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Med Surg-Hesi Questions Exam Newest 2026
Exam Latest Version Solved Questions &
Answers Verified 100 %
During lung assessment, the nurse places a stethoscope on a client's chest
and instructs him/her to say "99" each time the chest is touched with the
stethoscope. What should be the correct interpretation if the nurse hears the
spoken words "99" very clearly through the stethoscope?
A) This is a normal auscultatory finding.
B) May indicate pneumothorax.
C) May indicate pneumonia.
D) May indicate severe emphysema.
C) May indicate pneumonia.
Rationale: This test (whispered pectoriloquy) demonstrates hyperresonance and
helps determine the clarity with which spoken words are heard upon auscultation.
Normally, the spoken word is not well transmitted through lung tissue, and is heard
as a muffled or unclear transmission of the spoken word. Increased clarity of a
spoken word is indicative of some sort of consolidation process (e.g., tumor,
pneumonia) (C), and is not a normal finding (A). When lung tissue is filled with more
air than normal, the voice sounds are absent or very diminished (e.g.,
pneumothorax, severe emphysema) (B and D).
The nurse is caring for a group of clients with acidosis. The nurse recognizes
that Kussmaul respirations are consistent with which situation?
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A) Client receiving mechanical ventilation
B) Use of hydrochlorothiazide
C) Aspirin overdose
D) Administration of sodium bicarbonate
C) Aspirin overdose
Rationale: If acidosis is metabolic in origin, the rate and depth of breathing increase
as the hydrogen ion level rises; this is known as Kussmaul respirations. Metabolic
acidosis is caused by alcoholic beverages, methyl alcohol, and acetylsalicylic acid
(aspirin). A) Mechanical ventilation is used to correct hypoxemia and hypercapnia
(elevated Pco2). B) Hydrochlorothiazide causes metabolic alkalosis; clients who
display metabolic acidosis compensate with Kussmaul respirations. D) Sodium
bicarbonate is used in the treatment of metabolic acidosis; administration of this
buffer may cause metabolic alkalosis.
During an interview with a client planning elective surgery, the client asks the
nurse, "What is the advantage of having a preferred provider organization
insurance plan?" Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
A) Long-term relationships with healthcare providers are more likely.
B) There are fewer healthcare providers to choose from than in an HMO plan.
C) Insurance coverage of employees is less expensive to employers.
D) An individual can become a member of a PPO without belonging to a group.
C) Insurance coverage of employees is less expensive to employers.
Rationale: The financial advantage of (C) is the feature of a PPO that is most
relevant to the average consumer. The nurse must have knowledge about PPOs,
which provide discounted rates to large employers who provide insurance coverage
for their employees. In return, the insurance company receives a large pool of clients
for their facilities. (A, B, and D) are not accurate representations of the PPO.
A client has taken steroids for 12 years to help manage chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). When making a home visit, which nursing function
is of greatest importance to this client? Assess the client's
A) pulse rate, both apically and radially.
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B) blood pressure, both standing and sitting.
C) temperature.
D) skin color and turgor.
C) temperature.
Rationale: It is very important to check the client's temperature (C). Infection is the
most common factor precipitating respiratory distress. Clients with COPD who are on
maintenance doses of corticosteroids are particularly predisposed to infection. (A
and B) are important data for baseline and ongoing assessment, but they are not as
important as temperature measurement for this client who is taking steroids.
Assessment of skin color and turgor is less important (D).
The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm
about reducing the risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Which information
should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A) Remove the diaphragm immediately after intercourse.
B) Wash the diaphragm with an alcohol solution.
C) Use the diaphragm to prevent conception during the menstrual cycle.
D) Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after intercourse.
E) Contact a healthcare provider a sudden onset of fever grater than 101º F
appears.
F) Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months.
Correct selections are (D and E).
Rationale: The diaphragm needs to remain against the cervix for 6 to 8 hours to
prevent pregnancy but should not remain for longer than 8 hours (D) to avoid the risk
of TSS. If a sudden fever occurs, the client should notify the healthcare provider (E).
(A) increases the risk of pregnancy, and (B) can reduce the integrity of the barrier
contraceptive but neither prevents the risk of TSS. The diaphragm should not be
used during menses (C) because it obstructs the menstrual flow and is not indicated
because conception does not occur during this time. (F) is not necessary.
A middle-aged male client with diabetes continues to eat an abundance of
foods that are high in sugar and fat. According to the Health Belief Model,
which event is most likely to increase the client's willingness to become
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compliant with the prescribed diet?
A) He visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected
foot.
B) He is provided with the most current information about the dangers of
untreated diabetes.
C) He comments on the community service announcements about preventing
complications associated with diabetes.
D) His wife expresses a sincere willingness to prepare meals that are within
his prescribed diet.
A) He visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected foot.
Rationale: The loss of a limb by a family member (A) will be the strongest event or
"cue to action" and is most likely to increase the perceived seriousness of the
disease. (B, C, and D) may influence his behavior but do not have the personal
impact of (A).
A female client taking oral contraceptives reports to the nurse that she is
experiencing calf pain. What action should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has also experienced breast tenderness and weight
gain.
B) Encourage the client to begin a regular, daily program of walking and
exercise.
C) Advise the client to notify the healthcare provider for immediate medical
attention.
D) Tell the client to stop taking the medication for a week to see if symptoms
subside.
C) Advise the client to notify the healthcare provider for immediate medical attention.
Rationale: Calf pain is indicative of thrombophlebitis, a serious, life-threatening
complication associated with the use of oral contraceptives which requires further
assessment and possibly immediate medical intervention (C). (A) are symptoms of
oral contraceptive use, but are of less immediacy than (C). (B) may cause an
Med Surg-Hesi Questions Exam Newest 2026
Exam Latest Version Solved Questions &
Answers Verified 100 %
During lung assessment, the nurse places a stethoscope on a client's chest
and instructs him/her to say "99" each time the chest is touched with the
stethoscope. What should be the correct interpretation if the nurse hears the
spoken words "99" very clearly through the stethoscope?
A) This is a normal auscultatory finding.
B) May indicate pneumothorax.
C) May indicate pneumonia.
D) May indicate severe emphysema.
C) May indicate pneumonia.
Rationale: This test (whispered pectoriloquy) demonstrates hyperresonance and
helps determine the clarity with which spoken words are heard upon auscultation.
Normally, the spoken word is not well transmitted through lung tissue, and is heard
as a muffled or unclear transmission of the spoken word. Increased clarity of a
spoken word is indicative of some sort of consolidation process (e.g., tumor,
pneumonia) (C), and is not a normal finding (A). When lung tissue is filled with more
air than normal, the voice sounds are absent or very diminished (e.g.,
pneumothorax, severe emphysema) (B and D).
The nurse is caring for a group of clients with acidosis. The nurse recognizes
that Kussmaul respirations are consistent with which situation?
, Page 2 of 84
A) Client receiving mechanical ventilation
B) Use of hydrochlorothiazide
C) Aspirin overdose
D) Administration of sodium bicarbonate
C) Aspirin overdose
Rationale: If acidosis is metabolic in origin, the rate and depth of breathing increase
as the hydrogen ion level rises; this is known as Kussmaul respirations. Metabolic
acidosis is caused by alcoholic beverages, methyl alcohol, and acetylsalicylic acid
(aspirin). A) Mechanical ventilation is used to correct hypoxemia and hypercapnia
(elevated Pco2). B) Hydrochlorothiazide causes metabolic alkalosis; clients who
display metabolic acidosis compensate with Kussmaul respirations. D) Sodium
bicarbonate is used in the treatment of metabolic acidosis; administration of this
buffer may cause metabolic alkalosis.
During an interview with a client planning elective surgery, the client asks the
nurse, "What is the advantage of having a preferred provider organization
insurance plan?" Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
A) Long-term relationships with healthcare providers are more likely.
B) There are fewer healthcare providers to choose from than in an HMO plan.
C) Insurance coverage of employees is less expensive to employers.
D) An individual can become a member of a PPO without belonging to a group.
C) Insurance coverage of employees is less expensive to employers.
Rationale: The financial advantage of (C) is the feature of a PPO that is most
relevant to the average consumer. The nurse must have knowledge about PPOs,
which provide discounted rates to large employers who provide insurance coverage
for their employees. In return, the insurance company receives a large pool of clients
for their facilities. (A, B, and D) are not accurate representations of the PPO.
A client has taken steroids for 12 years to help manage chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). When making a home visit, which nursing function
is of greatest importance to this client? Assess the client's
A) pulse rate, both apically and radially.
, Page 3 of 84
B) blood pressure, both standing and sitting.
C) temperature.
D) skin color and turgor.
C) temperature.
Rationale: It is very important to check the client's temperature (C). Infection is the
most common factor precipitating respiratory distress. Clients with COPD who are on
maintenance doses of corticosteroids are particularly predisposed to infection. (A
and B) are important data for baseline and ongoing assessment, but they are not as
important as temperature measurement for this client who is taking steroids.
Assessment of skin color and turgor is less important (D).
The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm
about reducing the risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Which information
should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A) Remove the diaphragm immediately after intercourse.
B) Wash the diaphragm with an alcohol solution.
C) Use the diaphragm to prevent conception during the menstrual cycle.
D) Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after intercourse.
E) Contact a healthcare provider a sudden onset of fever grater than 101º F
appears.
F) Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months.
Correct selections are (D and E).
Rationale: The diaphragm needs to remain against the cervix for 6 to 8 hours to
prevent pregnancy but should not remain for longer than 8 hours (D) to avoid the risk
of TSS. If a sudden fever occurs, the client should notify the healthcare provider (E).
(A) increases the risk of pregnancy, and (B) can reduce the integrity of the barrier
contraceptive but neither prevents the risk of TSS. The diaphragm should not be
used during menses (C) because it obstructs the menstrual flow and is not indicated
because conception does not occur during this time. (F) is not necessary.
A middle-aged male client with diabetes continues to eat an abundance of
foods that are high in sugar and fat. According to the Health Belief Model,
which event is most likely to increase the client's willingness to become
, Page 4 of 84
compliant with the prescribed diet?
A) He visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected
foot.
B) He is provided with the most current information about the dangers of
untreated diabetes.
C) He comments on the community service announcements about preventing
complications associated with diabetes.
D) His wife expresses a sincere willingness to prepare meals that are within
his prescribed diet.
A) He visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected foot.
Rationale: The loss of a limb by a family member (A) will be the strongest event or
"cue to action" and is most likely to increase the perceived seriousness of the
disease. (B, C, and D) may influence his behavior but do not have the personal
impact of (A).
A female client taking oral contraceptives reports to the nurse that she is
experiencing calf pain. What action should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has also experienced breast tenderness and weight
gain.
B) Encourage the client to begin a regular, daily program of walking and
exercise.
C) Advise the client to notify the healthcare provider for immediate medical
attention.
D) Tell the client to stop taking the medication for a week to see if symptoms
subside.
C) Advise the client to notify the healthcare provider for immediate medical attention.
Rationale: Calf pain is indicative of thrombophlebitis, a serious, life-threatening
complication associated with the use of oral contraceptives which requires further
assessment and possibly immediate medical intervention (C). (A) are symptoms of
oral contraceptive use, but are of less immediacy than (C). (B) may cause an
