HESI NUR 209 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
LATEST 2026 UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL
EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value requires
immediate intervention?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
C. Glucose 98 mg/dL
D. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
ANSWER: B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss; hypokalemia
increases risk for dysrhythmias and requires urgent correction.
2. Which finding indicates a complication of chest tube insertion?
A. Tidaling in the water seal chamber
B. Intermittent bubbling in suction chamber
C. Subcutaneous emphysema around insertion site
D. Serosanguineous drainage
ANSWER: C. Subcutaneous emphysema around insertion site
Rationale: Air under the skin indicates air leak or improper tube function and is a
complication.
3. A client with COPD should be taught to use oxygen therapy how?
,A. 6 L/min continuously
B. 2–3 L/min to maintain SpO₂ 88–92%
C. Only during dyspnea episodes
D. High-flow mask at all times
ANSWER: B. 2–3 L/min to maintain SpO₂ 88–92%
Rationale: COPD patients require low-flow oxygen to prevent respiratory
suppression.
4. Which symptom is most concerning in a client receiving heparin?
A. Mild bruising at injection site
B. Pink-tinged urine
C. Slight gum bleeding
D. Heart rate 88 bpm
ANSWER: B. Pink-tinged urine
Rationale: Hematuria may indicate internal bleeding and requires immediate
intervention.
5. A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL. What is the priority
action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Recheck in 1 hour
D. Encourage exercise
ANSWER: B. Give 15 g fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Immediate treatment for hypoglycemia is rapid glucose replacement.
6. Which lab value indicates kidney failure?
,A. BUN 12 mg/dL
B. Creatinine 3.8 mg/dL
C. Potassium 3.5 mEq/L
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
ANSWER: B. Creatinine 3.8 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine indicates decreased kidney filtration.
7. A post-op client suddenly develops chest pain and dyspnea. What is priority
action?
A. Encourage coughing
B. Apply oxygen
C. Raise legs
D. Check temperature
ANSWER: B. Apply oxygen
Rationale: Suspected pulmonary embolism requires immediate oxygenation.
8. Which medication requires monitoring for ototoxicity?
A. Vancomycin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Metformin
D. Heparin
ANSWER: A. Vancomycin
Rationale: Vancomycin can damage hearing and kidneys.
9. Which assessment finding indicates fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Weight loss
, C. Crackles in lungs
D. Decreased BP
ANSWER: C. Crackles in lungs
Rationale: Fluid accumulation causes pulmonary crackles.
10. A client with stroke has right-sided weakness. What is priority nursing
intervention?
A. Place food on right side
B. Encourage ambulation immediately
C. Turn every 2 hours
D. Restrict fluids
ANSWER: C. Turn every 2 hours
Rationale: Prevents pressure injuries and complications of immobility.
11. Which symptom suggests digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Fever
D. Hyperglycemia
ANSWER: A. Bradycardia
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate; toxicity causes severe bradycardia.
12. A client with pancreatitis should be positioned how?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler’s
C. Side-lying with knees flexed
D. Prone
LATEST 2026 UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL
EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab value requires
immediate intervention?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
C. Glucose 98 mg/dL
D. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
ANSWER: B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss; hypokalemia
increases risk for dysrhythmias and requires urgent correction.
2. Which finding indicates a complication of chest tube insertion?
A. Tidaling in the water seal chamber
B. Intermittent bubbling in suction chamber
C. Subcutaneous emphysema around insertion site
D. Serosanguineous drainage
ANSWER: C. Subcutaneous emphysema around insertion site
Rationale: Air under the skin indicates air leak or improper tube function and is a
complication.
3. A client with COPD should be taught to use oxygen therapy how?
,A. 6 L/min continuously
B. 2–3 L/min to maintain SpO₂ 88–92%
C. Only during dyspnea episodes
D. High-flow mask at all times
ANSWER: B. 2–3 L/min to maintain SpO₂ 88–92%
Rationale: COPD patients require low-flow oxygen to prevent respiratory
suppression.
4. Which symptom is most concerning in a client receiving heparin?
A. Mild bruising at injection site
B. Pink-tinged urine
C. Slight gum bleeding
D. Heart rate 88 bpm
ANSWER: B. Pink-tinged urine
Rationale: Hematuria may indicate internal bleeding and requires immediate
intervention.
5. A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL. What is the priority
action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Recheck in 1 hour
D. Encourage exercise
ANSWER: B. Give 15 g fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Immediate treatment for hypoglycemia is rapid glucose replacement.
6. Which lab value indicates kidney failure?
,A. BUN 12 mg/dL
B. Creatinine 3.8 mg/dL
C. Potassium 3.5 mEq/L
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
ANSWER: B. Creatinine 3.8 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine indicates decreased kidney filtration.
7. A post-op client suddenly develops chest pain and dyspnea. What is priority
action?
A. Encourage coughing
B. Apply oxygen
C. Raise legs
D. Check temperature
ANSWER: B. Apply oxygen
Rationale: Suspected pulmonary embolism requires immediate oxygenation.
8. Which medication requires monitoring for ototoxicity?
A. Vancomycin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Metformin
D. Heparin
ANSWER: A. Vancomycin
Rationale: Vancomycin can damage hearing and kidneys.
9. Which assessment finding indicates fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Weight loss
, C. Crackles in lungs
D. Decreased BP
ANSWER: C. Crackles in lungs
Rationale: Fluid accumulation causes pulmonary crackles.
10. A client with stroke has right-sided weakness. What is priority nursing
intervention?
A. Place food on right side
B. Encourage ambulation immediately
C. Turn every 2 hours
D. Restrict fluids
ANSWER: C. Turn every 2 hours
Rationale: Prevents pressure injuries and complications of immobility.
11. Which symptom suggests digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Fever
D. Hyperglycemia
ANSWER: A. Bradycardia
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate; toxicity causes severe bradycardia.
12. A client with pancreatitis should be positioned how?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler’s
C. Side-lying with knees flexed
D. Prone
