HESI EXAM ms
Exam Solution ms
HESI Medical Surgical Cartes 2026 A+ GRADE ASSURED
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS (61F
ms ms ms ms ms ms
98)
QUESTION 1 ms
Which clinical manifestation further supports an assessment of a left-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
sided brain attack? ms ms
A) Visual field deficit on the left side.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
B) Spatial-perceptual deficits.
ms ms
C) Paresthesia of the left side.
ms ms ms ms ms
D) Global aphasia.
ms ms
ANSWER
D) Global aphasia. Rationale: Global aphasia refers to difficulty speaking, listening, and understanding
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
, as well as difficulty reading and writing. Symptoms vary from person to person. Aphasia may occur
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
secondary to any brain injury involving the left hemisphere. Visual field deficits, spatial-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
perceptual deficits, and paresthsia of the left side usually occur with right-sided brain attack.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 2 ms
A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head STAT for a
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
patient. Which data warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning this dia
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
gnostic test? ms
A) Elevated blood pressure.
ms ms ms
B) Allergy to shell fish.
ms ms ms ms
C) Right hip replacement.
ms ms ms
D) History of atrial fibrillation.
ms ms ms ms
ANSWER
C) Right hip replacement. The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that metal-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
containing items are strongly attracted to the magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a lead
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms m
shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood pressure, an allergy to shell fish, and a hi
s ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
story of atrial fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
,QUESTION 3 ms
What is the normal range for cardiac output?
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
ANSWER
The normal range for cardiac output to ensure cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery is 4 to 8 L/
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
min.
QUESTION 4 ms
A client was admitted with the diagnosis of a brain attack. Their symptoms began 24
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
hours before being admitted. Why would this client not be a candidate for for thromb
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
olytic therapy? ms
ANSWER
Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in clients with symptom onset longer than 3 hours prior to
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
admission. This client had symptoms for 24 hours before being brought to the medical center
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 5 ms
What are plate guards?
ms ms ms
ANSWER
Plate guards prevent food from being pushed off the plate. Using plate guards and other assistive de
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
vices will encourage independence in a client with a self-care deficit.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 6 ms
Which condition is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for a brain attack?
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) High cholesterol levels.
ms ms ms
B) Obesity.
ms
C) History of atrial fibrillation.
ms ms ms ms
D) Advanced age.
ms ms
ANSWER
D) Advanced age. Rationale: People over age 55 are a high-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
risk group for a brain attack because the incidence of stroke more than doubles in each successive
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
decade of life. Non- ms ms ms
modifiable means the client cannot do anything to change the risk factor. All the other options are
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
modifiable risk factors. ms ms
QUESTION 7 ms
The nurse is caring for a client with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
(SIADH), which is manifested by which symptoms?
ms ms ms ms ms ms
,A) Loss of thirst, weight gain.
ms ms ms ms ms
B) Dependent edema, fever.
ms ms ms
C) Polydipsia, polyuria.
ms ms
D) Hypernatremia, tachypnea.
ms ms
ANSWER
A) Loss of thirst, weight gain. Rationale: SIADH occurs when the posterior pituitary gland releases to
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
o much ADH, causing water retention, a urine output of less than 20 ml/hour, and dilutional hypona
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
tremia. Other indications of SIADH are loss of thirst, weight gain (A), irritability, muscle weakness, a
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
nd decreased level of consciousness. (
ms ms ms ms ms
B) is not associated with SIADH. (
ms ms ms ms ms ms
C) is a finding associated with diabetes insipidus (a water metabolism problem caused by an ADH d
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
eficiency), not SIADH. The increase in plasma volume causes an increase in the glomerular filtration
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
rate that inhibits the release of rennin and aldosterone, which results in an increased sodium loss in
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
urine, leading to greater hyponatremia, not (D).
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 8 ms
The nurse is caring for a client who has taken a large quantity of furosemide (Lasix) t
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
o promote weight loss. The nurse anticipates the finding of which acid-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
base imbalance? ms
A) PO2 of 78 mm Hg
ms ms ms ms ms
B) HCO3 of 34 mEq/L
ms ms ms ms
C) PCO2 of 56 mm Hg
ms ms ms ms ms
D) pH of 7.31
ms ms ms
ANSWER
B) HCO3 of 34 mEq/L Rationale: Diuretics (non-potassium sparing) cause metabolic alkalosis.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) PO2 of 78 mm Hg: This Po2 demonstrates mild hypoxemia, consistent with respiratory disorders,
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms m
not with diuretic use.
s ms ms ms
C) PCO2 of 56 mm Hg: CO2 retention results from hypoventilation, which is not consistent with diur
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
etic use. ms
D) pH of 7.31: This pH is acidotic; diuretics promote metabolic alkalosis.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 9 ms
Which reaction should the nurse identify in a client who is responding to stimulation
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
of the sympathetic nervous system?
ms ms ms ms
A) Pupil constriction.
ms ms
B) Increased heart rate.
ms ms ms
C) Bronchial constriction.
ms ms
D) Decreased blood pressure.
ms ms ms
ANSWER
B) Increased heart rate. Rationale: Any stressor that is perceived as threatening to homeostasis acts
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and manifests as a flight-or-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
, fight response, which includes an increase in heart rate (B). (A, C, and
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
D) are responses of the parasympathetic nervous system.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 10 ms
To decrease the risk of acid-
ms ms ms ms ms
base imbalance, what goal must the client with diabetes mellitus strive for?
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) Checking blood glucose levels once daily
ms ms ms ms ms ms
B) Drinking 3 L of fluid per day
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
C) Eating regularly, every 4 to 8 hours
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
D) Maintaining blood glucose level within normal limits
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
ANSWER
D) Maintaining blood glucose level within normal limits Rationale: Maintaining blood glucose levels
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
within normal limits is the best way to decrease the risk of acid-base imbalance.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) Blood glucose levels must be checked several times a day.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
B) Drinking 3 L of fluid per day is not necessary to maintain acid-base balance.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
C) Eating regularly is a way to achieve acid-base balance but is not the goal itself.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 11 ms
The nurse is caring for a client with an oxygen saturation of 88% and accessory muscl
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
e use. The nurse provides oxygen and anticipates which of these physician orders?
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) Administration of IV sodium bicarbonate
ms ms ms ms ms
B) Computed tomography (CT) of the chest, stat
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
C) Intubation and mechanical ventilation
ms ms ms ms
D) Administration of concentrated potassium chloride solution
ms ms ms ms ms ms
ANSWER
C) Intubation and mechanical ventilation Rationale: Support with mechanical ventilation may be nee
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
ded for clients who cannot keep their oxygen saturation at 90% or who have respiratory muscle fati
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
gue.
A) Sodium bicarbonate is used to treat metabolic acidosis; this client displays hypoxemia.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
B) Although the underlying reason for this client's hypoxemia may eventually require a diagnostic st
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
udy, the priority is to restore oxygenation.
ms ms ms ms ms ms
D) No indication suggests that this client has hypokalemia. Signs of hypoxemia and work of breathin
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
g are present, requiring correction with intubation and mechanical ventilation.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 12 ms
The nurse is caring for a group of clients with acidosis. The nurse recognizes that Kus
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
smaul respirations are consistent with which situation?
ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) Client receiving mechanical ventilation
ms ms ms ms
B) Use of hydrochlorothiazide
ms ms ms
C) Aspirin overdose
ms ms
D) Administration of sodium bicarbonate
ms ms ms ms
Exam Solution ms
HESI Medical Surgical Cartes 2026 A+ GRADE ASSURED
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS (61F
ms ms ms ms ms ms
98)
QUESTION 1 ms
Which clinical manifestation further supports an assessment of a left-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
sided brain attack? ms ms
A) Visual field deficit on the left side.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
B) Spatial-perceptual deficits.
ms ms
C) Paresthesia of the left side.
ms ms ms ms ms
D) Global aphasia.
ms ms
ANSWER
D) Global aphasia. Rationale: Global aphasia refers to difficulty speaking, listening, and understanding
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
, as well as difficulty reading and writing. Symptoms vary from person to person. Aphasia may occur
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
secondary to any brain injury involving the left hemisphere. Visual field deficits, spatial-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
perceptual deficits, and paresthsia of the left side usually occur with right-sided brain attack.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 2 ms
A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head STAT for a
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
patient. Which data warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning this dia
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
gnostic test? ms
A) Elevated blood pressure.
ms ms ms
B) Allergy to shell fish.
ms ms ms ms
C) Right hip replacement.
ms ms ms
D) History of atrial fibrillation.
ms ms ms ms
ANSWER
C) Right hip replacement. The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that metal-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
containing items are strongly attracted to the magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a lead
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms m
shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood pressure, an allergy to shell fish, and a hi
s ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
story of atrial fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
,QUESTION 3 ms
What is the normal range for cardiac output?
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
ANSWER
The normal range for cardiac output to ensure cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery is 4 to 8 L/
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
min.
QUESTION 4 ms
A client was admitted with the diagnosis of a brain attack. Their symptoms began 24
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
hours before being admitted. Why would this client not be a candidate for for thromb
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
olytic therapy? ms
ANSWER
Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in clients with symptom onset longer than 3 hours prior to
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
admission. This client had symptoms for 24 hours before being brought to the medical center
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 5 ms
What are plate guards?
ms ms ms
ANSWER
Plate guards prevent food from being pushed off the plate. Using plate guards and other assistive de
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
vices will encourage independence in a client with a self-care deficit.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 6 ms
Which condition is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for a brain attack?
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) High cholesterol levels.
ms ms ms
B) Obesity.
ms
C) History of atrial fibrillation.
ms ms ms ms
D) Advanced age.
ms ms
ANSWER
D) Advanced age. Rationale: People over age 55 are a high-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
risk group for a brain attack because the incidence of stroke more than doubles in each successive
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
decade of life. Non- ms ms ms
modifiable means the client cannot do anything to change the risk factor. All the other options are
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
modifiable risk factors. ms ms
QUESTION 7 ms
The nurse is caring for a client with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
(SIADH), which is manifested by which symptoms?
ms ms ms ms ms ms
,A) Loss of thirst, weight gain.
ms ms ms ms ms
B) Dependent edema, fever.
ms ms ms
C) Polydipsia, polyuria.
ms ms
D) Hypernatremia, tachypnea.
ms ms
ANSWER
A) Loss of thirst, weight gain. Rationale: SIADH occurs when the posterior pituitary gland releases to
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
o much ADH, causing water retention, a urine output of less than 20 ml/hour, and dilutional hypona
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
tremia. Other indications of SIADH are loss of thirst, weight gain (A), irritability, muscle weakness, a
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
nd decreased level of consciousness. (
ms ms ms ms ms
B) is not associated with SIADH. (
ms ms ms ms ms ms
C) is a finding associated with diabetes insipidus (a water metabolism problem caused by an ADH d
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
eficiency), not SIADH. The increase in plasma volume causes an increase in the glomerular filtration
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
rate that inhibits the release of rennin and aldosterone, which results in an increased sodium loss in
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
urine, leading to greater hyponatremia, not (D).
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 8 ms
The nurse is caring for a client who has taken a large quantity of furosemide (Lasix) t
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
o promote weight loss. The nurse anticipates the finding of which acid-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
base imbalance? ms
A) PO2 of 78 mm Hg
ms ms ms ms ms
B) HCO3 of 34 mEq/L
ms ms ms ms
C) PCO2 of 56 mm Hg
ms ms ms ms ms
D) pH of 7.31
ms ms ms
ANSWER
B) HCO3 of 34 mEq/L Rationale: Diuretics (non-potassium sparing) cause metabolic alkalosis.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) PO2 of 78 mm Hg: This Po2 demonstrates mild hypoxemia, consistent with respiratory disorders,
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms m
not with diuretic use.
s ms ms ms
C) PCO2 of 56 mm Hg: CO2 retention results from hypoventilation, which is not consistent with diur
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
etic use. ms
D) pH of 7.31: This pH is acidotic; diuretics promote metabolic alkalosis.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 9 ms
Which reaction should the nurse identify in a client who is responding to stimulation
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
of the sympathetic nervous system?
ms ms ms ms
A) Pupil constriction.
ms ms
B) Increased heart rate.
ms ms ms
C) Bronchial constriction.
ms ms
D) Decreased blood pressure.
ms ms ms
ANSWER
B) Increased heart rate. Rationale: Any stressor that is perceived as threatening to homeostasis acts
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and manifests as a flight-or-
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
, fight response, which includes an increase in heart rate (B). (A, C, and
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
D) are responses of the parasympathetic nervous system.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 10 ms
To decrease the risk of acid-
ms ms ms ms ms
base imbalance, what goal must the client with diabetes mellitus strive for?
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) Checking blood glucose levels once daily
ms ms ms ms ms ms
B) Drinking 3 L of fluid per day
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
C) Eating regularly, every 4 to 8 hours
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
D) Maintaining blood glucose level within normal limits
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
ANSWER
D) Maintaining blood glucose level within normal limits Rationale: Maintaining blood glucose levels
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
within normal limits is the best way to decrease the risk of acid-base imbalance.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) Blood glucose levels must be checked several times a day.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
B) Drinking 3 L of fluid per day is not necessary to maintain acid-base balance.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
C) Eating regularly is a way to achieve acid-base balance but is not the goal itself.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 11 ms
The nurse is caring for a client with an oxygen saturation of 88% and accessory muscl
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
e use. The nurse provides oxygen and anticipates which of these physician orders?
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) Administration of IV sodium bicarbonate
ms ms ms ms ms
B) Computed tomography (CT) of the chest, stat
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
C) Intubation and mechanical ventilation
ms ms ms ms
D) Administration of concentrated potassium chloride solution
ms ms ms ms ms ms
ANSWER
C) Intubation and mechanical ventilation Rationale: Support with mechanical ventilation may be nee
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
ded for clients who cannot keep their oxygen saturation at 90% or who have respiratory muscle fati
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
gue.
A) Sodium bicarbonate is used to treat metabolic acidosis; this client displays hypoxemia.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
B) Although the underlying reason for this client's hypoxemia may eventually require a diagnostic st
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
udy, the priority is to restore oxygenation.
ms ms ms ms ms ms
D) No indication suggests that this client has hypokalemia. Signs of hypoxemia and work of breathin
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
g are present, requiring correction with intubation and mechanical ventilation.
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
QUESTION 12 ms
The nurse is caring for a group of clients with acidosis. The nurse recognizes that Kus
ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms ms
smaul respirations are consistent with which situation?
ms ms ms ms ms ms
A) Client receiving mechanical ventilation
ms ms ms ms
B) Use of hydrochlorothiazide
ms ms ms
C) Aspirin overdose
ms ms
D) Administration of sodium bicarbonate
ms ms ms ms
