Med Surg HESI VI QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS.
Course
Med Surg HESI
Question 1:
A patient with heart failure is experiencing shortness of breath and edema. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Administer diuretics as prescribed
B. Teach the patient about a low-sodium diet
C. Elevate the head of the bed
D. Monitor daily weight
Answer: A. Administer diuretics as prescribed
Rationale: The priority intervention for a patient with heart failure experiencing shortness of
breath and edema is to administer diuretics, which help to remove excess fluid and reduce
workload on the heart.
Question 2:
A patient is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of
the following findings would the nurse expect upon assessment?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Hyperresonance on percussion
C. Use of accessory muscles for breathing
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C. Use of accessory muscles for breathing
Rationale: In COPD, patients often use accessory muscles to aid breathing due to airway
obstruction and difficulty with expiration, leading to increased work of breathing.
Question 3:
The nurse is monitoring a patient who has just had a hip replacement. Which sign
would indicate a possible complication of surgery?
A. Clear urine output
B. Sudden onset of chest pain
C. Increased mobility
, D. Slight fever (up to 100°F)
Answer: B. Sudden onset of chest pain
Rationale: Sudden onset of chest pain can indicate a pulmonary embolism, a serious
complication that can occur after hip replacement surgery due to immobility and clot
formation.
Question 4:
A patient is being treated for hypertension. Which assessment finding would indicate
that the patient is experiencing a side effect of antihypertensive medication?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Dry cough
C. Decreased appetite
D. Weight gain
Answer: B. Dry cough
Rationale: A dry cough is a common side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors, which are often prescribed for hypertension.
Question 5:
A patient with diabetes is scheduled for surgery. What is the most important nursing
intervention prior to surgery?
A. Administer oral hypoglycemic agents
B. Assess blood glucose levels
C. Instruct the patient to fast for 12 hours
D. Ensure the patient understands the procedure
Answer: B. Assess blood glucose levels
Rationale: It is crucial to assess blood glucose levels prior to surgery in diabetic patients, as
hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia can lead to complications during and after the surgical
procedure.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). What is the priority
nursing intervention?
, A. Apply warm compresses to the affected leg
B. Encourage ambulation as tolerated
C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed
D. Measure calf circumference daily
Answer: C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed
Rationale: The priority intervention for a patient with DVT is to administer anticoagulants,
as they help to prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of complications such as
pulmonary embolism.
Question 7:
The nurse is caring for a patient with renal failure. Which dietary change should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Increase protein intake
B. Limit sodium intake
C. Increase potassium intake
D. Limit carbohydrate intake
Answer: B. Limit sodium intake
Rationale: Patients with renal failure often require a low-sodium diet to help control fluid
retention and hypertension, making this the priority dietary change.
Question 8:
A patient is experiencing anaphylaxis after receiving a medication. What is the first
action the nurse should take?
A. Administer epinephrine
B. Call for help
C. Place the patient in a supine position
D. Start an intravenous (IV) line
Answer: A. Administer epinephrine
Rationale: The immediate action in response to anaphylaxis is to administer epinephrine,
which can reverse the severe allergic reaction and stabilize the patient.
Question 9:
, What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient with pneumonia who is
experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Administer bronchodilators as ordered
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Provide supplemental oxygen
D. Instruct the patient to perform deep breathing exercises
Answer: C. Provide supplemental oxygen
Rationale: For a patient with pneumonia and difficulty breathing, providing supplemental
oxygen is a priority intervention to ensure adequate oxygenation.
Question 10:
A patient with a history of stroke is being discharged with anticoagulant therapy. What
teaching point is essential for the nurse to include?
A. “You can stop the medication if you feel fine.”
B. “Report any signs of bleeding to your healthcare provider.”
C. “It’s safe to take over-the-counter NSAIDs with this medication.”
D. “You will need to have your blood tested weekly.”
Answer: B. “Report any signs of bleeding to your healthcare provider.”
Rationale: Patients on anticoagulant therapy must be aware of the signs of bleeding (e.g.,
unusual bruising, blood in urine or stools) and report them immediately to prevent serious
complications.
Question 11:
A nurse is assessing a patient who has been diagnosed with hypertension. Which of the
following findings is most concerning?
A. Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
B. Patient reports headaches
C. Presence of retinal changes on examination
D. Patient states they are exercising regularly
Answer: C. Presence of retinal changes on examination
Rationale: Retinal changes indicate end-organ damage and can be a sign of severe
hypertension, making this finding the most concerning.
Question 12:
SOLUTIONS.
Course
Med Surg HESI
Question 1:
A patient with heart failure is experiencing shortness of breath and edema. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Administer diuretics as prescribed
B. Teach the patient about a low-sodium diet
C. Elevate the head of the bed
D. Monitor daily weight
Answer: A. Administer diuretics as prescribed
Rationale: The priority intervention for a patient with heart failure experiencing shortness of
breath and edema is to administer diuretics, which help to remove excess fluid and reduce
workload on the heart.
Question 2:
A patient is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of
the following findings would the nurse expect upon assessment?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Hyperresonance on percussion
C. Use of accessory muscles for breathing
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C. Use of accessory muscles for breathing
Rationale: In COPD, patients often use accessory muscles to aid breathing due to airway
obstruction and difficulty with expiration, leading to increased work of breathing.
Question 3:
The nurse is monitoring a patient who has just had a hip replacement. Which sign
would indicate a possible complication of surgery?
A. Clear urine output
B. Sudden onset of chest pain
C. Increased mobility
, D. Slight fever (up to 100°F)
Answer: B. Sudden onset of chest pain
Rationale: Sudden onset of chest pain can indicate a pulmonary embolism, a serious
complication that can occur after hip replacement surgery due to immobility and clot
formation.
Question 4:
A patient is being treated for hypertension. Which assessment finding would indicate
that the patient is experiencing a side effect of antihypertensive medication?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Dry cough
C. Decreased appetite
D. Weight gain
Answer: B. Dry cough
Rationale: A dry cough is a common side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors, which are often prescribed for hypertension.
Question 5:
A patient with diabetes is scheduled for surgery. What is the most important nursing
intervention prior to surgery?
A. Administer oral hypoglycemic agents
B. Assess blood glucose levels
C. Instruct the patient to fast for 12 hours
D. Ensure the patient understands the procedure
Answer: B. Assess blood glucose levels
Rationale: It is crucial to assess blood glucose levels prior to surgery in diabetic patients, as
hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia can lead to complications during and after the surgical
procedure.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). What is the priority
nursing intervention?
, A. Apply warm compresses to the affected leg
B. Encourage ambulation as tolerated
C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed
D. Measure calf circumference daily
Answer: C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed
Rationale: The priority intervention for a patient with DVT is to administer anticoagulants,
as they help to prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of complications such as
pulmonary embolism.
Question 7:
The nurse is caring for a patient with renal failure. Which dietary change should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Increase protein intake
B. Limit sodium intake
C. Increase potassium intake
D. Limit carbohydrate intake
Answer: B. Limit sodium intake
Rationale: Patients with renal failure often require a low-sodium diet to help control fluid
retention and hypertension, making this the priority dietary change.
Question 8:
A patient is experiencing anaphylaxis after receiving a medication. What is the first
action the nurse should take?
A. Administer epinephrine
B. Call for help
C. Place the patient in a supine position
D. Start an intravenous (IV) line
Answer: A. Administer epinephrine
Rationale: The immediate action in response to anaphylaxis is to administer epinephrine,
which can reverse the severe allergic reaction and stabilize the patient.
Question 9:
, What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient with pneumonia who is
experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Administer bronchodilators as ordered
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Provide supplemental oxygen
D. Instruct the patient to perform deep breathing exercises
Answer: C. Provide supplemental oxygen
Rationale: For a patient with pneumonia and difficulty breathing, providing supplemental
oxygen is a priority intervention to ensure adequate oxygenation.
Question 10:
A patient with a history of stroke is being discharged with anticoagulant therapy. What
teaching point is essential for the nurse to include?
A. “You can stop the medication if you feel fine.”
B. “Report any signs of bleeding to your healthcare provider.”
C. “It’s safe to take over-the-counter NSAIDs with this medication.”
D. “You will need to have your blood tested weekly.”
Answer: B. “Report any signs of bleeding to your healthcare provider.”
Rationale: Patients on anticoagulant therapy must be aware of the signs of bleeding (e.g.,
unusual bruising, blood in urine or stools) and report them immediately to prevent serious
complications.
Question 11:
A nurse is assessing a patient who has been diagnosed with hypertension. Which of the
following findings is most concerning?
A. Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
B. Patient reports headaches
C. Presence of retinal changes on examination
D. Patient states they are exercising regularly
Answer: C. Presence of retinal changes on examination
Rationale: Retinal changes indicate end-organ damage and can be a sign of severe
hypertension, making this finding the most concerning.
Question 12:
