HESI MED SURG ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS|GRADE A+.
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. Cyanosis of the
fingertips.
Septic emboli secondary to meningitis commonly lodge in the small arterioles of the
extremities, causing a decrease in circulation to the hands which may lead to
gangrene.
A 77-year-old female client is admitted to the hospital. She is confused, has no
appetite, is nauseated and vomiting, and is complaining of a headache. Her pulse
rate is 43 beats per minute. It is most important for the nurse to assess for which
finding?
A. Wearing dentures.
B. Use of aspirin prior to admit.
C. Prescribed nitroglycerin for chest pain.
D. Takes digitalis. - ANSWER: D. Takes digitalis.
Although it is important to obtain a complete medication history, the symptoms
described are classic for digitalis toxicity, and assessment of this problem should be
made promptly. Elderly persons are particularly susceptible to digitalis intoxication
which manifests itself in such symptoms as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
headache, and fatigue.
A 58-year-old client who has been post-menopausal for five years is concerned
about the risk for osteoporosis because her mother has the condition. Which
information should the nurse offer?
A. Osteoporosis is a progressive genetic disease with no effective treatment.
B. Calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and
exercise.
C. Estrogen replacement therapy should be started to prevent the progression
osteoporosis.
, D. Low-dose corticosteroid treatment effectively halts the course of osteoporosis. -
ANSWER: B. Calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increasing calcium intake
and exercise.
Post-menopausal females are at risk for osteoporosis due to the cessation of
estrogen secretion, but a regimen including calcium, vitamin D, and weight-bearing
exercise can help prevent further bone loss.
A client with heart disease is on a continuous telemetry monitor and has developed
sinus bradycardia. In determining the possible cause of the bradycardia, the nurse
assesses the client's medication record. Which medication is most likely the cause of
the bradycardia?
A. Propanolol.
B. Captopril.
C. Furosemide.
D. Dobutamine. - ANSWER: A. Propanolol.
Propanolol is a beta adrenergic blocking agent, which causes decreased heart rate
and decreased contractility.
The nurse assesses a client with advanced cirrhosis of the liver for signs of hepatic
encephalopathy. Which finding would the nurse consider an indication of progressive
hepatic encephalopathy?
A. An increase in abdominal girth.
B. Hypertension and a bounding pulse.
C. Decreased bowel sounds.
D. Difficulty in handwriting. - ANSWER: D. Difficulty in handwriting.
A daily record in handwriting may provide evidence of progression of hepatic
encephalopathy leading to coma.
An older adult male client comes to the geriatric screening clinic complaining of pain
in his left calf. The nurse notices a reddened area on the calf of his right leg which is
warm to the touch and suspects it might be thrombophlebitis. Which type of pain
would further confirm this suspicion?
A. Pain in the calf awakening him from a sound sleep.
B. Calf pain on exertion which stops when standing in one place.
C. Pain in the calf upon exertion which is relieved by rest and elevating the extremity.
ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS|GRADE A+.
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. Cyanosis of the
fingertips.
Septic emboli secondary to meningitis commonly lodge in the small arterioles of the
extremities, causing a decrease in circulation to the hands which may lead to
gangrene.
A 77-year-old female client is admitted to the hospital. She is confused, has no
appetite, is nauseated and vomiting, and is complaining of a headache. Her pulse
rate is 43 beats per minute. It is most important for the nurse to assess for which
finding?
A. Wearing dentures.
B. Use of aspirin prior to admit.
C. Prescribed nitroglycerin for chest pain.
D. Takes digitalis. - ANSWER: D. Takes digitalis.
Although it is important to obtain a complete medication history, the symptoms
described are classic for digitalis toxicity, and assessment of this problem should be
made promptly. Elderly persons are particularly susceptible to digitalis intoxication
which manifests itself in such symptoms as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
headache, and fatigue.
A 58-year-old client who has been post-menopausal for five years is concerned
about the risk for osteoporosis because her mother has the condition. Which
information should the nurse offer?
A. Osteoporosis is a progressive genetic disease with no effective treatment.
B. Calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and
exercise.
C. Estrogen replacement therapy should be started to prevent the progression
osteoporosis.
, D. Low-dose corticosteroid treatment effectively halts the course of osteoporosis. -
ANSWER: B. Calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increasing calcium intake
and exercise.
Post-menopausal females are at risk for osteoporosis due to the cessation of
estrogen secretion, but a regimen including calcium, vitamin D, and weight-bearing
exercise can help prevent further bone loss.
A client with heart disease is on a continuous telemetry monitor and has developed
sinus bradycardia. In determining the possible cause of the bradycardia, the nurse
assesses the client's medication record. Which medication is most likely the cause of
the bradycardia?
A. Propanolol.
B. Captopril.
C. Furosemide.
D. Dobutamine. - ANSWER: A. Propanolol.
Propanolol is a beta adrenergic blocking agent, which causes decreased heart rate
and decreased contractility.
The nurse assesses a client with advanced cirrhosis of the liver for signs of hepatic
encephalopathy. Which finding would the nurse consider an indication of progressive
hepatic encephalopathy?
A. An increase in abdominal girth.
B. Hypertension and a bounding pulse.
C. Decreased bowel sounds.
D. Difficulty in handwriting. - ANSWER: D. Difficulty in handwriting.
A daily record in handwriting may provide evidence of progression of hepatic
encephalopathy leading to coma.
An older adult male client comes to the geriatric screening clinic complaining of pain
in his left calf. The nurse notices a reddened area on the calf of his right leg which is
warm to the touch and suspects it might be thrombophlebitis. Which type of pain
would further confirm this suspicion?
A. Pain in the calf awakening him from a sound sleep.
B. Calf pain on exertion which stops when standing in one place.
C. Pain in the calf upon exertion which is relieved by rest and elevating the extremity.
