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 history of myocardial infarction
(MI) and is now experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain.
Which action should the nurse take first?
a) Administer supplemental oxygen
b) Perform a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
c) Give nitroglycerin as prescribed
d) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: a) Administer supplemental oxygen
Rationale: The first priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation.
Administering oxygen can help improve oxygen delivery to tissues,
especially when chest pain and shortness of breath are present,
indicating a possible cardiac issue. Other interventions can follow after
ensuring adequate oxygenation.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with end-stage renal disease who is
on peritoneal dialysis. The nurse notes that the effluent (drained fluid)
is cloudy. What is the most appropriate action?
a) Continue dialysis as scheduled
b) Assess the patient for signs of infection
c) Document the finding and notify the healthcare provider
d) Increase the dialysate dwell time
Answer: b) Assess the patient for signs of infection
,Rationale: Cloudy effluent can indicate peritonitis, an infection of the
peritoneal cavity. The nurse should assess for signs of infection, such as
fever, abdominal pain, and tenderness, before continuing with dialysis
or notifying the healthcare provider.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an IV infusion of potassium
chloride (KCl) to a patient. Which of the following actions is most
important before administering the potassium?
a) Monitor the patient’s blood pressure
b) Check the patient’s serum potassium level
c) Ensure the patient has a patent IV line
d) Assess the patient’s respiratory rate
Answer: b) Check the patient’s serum potassium level
Rationale: Potassium chloride should only be administered if the
patient's potassium levels are low, as hyperkalemia can cause serious
cardiac arrhythmias. Checking the potassium level ensures safe
administration.
4. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is receiving
epidural analgesia. Which of the following findings is the priority for
the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
a) Nausea and vomiting
b) Decreased bowel sounds
c) Difficulty voiding
d) Respiratory depression
Answer: d) Respiratory depression
, Rationale: Epidural analgesia can cause respiratory depression due to
its effect on the respiratory centers in the brain. Respiratory depression
is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention.
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who has been
prescribed warfarin. Which of the following statements by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
a) "I should limit my intake of green leafy vegetables."
b) "I will notify my healthcare provider if I notice any unusual bruising."
c) "I will take aspirin if I have a headache."
d) "I will have regular blood tests to monitor my INR."
Answer: c) "I will take aspirin if I have a headache."
Rationale: Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding and should be
avoided by patients taking warfarin unless specifically prescribed by the
healthcare provider. The patient should seek alternatives for pain relief.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing a seizure. What is
the first action the nurse should take?
a) Place a bite block in the patient's mouth
b) Turn the patient to the side
c) Hold the patient’s arms to prevent injury
d) Administer anticonvulsant medication
Answer: b) Turn the patient to the side
Rationale: Turning the patient to the side helps prevent aspiration of
saliva or vomit and keeps the airway open during a seizure. The nurse
should avoid inserting anything into the mouth, as this can cause injury.
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 history of myocardial infarction
(MI) and is now experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain.
Which action should the nurse take first?
a) Administer supplemental oxygen
b) Perform a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
c) Give nitroglycerin as prescribed
d) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: a) Administer supplemental oxygen
Rationale: The first priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation.
Administering oxygen can help improve oxygen delivery to tissues,
especially when chest pain and shortness of breath are present,
indicating a possible cardiac issue. Other interventions can follow after
ensuring adequate oxygenation.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with end-stage renal disease who is
on peritoneal dialysis. The nurse notes that the effluent (drained fluid)
is cloudy. What is the most appropriate action?
a) Continue dialysis as scheduled
b) Assess the patient for signs of infection
c) Document the finding and notify the healthcare provider
d) Increase the dialysate dwell time
Answer: b) Assess the patient for signs of infection
,Rationale: Cloudy effluent can indicate peritonitis, an infection of the
peritoneal cavity. The nurse should assess for signs of infection, such as
fever, abdominal pain, and tenderness, before continuing with dialysis
or notifying the healthcare provider.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an IV infusion of potassium
chloride (KCl) to a patient. Which of the following actions is most
important before administering the potassium?
a) Monitor the patient’s blood pressure
b) Check the patient’s serum potassium level
c) Ensure the patient has a patent IV line
d) Assess the patient’s respiratory rate
Answer: b) Check the patient’s serum potassium level
Rationale: Potassium chloride should only be administered if the
patient's potassium levels are low, as hyperkalemia can cause serious
cardiac arrhythmias. Checking the potassium level ensures safe
administration.
4. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is receiving
epidural analgesia. Which of the following findings is the priority for
the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
a) Nausea and vomiting
b) Decreased bowel sounds
c) Difficulty voiding
d) Respiratory depression
Answer: d) Respiratory depression
, Rationale: Epidural analgesia can cause respiratory depression due to
its effect on the respiratory centers in the brain. Respiratory depression
is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention.
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who has been
prescribed warfarin. Which of the following statements by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
a) "I should limit my intake of green leafy vegetables."
b) "I will notify my healthcare provider if I notice any unusual bruising."
c) "I will take aspirin if I have a headache."
d) "I will have regular blood tests to monitor my INR."
Answer: c) "I will take aspirin if I have a headache."
Rationale: Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding and should be
avoided by patients taking warfarin unless specifically prescribed by the
healthcare provider. The patient should seek alternatives for pain relief.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing a seizure. What is
the first action the nurse should take?
a) Place a bite block in the patient's mouth
b) Turn the patient to the side
c) Hold the patient’s arms to prevent injury
d) Administer anticonvulsant medication
Answer: b) Turn the patient to the side
Rationale: Turning the patient to the side helps prevent aspiration of
saliva or vomit and keeps the airway open during a seizure. The nurse
should avoid inserting anything into the mouth, as this can cause injury.
