[STUDY GUIDE] • HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE & REVIEW EDITION
HESI Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg)
Exam Prep Comprehensive Practice
Questions & Rationales
Comprehensive Examination Question Bank • Concept Mapping
TOTAL QUESTIONS EXAM TOPICS ANSWERS
302 Questions 11 Modules 100% Verified
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 302 verified questions with correct answers and detailed rationales covering
medical-surgical nursing. It provides a comprehensive review of key concepts related to patient care,
particularly in the areas of respiratory function, hematology, and patient assessment. This resource is suitable
for exam preparation, course review, and certification study.
EXAM BLUEPRINT & TOPIC DISTRIBUTION
Systematic breakdown of subject domains and exam coverage.
Topic Module Scope & Core Focus
Explores the formation, function, and clinical significance of red blood cells in health and
Red Blood Cells disease.
Covers the principles, administration techniques, and monitoring of oxygen therapy in various
Oxygen Therapy clinical settings.
Focuses on the assessment techniques and tools used to evaluate respiratory function and
Respiratory Assessment identify abnormalities.
Examines methods for identifying and assessing risks associated with patient care and
Risk Assessment clinical interventions.
Discusses the calculation and significance of average daily census in hospital management
Average Daily Census and staffing decisions.
Analyzes the role of exhaled nitric oxide in diagnosing and monitoring respiratory conditions
Exhaled Nitric Oxide like asthma.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 1 of 122
,STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
Reviews common pulmonary conditions, their pathophysiology, symptoms, and nursing
Pulmonary Conditions interventions.
Explores the assessment and management of cardiovascular disorders, including heart
Cardiovascular Health failure and arrhythmias.
Covers essential nursing assessments and interventions for patients recovering from surgical
Postoperative Care procedures.
Infection Control Details strategies and practices to prevent and control infections in healthcare settings.
Emphasizes the importance of educating patients about their conditions, treatments, and
Patient Education health promotion.
Total Exam Coverage 11 Integrated Topic Modules • 302 Examination Questions
HIGH-YIELD: QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
Complete Examination Questions • 302 Questions • Sequential Exam Layout
QUESTION 1
When assigning clients on a medical-surgical floor to an RN and a PN, it is best for the
charge nurse to assign which client to the PN?
A. A young adult with bacterial meningitis with recent seizures
B. An older adult client with pneumonia and viral meningitis
C. A female client in isolation with meningococcal meningitis
D. A male client 1 day postoperative after drainage of a brain abscess
Answer: B. An older adult client with pneumonia and viral meningitis.
Rationale: The most stable client is option B. Options A, C, and Dareall at high risk for increased intracranial pressure and
require the expertise of the RN for assessment and management of care.
QUESTION 2
Empyema
Answer: An accumulation of purulent exudates in a body cavity, especially the pleural space, as a result of
bacterial infection, such as pleurisy or tuberculosis.
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,STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
QUESTION 3
An excess of carbon dioxide in the blood causes an increased respiratory rate and
volume because CO2
A. displaces oxygen on hemoglobin, leading to a decreased PaO2.
B. causes an increase in the amount of hydrogen ions available in the body.
C. combines with water to form carbonic acid, lowering the pH of cerebrospinal fluid.
D. directly stimulates chemoreceptors in the medulla to increase respiratory rate and volume.
Answer: C. combines with water to form carbonic acid, lowering the pH of cerebrospinal fluid. A combination
of excess CO2 and H2O results in carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid and stimulates
an increase in the respiratory rate. Peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies also respond
to increases in PaCO2 to stimulate the respiratory center. Excess CO2 does not increase the amount of
hydrogen ions available in the body but does combine with the hydrogen of water to form an acid.
QUESTION 4
The nurse reviews pursed lip breathing with a patient newly diagnosed with
emphysema. The nurse reinforces that this technique will assist respiration by which of
the following mechanisms?
A. Preventing bronchial collapse and air trapping in the lungs during exhalation
B. Increasing the respiratory rate and giving the patient control of respiratory patterns
C. Loosening secretions so that they may be coughed up more easily
D. Promoting maximal inhalation for better oxygenation of the lungs
Answer: A. Preventing bronchial collapse and air trapping in the lungs during exhalation The focus of pursed
lip breathing is to slow down the exhalation phase of respiration, which decreases bronchial collapse and
subsequent air trapping in the lungs during exhalation.
QUESTION 5
Chest percussion
Answer: Rhythmic percussion of a patient's chest with cupped hands to loosen retained respiratory
secretions.
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, STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
QUESTION 6
The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis of activity intolerance for a patient with
asthma. The nurse assesses for which of the following etiologic factor for this nursing
diagnosis in patients with asthma?
A. Anxiety and restlessness
B. Effects of medications
C. Fear of suffocation
D. Work of breathing
Answer: D. Work of breathingWhen the patient does not have sufficient gas exchange to engage in activity,
the etiologic factor is often the work of breathing. When patients with asthma do not have effective
respirations, they use all available energy to breathe and have little left over for purposeful activity.
QUESTION 7
A 77-year-old female client is admitted to the hospital with confusion and anorexia of
several days' duration. She has symptoms of nausea and vomiting and is currently
complaining of a headache. The client's pulse rate is 43 beats/min. The nurse is most
concerned about the client's history related to which medication?
A. Warfarin (Coumadin)
B. Ibuprofen (Motrin)
C. Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
D. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Answer: D. Digoxin.
Rationale: Older persons are particularly susceptible to the buildup of cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin or digitoxin
(medications derived from digitalis), to a toxic level in their systems. Toxicity can cause anorexia, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, headache, and fatigue. Options A, B, and C are unlikely to result in the symptoms described.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 4 of 122
HESI Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg)
Exam Prep Comprehensive Practice
Questions & Rationales
Comprehensive Examination Question Bank • Concept Mapping
TOTAL QUESTIONS EXAM TOPICS ANSWERS
302 Questions 11 Modules 100% Verified
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 302 verified questions with correct answers and detailed rationales covering
medical-surgical nursing. It provides a comprehensive review of key concepts related to patient care,
particularly in the areas of respiratory function, hematology, and patient assessment. This resource is suitable
for exam preparation, course review, and certification study.
EXAM BLUEPRINT & TOPIC DISTRIBUTION
Systematic breakdown of subject domains and exam coverage.
Topic Module Scope & Core Focus
Explores the formation, function, and clinical significance of red blood cells in health and
Red Blood Cells disease.
Covers the principles, administration techniques, and monitoring of oxygen therapy in various
Oxygen Therapy clinical settings.
Focuses on the assessment techniques and tools used to evaluate respiratory function and
Respiratory Assessment identify abnormalities.
Examines methods for identifying and assessing risks associated with patient care and
Risk Assessment clinical interventions.
Discusses the calculation and significance of average daily census in hospital management
Average Daily Census and staffing decisions.
Analyzes the role of exhaled nitric oxide in diagnosing and monitoring respiratory conditions
Exhaled Nitric Oxide like asthma.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 1 of 122
,STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
Reviews common pulmonary conditions, their pathophysiology, symptoms, and nursing
Pulmonary Conditions interventions.
Explores the assessment and management of cardiovascular disorders, including heart
Cardiovascular Health failure and arrhythmias.
Covers essential nursing assessments and interventions for patients recovering from surgical
Postoperative Care procedures.
Infection Control Details strategies and practices to prevent and control infections in healthcare settings.
Emphasizes the importance of educating patients about their conditions, treatments, and
Patient Education health promotion.
Total Exam Coverage 11 Integrated Topic Modules • 302 Examination Questions
HIGH-YIELD: QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
Complete Examination Questions • 302 Questions • Sequential Exam Layout
QUESTION 1
When assigning clients on a medical-surgical floor to an RN and a PN, it is best for the
charge nurse to assign which client to the PN?
A. A young adult with bacterial meningitis with recent seizures
B. An older adult client with pneumonia and viral meningitis
C. A female client in isolation with meningococcal meningitis
D. A male client 1 day postoperative after drainage of a brain abscess
Answer: B. An older adult client with pneumonia and viral meningitis.
Rationale: The most stable client is option B. Options A, C, and Dareall at high risk for increased intracranial pressure and
require the expertise of the RN for assessment and management of care.
QUESTION 2
Empyema
Answer: An accumulation of purulent exudates in a body cavity, especially the pleural space, as a result of
bacterial infection, such as pleurisy or tuberculosis.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 2 of 122
,STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
QUESTION 3
An excess of carbon dioxide in the blood causes an increased respiratory rate and
volume because CO2
A. displaces oxygen on hemoglobin, leading to a decreased PaO2.
B. causes an increase in the amount of hydrogen ions available in the body.
C. combines with water to form carbonic acid, lowering the pH of cerebrospinal fluid.
D. directly stimulates chemoreceptors in the medulla to increase respiratory rate and volume.
Answer: C. combines with water to form carbonic acid, lowering the pH of cerebrospinal fluid. A combination
of excess CO2 and H2O results in carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid and stimulates
an increase in the respiratory rate. Peripheral chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies also respond
to increases in PaCO2 to stimulate the respiratory center. Excess CO2 does not increase the amount of
hydrogen ions available in the body but does combine with the hydrogen of water to form an acid.
QUESTION 4
The nurse reviews pursed lip breathing with a patient newly diagnosed with
emphysema. The nurse reinforces that this technique will assist respiration by which of
the following mechanisms?
A. Preventing bronchial collapse and air trapping in the lungs during exhalation
B. Increasing the respiratory rate and giving the patient control of respiratory patterns
C. Loosening secretions so that they may be coughed up more easily
D. Promoting maximal inhalation for better oxygenation of the lungs
Answer: A. Preventing bronchial collapse and air trapping in the lungs during exhalation The focus of pursed
lip breathing is to slow down the exhalation phase of respiration, which decreases bronchial collapse and
subsequent air trapping in the lungs during exhalation.
QUESTION 5
Chest percussion
Answer: Rhythmic percussion of a patient's chest with cupped hands to loosen retained respiratory
secretions.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 3 of 122
, STUDENT STUDY & MASTERY EDITION PRACTICE & REVIEW GUIDE
QUESTION 6
The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis of activity intolerance for a patient with
asthma. The nurse assesses for which of the following etiologic factor for this nursing
diagnosis in patients with asthma?
A. Anxiety and restlessness
B. Effects of medications
C. Fear of suffocation
D. Work of breathing
Answer: D. Work of breathingWhen the patient does not have sufficient gas exchange to engage in activity,
the etiologic factor is often the work of breathing. When patients with asthma do not have effective
respirations, they use all available energy to breathe and have little left over for purposeful activity.
QUESTION 7
A 77-year-old female client is admitted to the hospital with confusion and anorexia of
several days' duration. She has symptoms of nausea and vomiting and is currently
complaining of a headache. The client's pulse rate is 43 beats/min. The nurse is most
concerned about the client's history related to which medication?
A. Warfarin (Coumadin)
B. Ibuprofen (Motrin)
C. Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
D. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Answer: D. Digoxin.
Rationale: Older persons are particularly susceptible to the buildup of cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin or digitoxin
(medications derived from digitalis), to a toxic level in their systems. Toxicity can cause anorexia, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, headache, and fatigue. Options A, B, and C are unlikely to result in the symptoms described.
Confidential • Student Study Edition • Practice & Review Guide Page 4 of 122
