FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM
PACK 2024 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
An ER nurse is completing an assessment on a patient that is alert but struggles to answer questions.
When she attempts to talk, she slurs her speech and appears very frightened. What additional clinical
manifestation does the nurse expect to find if nacy's sysmptoms have been caused by a brain attack
(stroke)?
A. A carotid bruit
B. A hypotensive blood pressure
C. hyperreflexic deep tendon relexes.
D. Decreased bowel sounds - Ans:✔✔-A) A carotid bruit.
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Rationale: the carotid artery (artery to the brain) is narrowed in clients with a brain attack. A bruit is an
abnormal sound heard on auscultation resulting from interference with normal blood flow. Usually the
blood pressure is hypertensive. Initially flaccid paralysis occurs, resulting in hyporefkexic deep tendon
reflexes. Bowel sounds are not indicative of a brain attack.
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. - Ans:✔✔-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.
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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. - Ans:✔✔-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?
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FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
A) Elevated blood pressure.
B) Allergy to shell fish.
C) Right hip replacement.
D) History of atrial fibrillation. - Ans:✔✔-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."
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