HESI MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | L… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Medical-Surgical
Exam Questions &
Answers 2026-2027 |
Latest Exam Review
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
32 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This HESI Medical-Surgical Exam Review provides 32 questions with pre-filled correct answers
and detailed rationales. It focuses on core medical-surgical nursing concepts. This resource is
ideal for students preparing for certification exams and for comprehensive course review.
CONTENTS
Oncology & General Medical Q1–Q7
Respiratory System Q8–Q15
Cardiovascular System Q16–Q24
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Q25–Q28
Neurological System Q29–Q32
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 32
The nurse is assessing a client's laboratory values following administration of chemotherapy.
Which lab value leads the nurse to suspect that the client is experiencing tumor lysis syndrome
(TLS)?
A. Serum PTT of 10 seconds
B. Serum calcium of 5 mg/dl
C. Oxygen saturation of 90%
D. Hemoglobin of 10 g/dl
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Serum calcium of 5 mg/dl.
TLS results in hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperphosphatemia.
RATIONALE
Tumor lysis syndrome is characterized by rapid cell destruction releasing intracellular contents, leading to
hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, and crucially, hypocalcemia due to phosphate binding
calcium. This electrolyte disturbance is the key underlying concept being tested.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 32
A client who is HIV positive asks the nurse, "How will I know when I have AIDS?" Which response is
best for the nurse to provide?
A) Diagnosis of AIDS is made when you have 2 positive ELISA test results.
B) Diagnosis is made when both the ELISA and the Western Blot tests are positive.
C) I can tell that you are afraid of being diagnosed with AIDS. Would you like for me to call your
minister?
D) AIDS is diagnosed when a specific opportunistic infection is found in an otherwise healthy
individual.
CORRECT ANSWER
D. "AIDS is diagnosed when a specific opportunistic infection is found in an otherwise healthy
individual."
AIDS is diagnosed when one of several processes defined by the CDC is present in an individual who is
not otherwise immunosuppressed. A and B identify the presence of HIV, indicating a high probability
that in time the individual will develop AIDS, but do not necessarily denote the presence of AIDS. C is
telling the client how he/she feels (afraid) and is dismissing the situation to the minister. This client is
asking a question and specific medical information needs to be provided.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
AIDS is diagnosed by the presence of specific opportunistic infections or certain cancers, indicating
severe immunosuppression, not merely by positive HIV antibody tests which confirm HIV infection. This
question tests the understanding of the diagnostic criteria for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) versus Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 32
The nurse is receiving report from surgery about a client with a penrose drain who is to be
admitted to the postoperative unit. Before choosing a room for this client, which information is
most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. If suctioning will be needed for drainage of the wound
B. If the family would prefer a private or semi-private room
C. Null
D. If the client' wound is infected
CORRECT ANSWER
D. If the client's wound is infected.
Penrose drains provide a sinus tract or opening and are often used to provide drainage of an abscess.
The fact that the client has a penrose drain should alert the nurse to the possibility that the client is
infected. To avoid contamination of another postoperative client, it is most important to place an
infected client in a private room. A penrose drain does not require A. Although is information that
should be considered, it does not have the priority of D. C is used to drain fluid from a dead space and
is not important in choosing a room.
RATIONALE
A Penrose drain signals potential wound infection, necessitating placement in a private room to prevent
cross-contamination of other postoperative patients. This prioritizes infection control and patient safety
over other considerations.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 32
What is the correct procedure for performing an ophthalmoscopic examination on a client's right
retina?
A. Instruct the client to look at examiner's nose and not move his/her eyes during the exam.
B. Set ophthalmoscope on the plus 2 to 3 lens and hold it in front of the examiner's right eye.
C. From a distance of 12 to 15 inches and slightly to the side, shine the light into the client's pupil.
D. For optimum visualization, keep the ophthalmoscope at least 3 inches from the client's eye.
Page 3
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Medical-Surgical
Exam Questions &
Answers 2026-2027 |
Latest Exam Review
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
32 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This HESI Medical-Surgical Exam Review provides 32 questions with pre-filled correct answers
and detailed rationales. It focuses on core medical-surgical nursing concepts. This resource is
ideal for students preparing for certification exams and for comprehensive course review.
CONTENTS
Oncology & General Medical Q1–Q7
Respiratory System Q8–Q15
Cardiovascular System Q16–Q24
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Q25–Q28
Neurological System Q29–Q32
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 32
The nurse is assessing a client's laboratory values following administration of chemotherapy.
Which lab value leads the nurse to suspect that the client is experiencing tumor lysis syndrome
(TLS)?
A. Serum PTT of 10 seconds
B. Serum calcium of 5 mg/dl
C. Oxygen saturation of 90%
D. Hemoglobin of 10 g/dl
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Serum calcium of 5 mg/dl.
TLS results in hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperphosphatemia.
RATIONALE
Tumor lysis syndrome is characterized by rapid cell destruction releasing intracellular contents, leading to
hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, and crucially, hypocalcemia due to phosphate binding
calcium. This electrolyte disturbance is the key underlying concept being tested.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 32
A client who is HIV positive asks the nurse, "How will I know when I have AIDS?" Which response is
best for the nurse to provide?
A) Diagnosis of AIDS is made when you have 2 positive ELISA test results.
B) Diagnosis is made when both the ELISA and the Western Blot tests are positive.
C) I can tell that you are afraid of being diagnosed with AIDS. Would you like for me to call your
minister?
D) AIDS is diagnosed when a specific opportunistic infection is found in an otherwise healthy
individual.
CORRECT ANSWER
D. "AIDS is diagnosed when a specific opportunistic infection is found in an otherwise healthy
individual."
AIDS is diagnosed when one of several processes defined by the CDC is present in an individual who is
not otherwise immunosuppressed. A and B identify the presence of HIV, indicating a high probability
that in time the individual will develop AIDS, but do not necessarily denote the presence of AIDS. C is
telling the client how he/she feels (afraid) and is dismissing the situation to the minister. This client is
asking a question and specific medical information needs to be provided.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
AIDS is diagnosed by the presence of specific opportunistic infections or certain cancers, indicating
severe immunosuppression, not merely by positive HIV antibody tests which confirm HIV infection. This
question tests the understanding of the diagnostic criteria for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) versus Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 32
The nurse is receiving report from surgery about a client with a penrose drain who is to be
admitted to the postoperative unit. Before choosing a room for this client, which information is
most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. If suctioning will be needed for drainage of the wound
B. If the family would prefer a private or semi-private room
C. Null
D. If the client' wound is infected
CORRECT ANSWER
D. If the client's wound is infected.
Penrose drains provide a sinus tract or opening and are often used to provide drainage of an abscess.
The fact that the client has a penrose drain should alert the nurse to the possibility that the client is
infected. To avoid contamination of another postoperative client, it is most important to place an
infected client in a private room. A penrose drain does not require A. Although is information that
should be considered, it does not have the priority of D. C is used to drain fluid from a dead space and
is not important in choosing a room.
RATIONALE
A Penrose drain signals potential wound infection, necessitating placement in a private room to prevent
cross-contamination of other postoperative patients. This prioritizes infection control and patient safety
over other considerations.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 32
What is the correct procedure for performing an ophthalmoscopic examination on a client's right
retina?
A. Instruct the client to look at examiner's nose and not move his/her eyes during the exam.
B. Set ophthalmoscope on the plus 2 to 3 lens and hold it in front of the examiner's right eye.
C. From a distance of 12 to 15 inches and slightly to the side, shine the light into the client's pupil.
D. For optimum visualization, keep the ophthalmoscope at least 3 inches from the client's eye.
Page 3
