HESI Med-Surg Practice Exam Questions and
Answers (2026) | Exam Prep Material | Verified
Questions & Answers | A+
• A female client requests information about using the calendar method of
contraception. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Amount of weight gain or weight loss during the previous year.
B. An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.
C. Skin pigmentation and hair texture for evidence of hormonal changes.
D. Previous birth-control methods and beliefs about the calendar method. -✓✓*B.
An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.*
-The fertile period, which occurs 2 weeks prior to the onset of menses, is
determined using an accurate record of the number of days of the menstrual cycles
for the past 6 months, so it is most important to emphasize to the client that
accuracy and being compliant in recording the menstrual diary is the basis of the
calendar method
• A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of symptoms,
including paresthesias, diplopia, and nystagmus. Which instruction should the
nurse provide?
A. Stay out of direct sunlight.
B. Restrict intake of high protein foods.
C. Schedule extra rest periods.
D. Go to the emergency room immediately. -✓✓*C. Schedule extra rest periods.*
,-Exacerbations of the symptoms of MS occur most commonly as the result of
fatigue and stress
-The client should be encouraged to schedule extra rest periods to help reduce the
symptoms
• How should the nurse position the electrodes for modified chest lead one (MCL
I) telemetry monitoring?
A. Positive polarity right shoulder, negative polarity left shoulder, ground left chest
nipple line.
B. Positive polarity left shoulder, negative polarity right chest nipple line, ground
left chest nipple line.
C. Positive polarity right chest nipple line, negative polarity left chest nipple line,
ground left shoulder.
D. Negative polarity left shoulder, positive polarity right chest nipple line, ground
left chest nipple line. -✓✓*D. Negative polarity left shoulder, positive polarity
right chest nipple line, ground left chest nipple line.*
-In MCL I monitoring, the positive electrode is placed on the client's mid-chest to
the right of the sternum, and the negative electrode is placed on the upper left part
of the chest
-The ground may be placed anywhere, but is usually placed on the lower left
portion of the chest.
• An elderly client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. The nurse's
assessment of the client will most likely reveal which sign/symptom?
A. Leukocytosis and febrile.
B. Polycythemia and crackles.
, C. Pharyngitis and sputum production.
D. Confusion and tachycardia. -✓✓*D. Confusion and tachycardia.*
-The onset of pneumonia in the elderly may be signaled by general deterioration,
confusion, increased heart rate or increased respiratory rate due to the decreased
oxygen- carbon dioxide exchange at the alveoli, known as the V-Q mismatch
• The nurse is providing dietary instructions to a 68-year-old client who is at high
risk for development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Which information should
the nurse include?
A. Limit dietary selection of cholesterol to 300 mg per day.
B. Increase intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.
C. Decrease plant stanols and sterols to less than 2 grams/day.
D. Ensure saturated fat is less than 30% of total caloric intake. -✓✓*B. Increase
intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.*
-To reduce risk factors associated with coronary heart disease, the daily intake of
soluble fiber should be increased to between 10 and 25 gm
-According to the American Heart Association, soluble fibers helps reduce the
LDL cholesterol levels
• The nurse working on a telemetry unit finds a client unconscious and in pulseless
ventricular tachycardia (VT). The client has an implanted automatic defibrillator.
What action should the nurse implement?
A. Prepare the client for transcutaneous pacemaker.
B. Shock the client with 200 joules per hospital policy.
Answers (2026) | Exam Prep Material | Verified
Questions & Answers | A+
• A female client requests information about using the calendar method of
contraception. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Amount of weight gain or weight loss during the previous year.
B. An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.
C. Skin pigmentation and hair texture for evidence of hormonal changes.
D. Previous birth-control methods and beliefs about the calendar method. -✓✓*B.
An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.*
-The fertile period, which occurs 2 weeks prior to the onset of menses, is
determined using an accurate record of the number of days of the menstrual cycles
for the past 6 months, so it is most important to emphasize to the client that
accuracy and being compliant in recording the menstrual diary is the basis of the
calendar method
• A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of symptoms,
including paresthesias, diplopia, and nystagmus. Which instruction should the
nurse provide?
A. Stay out of direct sunlight.
B. Restrict intake of high protein foods.
C. Schedule extra rest periods.
D. Go to the emergency room immediately. -✓✓*C. Schedule extra rest periods.*
,-Exacerbations of the symptoms of MS occur most commonly as the result of
fatigue and stress
-The client should be encouraged to schedule extra rest periods to help reduce the
symptoms
• How should the nurse position the electrodes for modified chest lead one (MCL
I) telemetry monitoring?
A. Positive polarity right shoulder, negative polarity left shoulder, ground left chest
nipple line.
B. Positive polarity left shoulder, negative polarity right chest nipple line, ground
left chest nipple line.
C. Positive polarity right chest nipple line, negative polarity left chest nipple line,
ground left shoulder.
D. Negative polarity left shoulder, positive polarity right chest nipple line, ground
left chest nipple line. -✓✓*D. Negative polarity left shoulder, positive polarity
right chest nipple line, ground left chest nipple line.*
-In MCL I monitoring, the positive electrode is placed on the client's mid-chest to
the right of the sternum, and the negative electrode is placed on the upper left part
of the chest
-The ground may be placed anywhere, but is usually placed on the lower left
portion of the chest.
• An elderly client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. The nurse's
assessment of the client will most likely reveal which sign/symptom?
A. Leukocytosis and febrile.
B. Polycythemia and crackles.
, C. Pharyngitis and sputum production.
D. Confusion and tachycardia. -✓✓*D. Confusion and tachycardia.*
-The onset of pneumonia in the elderly may be signaled by general deterioration,
confusion, increased heart rate or increased respiratory rate due to the decreased
oxygen- carbon dioxide exchange at the alveoli, known as the V-Q mismatch
• The nurse is providing dietary instructions to a 68-year-old client who is at high
risk for development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Which information should
the nurse include?
A. Limit dietary selection of cholesterol to 300 mg per day.
B. Increase intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.
C. Decrease plant stanols and sterols to less than 2 grams/day.
D. Ensure saturated fat is less than 30% of total caloric intake. -✓✓*B. Increase
intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.*
-To reduce risk factors associated with coronary heart disease, the daily intake of
soluble fiber should be increased to between 10 and 25 gm
-According to the American Heart Association, soluble fibers helps reduce the
LDL cholesterol levels
• The nurse working on a telemetry unit finds a client unconscious and in pulseless
ventricular tachycardia (VT). The client has an implanted automatic defibrillator.
What action should the nurse implement?
A. Prepare the client for transcutaneous pacemaker.
B. Shock the client with 200 joules per hospital policy.
