blockages, with only 1 to 5% of blood flow getting through to
the heart muscle.
D. The heart is not receiving enough blood, so there is a risk of heart failure and fluid retention.
- correct answer -C. Three main arteries have major blockages, with only 1 to 5% of blood flow
getting through to the heart muscle.
A client who weighs 175 pounds is receiving IV bolus dose of heparin 80 units/kg. The heparin is
available in a 2 ml vial, labeled 10,000 units/ml. How many ml should the nurse administer?
(Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - correct answer
-0.6 ml
What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan of a client diagnosed with
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
A. Sleep without pillows at night to maintain neck alignment.
B. Adjust food intake to three full meals per day and no snacks.
C. Minimize symptoms by wearing loose, comfortable clothing
