HESI RN MED SURG VERSION A & VERSION B 2026-2027
ACTUAL EXAM EACH EXAM CONTAINS 125 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
ANSWERS 2026
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. - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-B
,The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding
requires the most immediate 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.
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. - ✔✔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.
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 - ✔✔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 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.
, 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?" -
✔✔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.
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.
ACTUAL EXAM EACH EXAM CONTAINS 125 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE
ANSWERS 2026
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. - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-B
,The nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding
requires the most immediate 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.
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. - ✔✔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.
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 - ✔✔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 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.
, 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?" -
✔✔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.
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.
