MED SURG HESI ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ Following a subtotal thyroidectomy, the nurse asks the client to
speak
immediately upon regaining consciousness. The nurse does this to
monitor for signs of which of the following?
1. Internal hemorrhage.
2. Decreasing level of consciousness.
3. Laryngeal nerve damage.
4. Upper airway obstruction..
Answer: 3. Laryngeal nerve damage.
Laryngeal nerve damage is a potential complication of thyroid
surgery because of the proximity of the thyroid gland to the
recurrent laryngeal nerve. Asking the
client to speak helps assess for signs of laryngeal nerve damage.
Persistent or worsening hoarseness and weak voice are signs of
laryngeal nerve damage and should
,be reported to the physician immediately. Internal hemorrhage is
detected by changes in vital signs. The client's level of consciousness
can be partially assessed by asking her to speak, but that is not the
primary reason for doing so in this situation. Upper airway
obstruction is detected by color and respiratory rate and pattern.
CN: Reduction of risk potential; CL: Analyze
◉ A client who has undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy is subject to
complications in the first 48 hours after surgery. The nurse should
obtain and keep at the bedside equipment to:
1. Begin total parenteral nutrition.
2. Start a cutdown infusion.
3. Administer tube feedings.
4. Perform a tracheotomy..
Answer: 4. Perform a tracheotomy
◉ One day following a subtotal thyroidectomy, a client begins to
have tingling in the fingers and toes. The nurse should first:
1. Encourage the client to flex and extend the fingers and toes.
2. Notify the physician.
,3. Assess the client for thrombophlebitis.
4. Ask the client to speak..
Answer: 2. Notify the physician
◉ Which of the following medications should be available to provide
emergency treatment if a client develops tetany after a subtotal
thyroidectomy?
1. Sodium phosphate.
2. Calcium gluconate.
3. Echothiophate iodide.
4. Sodium bicarbonate..
Answer: 2. Calcium gluconate
◉ A 60-year-old female is diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The
nurse should
assess the client for which of the following?
1. Tachycardia.
2. Weight gain.
3. Diarrhea.
4. Nausea..
, Answer: Weight gain
◉ The nurse should assess a client with hypothyroidism for which of
the
following?
1. Corneal abrasion due to inability to close the eyelids.
2. Weight loss due to hypermetabolism.
3. Fluid loss due to diarrhea.
4. Decreased activity due to fatigue..
Answer: 4. Decreased activity due to fatigue
◉ When discussing recent onset of feelings of sadness and
depression in a client with hypothyroidism, the nurse should inform
the client that these feelings are:
1. The effects of thyroid hormone replacement therapy and will
diminish over time.
2. Related to thyroid hormone replacement therapy and will not
diminish over time.
3. A normal part of having a chronic illness.
4. Most likely related to low thyroid hormone levels and will
improve with
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ Following a subtotal thyroidectomy, the nurse asks the client to
speak
immediately upon regaining consciousness. The nurse does this to
monitor for signs of which of the following?
1. Internal hemorrhage.
2. Decreasing level of consciousness.
3. Laryngeal nerve damage.
4. Upper airway obstruction..
Answer: 3. Laryngeal nerve damage.
Laryngeal nerve damage is a potential complication of thyroid
surgery because of the proximity of the thyroid gland to the
recurrent laryngeal nerve. Asking the
client to speak helps assess for signs of laryngeal nerve damage.
Persistent or worsening hoarseness and weak voice are signs of
laryngeal nerve damage and should
,be reported to the physician immediately. Internal hemorrhage is
detected by changes in vital signs. The client's level of consciousness
can be partially assessed by asking her to speak, but that is not the
primary reason for doing so in this situation. Upper airway
obstruction is detected by color and respiratory rate and pattern.
CN: Reduction of risk potential; CL: Analyze
◉ A client who has undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy is subject to
complications in the first 48 hours after surgery. The nurse should
obtain and keep at the bedside equipment to:
1. Begin total parenteral nutrition.
2. Start a cutdown infusion.
3. Administer tube feedings.
4. Perform a tracheotomy..
Answer: 4. Perform a tracheotomy
◉ One day following a subtotal thyroidectomy, a client begins to
have tingling in the fingers and toes. The nurse should first:
1. Encourage the client to flex and extend the fingers and toes.
2. Notify the physician.
,3. Assess the client for thrombophlebitis.
4. Ask the client to speak..
Answer: 2. Notify the physician
◉ Which of the following medications should be available to provide
emergency treatment if a client develops tetany after a subtotal
thyroidectomy?
1. Sodium phosphate.
2. Calcium gluconate.
3. Echothiophate iodide.
4. Sodium bicarbonate..
Answer: 2. Calcium gluconate
◉ A 60-year-old female is diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The
nurse should
assess the client for which of the following?
1. Tachycardia.
2. Weight gain.
3. Diarrhea.
4. Nausea..
, Answer: Weight gain
◉ The nurse should assess a client with hypothyroidism for which of
the
following?
1. Corneal abrasion due to inability to close the eyelids.
2. Weight loss due to hypermetabolism.
3. Fluid loss due to diarrhea.
4. Decreased activity due to fatigue..
Answer: 4. Decreased activity due to fatigue
◉ When discussing recent onset of feelings of sadness and
depression in a client with hypothyroidism, the nurse should inform
the client that these feelings are:
1. The effects of thyroid hormone replacement therapy and will
diminish over time.
2. Related to thyroid hormone replacement therapy and will not
diminish over time.
3. A normal part of having a chronic illness.
4. Most likely related to low thyroid hormone levels and will
improve with
