EVOLVE ELSEVIER HESI MED SURG ACTUAL EXAM WITH 50 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH WELL-ELABORATED
RATIONALES/ EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL SURGICAL LATEST EXAM 2025
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a myocardial infarction (MI).
Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A) Administering nitroglycerin
B) Monitoring vital signs every 15 minutes
C) Administering oxygen
D) Placing the patient in a high-Fowler's position
Answer: C) Administering oxygen
Rationale: The priority intervention in a patient with a myocardial
infarction is to ensure adequate oxygenation. Oxygen is administered to
help increase the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart muscle,
reducing further damage. Other interventions, such as administering
nitroglycerin and monitoring vital signs, are important but secondary to
oxygenation.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following a
total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to prevent dislocation of the hip joint?
A) Allow the patient to bend their hip to 90 degrees when sitting
B) Use a pillow between the patient’s legs when turning them
C) Encourage the patient to cross their legs
D) Flex the patient’s hip when transferring to a chair
Answer: B) Use a pillow between the patient’s legs when turning them
Rationale: Using a pillow between the legs helps maintain hip
,abduction and prevents dislocation of the new hip joint. The patient
should avoid bending the hip to 90 degrees, crossing the legs, or flexing
the hip, as these actions can increase the risk of dislocation.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which of the following should the nurse expect to find on
assessment?
A) Hypotension
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Decreased respiratory rate
D) Warm, flushed skin
Answer: A) Hypotension
Rationale: DKA is characterized by dehydration due to fluid loss, which
leads to hypotension. Other findings typically include hyperkalemia
(due to acidosis), increased respiratory rate (Kussmaul respirations), and
cool, dry skin rather than warm and flushed.
4. A nurse is educating a patient with asthma on the proper use of an
inhaler. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A) "Inhale deeply before pressing the inhaler."
B) "Hold your breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
C) "Shake the inhaler vigorously before use."
D) "Use the inhaler only during an asthma attack."
Answer: B) "Hold your breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
Rationale: After inhaling the medication, the patient should hold their
breath for about 10 seconds to allow the medication to reach the lungs.
, Shaking the inhaler is important, but it should be done gently. The
inhaler should be used regularly, not just during an attack, for long-term
control.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis. Which of the following
should the nurse expect to find?
A) Decreased bilirubin levels
B) Decreased prothrombin time
C) Ascites
D) Increased albumin levels
Answer: C) Ascites
Rationale: Cirrhosis can lead to fluid retention and ascites due to portal
hypertension and decreased liver function. Prothrombin time and
bilirubin levels are typically elevated, and albumin levels are usually
decreased in cirrhosis.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient following a stroke. The patient has
difficulty speaking but is able to understand language. The nurse
should document this as which of the following?
A) Dysphagia
B) Aphasia
C) Apraxia
D) Dysarthria
Answer: B) Aphasia
Rationale: Aphasia refers to a language disorder where the patient has
difficulty speaking or understanding speech. In this case, the patient has
difficulty speaking but understands language, indicating expressive
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH WELL-ELABORATED
RATIONALES/ EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL SURGICAL LATEST EXAM 2025
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a myocardial infarction (MI).
Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A) Administering nitroglycerin
B) Monitoring vital signs every 15 minutes
C) Administering oxygen
D) Placing the patient in a high-Fowler's position
Answer: C) Administering oxygen
Rationale: The priority intervention in a patient with a myocardial
infarction is to ensure adequate oxygenation. Oxygen is administered to
help increase the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart muscle,
reducing further damage. Other interventions, such as administering
nitroglycerin and monitoring vital signs, are important but secondary to
oxygenation.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following a
total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to prevent dislocation of the hip joint?
A) Allow the patient to bend their hip to 90 degrees when sitting
B) Use a pillow between the patient’s legs when turning them
C) Encourage the patient to cross their legs
D) Flex the patient’s hip when transferring to a chair
Answer: B) Use a pillow between the patient’s legs when turning them
Rationale: Using a pillow between the legs helps maintain hip
,abduction and prevents dislocation of the new hip joint. The patient
should avoid bending the hip to 90 degrees, crossing the legs, or flexing
the hip, as these actions can increase the risk of dislocation.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which of the following should the nurse expect to find on
assessment?
A) Hypotension
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Decreased respiratory rate
D) Warm, flushed skin
Answer: A) Hypotension
Rationale: DKA is characterized by dehydration due to fluid loss, which
leads to hypotension. Other findings typically include hyperkalemia
(due to acidosis), increased respiratory rate (Kussmaul respirations), and
cool, dry skin rather than warm and flushed.
4. A nurse is educating a patient with asthma on the proper use of an
inhaler. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A) "Inhale deeply before pressing the inhaler."
B) "Hold your breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
C) "Shake the inhaler vigorously before use."
D) "Use the inhaler only during an asthma attack."
Answer: B) "Hold your breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
Rationale: After inhaling the medication, the patient should hold their
breath for about 10 seconds to allow the medication to reach the lungs.
, Shaking the inhaler is important, but it should be done gently. The
inhaler should be used regularly, not just during an attack, for long-term
control.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis. Which of the following
should the nurse expect to find?
A) Decreased bilirubin levels
B) Decreased prothrombin time
C) Ascites
D) Increased albumin levels
Answer: C) Ascites
Rationale: Cirrhosis can lead to fluid retention and ascites due to portal
hypertension and decreased liver function. Prothrombin time and
bilirubin levels are typically elevated, and albumin levels are usually
decreased in cirrhosis.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient following a stroke. The patient has
difficulty speaking but is able to understand language. The nurse
should document this as which of the following?
A) Dysphagia
B) Aphasia
C) Apraxia
D) Dysarthria
Answer: B) Aphasia
Rationale: Aphasia refers to a language disorder where the patient has
difficulty speaking or understanding speech. In this case, the patient has
difficulty speaking but understands language, indicating expressive
