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HESI Med-Surg Next Gen Exam LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR (2026-2027) ALL 300 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
HESI Med-Surg Next Gen Exam – 300 Practice Questions
SECTION 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure who reports shortness of breath and weight
gain of 4 lbs in 24 hours. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer furosemide as prescribed
B) Place the client in high Fowler's position
C) Restrict dietary sodium intake
D) Assess oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: B
High Fowler's position uses gravity to decrease venous return and reduce pulmonary congestion,
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improving ventilation. While oxygen saturation assessment is important, positioning is the
immediate action to relieve dyspnea.
2. A client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reports leg pain that occurs with walking and
subsides with rest. This finding is consistent with:
A) Venous insufficiency
B) Intermittent claudication
C) Rest pain
D) Neuropathy
Correct Answer: B
Intermittent claudication is ischemic muscle pain caused by inadequate blood flow during
exercise, relieved by rest. Rest pain indicates severe PAD and occurs at rest.
3. A nurse is caring for a client 6 hours post-cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
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A) The client reports a headache
B) The groin site has a small amount of oozing
C) The client's pedal pulses are 2+ bilaterally
D) The client's affected leg is cool with capillary refill > 5 seconds
Correct Answer: D
Coolness and delayed capillary refill in the affected leg indicate arterial occlusion or severe
vasospasm, a complication of femoral artery catheterization requiring immediate intervention.
4. The nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about lifestyle modifications. Which
statement indicates the client understands the teaching?
A) "I can stop my medication once my blood pressure is normal"
B) "I should limit my sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day"
C) "I should exercise vigorously every day for 2 hours"
D) "I can continue to smoke as long as I take my medication"
Correct Answer: B
The DASH diet recommends sodium restriction to less than 2,300 mg/day (1,500 mg for more
significant reduction). Antihypertensives must be taken consistently—hypertension is chronic.
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5. A client with acute myocardial infarction (MI) is receiving thrombolytic therapy. Which
finding indicates a therapeutic response?
A) Decreased chest pain
B) ST-segment elevation on ECG
C) Elevated cardiac enzymes
D) Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: A
Decreased chest pain is a sign of restored coronary perfusion and reperfusion. ST-segment
elevation should resolve; cardiac enzymes elevate with necrosis, not thrombolysis success.
6. A client with heart failure has crackles in the lung bases, jugular venous distention, and +3
pitting edema in the lower extremities. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A) Digoxin
B) Furosemide
4
HESI Med-Surg Next Gen Exam LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR (2026-2027) ALL 300 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
HESI Med-Surg Next Gen Exam – 300 Practice Questions
SECTION 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure who reports shortness of breath and weight
gain of 4 lbs in 24 hours. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer furosemide as prescribed
B) Place the client in high Fowler's position
C) Restrict dietary sodium intake
D) Assess oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: B
High Fowler's position uses gravity to decrease venous return and reduce pulmonary congestion,
1
, Page 2 of 186
improving ventilation. While oxygen saturation assessment is important, positioning is the
immediate action to relieve dyspnea.
2. A client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reports leg pain that occurs with walking and
subsides with rest. This finding is consistent with:
A) Venous insufficiency
B) Intermittent claudication
C) Rest pain
D) Neuropathy
Correct Answer: B
Intermittent claudication is ischemic muscle pain caused by inadequate blood flow during
exercise, relieved by rest. Rest pain indicates severe PAD and occurs at rest.
3. A nurse is caring for a client 6 hours post-cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
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, Page 3 of 186
A) The client reports a headache
B) The groin site has a small amount of oozing
C) The client's pedal pulses are 2+ bilaterally
D) The client's affected leg is cool with capillary refill > 5 seconds
Correct Answer: D
Coolness and delayed capillary refill in the affected leg indicate arterial occlusion or severe
vasospasm, a complication of femoral artery catheterization requiring immediate intervention.
4. The nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about lifestyle modifications. Which
statement indicates the client understands the teaching?
A) "I can stop my medication once my blood pressure is normal"
B) "I should limit my sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day"
C) "I should exercise vigorously every day for 2 hours"
D) "I can continue to smoke as long as I take my medication"
Correct Answer: B
The DASH diet recommends sodium restriction to less than 2,300 mg/day (1,500 mg for more
significant reduction). Antihypertensives must be taken consistently—hypertension is chronic.
3
, Page 4 of 186
5. A client with acute myocardial infarction (MI) is receiving thrombolytic therapy. Which
finding indicates a therapeutic response?
A) Decreased chest pain
B) ST-segment elevation on ECG
C) Elevated cardiac enzymes
D) Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: A
Decreased chest pain is a sign of restored coronary perfusion and reperfusion. ST-segment
elevation should resolve; cardiac enzymes elevate with necrosis, not thrombolysis success.
6. A client with heart failure has crackles in the lung bases, jugular venous distention, and +3
pitting edema in the lower extremities. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A) Digoxin
B) Furosemide
4
