HESI Med-Surg Practice Exam Questions and
Answers (2026) | Latest Exam Practice
Questions | Fully Verified Answers | A+
• Which clinical manifestation further supports an assessment of a left-sided brain
attack?
A) Visual field deficit on the left side.
B) Spatial-perceptual deficits.
C) Paresthesia of the left side.
D) Global aphasia.
D) Global aphasia. -✓✓D) Global aphasia.
Rationale: Global aphasia refers to difficulty speaking, listening, and
understanding, as well as difficulty reading and writing. Symptoms vary from
person to person. Aphasia may occur secondary to any brain injury involving the
left hemisphere. Visual field deficits, spatial-perceptual deficits, and paresthsia of
the left side usually occur with right-sided brain attack.
• When preparing a patient for a noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan
STAT, what nursing intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has any allergies to iodine
B) Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT
scan.
C) Premedicate the client to decrease pain prior to having the procedure.
D) Provide an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to the procedure. -✓✓B)
Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT scan.
,Rationale: Because head motion will distort the images, Nancy will have to remain
still throughout the procedure. Allergies to iodine is important if contrast dye is
being used for the CT scan. Premedicating the client to decrease pain prior to the
procedure is unnecessary because CT scanning is a noninvasive and painless
procedure. Providing an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to the procedure
is a worthwhile intervention to decrease anxiety but is not of highest priority.
• A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head STAT
for a patient. Which data warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning
this diagnostic test?
A) Elevated blood pressure.
B) Allergy to shell fish.
C) Right hip replacement.
D) History of atrial fibrillation. -✓✓C) Right hip replacement.
The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that metal-containing items
are strongly attracted to the magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a lead
shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood pressure, an allergy to
shell fish, and a history of atrial fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
• A client's daughter is sitting by her mother's bedside who was recently transferred
to the Intermediate Care Unit. She states "I don't understand what a brain attack is.
The healthcare provider told me my mother is in serious condition and they are
going to run several tests. I just don't know what is going on. What happened to my
mother?" What is the best response by the nurse?
A) "I am sorry, but according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting
Act (HIPAA), I cannot give you any information."
,B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
C) "How do you feel about what the healthcare provider said?"
D) "I will call the healthcare provider so he/she can talk to you about your mother's
serious condition." -✓✓B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to
the brain has been blocked."
Rationale: The nurse can discuss what a diagnosis means. Nancy is unable to make
decisions, so the next of kin, her daughter, Gail, needs sufficient information to
make informed decisions. The nurse has the knowledge, and the responsibility, to
explain Nancy's condition to Gail. The nurse should give facts first, and then
address her feelings after the information is provided.
• What is the normal range for cardiac output? -✓✓The normal range for cardiac
output to ensure cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery is 4 to 8 L/min.
• A client was admitted with the diagnosis of a brain attack. Their symptoms began
24 hours before being admitted. Why would this client not be a candidate for for
thrombolytic therapy? -✓✓Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in clients with
symptom onset longer than 3 hours prior to admission. This client had symptoms
for 24 hours before being brought to the medical center
• What are plate guards? -✓✓Plate guards prevent food from being pushed off the
plate. Using plate guards and other assistive devices will encourage independence
in a client with a self-care deficit.
• Which condition is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for a brain attack?
A) High cholesterol levels.
, B) Obesity.
C) History of atrial fibrillation.
D) Advanced age. -✓✓D) Advanced age.
Rationale: People over age 55 are a high-risk group for a brain attack because the
incidence of stroke more than doubles in each successive decade of life. Non-
modifiable means the client cannot do anything to change the risk factor. All the
other options are modifiable risk factors.
• A client is experiencing homonymous hemianopsia as the result of a brain attack.
Which nursing intervention would the nurse implement to address this condition?
A) Turn Nancy every two hours and perform active range of motion exercises.
B) Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on the left side of the
table.
C) Speak slowly and clearly to assist Nancy in forming sounds to words.
D) Request that the dietary department thicken all liquids on Nancy's meal and
snack trays. -✓✓B) Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on
the left side of the table.
Rationale: Homonymous hemianopsia is loss of the visual field on the same side as
the paralyzed side. This results in the client neglecting that side of the body, so it is
beneficial to place objects on that side. Nancy had a left-hemisphere brain attack so
her right side is the weak side. Speaking slowly and clearly would address the
client's verbal deficits due to aphasia. Requesting all liquids to be thickened would
address dysphagia. Turning the client every 2 hours and performing active range of
motion exercises would address the client's risk for immobility due to paralysis.
• A physical therapist (PT) places a gait belt on a client and is assisting them with
ambulation from the bed to the chair. As they get up out of the bed, they report
Answers (2026) | Latest Exam Practice
Questions | Fully Verified Answers | A+
• Which clinical manifestation further supports an assessment of a left-sided brain
attack?
A) Visual field deficit on the left side.
B) Spatial-perceptual deficits.
C) Paresthesia of the left side.
D) Global aphasia.
D) Global aphasia. -✓✓D) Global aphasia.
Rationale: Global aphasia refers to difficulty speaking, listening, and
understanding, as well as difficulty reading and writing. Symptoms vary from
person to person. Aphasia may occur secondary to any brain injury involving the
left hemisphere. Visual field deficits, spatial-perceptual deficits, and paresthsia of
the left side usually occur with right-sided brain attack.
• When preparing a patient for a noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan
STAT, what nursing intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has any allergies to iodine
B) Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT
scan.
C) Premedicate the client to decrease pain prior to having the procedure.
D) Provide an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to the procedure. -✓✓B)
Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT scan.
,Rationale: Because head motion will distort the images, Nancy will have to remain
still throughout the procedure. Allergies to iodine is important if contrast dye is
being used for the CT scan. Premedicating the client to decrease pain prior to the
procedure is unnecessary because CT scanning is a noninvasive and painless
procedure. Providing an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to the procedure
is a worthwhile intervention to decrease anxiety but is not of highest priority.
• A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head STAT
for a patient. Which data warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning
this diagnostic test?
A) Elevated blood pressure.
B) Allergy to shell fish.
C) Right hip replacement.
D) History of atrial fibrillation. -✓✓C) Right hip replacement.
The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that metal-containing items
are strongly attracted to the magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a lead
shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood pressure, an allergy to
shell fish, and a history of atrial fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
• A client's daughter is sitting by her mother's bedside who was recently transferred
to the Intermediate Care Unit. She states "I don't understand what a brain attack is.
The healthcare provider told me my mother is in serious condition and they are
going to run several tests. I just don't know what is going on. What happened to my
mother?" What is the best response by the nurse?
A) "I am sorry, but according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting
Act (HIPAA), I cannot give you any information."
,B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
C) "How do you feel about what the healthcare provider said?"
D) "I will call the healthcare provider so he/she can talk to you about your mother's
serious condition." -✓✓B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to
the brain has been blocked."
Rationale: The nurse can discuss what a diagnosis means. Nancy is unable to make
decisions, so the next of kin, her daughter, Gail, needs sufficient information to
make informed decisions. The nurse has the knowledge, and the responsibility, to
explain Nancy's condition to Gail. The nurse should give facts first, and then
address her feelings after the information is provided.
• What is the normal range for cardiac output? -✓✓The normal range for cardiac
output to ensure cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery is 4 to 8 L/min.
• A client was admitted with the diagnosis of a brain attack. Their symptoms began
24 hours before being admitted. Why would this client not be a candidate for for
thrombolytic therapy? -✓✓Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in clients with
symptom onset longer than 3 hours prior to admission. This client had symptoms
for 24 hours before being brought to the medical center
• What are plate guards? -✓✓Plate guards prevent food from being pushed off the
plate. Using plate guards and other assistive devices will encourage independence
in a client with a self-care deficit.
• Which condition is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for a brain attack?
A) High cholesterol levels.
, B) Obesity.
C) History of atrial fibrillation.
D) Advanced age. -✓✓D) Advanced age.
Rationale: People over age 55 are a high-risk group for a brain attack because the
incidence of stroke more than doubles in each successive decade of life. Non-
modifiable means the client cannot do anything to change the risk factor. All the
other options are modifiable risk factors.
• A client is experiencing homonymous hemianopsia as the result of a brain attack.
Which nursing intervention would the nurse implement to address this condition?
A) Turn Nancy every two hours and perform active range of motion exercises.
B) Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on the left side of the
table.
C) Speak slowly and clearly to assist Nancy in forming sounds to words.
D) Request that the dietary department thicken all liquids on Nancy's meal and
snack trays. -✓✓B) Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on
the left side of the table.
Rationale: Homonymous hemianopsia is loss of the visual field on the same side as
the paralyzed side. This results in the client neglecting that side of the body, so it is
beneficial to place objects on that side. Nancy had a left-hemisphere brain attack so
her right side is the weak side. Speaking slowly and clearly would address the
client's verbal deficits due to aphasia. Requesting all liquids to be thickened would
address dysphagia. Turning the client every 2 hours and performing active range of
motion exercises would address the client's risk for immobility due to paralysis.
• A physical therapist (PT) places a gait belt on a client and is assisting them with
ambulation from the bed to the chair. As they get up out of the bed, they report
