MED-SURG HESI PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which description of symptoms is characteristic of a client diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia (tic
douloureux)?
A) Tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing difficulties.
B) Sudden, stabbing, severe pain over the lip and chin.
C) Facial weakness and paralysis.
D) Difficulty in chewing, talking, and swallowing. - (ANSWER)B
A 67-year-old woman who lives alone is admitted after tripping on a rug in her home and fractures her
hip. Which predisposing factor probably led to the fracture in the proximal end of her femur?
A) Failing eyesight resulting in an unsafe environment.
B) Renal osteodystrophy resulting from chronic renal failure.
C) Osteoporosis resulting from hormonal changes.
D) Cardiovascular changes resulting in small strokes which impair mental acuity. - (ANSWER)C
The nurse is assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery. What action should the nurse do
first?
A) Place a chair at a right angle to the bedside.
B) Encourage deep breathing prior to standing.
C) Help the client to sit and dangle legs on the side of the bed.
D) Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position. - (ANSWER)D
A 20-year-old female client calls the nurse to report a lump she found in her breast. Which response is
the best for the nurse to provide?
A) Check it again in one month, and if it is still there schedule an appointment.
B) Most lumps are benign, but it is always best to come in for an examination.
C) Try not to worry too much about it, because usually, most lumps are benign.
D) If you are in your menstrual period it is not a good time to check for lumps. - (ANSWER)B
,MED-SURG HESI PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A female client is brought to the clinic by her daughter for a flu shot. She has lost significant weight since
the last visit. She has poor personal hygiene and inadequate clothing for the weather. The client states
that she lives alone and denies problems or concerns. What action should the nurse implement?
A) Notify social services immediately of suspected elderly abuse.
B) Discuss the need for mental health counseling with the daughter.
C) Explain to the client that she needs to take better care of herself.
D) Collect further data to determine whether self-neglect is occurring. - (ANSWER)D
A client is admitted to the medical intensive care unit with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction. The
client's history indicates the infarction occurred ten hours ago. Which laboratory test result should the
nurse expect this client to exhibit?
A) Elevated LDH.
B) Elevated serum amylase.
C) Elevated CK-MB.
D) Elevated hematocrit. - (ANSWER)C
A splint is prescribed for nighttime use by a client with rheumatoid arthritis. Which statement by the
nurse provides the most accurate explanation for use of the splints?
A) Prevention of deformities.
B) Avoidance of joint trauma.
C) Relief of joint inflammation.
D) Improvement in joint strength. - (ANSWER)A
The nurse should be correct in withholding a dose of digoxin in a client with congestive heart failure
without specific instruction from the healthcare provider if the client's
A) serum digoxin level is 1.5.
B) blood pressure is 104/68.
C) serum potassium level is 3.
D) apical pulse is 68/min. - (ANSWER)C
,MED-SURG HESI PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
During CPR, when attempting to ventilate a client's lungs, the nurse notes that the chest is not moving.
What action should the nurse take first?
A) Use a laryngoscope to check for a foreign body lodged in the esophagus.
B) Reposition the head to validate that the head is in the proper position to open the airway.
C) Turn the client to the side and administer three back blows.
D) Perform a finger sweep of the mouth to remove any vomitus. - (ANSWER)B
Despite several eye surgeries, a 78-year-old client who lives alone has persistent vision problems. The
visiting nurse is discussing painting the house with the client. The nurse suggests that the edge of the
steps should be painted which color?
A) Black.
B) White.
C) Light green.
D) Medium yellow. - (ANSWER)D
The nurse is assessing a client with bacterial meningitis. Which assessment finding indicates the client
may have developed septic emboli?
A) Cyanosis of the fingertips.
B) Bradycardia and bradypnea.
C) Presence of S3 and S4 heart sounds.
D) 3+ pitting edema of the lower extremities. - (ANSWER)A
In assessing a client diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism, the nurse expects the laboratory test
results to indicate a decreased serum level of which substance?
A) Sodium.
B) Antidiuretic hormone.
C) Potassium.
D) Glucose. - (ANSWER)C
, MED-SURG HESI PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing polyphagia. Which outcome statement is the priority for
this client?
A) Fluid and electrolyte balance.
B) Prevention of water toxicity.
C) Reduced glucose in the urine.
D) Adequate cellular nourishment. - (ANSWER)D
Based on the analysis of the client's atrial fibrillation, the nurse should prepare the client for which
treatment protocol?
A) Diuretic therapy.
B) Pacemaker implantation.
C) Anticoagulation therapy.
D) Cardiac catheterization. - (ANSWER)C
Which information about mammograms is most important to provide a post-menopausal female client?
A) Breast self-examinations are not needed if annual mammograms are obtained.
B) Radiation exposure is minimized by shielding the abdomen with a lead-lined apron.
C) Yearly mammograms should be done regardless of previous normal x-rays.
D) Women at high risk should have annual routine and ultrasound mammograms. - (ANSWER)C
In assessing cancer risk, the nurse identifies which woman as being at greatest risk of developing breast
cancer?
A) A 35-year-old multipara who never breastfed.
B) A 50-year-old whose mother had unilateral breast cancer.
C) A 55-year-old whose mother-in-law had bilateral breast cancer.
D) A 20-year-old whose menarche occurred at age 9. - (ANSWER)B
A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of symptoms, including paresthesias,
diplopia, and nystagmus. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
Which description of symptoms is characteristic of a client diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia (tic
douloureux)?
A) Tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing difficulties.
B) Sudden, stabbing, severe pain over the lip and chin.
C) Facial weakness and paralysis.
D) Difficulty in chewing, talking, and swallowing. - (ANSWER)B
A 67-year-old woman who lives alone is admitted after tripping on a rug in her home and fractures her
hip. Which predisposing factor probably led to the fracture in the proximal end of her femur?
A) Failing eyesight resulting in an unsafe environment.
B) Renal osteodystrophy resulting from chronic renal failure.
C) Osteoporosis resulting from hormonal changes.
D) Cardiovascular changes resulting in small strokes which impair mental acuity. - (ANSWER)C
The nurse is assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery. What action should the nurse do
first?
A) Place a chair at a right angle to the bedside.
B) Encourage deep breathing prior to standing.
C) Help the client to sit and dangle legs on the side of the bed.
D) Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position. - (ANSWER)D
A 20-year-old female client calls the nurse to report a lump she found in her breast. Which response is
the best for the nurse to provide?
A) Check it again in one month, and if it is still there schedule an appointment.
B) Most lumps are benign, but it is always best to come in for an examination.
C) Try not to worry too much about it, because usually, most lumps are benign.
D) If you are in your menstrual period it is not a good time to check for lumps. - (ANSWER)B
,MED-SURG HESI PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A female client is brought to the clinic by her daughter for a flu shot. She has lost significant weight since
the last visit. She has poor personal hygiene and inadequate clothing for the weather. The client states
that she lives alone and denies problems or concerns. What action should the nurse implement?
A) Notify social services immediately of suspected elderly abuse.
B) Discuss the need for mental health counseling with the daughter.
C) Explain to the client that she needs to take better care of herself.
D) Collect further data to determine whether self-neglect is occurring. - (ANSWER)D
A client is admitted to the medical intensive care unit with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction. The
client's history indicates the infarction occurred ten hours ago. Which laboratory test result should the
nurse expect this client to exhibit?
A) Elevated LDH.
B) Elevated serum amylase.
C) Elevated CK-MB.
D) Elevated hematocrit. - (ANSWER)C
A splint is prescribed for nighttime use by a client with rheumatoid arthritis. Which statement by the
nurse provides the most accurate explanation for use of the splints?
A) Prevention of deformities.
B) Avoidance of joint trauma.
C) Relief of joint inflammation.
D) Improvement in joint strength. - (ANSWER)A
The nurse should be correct in withholding a dose of digoxin in a client with congestive heart failure
without specific instruction from the healthcare provider if the client's
A) serum digoxin level is 1.5.
B) blood pressure is 104/68.
C) serum potassium level is 3.
D) apical pulse is 68/min. - (ANSWER)C
,MED-SURG HESI PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
During CPR, when attempting to ventilate a client's lungs, the nurse notes that the chest is not moving.
What action should the nurse take first?
A) Use a laryngoscope to check for a foreign body lodged in the esophagus.
B) Reposition the head to validate that the head is in the proper position to open the airway.
C) Turn the client to the side and administer three back blows.
D) Perform a finger sweep of the mouth to remove any vomitus. - (ANSWER)B
Despite several eye surgeries, a 78-year-old client who lives alone has persistent vision problems. The
visiting nurse is discussing painting the house with the client. The nurse suggests that the edge of the
steps should be painted which color?
A) Black.
B) White.
C) Light green.
D) Medium yellow. - (ANSWER)D
The nurse is assessing a client with bacterial meningitis. Which assessment finding indicates the client
may have developed septic emboli?
A) Cyanosis of the fingertips.
B) Bradycardia and bradypnea.
C) Presence of S3 and S4 heart sounds.
D) 3+ pitting edema of the lower extremities. - (ANSWER)A
In assessing a client diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism, the nurse expects the laboratory test
results to indicate a decreased serum level of which substance?
A) Sodium.
B) Antidiuretic hormone.
C) Potassium.
D) Glucose. - (ANSWER)C
, MED-SURG HESI PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing polyphagia. Which outcome statement is the priority for
this client?
A) Fluid and electrolyte balance.
B) Prevention of water toxicity.
C) Reduced glucose in the urine.
D) Adequate cellular nourishment. - (ANSWER)D
Based on the analysis of the client's atrial fibrillation, the nurse should prepare the client for which
treatment protocol?
A) Diuretic therapy.
B) Pacemaker implantation.
C) Anticoagulation therapy.
D) Cardiac catheterization. - (ANSWER)C
Which information about mammograms is most important to provide a post-menopausal female client?
A) Breast self-examinations are not needed if annual mammograms are obtained.
B) Radiation exposure is minimized by shielding the abdomen with a lead-lined apron.
C) Yearly mammograms should be done regardless of previous normal x-rays.
D) Women at high risk should have annual routine and ultrasound mammograms. - (ANSWER)C
In assessing cancer risk, the nurse identifies which woman as being at greatest risk of developing breast
cancer?
A) A 35-year-old multipara who never breastfed.
B) A 50-year-old whose mother had unilateral breast cancer.
C) A 55-year-old whose mother-in-law had bilateral breast cancer.
D) A 20-year-old whose menarche occurred at age 9. - (ANSWER)B
A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of symptoms, including paresthesias,
diplopia, and nystagmus. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
