HESI Med-Surg Exam Question Bank with Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) and Full Detailed Rationales | Latest
(2026/2027) Updated Version | 100% Guaranteed Pass
{JUST RELEASED}
1. An 81-year-old male client has emphysema. He lives at home with his cat and
manages self-care with no difficulty. When making a home visit, the nurse notices
that this client's tongue is somewhat cracked and his eyeballs appear sunken into
his head. Which nursing intervention is indicated?
A. Help the client determine ways to increase his fluid intake.
B. Obtain an appointment for the client to have an eye examination.
C. Instruct the client to use oxygen at night and increase the humidification.
D. Schedule the client for tests to determine his sensitivity to cat hair.
Correct Answer: A
,Expert Rationale: Clients with COPD should ingest 3 L of fluids daily but may
experience a fluid deficit because of shortness of breath. The nurse should suggest
creative methods to increase the intake of fluids (A), such as having fruit juices in
disposable containers readily available. (B) is not indicated. Humidified oxygen
will not effectively treat the client's fluid deficit, and there is no indication that the
client needs supplemental oxygen at night (C). These symptoms are not indicative
of (D) and may unnecessarily upset the client, who depends on his pet for
socialization.
2. A postoperative client receives a Schedule II opioid analgesic for pain. Which
assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Hypoactive bowel sounds with abdominal distention
B. Client reports continued pain of 8 on a 10-point scale
C. Respiratory rate of 12 breaths/min, with O2 saturation of 85%
D. Client reports nausea after receiving the medication
Correct Answer: C
,Expert Rationale: Administration of a Schedule II opioid analgesic can result in
respiratory depression (C), which requires immediate intervention by the nurse to
prevent respiratory arrest. (A, B, and D) require action by the nurse but are of less
priority than (C).
3. Which instruction should the nurse teach a female client about the prevention of
toxic shock syndrome?
A. "Get immunization against human papillomavirus (HPV)."
B. "Change your tampon frequently."
C. "Empty your bladder after intercourse."
D. "Obtain a yearly flu vaccination."
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus produce a toxin that
can enter the bloodstream through the vaginal mucosa. Changing the tampon
frequently (B) reduces the exposure to these toxins, which are the primary cause of
toxic shock syndrome. (A) helps prevent cervical cancer, not toxic shock
syndrome. (C) can lessen the incidence of urinary tract infection. (D) can help
prevent some individuals from contracting the flu and pneumonia, but no
relationship to toxic shock syndrome has been proven.
, 4. The nurse is caring for a critically ill client with cirrhosis of the liver who has a
nasogastric tube draining bright red blood. The nurse notes that the client's serum
hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are decreased. Which additional change in
laboratory data should the nurse expect?
A. Increased serum albumin level
B. Decreased serum creatinine
C. Decreased serum ammonia level
D. Increased liver function test results
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale: The breakdown of glutamine in the intestine and the increased
activity of colonic bacteria from the digestion of proteins increase ammonia levels
in clients with advanced liver disease, so removal of blood, a protein source, from
the intestine results in a reduced level of ammonia (C). (A, B, and D) will not be
significantly affected by the removal of blood.
5. A client is being discharged following radioactive seed implantation for prostate
cancer. What is the most important information that the nurse should provide to
this client's family?
(Verified Answers) and Full Detailed Rationales | Latest
(2026/2027) Updated Version | 100% Guaranteed Pass
{JUST RELEASED}
1. An 81-year-old male client has emphysema. He lives at home with his cat and
manages self-care with no difficulty. When making a home visit, the nurse notices
that this client's tongue is somewhat cracked and his eyeballs appear sunken into
his head. Which nursing intervention is indicated?
A. Help the client determine ways to increase his fluid intake.
B. Obtain an appointment for the client to have an eye examination.
C. Instruct the client to use oxygen at night and increase the humidification.
D. Schedule the client for tests to determine his sensitivity to cat hair.
Correct Answer: A
,Expert Rationale: Clients with COPD should ingest 3 L of fluids daily but may
experience a fluid deficit because of shortness of breath. The nurse should suggest
creative methods to increase the intake of fluids (A), such as having fruit juices in
disposable containers readily available. (B) is not indicated. Humidified oxygen
will not effectively treat the client's fluid deficit, and there is no indication that the
client needs supplemental oxygen at night (C). These symptoms are not indicative
of (D) and may unnecessarily upset the client, who depends on his pet for
socialization.
2. A postoperative client receives a Schedule II opioid analgesic for pain. Which
assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Hypoactive bowel sounds with abdominal distention
B. Client reports continued pain of 8 on a 10-point scale
C. Respiratory rate of 12 breaths/min, with O2 saturation of 85%
D. Client reports nausea after receiving the medication
Correct Answer: C
,Expert Rationale: Administration of a Schedule II opioid analgesic can result in
respiratory depression (C), which requires immediate intervention by the nurse to
prevent respiratory arrest. (A, B, and D) require action by the nurse but are of less
priority than (C).
3. Which instruction should the nurse teach a female client about the prevention of
toxic shock syndrome?
A. "Get immunization against human papillomavirus (HPV)."
B. "Change your tampon frequently."
C. "Empty your bladder after intercourse."
D. "Obtain a yearly flu vaccination."
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus produce a toxin that
can enter the bloodstream through the vaginal mucosa. Changing the tampon
frequently (B) reduces the exposure to these toxins, which are the primary cause of
toxic shock syndrome. (A) helps prevent cervical cancer, not toxic shock
syndrome. (C) can lessen the incidence of urinary tract infection. (D) can help
prevent some individuals from contracting the flu and pneumonia, but no
relationship to toxic shock syndrome has been proven.
, 4. The nurse is caring for a critically ill client with cirrhosis of the liver who has a
nasogastric tube draining bright red blood. The nurse notes that the client's serum
hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are decreased. Which additional change in
laboratory data should the nurse expect?
A. Increased serum albumin level
B. Decreased serum creatinine
C. Decreased serum ammonia level
D. Increased liver function test results
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale: The breakdown of glutamine in the intestine and the increased
activity of colonic bacteria from the digestion of proteins increase ammonia levels
in clients with advanced liver disease, so removal of blood, a protein source, from
the intestine results in a reduced level of ammonia (C). (A, B, and D) will not be
significantly affected by the removal of blood.
5. A client is being discharged following radioactive seed implantation for prostate
cancer. What is the most important information that the nurse should provide to
this client's family?
