EVOLVE ELSEVIER HESI MED SURG ACTUAL EXAM WITH 50 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH WELL-ELABORATED
RATIONALES/ EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL SURGICAL LATEST EXAM 2025
1. Question:
A nurse is assessing a client who has been admitted with a diagnosis of
acute pancreatitis. Which of the following clinical manifestations should
the nurse expect to find?
• A) Increased blood pressure
• B) Severe left upper quadrant pain
• C) Decreased temperature
• D) Jaundice
Answer: B) Severe left upper quadrant pain
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by severe abdominal pain,
typically located in the upper left quadrant or epigastric region. Other
common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and elevated pancreatic
enzymes. Increased blood pressure, decreased temperature, and
jaundice are not typically early manifestations of acute pancreatitis.
2. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving digoxin
(Lanoxin). Which of the following laboratory results should be closely
monitored to prevent toxicity?
• A) Potassium
• B) Sodium
, • C) Magnesium
• D) Calcium
Answer: A) Potassium
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity is associated with low potassium levels
(hypokalemia). Low potassium increases the risk for digoxin toxicity
because potassium and digoxin both compete for binding to the same
receptors. Close monitoring of potassium levels is essential to prevent
digoxin toxicity.
3. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should recognize that which of
the following is a priority goal for the client?
• A) Maintain optimal oxygen saturation levels
• B) Prevent pulmonary infections
• C) Increase physical activity
• D) Reduce anxiety levels
Answer: A) Maintain optimal oxygen saturation levels
Rationale: In COPD, maintaining optimal oxygen saturation is a priority
to ensure adequate oxygenation to body tissues. Preventing infections,
increasing physical activity, and reducing anxiety are important goals as
well, but maintaining oxygen levels takes precedence.
4. Question:
, A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
• A) Check the client’s vital signs
• B) Verify the blood product with another nurse
• C) Obtain informed consent
• D) Hang the blood product using a 20-gauge needle
Answer: B) Verify the blood product with another nurse
Rationale: The first action to ensure patient safety when administering
blood is to verify the blood product with another nurse. This helps to
prevent errors related to blood compatibility. Once verified, informed
consent should be obtained, and vital signs should be checked before
starting the transfusion.
5. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following a
total hip replacement. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid
which of the following actions?
• A) Using a raised toilet seat
• B) Crossing the legs while sitting
• C) Sitting in a chair with a high back
• D) Performing leg exercises
Answer: B) Crossing the legs while sitting
Rationale: After a hip replacement, clients should avoid crossing their
legs because it can lead to hip dislocation. The other actions, such as
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH WELL-ELABORATED
RATIONALES/ EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL SURGICAL LATEST EXAM 2025
1. Question:
A nurse is assessing a client who has been admitted with a diagnosis of
acute pancreatitis. Which of the following clinical manifestations should
the nurse expect to find?
• A) Increased blood pressure
• B) Severe left upper quadrant pain
• C) Decreased temperature
• D) Jaundice
Answer: B) Severe left upper quadrant pain
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by severe abdominal pain,
typically located in the upper left quadrant or epigastric region. Other
common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and elevated pancreatic
enzymes. Increased blood pressure, decreased temperature, and
jaundice are not typically early manifestations of acute pancreatitis.
2. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving digoxin
(Lanoxin). Which of the following laboratory results should be closely
monitored to prevent toxicity?
• A) Potassium
• B) Sodium
, • C) Magnesium
• D) Calcium
Answer: A) Potassium
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity is associated with low potassium levels
(hypokalemia). Low potassium increases the risk for digoxin toxicity
because potassium and digoxin both compete for binding to the same
receptors. Close monitoring of potassium levels is essential to prevent
digoxin toxicity.
3. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should recognize that which of
the following is a priority goal for the client?
• A) Maintain optimal oxygen saturation levels
• B) Prevent pulmonary infections
• C) Increase physical activity
• D) Reduce anxiety levels
Answer: A) Maintain optimal oxygen saturation levels
Rationale: In COPD, maintaining optimal oxygen saturation is a priority
to ensure adequate oxygenation to body tissues. Preventing infections,
increasing physical activity, and reducing anxiety are important goals as
well, but maintaining oxygen levels takes precedence.
4. Question:
, A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
• A) Check the client’s vital signs
• B) Verify the blood product with another nurse
• C) Obtain informed consent
• D) Hang the blood product using a 20-gauge needle
Answer: B) Verify the blood product with another nurse
Rationale: The first action to ensure patient safety when administering
blood is to verify the blood product with another nurse. This helps to
prevent errors related to blood compatibility. Once verified, informed
consent should be obtained, and vital signs should be checked before
starting the transfusion.
5. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following a
total hip replacement. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid
which of the following actions?
• A) Using a raised toilet seat
• B) Crossing the legs while sitting
• C) Sitting in a chair with a high back
• D) Performing leg exercises
Answer: B) Crossing the legs while sitting
Rationale: After a hip replacement, clients should avoid crossing their
legs because it can lead to hip dislocation. The other actions, such as
