HESI RN MED SURG VERSION A & VERSION B
2026-2027 ACTUAL EXAM EACH EXAM
CONTAINS 350 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
A client with acute asthma exacerbation is manifesting inspiratory and expiratory wheezes and
a decreased forced expiratory volume. Which prescribed drug class should the nurse administer
first to the client?
A) Inhaled short acting beta two agonists.
B) Inhaled corticosteroids.
C) Anti-cholinergics.
D) Leukotriene modifiers. - Correct Answer -B) Inhaled corticosteroids.
The nurse enters a clients room to administer oral medication's and find an unlicensed assistive
personnel providing personal care to the client, whose condition has obviously deteriorated.
The client is lying in a supine position and is weak, pale, and diaphoretic. Which is the priority
nursing action?
A) Determine why the UAP did not notify the nurse of the change in the clients condition.
B) Advised the UAP to stop providing care so the nurse can assess the clients condition.
C) Explain to the UAP that changes in a clients condition should be reported immediately.
D) Ask for UAP to position the client so the oral medication's can be administered. - Correct
Answer -B) Advised the UAP to stop providing care so the nurse can assess the clients condition.
The client who was admitted yesterday with severe dehydration is reporting pain where a 24
gauge IV catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride is infusing at a rate of 150 mL per hour. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Discontinue the 24 gauge IV.
B) Establish a second IV site.
C) Stop the 0.9% sodium chloride infusion.
D) Assess the IV for blood return. - Correct Answer -C) Stop the 0.9% sodium chloride infusion.
Client should the nurse assess frequently because of the risk for overflow incontinence?
A) a client with hematuria and decreasing hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
B) A client who has been fast, with increased serum creatinine levels.
1
,C) A client who is confused and frequently forgets to go to the bathroom.
D) A client who has a history of frequent urinary tract infections. - Correct Answer -C) A client
who is confused and frequently forgets to go to the bathroom.
After a spider bite on the lower extremity, a client is admitted for treatment of an infection that
is spreading up the leg. Which admission assessment findings should the nurse report to the
healthcare provider? SATA.
A) Location of the initial IV site.
B) Swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
C) Red blood cell count.
D) White blood cell count.
E) Core body temperature. - Correct Answer -B) Swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
D) White blood cell count.
E) Core body temperature.
What nursing intervention is particularly indicated for the second stage of labor?
A) Assessing the fetal heart rate and patterns for signs of fetal distress.
B) Monitoring effects of oxytocin administration to help achieve cervical dilation.
C) Providing pain medication to increase the clients tolerance of labor pains.
D) Assisting the client to push effectively so that expulsion of the fetus can be achieved. -
Correct Answer -D) Assisting the client to push effectively so that expulsion of the fetus can be
achieved.
The nurse is administering multiple prescribe vaccines to a toddler. Which strategy should the
nurse prioritized to reduce the duration of pain?
A) Supine positioning.
B) Verbal reassurance.
C) Simultaneous injections.
D) Physical soothing. - Correct Answer -C) Simultaneous injections.
When assessing a multigravida on the first postpartum day, the nurse finds a moderate amount
of lochia rubra, with the uterus firm, and three fingerbreadths above the umbilicus. Which
action should the nurse implement first?
A) Check for a distended bladder.
B) Review the hemoglobin to determine hemorrhage.
2
,C) Increase IV infusion rate.
D) Massage the uterus to decrease atony. - Correct Answer -A) Check for a distended bladder.
A client who is receiving zidovudine reports the appearance of pinpoint, red, brown spots on
the skin. Which result should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A) Skin biopsy.
B) Complete blood count.
C) Allergy test.
D) Electromyography. - Correct Answer -B) Complete blood count.
A child newly diagnosed with sickle cell anemia is being discharged from the hospital. Which
information is most important for the nurse to provide the parents prior to discharge?
A) Instructions about how much fluid the child to drink daily.
B) Referral for social services for the child and family.
C) Signs of addiction to opioid pain medications.
D) Information about nonpharmaceutical pain relief measures. - Correct Answer -A) Instructions
about how much fluid the child to drink daily.
During discharge teaching, and overweight client with heart failure is asked to make a grocery
list for the nurse to review. Which food choices include it on the clients list should the nurse
encouraged? SATA.
A) Cheddar cheese cubes.
B) Canned fruit in heavy syrup.
C) Lightly salted potato chips.
D) Plain, air-popped popcorn.
E) Natural whole almonds. - Correct Answer -D) Plain, air-popped popcorn.
E) Natural whole almonds.
A client is receiving methylamine 800 mg PO three times a day. Which assessment should the
nurse perform to assess the effectiveness of the medication?
A) Bowel patterns.
B) Pupillary response.
C) Peripheral pulses.
D) Oxygen saturation. - Correct Answer -A) Bowel patterns.
3
, Five days after surgical fixation of a fractured femur, a client suddenly reports chest pain and
difficulty in breathing. The nurse suspect the client may have had a pulmonary embolus. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A) Provide supplemental oxygen.
B) Prepare a continuous heparin infusion per protocol.
C) Bring the emergency craft cart to the bedside.
D) Notify the healthcare provider. - Correct Answer -A) Provide supplemental oxygen.
The nurse identifies an electrolyte imbalance, elevated blood pressure, and exhibited changes
in mental status for a client with chronic kidney disease. Which is the most important action for
the nurse to take?
A) Monitor daily sodium intake.
B) Auscultate for a regular heart rate.
C) Document abdominal girth.
D) Measure ankle circumference. - Correct Answer -B) Auscultate for a regular heart rate.
The older adult client who has difficulty hearing is being discharged from the day surgeries
following a cataract extraction and lens in plantation. Which intervention is most important for
the nurse to implement to help ensure the client compliant with self-care?
A) Ensure that someone will stay with the client for 24 hours.
B) Have a client vocalize the instructions provided.
C) Speak clearly and face the client for lip reading.
D) Provide written instructions for eyedrop administration. - Correct Answer -B) Have a client
vocalize the instructions provided.
Well making rounds, the charge nurse notices that a young adult client with asthma who has
admitted yesterday is sitting on the side of the bed and leaning over the side table. The client is
currently receiving oxygen at 2 L per minute via nasal cannula. The client is wheezing and is
using per slip breathing. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Increase oxygen to 6 L per minute.
B) Call for an Ambu resuscitation bag.
C) This is the client to lie back in bed.
D) Administer a nebulizer treatment. - Correct Answer -D) Administer a nebulizer treatment.
An older client with Alzheimer's disease is confused and asking the nurse to call their mother
who is deceased. Which non-pharmacological intervention should the nurse implement?
4
2026-2027 ACTUAL EXAM EACH EXAM
CONTAINS 350 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
A client with acute asthma exacerbation is manifesting inspiratory and expiratory wheezes and
a decreased forced expiratory volume. Which prescribed drug class should the nurse administer
first to the client?
A) Inhaled short acting beta two agonists.
B) Inhaled corticosteroids.
C) Anti-cholinergics.
D) Leukotriene modifiers. - Correct Answer -B) Inhaled corticosteroids.
The nurse enters a clients room to administer oral medication's and find an unlicensed assistive
personnel providing personal care to the client, whose condition has obviously deteriorated.
The client is lying in a supine position and is weak, pale, and diaphoretic. Which is the priority
nursing action?
A) Determine why the UAP did not notify the nurse of the change in the clients condition.
B) Advised the UAP to stop providing care so the nurse can assess the clients condition.
C) Explain to the UAP that changes in a clients condition should be reported immediately.
D) Ask for UAP to position the client so the oral medication's can be administered. - Correct
Answer -B) Advised the UAP to stop providing care so the nurse can assess the clients condition.
The client who was admitted yesterday with severe dehydration is reporting pain where a 24
gauge IV catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride is infusing at a rate of 150 mL per hour. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Discontinue the 24 gauge IV.
B) Establish a second IV site.
C) Stop the 0.9% sodium chloride infusion.
D) Assess the IV for blood return. - Correct Answer -C) Stop the 0.9% sodium chloride infusion.
Client should the nurse assess frequently because of the risk for overflow incontinence?
A) a client with hematuria and decreasing hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
B) A client who has been fast, with increased serum creatinine levels.
1
,C) A client who is confused and frequently forgets to go to the bathroom.
D) A client who has a history of frequent urinary tract infections. - Correct Answer -C) A client
who is confused and frequently forgets to go to the bathroom.
After a spider bite on the lower extremity, a client is admitted for treatment of an infection that
is spreading up the leg. Which admission assessment findings should the nurse report to the
healthcare provider? SATA.
A) Location of the initial IV site.
B) Swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
C) Red blood cell count.
D) White blood cell count.
E) Core body temperature. - Correct Answer -B) Swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
D) White blood cell count.
E) Core body temperature.
What nursing intervention is particularly indicated for the second stage of labor?
A) Assessing the fetal heart rate and patterns for signs of fetal distress.
B) Monitoring effects of oxytocin administration to help achieve cervical dilation.
C) Providing pain medication to increase the clients tolerance of labor pains.
D) Assisting the client to push effectively so that expulsion of the fetus can be achieved. -
Correct Answer -D) Assisting the client to push effectively so that expulsion of the fetus can be
achieved.
The nurse is administering multiple prescribe vaccines to a toddler. Which strategy should the
nurse prioritized to reduce the duration of pain?
A) Supine positioning.
B) Verbal reassurance.
C) Simultaneous injections.
D) Physical soothing. - Correct Answer -C) Simultaneous injections.
When assessing a multigravida on the first postpartum day, the nurse finds a moderate amount
of lochia rubra, with the uterus firm, and three fingerbreadths above the umbilicus. Which
action should the nurse implement first?
A) Check for a distended bladder.
B) Review the hemoglobin to determine hemorrhage.
2
,C) Increase IV infusion rate.
D) Massage the uterus to decrease atony. - Correct Answer -A) Check for a distended bladder.
A client who is receiving zidovudine reports the appearance of pinpoint, red, brown spots on
the skin. Which result should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A) Skin biopsy.
B) Complete blood count.
C) Allergy test.
D) Electromyography. - Correct Answer -B) Complete blood count.
A child newly diagnosed with sickle cell anemia is being discharged from the hospital. Which
information is most important for the nurse to provide the parents prior to discharge?
A) Instructions about how much fluid the child to drink daily.
B) Referral for social services for the child and family.
C) Signs of addiction to opioid pain medications.
D) Information about nonpharmaceutical pain relief measures. - Correct Answer -A) Instructions
about how much fluid the child to drink daily.
During discharge teaching, and overweight client with heart failure is asked to make a grocery
list for the nurse to review. Which food choices include it on the clients list should the nurse
encouraged? SATA.
A) Cheddar cheese cubes.
B) Canned fruit in heavy syrup.
C) Lightly salted potato chips.
D) Plain, air-popped popcorn.
E) Natural whole almonds. - Correct Answer -D) Plain, air-popped popcorn.
E) Natural whole almonds.
A client is receiving methylamine 800 mg PO three times a day. Which assessment should the
nurse perform to assess the effectiveness of the medication?
A) Bowel patterns.
B) Pupillary response.
C) Peripheral pulses.
D) Oxygen saturation. - Correct Answer -A) Bowel patterns.
3
, Five days after surgical fixation of a fractured femur, a client suddenly reports chest pain and
difficulty in breathing. The nurse suspect the client may have had a pulmonary embolus. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A) Provide supplemental oxygen.
B) Prepare a continuous heparin infusion per protocol.
C) Bring the emergency craft cart to the bedside.
D) Notify the healthcare provider. - Correct Answer -A) Provide supplemental oxygen.
The nurse identifies an electrolyte imbalance, elevated blood pressure, and exhibited changes
in mental status for a client with chronic kidney disease. Which is the most important action for
the nurse to take?
A) Monitor daily sodium intake.
B) Auscultate for a regular heart rate.
C) Document abdominal girth.
D) Measure ankle circumference. - Correct Answer -B) Auscultate for a regular heart rate.
The older adult client who has difficulty hearing is being discharged from the day surgeries
following a cataract extraction and lens in plantation. Which intervention is most important for
the nurse to implement to help ensure the client compliant with self-care?
A) Ensure that someone will stay with the client for 24 hours.
B) Have a client vocalize the instructions provided.
C) Speak clearly and face the client for lip reading.
D) Provide written instructions for eyedrop administration. - Correct Answer -B) Have a client
vocalize the instructions provided.
Well making rounds, the charge nurse notices that a young adult client with asthma who has
admitted yesterday is sitting on the side of the bed and leaning over the side table. The client is
currently receiving oxygen at 2 L per minute via nasal cannula. The client is wheezing and is
using per slip breathing. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Increase oxygen to 6 L per minute.
B) Call for an Ambu resuscitation bag.
C) This is the client to lie back in bed.
D) Administer a nebulizer treatment. - Correct Answer -D) Administer a nebulizer treatment.
An older client with Alzheimer's disease is confused and asking the nurse to call their mother
who is deceased. Which non-pharmacological intervention should the nurse implement?
4
