EVOLVE ELSEVIER HESI MEDICAL–SURGICAL NURSING
PRACTICE EXAM (2025–2026): COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED RATIONALES
1. Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis? - ANSWER--
Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints
2. Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a client with long-term
gastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD)? - ANSWER--Hoarseness
3. A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which assessment finding should the
nurse anticipate? - ANSWER--Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis
4. A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being treated with traction. which
action by the nurse is the priority when caring for this client? - ANSWER--Assess
neurovascular status
5. Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates that further education
is needed? - ANSWER--I will cut back on smoking cigarettes daily
6. The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm about reducing
the risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Which information should the nurse include? (Select
all that apply) - ANSWER--Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after
intercourse Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months
7. A male client who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day states he understands that smoking
cigarettes is contributing to the difficulty that he and his wife are having in getting pregnant
and wants to know if other factors could be contributing to their difficulty. Which
information is best for the nurse to provide? (Select all that apply). - ANSWER--Alcohol
consumption can cause erectile dysfunction Low testosterone levels affect sperm production
Cessation of smoking improves general health and fertility
8. Twenty four hours after a client returns from surgical gastric bypass, the registered nurse
(RN) observes large amounts of blood in the nasogastric tube (NGT) cannister. Which
assessment finding should the RN report as early signs of hypovolemic shock? - ANSWER--
lethargy
9. the registered nurse (RN) is assessing a male client who arrives at the clinic with severe
abdominal cramping, pain, tenesmus, and dehydration. the RN discovers that the client has
had 14 to 20 loose stools with rectal bleeding. When taking the client's medical history,
which information is most for the nurse to obtain? - ANSWER--Ulcerative colitis
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, 10. A client is newly diagnosed with diverticulosis. The registered nurse (RN) is assessing the
client's basic knowledge about the disease process. Which statement by the client conveys
an understanding of the etiology of diverticula? - ANSWER--Chronic constipation causes
weakening of colon wall which results in out pouching sacs
11. The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client who was discharged home after management
of chronic hypertension. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home?
- ANSWER--Sphygmomanometer
12. A young adult mail is diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma in the abdominopelvic
region and is scheduled for radiation therapy (RT). The client expresses concern about
becoming infertile. How should the nurse respond? - ANSWER--Propose sperm banking
before RT then artificial insemination is an option
13. A client's susceptibility to ulcerative colitis is most likely due to which aspect in the client's
history? - ANSWER--Jewish European ancestry
14. Small bowl obstruction is a condition characterized by which finding? - ANSWER--Severe fluid
and electrolyte imbalances
15. Which client should the nurse recognize as most likely to experience sleep apnea? -
ANSWER--Obese older male client with a short, thick neck
16. Which milestone indicates to the nurse successful achievement of young adulthood? -
ANSWER--Completes education and becomes self-supporting
17. A client who has heart failure is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9
mmol/L). Which action is most important for the nurse to implement? - ANSWER--Initiate
continuous cardiac monitoring
18. Which postmenopausal client's complaint should the nurse refer to the HCP? - ANSWER--
episodes of vaginal bleeding
19. The nurse is teaching a female client about the best time to plan sexual intercourse in order
to conceive. Which information should the nurse provide? - ANSWER--Two weeks before
menstruation
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PRACTICE EXAM (2025–2026): COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED RATIONALES
1. Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis? - ANSWER--
Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints
2. Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a client with long-term
gastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD)? - ANSWER--Hoarseness
3. A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which assessment finding should the
nurse anticipate? - ANSWER--Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis
4. A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being treated with traction. which
action by the nurse is the priority when caring for this client? - ANSWER--Assess
neurovascular status
5. Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates that further education
is needed? - ANSWER--I will cut back on smoking cigarettes daily
6. The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm about reducing
the risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Which information should the nurse include? (Select
all that apply) - ANSWER--Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after
intercourse Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months
7. A male client who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day states he understands that smoking
cigarettes is contributing to the difficulty that he and his wife are having in getting pregnant
and wants to know if other factors could be contributing to their difficulty. Which
information is best for the nurse to provide? (Select all that apply). - ANSWER--Alcohol
consumption can cause erectile dysfunction Low testosterone levels affect sperm production
Cessation of smoking improves general health and fertility
8. Twenty four hours after a client returns from surgical gastric bypass, the registered nurse
(RN) observes large amounts of blood in the nasogastric tube (NGT) cannister. Which
assessment finding should the RN report as early signs of hypovolemic shock? - ANSWER--
lethargy
9. the registered nurse (RN) is assessing a male client who arrives at the clinic with severe
abdominal cramping, pain, tenesmus, and dehydration. the RN discovers that the client has
had 14 to 20 loose stools with rectal bleeding. When taking the client's medical history,
which information is most for the nurse to obtain? - ANSWER--Ulcerative colitis
1|Page
, 10. A client is newly diagnosed with diverticulosis. The registered nurse (RN) is assessing the
client's basic knowledge about the disease process. Which statement by the client conveys
an understanding of the etiology of diverticula? - ANSWER--Chronic constipation causes
weakening of colon wall which results in out pouching sacs
11. The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client who was discharged home after management
of chronic hypertension. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home?
- ANSWER--Sphygmomanometer
12. A young adult mail is diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma in the abdominopelvic
region and is scheduled for radiation therapy (RT). The client expresses concern about
becoming infertile. How should the nurse respond? - ANSWER--Propose sperm banking
before RT then artificial insemination is an option
13. A client's susceptibility to ulcerative colitis is most likely due to which aspect in the client's
history? - ANSWER--Jewish European ancestry
14. Small bowl obstruction is a condition characterized by which finding? - ANSWER--Severe fluid
and electrolyte imbalances
15. Which client should the nurse recognize as most likely to experience sleep apnea? -
ANSWER--Obese older male client with a short, thick neck
16. Which milestone indicates to the nurse successful achievement of young adulthood? -
ANSWER--Completes education and becomes self-supporting
17. A client who has heart failure is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9
mmol/L). Which action is most important for the nurse to implement? - ANSWER--Initiate
continuous cardiac monitoring
18. Which postmenopausal client's complaint should the nurse refer to the HCP? - ANSWER--
episodes of vaginal bleeding
19. The nurse is teaching a female client about the best time to plan sexual intercourse in order
to conceive. Which information should the nurse provide? - ANSWER--Two weeks before
menstruation
2|Page
