HESI MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM PREP
2025/2026 ULTIMATE REVIEW – VERIFIED
QUESTIONS, IN-DEPTH RATIONALES & HIGH-
YIELD STUDY GUIDE FOR GUARANTEED PASS
SUCCESS
A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head STAT for
a patient. Which data warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning
this diagnostic test?
A) Elevated blood pressure.
B) Allergy to shell fish.
C) Right hip replacement.
D) History of atrial fibrillation. - - CORRECT ANSWER ----C) Right hip replacement.
The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that metal-containing items
are strongly attracted to the magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a
lead shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood pressure, an
allergy to shell fish, and a history of atrial fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
A client's daughter is sitting by her mother's bedside who was recently
transferred to the Intermediate Care Unit. She states "I don't understand what a
brain attack is. The healthcare provider told me my mother is in serious condition
and they are going to run several tests. I just don't know what is going on. What
happened to my mother?" What is the best response by the nurse?
,A) "I am sorry, but according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting
Act (HIPAA), I cannot give you any information."
B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
C) "How do you feel about what the healthcare provider said?"
D) "I will call the healthcare provider so he/she can talk to you about your
mother's serious condition." - - CORRECT ANSWER ----B) "Your mother has had a
stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been blocked."
Rationale: The nurse can discuss what a diagnosis means. Nancy is unable to make
decisions, so the next of kin, her daughter, Gail, needs sufficient information to
make informed decisions. The nurse has the knowledge, and the responsibility, to
explain Nancy's condition to Gail. The nurse should give facts first, and then
address her feelings after the information is provided.
What is the normal range for cardiac output? - - CORRECT ANSWER ----The
normal range for cardiac output to ensure cerebral blood flow and oxygen
delivery is 4 to 8 L/min.
A client was admitted with the diagnosis of a brain attack. Their symptoms began
24 hours before being admitted. Why would this client not be a candidate for for
thrombolytic therapy? - - CORRECT ANSWER ----Thrombolytic therapy is
contraindicated in clients with symptom onset longer than 3 hours prior to
admission. This client had symptoms for 24 hours before being brought to the
medical center
What are plate guards? - - CORRECT ANSWER ----Plate guards prevent food from
being pushed off the plate. Using plate guards and other assistive devices will
encourage independence in a client with a self-care deficit.
,Which condition is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for a brain attack?
A) High cholesterol levels.
B) Obesity.
C) History of atrial fibrillation.
D) Advanced age. - - CORRECT ANSWER ----D) Advanced age.
Rationale: People over age 55 are a high-risk group for a brain attack because the
incidence of stroke more than doubles in each successive decade of life. Non-
modifiable means the client cannot do anything to change the risk factor. All the
other options are modifiable risk factors.
A client is experiencing homonymous hemianopsia as the result of a brain attack.
Which nursing intervention would the nurse implement to address this condition?
A) Turn Nancy every two hours and perform active range of motion exercises.
B) Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on the left side of the
table.
C) Speak slowly and clearly to assist Nancy in forming sounds to words.
D) Request that the dietary department thicken all liquids on Nancy's meal and
snack trays. - - CORRECT ANSWER ----B) Place the objects Nancy needs for
activities of daily living on the left side of the table.
Rationale: Homonymous hemianopsia is loss of the visual field on the same side
as the paralyzed side. This results in the client neglecting that side of the body, so
it is beneficial to place objects on that side. Nancy had a left-hemisphere brain
attack so her right side is the weak side. Speaking slowly and clearly would
address the client's verbal deficits due to aphasia. Requesting all liquids to be
, thickened would address dysphagia. Turning the client every 2 hours and
performing active range of motion exercises would address the client's risk for
immobility due to paralysis.
A physical therapist (PT) places a gait belt on a client and is assisting them with
ambulation from the bed to the chair. As they get up out of the bed, they report
being dizzy and begin to fall. The PT carefully allows them to fall back to the bed
and notifies the primary nurse. Which written documentation should the nurse
put in the client's record?
A) Client experienced orthostatic hypotension when getting out of bed.
B) PT reported client complained of dizziness when getting out of bed, and gait
belt was used to allow client to fall back onto the bed.
C) PT notified the primary nurse that the client could not ambulate at this time
because of dizziness.
D) Client had difficulty ambulating from the bed to the chair when accompanied
by the PT, variance report completed. - - CORRECT ANSWER ----B) PT reported
client complained of dizziness when getting out of bed, and gait belt was used to
allow client to fall back onto the bed.
Rationale: This documentation provides the factual data of the events that
occurred. A)The nurse is making an assumption that the dizziness was caused by
orthostatic hypotension. C) Not all the pertinent facts are included in this
documentation.
D) A variance report should never be documented in the client's record.
A new nurse graduate is caring for a postoperative client with the following
arterial blood gases (ABGs): pH, 7.30; PCO2, 60 mm Hg; PO2, 80 mm Hg;
bicarbonate, 24 mEq/L; and O2 saturation, 96%. Which of these actions by the
new graduate is indicated?
2025/2026 ULTIMATE REVIEW – VERIFIED
QUESTIONS, IN-DEPTH RATIONALES & HIGH-
YIELD STUDY GUIDE FOR GUARANTEED PASS
SUCCESS
A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head STAT for
a patient. Which data warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning
this diagnostic test?
A) Elevated blood pressure.
B) Allergy to shell fish.
C) Right hip replacement.
D) History of atrial fibrillation. - - CORRECT ANSWER ----C) Right hip replacement.
The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that metal-containing items
are strongly attracted to the magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a
lead shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood pressure, an
allergy to shell fish, and a history of atrial fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
A client's daughter is sitting by her mother's bedside who was recently
transferred to the Intermediate Care Unit. She states "I don't understand what a
brain attack is. The healthcare provider told me my mother is in serious condition
and they are going to run several tests. I just don't know what is going on. What
happened to my mother?" What is the best response by the nurse?
,A) "I am sorry, but according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting
Act (HIPAA), I cannot give you any information."
B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
C) "How do you feel about what the healthcare provider said?"
D) "I will call the healthcare provider so he/she can talk to you about your
mother's serious condition." - - CORRECT ANSWER ----B) "Your mother has had a
stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been blocked."
Rationale: The nurse can discuss what a diagnosis means. Nancy is unable to make
decisions, so the next of kin, her daughter, Gail, needs sufficient information to
make informed decisions. The nurse has the knowledge, and the responsibility, to
explain Nancy's condition to Gail. The nurse should give facts first, and then
address her feelings after the information is provided.
What is the normal range for cardiac output? - - CORRECT ANSWER ----The
normal range for cardiac output to ensure cerebral blood flow and oxygen
delivery is 4 to 8 L/min.
A client was admitted with the diagnosis of a brain attack. Their symptoms began
24 hours before being admitted. Why would this client not be a candidate for for
thrombolytic therapy? - - CORRECT ANSWER ----Thrombolytic therapy is
contraindicated in clients with symptom onset longer than 3 hours prior to
admission. This client had symptoms for 24 hours before being brought to the
medical center
What are plate guards? - - CORRECT ANSWER ----Plate guards prevent food from
being pushed off the plate. Using plate guards and other assistive devices will
encourage independence in a client with a self-care deficit.
,Which condition is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for a brain attack?
A) High cholesterol levels.
B) Obesity.
C) History of atrial fibrillation.
D) Advanced age. - - CORRECT ANSWER ----D) Advanced age.
Rationale: People over age 55 are a high-risk group for a brain attack because the
incidence of stroke more than doubles in each successive decade of life. Non-
modifiable means the client cannot do anything to change the risk factor. All the
other options are modifiable risk factors.
A client is experiencing homonymous hemianopsia as the result of a brain attack.
Which nursing intervention would the nurse implement to address this condition?
A) Turn Nancy every two hours and perform active range of motion exercises.
B) Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on the left side of the
table.
C) Speak slowly and clearly to assist Nancy in forming sounds to words.
D) Request that the dietary department thicken all liquids on Nancy's meal and
snack trays. - - CORRECT ANSWER ----B) Place the objects Nancy needs for
activities of daily living on the left side of the table.
Rationale: Homonymous hemianopsia is loss of the visual field on the same side
as the paralyzed side. This results in the client neglecting that side of the body, so
it is beneficial to place objects on that side. Nancy had a left-hemisphere brain
attack so her right side is the weak side. Speaking slowly and clearly would
address the client's verbal deficits due to aphasia. Requesting all liquids to be
, thickened would address dysphagia. Turning the client every 2 hours and
performing active range of motion exercises would address the client's risk for
immobility due to paralysis.
A physical therapist (PT) places a gait belt on a client and is assisting them with
ambulation from the bed to the chair. As they get up out of the bed, they report
being dizzy and begin to fall. The PT carefully allows them to fall back to the bed
and notifies the primary nurse. Which written documentation should the nurse
put in the client's record?
A) Client experienced orthostatic hypotension when getting out of bed.
B) PT reported client complained of dizziness when getting out of bed, and gait
belt was used to allow client to fall back onto the bed.
C) PT notified the primary nurse that the client could not ambulate at this time
because of dizziness.
D) Client had difficulty ambulating from the bed to the chair when accompanied
by the PT, variance report completed. - - CORRECT ANSWER ----B) PT reported
client complained of dizziness when getting out of bed, and gait belt was used to
allow client to fall back onto the bed.
Rationale: This documentation provides the factual data of the events that
occurred. A)The nurse is making an assumption that the dizziness was caused by
orthostatic hypotension. C) Not all the pertinent facts are included in this
documentation.
D) A variance report should never be documented in the client's record.
A new nurse graduate is caring for a postoperative client with the following
arterial blood gases (ABGs): pH, 7.30; PCO2, 60 mm Hg; PO2, 80 mm Hg;
bicarbonate, 24 mEq/L; and O2 saturation, 96%. Which of these actions by the
new graduate is indicated?
