HESI RN MED SURG VERSION A &
VERSION B
120+ (Updated for 2026) Exam Prep Pack | A+ Questions & Verified
Answers
100% Guarantee Pass
📋 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW 125 Qs
This document, "HESI RN MED SURG VERSION A & VERSION B," covers various topics in medical-
surgical nursing, including acute pancreatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), primary
aldosteronism, cirrhosis of the liver, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), hyperglycemia, and central
venous catheter care. Each question is accompanied by the correct answer and detailed rationale,
offering a comprehensive review of key concepts. Students can utilize this document to study, review,
and gain a deeper understanding of these medical-surgical nursing topics, ultimately enhancing their
exam preparation and knowledge retention.
✓ Verified Answers ✓ Exam Ready ✓ Study Guide
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide
EXAM QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires the most immediate
intervention by the nurse?
A.
The client's amylase level is three times higher than the normal level.
B.
The client has a carpal spasm when taking a blood pressure.
C.
On a 1 to 10 scale, the client tells the nurse that her epigastric pain is at 7.
D.
The client states that she will continue to drink alcohol after going home.
CORRECT ANSWER
B
The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires the most immediate
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 1 of 56
, intervention by the nurse?
Rationale:A positive Trousseau sign indicates hypocalcemia and always requires further assessment and
intervention, regardless of the cause (40% to 75% of those with acute pancreatitis experience
hypocalcemia, which can have serious, systemic effects). A key diagnostic finding of pancreatitis is
serum amylase and lipase levels that are two to five times higher than the normal value. Severe boring
pain is an expected symptom for this diagnosis, but dealing with the hypocalcemia is a priority over
administering an analgesic. Long-term planning and teaching do not have the same immediate
importance as a positive Trousseau sign.
QUESTION 2
A 55-year-old male client has been admitted to the hospital with a medical diagnosis of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which risk factor is the most significant in the development
of this client's COPD?
A.
The client's father was diagnosed with COPD in his 50s.
B.
A close family member contracted tuberculosis last year.
C.
The client smokes one to two packs of cigarettes per day.
D.
The client has been 40 pounds overweight for 15 years.
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Rationale:Smoking, considered to be a modifiable risk factor, is the most significant risk factor for the
development of COPD. The exact mechanism of genetic and hereditary implications for the development
of COPD is still under investigation, although exposure to similar predisposing factors (e.g., smoking or
inhaling secondhand smoke) may increase the likelihood of COPD incidence among family members.
Options B and D do not exceed the risks associated with cigarette smoking in the development of COPD.
QUESTION 3
In assessing a client diagnosed with primary aldosteronism, the nurse expects the laboratory test
results to indicate a decreased serum level of which substance?
A.
Sodium
B.
Phosphate
C.
Potassium
D.
Glucose
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Rationale:Clients with primary aldosteronism exhibit a profound decline in serum levels of potassium;
hypokalemia; hypertension is the most prominent and universal sign. The serum sodium level is normal
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 2 of 56
, or elevated, depending on the amount of water resorbed with the sodium. Option B is influenced by
parathyroid hormone (PTH). Option D is not affected by primary aldosteronism.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is completing an admission interview for a client with Parkinson disease. Which question
will provide additional information about manifestations that the client is likely to experience?
A.
"Have you ever experienced any paralysis of your arms or legs?"
B.
"Do you have frequent blackout spells?"
C.
"Have you ever been frozen in one spot, unable to move?"
D.
"Do you have headaches, especially ones with throbbing pain?"
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Rationale:Clients with Parkinson disease frequently experience difficulty in initiating, maintaining, and
performing motor activities. They may even experience being rooted to the spot and unable to move.
Parkinson disease does not typically cause option A, B, or D.
QUESTION 5
Client census is often used to determine staffing needs. Which method of obtaining census
determination for a particular unit provides the best formula for determining long-range staffing
patterns?
A.
Midnight census
B.
Oncoming shift census
C.
Average daily census
D.
Hourly census
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Rationale:An average daily census is determined by trend data and takes into account seasonal and
daily fluctuations, so it is the best method for determining staffing needs. Options A and B provide data
at a certain point in time, and that data could change quickly. It is unrealistic to expect to obtain an
hourly census, and such data would only provide information about a certain point in time.
QUESTION 6
A male client has just undergone a laryngectomy and has a cuffed tracheostomy tube in place. When
initiating bolus tube feedings postoperatively, when should the nurse inflate the cuff?
A.
Immediately after feeding
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 3 of 56
, B.
Just prior to tube feeding
C.
Continuous inflation is required
D.
Inflation is not required
CORRECT ANSWER
B
Rationale:The cuff should be inflated before the feeding to block the trachea and prevent food from
entering if oral feedings are started while a cuffed tracheostomy tube is in place. It should remain
inflated throughout the feeding to prevent aspiration of food into the respiratory system. Options A and
D place the client at risk for aspiration. Option C places the client at risk for tracheal wall necrosis.
QUESTION 7
A client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states that she is nauseated. The nurse
assesses that there has been no drainage through the nasogastric tube in the last 2 hours. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A.
Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B.
Reposition the client on her side.
C.
Advance the nasogastric tube 5 cm.
D.
Administer an intravenous antiemetic as prescribed.
CORRECT ANSWER
B
Rationale:The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is functioning correctly, which would then
relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive intervention, repositioning the client, should be attempted
first, followed by options A and C, unless either of these interventions is contraindicated. If these
measures are unsuccessful, the client may require option D.
QUESTION 8
The nurse is conducting an osteoporosis screening clinic at a health fair. What information should
the nurse provide to individuals who are at risk for osteoporosis? (Select all that apply.)
A.
Encourage alcohol and smoking cessation.
B.
Suggest supplementing diet with vitamin E.
C.
Promote regular weight-bearing exercises.
D.
Implement a home safety plan to prevent falls.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 4 of 56
VERSION B
120+ (Updated for 2026) Exam Prep Pack | A+ Questions & Verified
Answers
100% Guarantee Pass
📋 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW 125 Qs
This document, "HESI RN MED SURG VERSION A & VERSION B," covers various topics in medical-
surgical nursing, including acute pancreatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), primary
aldosteronism, cirrhosis of the liver, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), hyperglycemia, and central
venous catheter care. Each question is accompanied by the correct answer and detailed rationale,
offering a comprehensive review of key concepts. Students can utilize this document to study, review,
and gain a deeper understanding of these medical-surgical nursing topics, ultimately enhancing their
exam preparation and knowledge retention.
✓ Verified Answers ✓ Exam Ready ✓ Study Guide
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide
EXAM QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires the most immediate
intervention by the nurse?
A.
The client's amylase level is three times higher than the normal level.
B.
The client has a carpal spasm when taking a blood pressure.
C.
On a 1 to 10 scale, the client tells the nurse that her epigastric pain is at 7.
D.
The client states that she will continue to drink alcohol after going home.
CORRECT ANSWER
B
The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding requires the most immediate
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 1 of 56
, intervention by the nurse?
Rationale:A positive Trousseau sign indicates hypocalcemia and always requires further assessment and
intervention, regardless of the cause (40% to 75% of those with acute pancreatitis experience
hypocalcemia, which can have serious, systemic effects). A key diagnostic finding of pancreatitis is
serum amylase and lipase levels that are two to five times higher than the normal value. Severe boring
pain is an expected symptom for this diagnosis, but dealing with the hypocalcemia is a priority over
administering an analgesic. Long-term planning and teaching do not have the same immediate
importance as a positive Trousseau sign.
QUESTION 2
A 55-year-old male client has been admitted to the hospital with a medical diagnosis of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which risk factor is the most significant in the development
of this client's COPD?
A.
The client's father was diagnosed with COPD in his 50s.
B.
A close family member contracted tuberculosis last year.
C.
The client smokes one to two packs of cigarettes per day.
D.
The client has been 40 pounds overweight for 15 years.
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Rationale:Smoking, considered to be a modifiable risk factor, is the most significant risk factor for the
development of COPD. The exact mechanism of genetic and hereditary implications for the development
of COPD is still under investigation, although exposure to similar predisposing factors (e.g., smoking or
inhaling secondhand smoke) may increase the likelihood of COPD incidence among family members.
Options B and D do not exceed the risks associated with cigarette smoking in the development of COPD.
QUESTION 3
In assessing a client diagnosed with primary aldosteronism, the nurse expects the laboratory test
results to indicate a decreased serum level of which substance?
A.
Sodium
B.
Phosphate
C.
Potassium
D.
Glucose
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Rationale:Clients with primary aldosteronism exhibit a profound decline in serum levels of potassium;
hypokalemia; hypertension is the most prominent and universal sign. The serum sodium level is normal
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 2 of 56
, or elevated, depending on the amount of water resorbed with the sodium. Option B is influenced by
parathyroid hormone (PTH). Option D is not affected by primary aldosteronism.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is completing an admission interview for a client with Parkinson disease. Which question
will provide additional information about manifestations that the client is likely to experience?
A.
"Have you ever experienced any paralysis of your arms or legs?"
B.
"Do you have frequent blackout spells?"
C.
"Have you ever been frozen in one spot, unable to move?"
D.
"Do you have headaches, especially ones with throbbing pain?"
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Rationale:Clients with Parkinson disease frequently experience difficulty in initiating, maintaining, and
performing motor activities. They may even experience being rooted to the spot and unable to move.
Parkinson disease does not typically cause option A, B, or D.
QUESTION 5
Client census is often used to determine staffing needs. Which method of obtaining census
determination for a particular unit provides the best formula for determining long-range staffing
patterns?
A.
Midnight census
B.
Oncoming shift census
C.
Average daily census
D.
Hourly census
CORRECT ANSWER
C
Rationale:An average daily census is determined by trend data and takes into account seasonal and
daily fluctuations, so it is the best method for determining staffing needs. Options A and B provide data
at a certain point in time, and that data could change quickly. It is unrealistic to expect to obtain an
hourly census, and such data would only provide information about a certain point in time.
QUESTION 6
A male client has just undergone a laryngectomy and has a cuffed tracheostomy tube in place. When
initiating bolus tube feedings postoperatively, when should the nurse inflate the cuff?
A.
Immediately after feeding
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 3 of 56
, B.
Just prior to tube feeding
C.
Continuous inflation is required
D.
Inflation is not required
CORRECT ANSWER
B
Rationale:The cuff should be inflated before the feeding to block the trachea and prevent food from
entering if oral feedings are started while a cuffed tracheostomy tube is in place. It should remain
inflated throughout the feeding to prevent aspiration of food into the respiratory system. Options A and
D place the client at risk for aspiration. Option C places the client at risk for tracheal wall necrosis.
QUESTION 7
A client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states that she is nauseated. The nurse
assesses that there has been no drainage through the nasogastric tube in the last 2 hours. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A.
Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B.
Reposition the client on her side.
C.
Advance the nasogastric tube 5 cm.
D.
Administer an intravenous antiemetic as prescribed.
CORRECT ANSWER
B
Rationale:The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is functioning correctly, which would then
relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive intervention, repositioning the client, should be attempted
first, followed by options A and C, unless either of these interventions is contraindicated. If these
measures are unsuccessful, the client may require option D.
QUESTION 8
The nurse is conducting an osteoporosis screening clinic at a health fair. What information should
the nurse provide to individuals who are at risk for osteoporosis? (Select all that apply.)
A.
Encourage alcohol and smoking cessation.
B.
Suggest supplementing diet with vitamin E.
C.
Promote regular weight-bearing exercises.
D.
Implement a home safety plan to prevent falls.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 4 of 56
